Chapter 7 Family
My car is safely parked in its spot the next day as if nothing happened. As if my world wasn't completely rocked.
I go to the theater for my last performance in this city. I dance my heart out, knowing my family is watching me.
"My baby, you were so perfect!" My mother embraces me after the performance, making the throb in my ankle more bearable.
I almost never see my family during a run. It's all about resting in between to be flawless.
"I missed you so much!" She smacks my cheek loudly.
"I missed you more." I hug her tighter before going to my father's arms.
"You were great, my girl." He picks me up in his strong arms like he always does, as if I were still a little girl, and I absolutely love it. He has always coddled me and cherished me.
My parents are gorgeous, and they have been dubbed the David and Victoria Beckham of the United States because my dad used to be America's favorite quarterback, and my mother is a fashion mogul.
I get my looks from her. My father likes to joke that the only thing I inherited from him was his athletic ability.
I get hugs and congratulations from the rest of my family. My protectors are my cousins, they're triplets and ridiculously famous in their own right, making women drool over them everywhere they go, but they're all happily married. I used to idolize them growing up. I want what they have. The success, the happily ever afters. For some reason, I have always thought I would have that with Ben, who is here and looking like he's in an argument with his brother.
What the hell is his brother doing here?
Miguel Cargill is a thorn in both Benedict and Caroline's lives. He is the constant reminder that their family is anything but perfect, Miguel being the illegitimate child of Benedict Cargill snr, whose mother is an immigrant from Colombia. He is the stain in their white world.
Oddly enough, Miquel and Ben look eerily alike, both blonde and blue-eyed, you would never tell that they didn't come from the same mother.
Miguel is older by three years, and I remember how the girls went completely ape shit over him in high school when I was a freshman and he was a senior. The appeal is evident, though he was the star of the swimming team back then, and even now, his physique is imposing and deliciously dressed in a tailored black suit.
"Miguel sure looks good." Amelia, one of the triplets' wives, winks mischievously at me. "You ever think of switching brothers?"
"What, no!" I can feel the heat creeping up my neck.
She chuckles. "Just kidding, I know you and Ben are endgame."
Guilt claws at my subconscious, and my pussy clenches deliciously in remembrance of those gloved fingers pushed inside it. I've been masturbating like a fucking teenager trying to replicate that feeling, but I don't think anything would be able to do it justice.
In plain language, I'm fucked, and the sight of my handsome boyfriend being here to support me makes me a bad person. Someone I never thought I would be.
"Listen." Amelia's voice turns serious, and I train my attention back on her. "I saw you flinching in the performance tonight. What's wrong?"
And here I thought I was being obscure, I should've known I won't be able to hide from people who are fucking doctors and professional athletes.
"You know you can tell me anything, right?" Her voice drops an octave lower so nobody can hear us. "Just give me a call tomorrow or the day after, whatever it is, let me help you. And I won't tell anyone, doctor-patient confidentiality, remember?"
The thought that there might be something seriously wrong with my ankle is too scary to even think. But Amelia is right, I can't exactly run away from the fact that something is wrong, and she's the best person to look at it.
Fear still lodges in my chest. I have seen prima ballerinas' careers destroyed because of foot and ankle injuries. I don't want to be next. I'm not ready to hang up my pointes just yet.
I excuse myself from my family before making my way over to the two Cargill men. We're in a room full of influential people, and I know that Ben doesn't like attracting negative attention.
It irks me that I'm already thinking like a dutiful wife.
I slide my arm around Ben's waist and stand on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
I can never get over the way he looks at me. He may piss me off sometimes, but he looks at me like I hung the moon. How could I ever hurt him?
I decide right then and there. No more Black. No more looking for trouble just to get some twisted thrill. Ben deserves better than that.
"Hey, beautiful." He captures my lips with his. It feels familiar and safe."I haven't seen you in ages."
I smile. "You're seeing me now. I can spare some time for you."
He chuckles and kisses me again.
"Madison."
I straighten as my eyes meet the serious ones of Miguel.
"Miguel, it's good to see you." I smile politely and take the hand that he offers.
They may look alike, but where Ben is elegantly built with spending just enough time in the gym to stay trim, Miquel is all hard lines and taller than his younger brother, his body imposing. The man is utterly gorgeous, but his bright blue eyes are always serious, and I've honestly never seen him smile.
"You were brilliant." He nods sternly, his eyes briefly going to the space where I'm connected to Ben. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get ready to leave for California in the morning."
He turns around, leaving me slightly confused. In all the time I've been together with Ben, his brother has never come to one of my ballets.
"That was....strange." I turn in Ben's arms and kiss him again.
"He's being a pain in my ass as usual." There's hurt in the similar blue eyes of my boyfriend. "He just passed his fucking board exam in the state."
"Oh, I didn't know he studied law." I frown.
Ben is a lawyer and works in his family's prestigious law firm. He always had plans to one day be at the top of said law firm. As far as I'm concerned, Miguel has never shown any interest in law.
"Because he fucking wants everything I have." Ben radiates tension from his whole body. "Babe, I have to go, I have to go see my father."
"But I haven't really seen you in like two weeks." I remind him.
Remorse shines in his eyes."I know, I'll make it up to you, I promise."
He leaves after a quick kiss on my lips, leaving me with thoughts of our future together.
Is this how it will be?
Do I get married to Benedict Cargill and wait around for him like the lonely housewife his mother is?
That doesn't feel tantalizing at all.