Chapter 4 Dancing with the traitors
THIRD PERSON'S POV.
The sisters looked like opposite sides of a coin.
Serena’s dress was a soft champagne gold color that clung just right, short enough to turn heads but still elegant. The heels she had chosen, or better put that Clara had chosen for her, were higher than she was comfortable with and every step felt like a delicate balancing act. Her makeup was simple, a simple eyeliner and a touch of red lipstick that let her natural beauty speak for itself.
Clara on the other hand was a sight to behold, dressed in black, her dress dangerously short, the fabric shimmering every time it caught the light. Her heels clicked with confidence. Her full-glam makeup sharp enough to shine even in the dim club lights. Serena spent a lot of money to get her body done and she never missed an opportunity to show it off. Beside her, Serena looked almost innocent and Clara liked it that way.
The car slowed to a stop outside Vulga nightlife, Monterra's most exclusive night club. Music thumped through the pavement loudly as the sisters stepped out, the night air was cool against their skin.
“Good evening Miss Gregory, I’ll get someone to walk you to the VIP section” Clara adjusted her dress without shame, the corners of her lips lifting as the bouncer greeted her by her name. Serena followed closely behind her heels wobbling slightly against the tiled floors.
Inside the room lit up in a sea of colours, perfume, sweat and alcohol mingled in the air, Serena blinked, the loud music giving her Instant migraines as her eyes tried to adjust to the light.
As they walked up to the VIP section everyone seemed to stare as they walked by, Serena squirmed and moved closer to Clara. She had only been to the club twice, once with Jonathan and another time with Trisha, her best friend after their graduation. Speaking of Trisha
“I invited Trisha to come meet us here. I hope that’s okay” she yelled into Clara’s ears so she could hear her over music.
“Sure” Clara yelled back. She and Trisha never saw eye to eye, Trisha had the awful habit of always suspecting her, I mean she wasn’t wrong, but Clara hated being scrutinized.
At the VIP section Jonathan spotted Clara first. His lips curved into a grin, she really was a beautiful woman, but just as he began to make his way over, his paused. Serena?
She was right behind Clara. He was taken aback, Serena never came to the club, it wasn’t her scene. So what was she doing here tonight?
His gaze lingered on her longer than he intended. The low light caught the shimmer of her skin, the way her dress framed her in perfect elegance. It was one of the rare nights her beauty wasn’t hidden behind those preppy shapeless clothes she insisted on wearing. He had always known she was attractive of course, but he had never found her exciting. Serena bored him, the politeness, the modest smiles, the dull conversations even her naivety to her surroundings angered him.
When he’d first seen her on Forbes list of 30 under 30, it was wasn't admiration that drew him in nor was it love. It was her last name that caught his attention, Gregory, that was a powerful name in Not just Monterra but the whole country, one of Valenor's most influential families. She represented access, wealth and prestige. Everything Jonathan wanted.
He was willing to play the part of the doting boyfriend hell even the loving husband so long as it meant securing his share of her family’s fortune. But heaven must have smiled on him the day Clara returned from France, Clara, fiery seductive and bold. She was everything Serena was not…. And she loathed her sister even more than he did. The jealousy ran deep.
He wanted to leave Serena for Clara since she was obviously the better of the two but Clara had informed him that Serena had the larger share of their inheritance. So Clara approached him with a plan, a dangerous plan, thrilling plan and He didn’t hesitate. He would keep dating Serena, gain her trust then make her sign over her inheritance to him and when it was done he would divorce her and marry Clara instead.
It was perfect, he could have it all. The money, the power and the woman he actually wanted.
He walked towards them, smile in place.
“Hello gorgeous” He whispered into Serena’s ears. She jumped.
“Jonathan??” She squealed, throwing her arms around him. He hugged her back easily, his eyes meeting Cla, a quick wink passing between them. “What are you doing here?” Serena asked oblivious to the exchange.
“I am out celebrating with a couple of friends. We just closed a deal today.” He said, that familiar cocky grin tugging on his lips. “What are you doing here?”
Serena blushed, “Clara, heard about our engagement and decided it was worth celebrating “ she said, gesturing at Clara.
Clara’s lips curved faintly, not enough for Serena to notice but enough for Jonathan to understand.
He looked stoic and that caused Serena to panic. She quickly confessed “ I’m sorry I didn’t mean to tell her about us, but she saw the ring and insisted on knowing about it, please don’t be mad” she blabbered in one breath.
Jonathan made to respond but Clara cut in, “how can he be mad? I’m your sister.” She said tucking a hair strand behind her ears. “I deserve to know my future brother in-law”.
Jonathan’s gaze lingered on her a little too long, Serena didn’t notice but Clara did. A smiled tugged at her lips, her eyes challenging him.
“Of course you do,” he finally said “family should be close… don’t you think ?.”
Clara tilted her head, eyes never leaving his. “Very close”
Serena laughed softly, completely missing the sexual tension rising between them. “I’m glad you are not mad babe”
her phone buzzed. “Oh good, Trisha is here. She’s at the entrance, I’m going to go get her” she said, she reached for her drink. Waiting for Jonathan to offer to come along. When he didn’t she gave a small awkward laugh “you two stay here. I’ll be right back”.
As she disappeared down the stairs the space between Jonathan and Clara vanished.
Clara stepped closer, the air between them felt charged. “You played the part well” she murmured, her voice low enough that only he could hear.
“So did you,” Jonathan replied, raising his glass to his lips.
Trisha couldn’t believe her eyes when she spotted Serena.
“Girl, is that you?” Trisha squealed. “You look like Cinderella after the fairygod mother worked her magic!”
Trisha was screaming, her excitement evident in every word. Serena couldn’t help but laugh as Trisha pulled her in a hug.
They were polar opposites. People always wondered how they stayed best friends for so long. Where Serena was soft-spoken and understated, Trisha was bold and effortlessly glamorous, even when she wore the simplest outfit, she managed to look like she belonged on a magazine cover. And she never sugar coated a thing, she would call you out on your nonsense the moment she spots it. And that of course was one the many reasons she and Clara never got along.
“Tell me queen, what did you say is the reason for this once in a lifetime evenings?”
“Gosh, Trish you are so dramatic.” Serena said, leading the way back into the club “you sound like I don’t dress up on a regular basis “.
Trisha scoffed loudly “that’s because you don’t, you are always wearing those boring vests of yours but tonight you are rocking four inch heels and a mini dress”. Trisha said obviously impressed.
Serena clutches her chest in faux shock “ take that back, my vests are not boring, they are classy chic”.
“Is that another word for ugly” Trisha countered as she erupted into fits of laughter.
“You are just a meanie” Serena replied, also laughing.
“Girl move closer so I can hold your hands, these shoes are killing me I need an anchor”
They laughed even louder as they made their way further into the club.
Serena's laughter echoed above the music, hearty and trusting, oblivious to the fact that just a few floors above, behind a locked bathroom door her sister and fiancé were tangled up in a sweat of sin that would soon shatter her world.