Chapter 8 Chapter 8
Iris
She stirred in her bed, chest rising rhythmically, still utterly passed out.
Thank goodness I was the one Father entrusted to get her ready, he’d have had her on twenty-four-hour surveillance or chains until the wedding and I wasn’t joking.
“Vickie!” I yelled, my voice louder than I intended but even then that didn’t wake her up.
Of course.
I walked over, gagging at the pungent smell of alcohol oozing from her. Right then, I decided to avoid liquor entirely. It wasn’t worth it and with the chaos surrounding my secret one night stand, I needed to be sober for the rest of the proceedings or maybe the rest of my life.
I didn’t like the way it felt, having secrets and lying, if I got out of this ordeal without repercussions I would be on my best behavior and avoid trouble for eternity.
“Get up, sister.” I grabbed her shoulders shaking her violently and that managed to get her awake.
Her lashes fluttered open. Her gaze drifted unfocused across the room, landing on me as though she was piecing together who I was.
After a second I saw recognition gleam in her eyes.
“Glad you’re awake now.” I muttered, stepping away to find her humidifier.
She groaned and lifted her head slowly when she looked in my direction, a slow, dreamy grin spread across her face, brightening her features despite the mess she was in.
“Dear sister,” she drawled. “I had such a wild night.”
“I can see that,” I retorted.
“No, no, you don’t understand.” She sat up straighter, waving her hand dramatically but then she swayed, the mattress springs creaking as she grabbed the bedpost to steady herself and burst out laughing.
“Vickie, I need you to sober up.” I poured her a glass of water from her bed stand then handed it to her.
“Is that vodka?” she questioned, tugging at her hair.
“In your state, it’s not possible you can drink anymore,” I explained about to hand her the glass but changed my mind, worried she might throw away the glass.
“Open up,” I ordered.
“Yes mum.” She teased but parted her lips and I made her drink the whole thing.
“I had such a wild night, Iris.” She said once more as I stepped back picking anything trashable.
“You’ve said that before,” I said, throwing the bottle and some plastic cans into her room bin.
“This time it was, I don’t even know the word for it… she paused. As if searching for a word not finding what she was looking for she waved her hand and continued. “Just when I thought sex couldn't get better… I was damn wrong."
I knew exactly how she felt. I had the same epiphany a few days ago. Daruis made Tony’s D game look like a joke
Her voice faded into a dull hum, my mind sliding away from her chaotic storytelling, to the night I made a terrible mistake but got the best experience of my life.
“Are you listening?” she snapped suddenly.
I blinked. “Sorry. What were you saying?”
Vickie leaned closer. “What’s wrong? I’m the one drunk but you’re the one distracted.”
“You should stop going out,” I blurted. “Especially now that you’re about to get married. You can’t keep doing this.”
Vickie scoffed. “Spare me the lectures, you’re sounding just like him.”
“I’m not lecturing,” I said, but even to me, it sounded like a lie. “I’m saying it because—”
“Because you’re scared of Father,” she finished for me, rolling her eyes. “I’m not.”
“You should be. He sent me to get you ready. We’re going to the royal tailor for your wedding dress.”
She collapsed backward into her pillow with a groan. “Can’t he just pick one? Tell them to mail it? I have a headache the size of a mountain.”
“No.” I crossed my arms. “Father entrusted me to get you ready. If I don’t, he’ll come up here himself. And you know what will happen if he walks in and sees this.”
Her eyes widened a fraction.
“Fine,” she muttered. “Help me up. Goddess, the room is still spinning.”
I grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the bathroom. “Shower. Now. I’ll go get ready too.”
“You’re bossy in the morning,” she mumbled as she closed the door.
I didn’t answer.
Part of me wanted to deny it, pretend that brushing my hair and changing into a dress had nothing to do with him. Pretend the way he looked at me hadn’t carved its way under my skin. But as I left Vickie’s room and headed toward mine, the truth whispered against my neck:
You want to look good in case he’s there.
I shoved the thought away.
I exhaled slowly, relieved and uneasy at the same time. Whoever wrote that message… they were still out there.
I decided not to think about it—not until it forced itself into my hands again. Instead, I went to my room to change.
It was absurd. I was carefully getting ready for my sister’s fiancé but for some reason I couldn’t stop. The urge to look good kept tugging at my skin and even forced me to do my makeup.
I opened my closet and pulled out the red satin dress. I had pictured it perfectly in my head, it hugged my waist and fell just right down my legs. When I fastened the straps and looked in the mirror, a small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.
I reached for my brush—but froze.
There. On the floor was another note.
My throat tightened instantly. The note hadn’t been there a minute ago, I would have seen it. Quickly, I pushed the door open looking through the hallway but it was empty.
Outsmarted again. Walking back inside I picked the note off the floor when a voice startled me.
“Lady Iris,” a guard said, bowing stiffly. “Your father asked that I escort you downstairs, immediately.”
I slid the note behind my back so quickly it crinkled. “Right,” I said, forcing a smile. “Of course.”
I tucked it into my palm, hid it against my dress, and walked past him through the door.