CHIARA
Unlike the people who had to line up, Chelsea and I weaved our way to the VIP section and were granted access really quick. The loud music busted in my ears, not much to my liking but like the bubbly girl beside me said… I needed to get wasted tonight. We were at the Phoenix club. Owned by Junior.
When she told me about going out with her since I'll be leaving soon, I rejected her straight away. And then I gave in before she left with her head hanging low and a cute pout. She reminded me so much of someone. I didn't have the heart to say no.
So here we were, elbowing with other people to reach our VIP booth. "I'll go and get us some drinks. What do you crave, hon?" Her head bobbed to the beat. Where the hell did Junior find this wild and reserved person at the same time? "Get me something strong!" I shouted back. "I got yah, baby!" She winked at me before turning and made her way to the bar side. Dancing her way there to be specific. The smile on my lips came voluntarily.
After a few drinks, we were both on the dancefloor, showing everyone what dancing actually was. All sorts of moves were shown as people clapped for us. And then we were dancing like couples to a song that wasn't even befitting. Her arm around my waist and mine around her shoulders. I'd never let this lose before, ever. Maybe when I was a teenager.
We went back to our table laughing and panting. And downed another round of shots. "I need to pee!" I shouted in her ear. "Come, I'll take you." She held my hand and dragged me to the lady's rest room. She waited outside, texting her man. The two of them were inseparable. I envied them so much.
I helped myself to the toilet and then stood on a sink and washed my face. It was like I washed the delusion from it instead. Because the moment the water washed down, my fake happy face dropped as well. And tears started to pool in my eyes. I watched my reflection.
How much more till I'll be able to turn this feeling off? I did it in the past so why can't I now? Why can't I shut him off my mind? Taking a deep breath, I walked out and told Chelsea I wanted to go back. If she was disappointed by my abrupt demand, then she did a good job hiding it.
Chelsea left with Junior after the two of them brought me back to the haunted mansion. I heard them mentioning about flying back to Milan as quickly as possible. As my usual routine, I went to get a bottle of beer and made my way to the balcony. "Hello, missed me?" I said to the stars. "Aww, I missed you too, love." I opened the bottle. There wasn't a single thing I hadn't talked to throughout the month. He made me go insane. Totally out of my character and element. The only difference between me and the ones admitted to a mental asylum was that they hadn't found me yet.
A few moments later, I was back yapping to the sky. I knew God was watching me, so I was complaining to him too because my pitiful ass had nobody else to talk to.
"He said he loved me for five years! Five fucking years and then he left without even giving me a chance to explain myself to him!" I burped. "God, you made me right? Then you must know me very well that I had no fucking choice!" I pressed my temple, feeling it coming. The epic headache that I'd been having lately. The doctor said I needed to stop drinking. How am I going to stay sane without beer? I'll probably end up drowning myself to death so I could haunt the man forever in his mansion. If he can't have me alive, he'll have me as a ghost.
I stared at the phone. Then I shook my head. "I should stick to drinking." Then I found the phone in my hand, dialing. Too fucking late. It rang for a while without going through. I was sighing and about to end it when his voice came. "Hey," Everything stilled. Time, my heart, my mind, everything. "Hello?" He added. I bit my lower trembling lip, blinking tears. His voice reverberated all over my body.
"Why call me if you were going to stay silent?" My hands trembled. "I'm hanging up." "Wait!" I jumped from the pool bed. Taking silent quick breaths. Fucking get your shit together, Chiara. I blew out and then opened my mouth. "How are you doing?" What the fuck? I had so much to say to him but now that he responded I got tongue tied. "Well, I'm still breathing." His voice was cold, almost unrecognizable. My heart hurt. "If you have nothing to say then I'm hanging up. I'm a busy person." The one and only. I almost said that as I usually did.
"I'm sorry." I blurted, sniffling. His end of the line went dead silent, making me burn as I waited. "Okay." He hung the call. The phone slid from my hands from my grasp. 'Okay'
Yeah. There was not even an imaginary chance for us. None! He'd move on quicker than I could imagine.
I faced the sky. "You see that God? I'm dead. Done for." I let the tears fall.
A piercing shriek pulled me up from my deep slumber. My chest heaved as my heart pounded, and my eyes widened. It's a female voice. Or was I hallucinating?
I jumped from the pool bed and went to hold the telescope. I pointed it where I thought the voice had come from. My eyes narrowed as I pulled in the visioning. And a gasp left my lips. Celia was running over our driveway at full speed while a man dressed in full black gear was running after her. What was going on? He reached her, caught her and ran back to the Conti home with her.
"Shit. Shit! Shit!" I ran inside the mansion like a mad woman.