MILLIE
“Please, do me this favor and reconsider going,” Harper’s voice was a mix of concern and desperation. We had spent nearly two hours scouring the dress store in search of the perfect outfits for the upcoming party. However, my queasiness had escalated into a relentless bout of nausea that I struggled to hide. While Harper and Sienna, my two closest friends, suspected something was amiss, I couldn’t bring myself to confide in them about the real reason behind my discomfort. I was supposed to wait until Gio found out first, but the likelihood of that happening seemed increasingly remote.
Amongst the array of dresses on display, my fingers brushed lightly over the fabrics as I contemplated the situation. “It would undoubtedly raise suspicions if Gio were to make an appearance on his own.”
“Millie, I implore you…”
Turning slightly, I caught a glimpse of Harper’s expression. There was an underlying unease in her eyes that set off a ripple of concern within me. “What’s troubling you?” I asked, my curiosity piqued by the weight in her voice.
Drawing nearer, Harper lowered her voice, as if sharing a closely guarded secret. “Sebastian happened to mention that Alyssa will be attending the party.”
My fingers instinctively tightened around the fabric of a dress I was holding. “Alyssa? I thought she was still in England.”
“She was, but it seems she’s now married to some wealthy English tycoon and will be making an appearance at the party.”
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “I can handle her.”
Harper’s grip on my arm tightened, her worry evident. “Millie, this won’t be an ordinary encounter. Trust me, you shouldn’t go. I’m genuinely concerned.”
With a forced smile, I tried to alleviate her fears. “You know me, Harper. I’ll be fine.” Selecting an elegant cream-colored gown, I retreated to the fitting room and slipped it on. The dress clung to my figure, its low back adding a touch of allure. As I studied myself in the mirror, my gaze settled on my abdomen. Could anyone tell that I was carrying something precious within me? In that moment, Harper peeked into the changing room, and my heart skipped a beat. I braced for questions, but her reaction surprised me.
“Wow, that’s the one. You look absolutely stunning. Wear that, and let Gio see exactly what he’s letting slip through his fingers.”
Her words carried a mixture of encouragement and determination, but deep down, I knew that no alluring dress could mend the chasm that had grown between Gio and me. Love didn’t magically rekindle because of a revealing gown; the complexities of our relationship ran far deeper.
~*~
Gabriele, our reliable driver and confidant, arrived at the opulent mansion to pick up Harper and me. Our destination was the bustling city of New York, a place of endless possibilities and hidden dangers. Guided by the mysterious Gabriele, we embarked on a journey that would unravel more than we had bargained for.
Upon arriving in New York, we found ourselves in the gritty yet fascinating environment of our apartment’s garage. It was there that we encountered Gio and Sebastian, two figures tied to a world of intrigue and secrecy. Gio, an enigmatic presence, stood before us in a perfectly tailored black suit that accentuated both his commanding stature and his meticulously honed physique. His gaze was as cold and impenetrable as a marble statue, his emotions hidden behind a facade that seemed to defy understanding.
Despite my anticipation, Gio’s reaction to my dress was nothing short of indifference. The steely resolve in his expression remained unshaken, and the frostiness in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine. In silence, I slid into the passenger seat of his car, the tension between us palpable as we embarked on a wordless journey toward the Black town house.
It was during this quiet drive that Gio’s demeanor came into sharper focus. His intentions were laid bare as he turned to face me with a semblance of inquiry, though devoid of any genuine warmth. Understanding the need for discretion, I nodded in agreement as he expressed the importance of maintaining appearances.
The Black town house materialized before us, a bastion of privilege and influence. As Gio opened my door, the contact of his palm against my bare back sent shockwaves through my body, igniting an unexpected surge of desire. Gio’s touch, though fleeting, held an intensity that left me breathless. But his expression remained inscrutable as he led me toward the house without a single word passing between us.
Inside the house, Harper and Sebastian were already engaged in conversation, a veneer of harmony masking the complex dynamics between them. Gio guided me toward our companions, his hand retracting as swiftly as it had made contact. With a casual promise to fetch drinks, he departed, leaving me to navigate the unfamiliar social landscape.
Harper’s encouraging smile masked a deeper concern, and her words were a whispered lifeline urging me not to succumb to Gio’s power. Determinedly, I donned a facade of confidence, lifting my chin in a display of resilience. Gio’s absence was conspicuous, and as I scanned the room, my gaze intersected with a scene that pierced through the veneer I’d crafted.
Gio was in conversation with none other than Senator Black, the embodiment of authority and political prowess. And there she was-Alyssa Black-radiating allure in a form-fitting jumpsuit that seemed tailored to command attention. Her presence evoked a wave of memories: the painful recollection of a past indiscretion, of a time when Gio’s actions had wounded me even though love had yet to take root.
Gio’s attention remained undivided, fixated on Alyssa as if to demonstrate a calculated indifference to my presence. Harper and Sebastian’s reassurances echoed in the backdrop, their assurances that he wouldn’t dare act upon his inclinations.
But the unfolding scene defied those reassurances. Alyssa approached Gio with a seductive smile, and in response, his lips curled into a self-assured smirk. It was a familiar expression, one I’d seen in photographs of his bachelor days-a look that exuded confidence, a knowing charm that left no doubt about his allure.
A surge of nausea gripped my stomach as the reality of the situation sank in. The weight of sickness pressed down on me, overwhelming me with a sense of foreboding. The bathroom became my refuge, a place where I could escape the tumultuous emotions threatening to engulf me. The sound of my retching reverberated within the confined space, each heave a painful reminder of the turmoil that churned within.
A soft knock on the door signaled Harper’s concern, her voice a soothing balm amid the chaos. My reflection in the mirror portrayed a battle-worn figure, one grappling with inner demons and the torment of a heart at war with itself.
“Millie, let me in,” Harper implored, her words carrying the weight of understanding.
In the silence of the bathroom, I faced my own reflection, a portrait of internal conflict. Harper’s presence was a comfort, but the truth remained: this was a battle uniquely my own. Echoes of Gio’s declaration echoed through my mind, a testament to a love that had met its bitter end.
Yes, his words had been unequivocal: “We are done.”
In that moment, amidst the turmoil and the unrelenting ache, I found a grim solace in the realization that our chapter had drawn to a close.
GIO
Alyssa circled me with a predatory grace, much like a vulture circling its prey in a calculated dance. She had entered into a marriage with an elderly man whose bank account overflowed with millions, yet here she was, fixating on me with a gaze that resonated with a familiar desire.
“Has the allure of your wife faded so soon?” Her words dripped with an air of condescension. “I did warn you that she wouldn’t be enough to fulfill your desires.”
My tone hardened as I issued a caution, “Let’s not discuss her.” But it was clear that her memory was conveniently selective, ignoring my previous warning.
Sebastian’s raised eyebrows conveyed his silent inquiry from across the room. The absence of Millie and Harper from the scene was a relief, sparing me from the tumultuous emotions they usually stirred. Especially Millie, dressed in an ethereal nearly white gown, resembling an apparition, an angelic figure a vulnerability that I couldn’t afford.
An Achilles’ heel.
Her intentions weren’t veiled as Alyssa adopted a seductive purr. My gaze involuntarily wandered to the revealing neckline of her attire.
“What is it that you’ve come here for?” My question was laced with a taunting curl of the lip.
“For pleasure,” she replied with a suggestive smile. “Join me, Gio.”
I trailed behind her, a few steps removed, my attention feasting on the mockery of a jumpsuit that she wore. She guided me into the familiarity of her former bedroom, a space that held memories both pleasant and bittersweet.
Alyssa closed the door behind us, turning to face me, her scarlet lips glistening as her tongue darted out to wet them. “How I’ve longed to feel you inside me again, Gio,” she purred, stepping closer, tilting her head for a kiss.
“No kissing,” I snapped, my gaze unwavering and stern. Her pout was momentary, her advances curtailed. Kissing had never been a penchant of mine with her, and the distaste had only grown stronger.
Her manicured nails traced a path down my chest, tracing a path lower. Suppressing the urge to shrug her hand off, I battled the repulsion surging within me. My body remained unresponsive, far from any arousal. Her touch, once intoxicating, was now repugnant.
Perplexity flickered across her features, replaced by a defiant grin. “Playing hard to get?”
“Someone has to,” I muttered, a surge of loathing directed both inward and outward.
Undeterred by my harsh demeanor, she knelt down with an attempt at an innocent expression that appeared utterly artificial. The effect was far from what she intended; instead of drawing me in, it pushed me further away. Memories of Millie’s genuine smiles and tender touches flooded my mind the moments when I had claimed her as mine.
Millie.
Damn it.
Always Millie.