Violet
I hear the footsteps and pause. I don’t dare turn around. What will I tell him after all this time?
And here, of all places.
Why did he choose to come back now? My hands close into fists and I turn around.
But the man coming my way is not Dominic.
It’s Conor.
And he looks pissed. Very pissed, at that.
“What the hell was that in there?”
He growls, coming to stand before me. I take a small step away from him.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
I say. “I just needed some fresh air, it’s really suffocating in there. “
I’m keeping my voice neutral but he is already irritated to no end for some reason.
“Suffocating?”
He snorts. “You know perfectly well what I am talking about,”
Then he takes a threatening step in my direction.
Conor grabs me. Now, that it’s just the two of us, he has no reason to try to be careful and no one would see him.
He grabs me really forcefully and pulls me towards him, looming over me.
“I saw how you look at him.” he snarls.
“At who?”
I ask and Conor lowers himself further.
“Dominic,” he says the name with so much gathered in his voice that I feel goosebumps rising all over my skin.
“I know you used to like him before,” he says and I try to make him let go of me.
He doesn’t release his hold, so I stop struggling and look up to meet his eyes.
“It was years ago. “ I grunt, “And you know nothing happened. It was just a stupid girl’s infatuation. Nothing more.”
“Yeah, “ he says, licking his lips, “ because he didn’t care about a poor rat like you. Did you really think he’d recognise you? You? Violet, nobody from the slums.”
I clench my teeth so hard I feel like I might chip one of them.
“I never thought he’d remember me.”
“No one would,” he says. “Even I married you out of pity.”
He sounds so content and full of himself that I can’t stand him.
“Then why don’t you let me go?” I ask, this time more confidently. Hopefully, even. “Hm?”
“I told you no “ Conor begins, very slowly, “And if you keep asking me for a divorce, I will ruin your life. And Evie’s.”
At the mention of my sister's name I pause. He is right. Even if I manage to split with him I still won’t be able to provide for her education.
A few more years, I remind myself. A few more years and I will manage to make my father’s business successful again. I can do it.
But right now… I am far from achieving anything remotely close to success and profits. The company was in ruins, it will take time until I make it successful again.
“What do you get from torturing me,” I hiss at him and Conor smirks.
“I love seeing you humiliated,”
He says it without thinking, “the proud Violet who thinks she’s smarter than the others. This doesn’t work on me.”
“You are insane,”
I snarl at him and he laughs.
“Oh, no. I’m not. I just know you better than you think.”
“Did you know he was going to be here tonight?” I ask, “Did you want to humiliate me in front of him too? ”
“You embarrassed yourself enough, “ Conor's eyes are a deep, dark colour, the black pupils have almost eaten out the blue irises.
“If you ever look at him,” he says, “you’ll regret it. You are not allowed to look at other men, especially my brother.”
I try to pull away from him but I can’t.
“Let go of me.”
I struggle, but he grabs me.
“You are my wife. “ he raises his voice, “Act like one.”
“I’m not…”
I begin when he suddenly grabs me really hard, kissing me.
“No!”
I try to push him away, but he is much stronger.
“Let go of me!”
I yell, struggling.
“No!”
I fight him, pushing him away from me as he is fording himself on me.
Conor has never done anything like this. All the offices and no kings have only been verbal so far.
Right now, he is not letting go.
“Please, no.”
I cry out as he grabs the front of my dress and almost rips the cloth.
“Please, no…”
I keep struggling when he does it.
“Ungrateful bitch,” he yells. Then he raises his hand threatening to hit me.
“Coward!”
I shout, “Come on, do it. Hit me! ”
Conor pauses.
My eyes flicker to the lights of the manor behind us. I see one of Conor’s bodyguards walking towards us.
“Sir?” The man calls, “Is everything all right?”
Conor releases me but keeps glaring at me.
“Yes, Ethan,”
He tells his bodyguard without looking at him.
“My wife and I just had a small argument, didn’t we, honey?”
I hold his eyes.
“Yes. We… yes. “
“Everything’s fine. You are free,”
Conor instructs and the man doesn’t come near.
“Uhhh, okay, Sir. “ he mutters, “Please call me if you need anything.”
“Of course,” Conor says and Ethan vanishes.
“You can’t run away from me,”
Conor says when it’s just the two of us, “Don’t ever forget that.”
I won’t cry.
I won’t let him see me crying. And I won’t let him touch me- I’ll never forgive him for what he did.
Conor kisses the top of my head and I squeeze my eyes shut.
“I expect you to be back inside,” he says, “ We still haven’t cut the cake. “
Conor fixes his coat and then his tie.
“By the way, Grandfather wanted to see you. Don’t even think of mentioning to him what happened just now.”
When I don’t respond, he grabs my chin, forcing me to look up at him.
“Do you understand what I am saying?”
“Yes,” I whisper, my jaw trembling and I am ready to do anything to stop my voice from shaking.
“Fix your make-up before that. “
He says. “You look terrible.”
Conor releases my chin, and steps away from me.
“Anastasia is really beautiful, don’t you think?”
He doesn’t even wait for me to reply before he turns back to the manor.
“Don’t be too long.”
Conor goes back inside, leaving me alone.
That’s when I can no longer stop the tears from spilling and I begin crying.
Dominic “Why did we leave so early?” Anastasia sits in the car and takes the seat opposite mine in the limo. Then she leans heavily back with a pout. “We can leave, Massimo, thank you. “ I instruct and ignore her question. “Yes, Sir. “ The driver starts the car and the car quickly slips back to the busy streets of London. “So?” she asks, crossing her arms. “I didn’t feel like staying. “ I was hoping she forgot the question but here we are. “You haven’t been home in so long and you say “you didn’t feel like staying?” she exclaims. “That’s right. “ Anastasia gives me a pointed look but doesn’t continue asking. “I think your family is really cool, “ She keeps trying to start a conversation. “You don't know them. “ Despite my answer, she goes on. “And Conor seems like a real gentleman. His wife looked like a total bitch, thought.” That catches my attention and I look away from the window and the bright lights of the city ahead. “What did you say?” I try to
Dominic “Yes, that’s right. “ I tell Max. “Is this the same Violet Conor was in love with since high school?” “I... I have no idea. Maybe? Same name, I guess it’s the same woman.” I start glancing around the room for my cigarettes. I haven’t smoked for the entire evening, but I decide “fuck it,” “It must be her. But isn’t this the same one you dated?” Max goes on. “I mean, you went out with her a few times, but then Conor said he was in love with her so you dropped the whole thing. “ “We never dated. We just went out a few times. But yeah, maybe. “ “You don’t remember?” Max laughs, “Bro, you don’t just randomly date anyone. I am excluding the models like Anastasia you sleep with for a week or two. And you’re saying you don’t remember if that's the same, Violet?” “Maybe. “ I say and finally, spot my box of cigarettes. I pick up one and light it. I take a very deep inhale and Max argues. “What do you mean maybe?!” “All I am saying is this is in the past. She is married to
Violet I have a bad feeling about this. Contrary to my horror, most likely written on my face, Philip is smiling widely. Dominic - well, he is unreadable as always. “As you two know I am starting something new. “ Philip continues, “I’ve been planning for this for a while. “Philip turns to his son. “I asked you to come back home not just because of Grandfather. But also because I will need your help.” Then he turns to me. “And yours.”Dominic and I exchange a confused look. “I don’t…”I begin but Philip quickly says. “I am starting a new company. Dominic has proven to be capable of turning a small company into a huge, successful empire. On the other hand- you Violet have been doing a great job with your father’s smaller business... I know you're trying to make the company work. ““I…Yes, “I nod. “Great, “Philip opens his arms, “It’s decided. ““What do you mean it’s decided?”Dominic argues, “We haven’t decided anything. You said you’d needed me for a month or two. ““It… it
DominicShe is hesitating. I should not be doing this. I managed to spend the entire day not talking to her about anything that was not work-related. Violet should say no. “Okay, “She says, “I let the driver go for the night, and I don’t want to make him come all the way here. But only if I am not causing you trouble, or... “I get up and pick up my jacket. “Let’s go. “We are silent as we walk towards the elevator. I don't say anything, even though all I want is to press her towards the wall and kiss her. taste her. Feel her underneath me. I shake my head. Violet is married to my own brother. My hand closes in a fist in the pocket of my coat, instead of around her. We get in the car and I catch the faint scent of her perfume as she settles in the passenger seat. Violet is as pretty as I remember her, if not more. She has this natural, casual beauty that I’ve always liked. It was messy before. Untamed. She was more unaware of it. Now, she has learned how to carry herself, and
Violet I get in and pause before turning on the lights. Something’s off. I can’t say what, but I know it’s there. Then I notice the outline of his figure, sitting in the armchair, the window behind him. I instantly find the switch. Conor is sitting a few feet away from me, drinking. “Where were you?” He asks and I close the door carefully behind me - to give myself time to think of an answer. “Out. “ I say. “Out?” He growls the words. “With who?” “Since when is this sudden interest in how I spend my free time?” “Since you have become my wife. “ “ Oh, come on, Conor…” I let out a quiet protest slip my mouth. He grabs the glass and throws it. I almost jump in my spot. The crystal shatters and the hundreds of pieces fly with a clatter to the floor. My heart is picking up its pace, but I am not going to show him that I am scared. “I will give you one more chance to explain to me where you were. “ Conor says. “I went out after work. Why are you here?” “I have
Violet Dominic’s and my eyes meet. Then they travel to Anastasia, who is a pretty jewel, standing on his right side. All the men are looking at her. You see, there’s a difference between having me there, and her. Despite how I look, they will always see me as a competition. As someone, they have to outwork or outsmart. They will feel obliged to show me who has the upper hand, who is the dominant sex in the words of politics and economics. While Anastasia… Well, she is a beautiful creature they want to look at. I am sure they don’t even attempt to talk to her. Not so much because they can’t think of what to tell her - those men are some of the smartest people in the world, I am sure they can strike up a simple conversation with anyone, but there’s something else. The reason why they don’t talk to her is because they see no point in it. Because they have one aim - to sleep with her. Sex doesn’t involve too much talking. It often doesn’t even require you to respect the intelli
Violet“You kept staring at her!” Anastasia yells. I approach carefully and pause behind the corner. “What the hell are you talking about?”Dominic asks, voice even, which seems to drive her crazy. “You did! You kept looking at her! Do you think I didn’t notice? Everyone did. ““You are exaggerating. ““ ME? EXAGGERATING? And what was all this talking about art and shit? ““What?” “You heard me, “ she keeps yelling, “Since when do you care about this stuff?”“Always, “he says, his voice is still well-controlled. “I was just never able to talk to you about this. “AAA GGGHH!”Anastasia exclaims, then continues complaining. “What the hell is up to you?” she goes on , “It’s like you are an entirely different person since we came to this stupid place!”“I never asked you to come with me . “He says, lightly and - I assume- she kicks something. “I want to leave!”Anastasia yells “I don’t want to be here! I HATE this fuckign place. I HAVE everyone here, and their…. everything, I hat
Violet “No, no, “ I say, “We aren’t …” “Miss Hale is my brother’s wife, “ Dominic explains, “Hence, the names. “ “Oh…” The receptionist nods, “Nevertheless, the suite is spacious enough for more than four people, even. “ ‘Isn't there anything else we can do?” I ask and the receptionist continues looking at me in the same perplexed way. “Anything else as in…?” “Maybe I could take another room? “ I ask, hopeful. “Uh… “ she stutters, “Let me see what I can find. “ The woman checks and after a few seconds, she shakes her head. “I am afraid we are fully booked. “ Then she looks up from the screen. “At this time of the year, we are always …” “Of course,” Dominica says, then turns to me,” We can figure it out, though, right? ” “Okay, “ I agree and we heed to the room. We get in the elevator and the bellhop gets on with us. Dominic and I are at the back and I close my eyes briefly. I am going to spend the next few days with Dominic. That might turn out to be harder than