Like a whole new world
1420 Words
*Cassandra*
I step into the Institute, the familiar hum of computers filling the air, and spot my husband hunched over one of the keyboards, his brow furrowed in concentration. I give the doorframe a subtle nod. “Sorry to interrupt your flow.”
He glances up, a hint of frustration flickering in his eyes. “I feel like I’ve never written a book before… which is probably exactly where I need to be… but…” His voice trails off, the weight of uncertainty hanging in the air.
Wrapping my arms around him from behind, I lean into him the way a lovesick wife would, resting my cheek against his shoulder. “Probably… I see you’ve made plans to join us in Venice.”
He lets out a sigh, turning in my embrace to meet my gaze. “That’s because I couldn’t bear the thought of being here without you.”
“Hmm… I imagine it must be very hard for you,” I reply, looking up at his face, searching for reassurance.
A grin spreads across his lips, but there’s a teasing glint in his eyes. “Hmm, it’s getting hard for you actually.”
“You are mirroring me,” I say half-accusingly, half-amused, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.
He nods slowly, his expression serious now. “So does it feel as false for you as it does for me?”
“It feels defensive,” I admit, pulling away from him to circle around the desk, my hands resting on its surface as I steady myself.
“That’s because I know you don’t want me to come to Venice.” He regards me with an intensity that suggests he expects an explanation.
I throw my arms out in exasperation. “Because you know I’m right… The world is watching to see how Elijah will react when he sees Bianca. It’s not a good look to have his… life advisor following him around.”
“Well, it will be worth it if things start to go sideways,” he says, a knowing glimmer in his eye, as if he’s privy to some secret I’m not.
“It won’t,” I assert, placing my hands on my hips, trying to project confidence. “Look… let me handle the movie production. You stay here and write your book. Elijah will have Nina with him; he can lean on her for support.”
He gives me one of those skeptical looks, raising an eyebrow. “Are you really sure this girl is capable of handling this?”
*Nina*
“Oh guys! Check me out!” I glide into the living room, twirling in the most exquisite dress that Alfie, my stylist, had handed me. The fabric flows around me like a dream, catching the light just right.
“Work it… work it!” Shaun calls out, her voice filled with playful enthusiasm.
Hope is practically fawning over me, her eyes wide with admiration. “Damn, that’s so beautiful!”
Their praises wash over me as I spin, feeling like a princess caught in a fairytale, the compliments lifting my spirits.
“So... are you in love, my dear?” Alfie asks, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
I can’t help but beam, my smile wide and goofy. “Oh my god, completely! I was just wondering what you thought about… maybe shortening this one… like to just below the knees?”
“I’m sorry, but all the clothes have been pre-approved,” he replies, his tone apologetic. “I can’t alter them… though it’s not a bad idea.” He offers me a sad smile, and my heart sinks a little.
“Pre-approved by who?” I straighten up, the weight of the question settling in. “By Elijah?”
“His people,” Shaun interjects, slightly tipsy from the champagne, a conspiratorial glint in her eye. “Elijah has… people.”
I roll my eyes, frustration bubbling up inside me. “Do his people know what Bianca will be wearing too?” A heavy silence descends, and I suddenly feel guilty for my outburst. “Seriously, they’re all amazing. It’s just… wouldn’t it be cool to have at least one piece with a little extra edge?”
“Not if it doesn’t complement Elijah,” Alfie says, moving to grab something from his assistant. “But that said, we can enhance what we already have.”
“Shut up… shut up,” Hope mutters, her eyes wide with excitement.
Shaun’s mouth falls open in shock. “Oh my God.”
I stand there, frozen, as Alfie delicately places a stunning diamond necklace around my neck. “Just a little eighty-thousand-dollar enhancement.”
“What?” My hands fly up to touch it, the weight of the diamonds pulling me down. “It’s so heavy!”
“I am dead,” Hope mutters, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shaun, stunned, can only manage, “I am speechless.”
“You look amazing, darling,” Alfie tells me, as I gaze into the mirror, my reflection leaving me breathless.
“You know what her problem is?” Hope says, her tone suddenly serious, as if she’s on a mission.
Shaun shakes her head. “I don’t think she has a problem.”
“She does… she does have a problem,” Hope insists, sounding more certain than ever. “She doesn’t have a personal assistant.”
“Yeah… you are not going to be my drunk assistant,” I reply with a teasing grin.
But Hope barrels on, undeterred. “You need someone to talk to while Elijah is doing… you know, red carpet interviews and stuff.”
I jump slightly when the door behind me swings open, and I turn to see my ex, Devon, barging in. “Jesus… Devon.”
“So it’s true?” He’s slightly out of breath, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger. “It’s really true… I guess that explains why you haven’t returned any of my calls.”
Shaun is instantly on her feet. “Yeah, that… and the fact that your other girlfriend is pregnant.”
The room erupts into chaos as everyone starts talking over one another, and I raise my hand. “Stop it, everyone… I’ll talk to him alone, thanks. Devon, could we step outside?”
“Awesome,” he replies, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he turns to walk out.
Hope takes a couple of steps forward, calling out, “I will kill you if you touch her!”
“Suck a d**k, Hope,” he retorts without looking back.
“I don’t get it… a week ago, we were on our way to talk about our future,” he throws his arms wide, confusion written all over his face.
I shake my head, annoyance bubbling up. “Oh no… don’t even try that.”
“But that was my plan… when we got there,” he says, his voice pleading, desperation creeping in.
“Your plan was to smoke a joint and watch some Netflix,” I shoot back, crossing my arms. “And probably sexting you mistress behind my back.”
“And talk about our future,” he replies softly, as if trying to make me believe him.
I shake my head again, resolute. “Devon… we never had a future.”
“Wow,” he replies, throwing his hands up in frustration.
“You… you knew that, or you wouldn’t have slept with that girl.” My voice rises, fueled by anger.
His eyes narrow, “You’re trying to blame our problems on me alone?”
I sigh, “That is not what I was saying…”
“Are you serious?” He steps closer, invading my space, his eyes narrowing even more. “You know what? You can’t upgrade past your s**t. Elijah Grant is a movie star… he’s just looking for some hot nobody actress to keep him warm for a week. He’s gonna be really bummed when he finds out you can’t even do that.”
I feel tears prick at my eyelids, the sting of his words cutting deep. “Go to hell,” I snap, my voice trembling.
“I’m on my way,” he sneers, his expression a mix of anger and defiance.
I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the hurt swirling inside me, hurt I should not feel. Then I turn on my heel and walk back inside.
- Writer
