Bound

Chapter 55 - Façade

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Skylar

I feel like I have been punched in the gut. The pain shoots from my side and down my arm, indicating that another bruise has probably appeared. My breathing is shallow and strained. I need to get it under control before Chris notices. I am currently in the bathroom, locked in a stall. I lift the material of my dress carefully, the movement causing me to cry out in pain as I see that my suspicion is correct. A large black bruise has appeared from my hip to just below my ribs. As long as I don't bend, I should be able to handle it.

I hold back the tears threatening to spill as my mind flashes back to what I saw. Savannah is pregnant. Quite far along too. They can't have waited long after their announcement. And the way she possessively latched onto Dmitri nearly tore my heart out. Just when I thought I couldn't feel any more pain. He looked at me like a stranger. And he dismissed our encounter a year ago as such.

Looking at him had brought back feelings I thought had long died.

His hair had grown longer, hanging loosely past his shoulders. Shoulders which were still as big, if not bigger, than before. Tucked into a gorgeous blue tux with a black shirt and no tie, as always. I wanted to jump into his arms and hug him, run my hands through his hair. But his unearthly green eyes held no warmth or even recognition. Him seeming unaffected by me while he impacted me as if we had left each other yesterday.

A knock on the stall door makes me jump. "I'll be out shortly," I say to whoever is on the other side. I look down and smooth my dress back into place before I flush the toilet and exit the stall.

As I exit, a woman stands on the other side, staring intently at me. She is taller than me with brown eyes and brown bob-cut hair. "Are you alright? You were in there quite a while." I drop my hand, which is cradling my side.

Taken slightly aback, I falter in my step. "I'm fine, thank you for asking. Must be something I ate." I lie smoothly while smiling before I head to the basin, ignoring the pain in my side. Looking at my reflection, I hope to the gods above that Chris doesn't notice the lack of color in my complexion. I start rubbing my cheeks, trying to bring some color to my paler-than-usual complexion. I did not opt for a lot of makeup, which I regret now.

The woman with the short bob is standing behind me, staring at me. "Are you sure you are okay? You don't look good. I can arrange for a doctor to see you?"

"No!" I say way too loudly. "I mean, no, thank you. I am perfectly fine. Just tired." I give her my best smile in the mirror's reflection before I stand up straight and leave the confines of the bathroom.

As I step out, Chris is waiting at the entrance. He looks like he is ready to run into the ladies. A smile appears on his face when he sees me. "I was just about to come in there and get you."

I give him the best fake smile I can muster, hoping he will fall for it. "I'm sorry. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts." He will not believe me if I don't give him some truth.

"I'm sorry. When I enquired, they advised me he wouldn't be attending. If I had known, we wouldn't have come." He holds my hand, leading me out of the tent and into the garden, where only a few guests mingle.

"If you want, you can leave. I can ask the driver to take you back, and we can tell them you are unwell. I want to leave with you, but Andrea has called a meeting with me and some other witches at nine, which is compulsory." I sense the desperation in his voice which makes me feel guilty. I have done this to him. I am a burden to him and don't want to be.

"No. I will stay. I am really okay. I think seeing Dmitri and Savannah has given me some much-needed closure. I mean, she is pregnant. If that doesn't solidify things, what will?" I say, forcing another smile.

I didn't want to tell him that seeing her pregnant felt like my already broken heart was being ripped out. That for a moment, I wished I would just die. How could you tell someone that? How could I explain this feeling to anyone? I know it is dramatic, but how I felt and still feel about Dmitri is unexplainable.

He made me feel like the best version of myself. He made me feel safe, wild, wanted, free, sexy, all the things that I never felt before. It wasn't that he made me feel whole. He just made me feel accepted. I wasn't alone when I was with him. And now, even with Chris around, I was more alone than ever. I could feel the sadness engulfing me. I need to snap out of this.

I give Chris a reassuring smile and a squeeze of his hand.

"So, should we get a drink and something to eat before you need to go?" I ask, taking his arm as I lead him back inside.

I can sense him relaxing at my words.

We head inside towards a table close to the dance floor. A waiter comes by, and Chris hands me a glass of champagne.

I know I should probably decline as I haven't eaten today, but one glass should be okay. My appetite has been dwindling lately, and sometimes when I eat, I throw everything up. The doctor says it is stress-related, and I must find ways to manage and balance stressful situations. Last year I was able to hold meditation sessions and complete a whole hour of yoga, now, I can barely keep my eyes open to meditate properly, and I'm so exhausted yoga is out of the question.

"It's nearly time for me to go. Do you want me to introduce you to some people, or will you be okay alone?"

"I'm a big girl Chris. I will be okay on my own. I've made it through life this far. I'm sure I can handle one ball." I put on a fake smile as easily as I put on lipstick. I was becoming a pro. "Off you go," I say, shooing him away. He smiles before heading off. When he is out of sight, I allow the smile to fade as quickly as it came. I could use a breather. It feels like he is smothering me. And I am tired of the acting—finally, some peace.

I move to a more isolated table in the corner. My side screams in agony as I accidentally bump it into someone's elbow as I pass by. As soon as I reach the table, I allow my façade to disappear completely as I drop my head in my hands. The pain is so overwhelming that I miss the eyes staring at me. 

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