Insanity

2| Lies

Allena

"Romano" Adonis gasps, his jaw dangling wide open. "As in the Italian capo heir?" Well shit. No one told me he was in the damn mafia.

"Yes." I lie, my palms starting to sweat. "Yes, that would be him." I press my lips together and pinch myself. It's easier to have a straight face that way. "For how long?" He presses. "Oh, not that long...but it's been long enough." My eyes narrow now, and I put on my best confident voice. "And if you force me to marry someone else, imagine how bad that would look on the press." I whisper.

"Where is he?" He asks, immediately scanning the crowd.

"He left." I lie, quickly stepping in front of him. "He had to go attend to a business meeting. He'll be in Italy by morning." I can only pray I don't sound as scared as I feel.

"We'll see." Adonis sneers, clearly drunk. "Start saying your goodbyes. This party will be over soon enough." He then pushes past me, dissolving into the crowd. The moment I'm out of his view, I let a breath I didn't realize I was holding in escape.

It's awful.  Adonis is awful. Having to get married the moment you turn 18 is awful. And now I've dug myself an even deeper grave.

Eventually, the party dies down and I watch as the last few guests give their goodbyes to Adonis and disappear out the door. "Is it bedtime now?" Eleni asks, her small body pressing into my leg. My eyes glance at the clock, realizing it's already two in the morning.

"Come here." I whisper, gently picking her up. She immediately rests her head on my chest, wrapping her little arms around my neck. Callie just grabs my hand, her body tensing once Adonis turns around. Quickly, I walk past Adonis, holding the twins tightly and into the cool, night air.

"Get in the car." I whisper to Callie. She nods and quickly climbs in, gently I set Eleni down next to her and climb in behind them, shutting the door behind me.

"Is he coming with us?" Callie asks, her voice slightly shaking.

"No." The driver answers. "Mr. Adonis will be staying the night accompanied by Ms. Cassandra." Callie and I both sit back in our seats, relieved.

"Try to sleep, Callie." I whisper, tucking a curl behind her ear. "You don't have to worry about me." At this, she seems convinced, and lets herself close her eyes, within seconds falling asleep. I lay my head against the back of my seat, my thoughts racing.

Tomorrow morning my uncle will ask for proof that Luca Romano and I are dating. And inevitably, I will have nothing to give him. He'll be repulsed, angry. Furious that I had the courage to lie straight to his face. And then he'll engage me to some middle aged man. That is, if he lets me live long enough to be able to be properly engaged.

Haunting, yes? Surprising? Not in the slightest.

Around three in the morning, we make it back to the estate. I refuse to let any of the servants carry the twins inside, and gently pick them up myself. Slowly, I walk up the staircase that leads to the hallway where our bedrooms are located. I open the twin's door and set them on Eleni's bed, gently shaking each of their shoulders.

"Can you change into your pjs for me?" I ask softly. They each nod and I hand them their clothes and help them slide their giant dresses off. Then, they climb into their respective beds, and almost immediately fall asleep. Like I've done every night since they were born, I lean down and place a kiss on each of their foreheads, and quietly leave.

I cross the empty hallway silently and gently push open my bedroom door, making sure to lock it. My clothes are in a disarray all over the floor from trying to find a suitable outfit for dinner, and my bathroom has makeup products sprinkled all over the counter.

I want to clean it up, but for some reason my body leads me to my bathroom, and suddenly my hand is on the water spout, turning it on. Water fills it and I silently strip off my dress, letting it fall besides me. I step into the bath, and try not to hiss as the hot water makes contact with the bruises on my skin.

Slowly, I lay my head back, trying to take deep, even breaths.

I should be used to it. I know I should. Adonis has been treating me like this since the moment my mother died. I shouldn't crack. I shouldn't crumble.

That would prove I was weak. Just like my parents thought. Just like Adonis thinks.

And so I've learned sometimes, most of the time, it's easier to show no emotion at all. People use your feelings to manipulate you, hurt you.

And I vowed I wouldn't let that happen to me. Not again.

After all, they don't call me the Ice Princess for nothing.