Dual Eclipse

38

I found myself at the gates of the private estate Adrik rented out for the week. I wiped my sweaty palm on my leggings.

Dominico tapped his finger on the steering wheel until the gates opened. He drove his black R8 up the drive before parking it next to a grey GX and blue X6.

I frowned, “We have guests.”

“We’re the guests.” Dominico snorted, and I glared at him. He immediately regained his stoic expression. I climbed out of the vehicle and shoved my hands inside my sweater to keep them warm. The atmosphere was denser as the year came to an end. The sun was still out and did little to nothing.

The door opens, and Marco steps out with a grin. His curly hair hangs loose around his face at shoulder length. He had a beard shorter than what I remembered, and he dressed in his usual style—billowy shirts and slacks. “Victoria,” He reached for me in a hug and shot Dominico a glare. His gentleness took me aback. Wasn’t he the man Clara screamed from? It was time to move on. These things were in the past, and they had children now. “Your bodyguard?”

I glanced at Dominico, who looked uncomfortable. Did they know each other? “More like a thorn in my side, but you can call him that.”

“Lunch is that way. Follow me.” He opened the door wider for me to enter. Dominico followed close behind. I didn’t care for the design of the estate. I just know the walls and floors were white. Marco entered through an alcove, and I held my breath.

Julia and Clara sat at a table drinking a gold bubbly liquid that I assumed was champagne. Sasha mentioned Clara had a baby boy still on the breasts. She wore the Harlowe dress, and her hair straightened on her back. Clara glowed. Her eyes were brighter, her lips glossy and cheeks rosy. She looked straight out of a magazine.

I blinked out of my thoughts as Marco distracted her with a kiss on her lips. She cleaned the gloss off with her short almond Frenchies, and I felt the urge to run.

“Aren’t you going to kiss your sister hello?” My heart ached. Julia searched my face and smiled. She stood.

“Forgive me.” I stepped forward, breaking the tension. I was not shy and needed to stop acting like it. Maybe you’re guilty, V. “Hi,”

On the other hand, Julia wore a white Nova slip midi dress and had long, shiny hair in loose curls around her shoulders. They both looked beautiful and dressed. I looked at my sweats and leggings. I was the opposite. I barely wore fashion dresses and preferred casual wear. Oh, well.

“You look good. Victoria glows. Right, Clara?” My sister grins before hugging me. I sighed, returning the gesture. God knew I needed it. “Do you think she has a boyfriend?”

“That was my first guess,” Clara intervened. “Looks like she had him last night, too.” I pull away.

I clearly remembered my dislike for her after overhearing the man’s claim that I was punished because she failed to follow Javier’s rules. It wasn’t Clara’s fault that this happened. I’ve thought about it, and she can’t control anyone’s decisions. These men were revolting, and they thrived on this kind of behaviour.