§LÄVÈ

S L A V E ~ 18

Catalina

I did not know where to start. I could not lie to Evelyn .. I just couldn't.

I sighed deeply and bit down on my lip as I walked closer to her, "I-I ... I don't know where to start" I slightly frowned.
     "How about why you were in the princes room in the first place" she whisper yelled, my eyes widened as I pulled her down the spiral staircase and outside to the garden, "shh, you can't be so loud" I said.

"I was worried sick about you last night. You seemed as if you were about to pass out and then all of a sudden .. the prince is no where in sight" she said with a frown, "what is going on, Catalina?"

      "okay, I know this looks bad ... I - I did feel sick to my stomach at the dinner and I did need air. Justin—"

"Justin?" She raised her eyebrows, "Prince Justin" I corrected myself with another sigh. "He followed me outside and we got into a slight altercation"

      "Altercation? What were you thinking? oh my goodness, did he rape you? are you okay?—" Her frown turned into concern and fright.

"No, Evelyn!" I stopped her instantly as my eyes went wide, "he did not rape me" I whispered harshly. She now looked confused, "then why were you in his room?"

"Because, we made love.." I trailed off in a mumble – but it was loud enough for only her to hear.

"What?!" She exclaimed, not realizing the volume of her voice went up. Evelyn quickly covered her mouth and I made sure that she attracted no attention before turning to face her again, giving her a look  to lower her voice.
      "I'm sorry but excuse me for being shocked by this .. I - I can't believe this, how did this happen? are you two together or something of the sort now?" She questioned me. I took a deep breath and shook my head, "I love him, Evelyn.. I don know how to describe exactly what I feel for him but I love how he makes me feel inside..." I trailed off,

"why have I not heard you speak of this?"

     "Because I had no clue what this was — I just – it just happened and he claims he loves me too" I whispered .
     "Well? are you with him?" She asked her question again. I shrugged my shoulders, "I-I do not know, in all honesty. He's getting married and — I have to accept that, I have to watch him get married Evelyn" I could hear my voice begin to break as I finished speaking, I cleared my throats and blinked my tears away .

"Oh Catalina, you fell in love with him" she said softly, concern and sympathy filling her voice as she gave me a hug. I sniffled, "I know, it is stupid. And I am stupid for falling for him but I could not control my feelings ... I tried, I swear to you I tried"
      Evelyn slowly pulled away and sighed as she kept her hands on my arms, "I do not know what to say — I just don't want to see you get hurt"

"The color of my skin should not stop me from loving another ..."
        "It shouldn't, but it does" she said, "just know that I am here for you – through the highs and lows, through thick and thin"

"Thank you" I hugged her once more, "I don't know what I would do without you"

"Most likely fall apart" she smirked, I playfully hit her shoulder and we both laughed in unison until we stopped and smiled at each other. She was truly the only family that I have, and everyday I am more than grateful for her.
      "Oh, Ms. Delatore was asking for you last night"
"Did she say what it was she needed me for?"

"No, she only said it was urgent" she said, "and Isabella searched for Justin. She was quite upset that he disappeared and never returned, luckily no one noticed that you were gone also"