Frail Hearts

0.1

"To the edge till we all get off
I will take you away with me, once and for all
Time will see us realign
Diamonds rain across the sky
Shower me into the same realm."

DIAMOND EYES- Deftones

🌹🌹🌹

Udiya's head was throbbing painfully by the time the car had stopped in front of the mansion's gates, for both lack of sleep and her parents' usual recommendations.

Don't do this. Don't do that. Behave yourself. Act like a lady for once in your life. If I catch you drinking or smoking...

She refrained from rolling her eyes; she knew that what they had truly meant to say was don't embarrass us by being yourself.

But, like always, she hadn't said anything to them so as to avoid what would have been an inevitable argument. She was in no mood for that.

Once the gates finally opened, the trio stepped out of the car. Udiya readjusted her long cocktail dress by tugging on its bust, huffing in annoyance as she already felt her feet aching in the painfully uncomfortable high heels. Her mother was already watching her- expecting her to do something to embarrass them all- and sent a warning glare her way, but Udiya paid her no attention.

Esther, Udiya's mother, linked her arm with her husband's and the frown on her botoxed lips left as the mansion's door opened. A big smile took its place instead, so fake that it had Udiya cringing.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Russeau, and Miss Russeau," said the housekeeper, stepping aside to let the family in. "Mr. and Mrs. Donovan are waiting for you in the ballroom," she then proceeded to take their coats.

The married couple left without sparing her nor their daughter a second glance. After thanking the housekeeper and giving her a small smile in apology for her parents' snobby behaviour, she started following her parents. She observed the enormous ballroom, her jaw dropping a little at the marvelous sight before her. She knew the Donovans were wealthy- they were, in fact, the richest family of the neighborhood, her family following soon after- but back at home they didn't have a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, much less a ballroom. A fucking ballroom.

Her mind was racing and she was lost in her own thoughts. So lost, in fact, that she almost didn't see the waiter approaching her and almost bumped right into him. Her eyes widened at the realization that, if she hadn't turned in his direction right then and seen him, the plate with drinks he was holding would have spilled on her or the floor. It would have caused a scene and ruined not only hers, but also her parents' reputation and god forbid she did that.

They already despised her as it was.

She looked around quickly to see if anyone had witnessed the scene, then muttered a quick apology to the waiter.

As she scanned the room in search of her parents, she caught a boy already looking at her with a smirk on his lips. Udiya felt unnerved by the way he was looking at her, but couldn't seem to look away herself. She observed him. He was leaning on the doorway, his hands in the pockets of his trousers. The first few buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned and its sleeves were rolled up, showing his tattooed forearms.

They continued to stare at each other, taking in each and every detail. They stared and scrutinised and studied until-

"What are you doing here, standing like a statue? Come meet the hosts, do not be rude," her mother's harsh voice startled her, and she looked away from the mysterious boy to glance at her. "Do not forget what I told you," Esther whispered harshly in her daughter's ear.