The first semester in Oxford has already started. Balancing between studying to become a lawyer and life in general, Julia Eden has found herself sitting across from a shrink, or in better words: a psychologist.
It only gets worse when the old man s...
song : flight facilities ft giselle - Crave you (Noah and Julia's theme song)
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Four days later, as September drew towards its end, Julia Eden realized that he wasn't going to speak out loud any sooner. Apart from all the other thoughts, the image of that velvet box kept climbing up into her mind. There was that and then the nightmares.
This Sunday, as she walked out of the manor, clad in her black velvet cloak over a pale blue dress that stopped right above her knees, she was still shaken by her last nightmare. She could even taste the salt tears in the back of her throat from the night, but not near her eyes. Waking up, she had called Noah just to talk about stuff and after a meaningless conversation about something that didn't matter, he had muttered ever so slowly, "You're not okay, are you?"
Was it that obvious?
She hadn't cried. She rarely cried. Rest of the last week had been weird: she hadn't been able to sleep for even an hour and God knew how much time it had taken for her to conceal the purplish hollow around her eyes. And she had dreamt a lot whenever she tried to sleep. It was as if her head was split open and memories were flooding out to recap before her eyes. She had also dreamt about the moments she hadn't thought of in years: her first kiss when she was only seven, kisses she remembered willingly given and taken, and yet they felt forced now. As if she had been forced to kiss like she was forced to remember now.
"There you are." Chuck was hovering behind her as she turned. He wore a pale blue tailored suit that fit him properly. His blond hair was brushed back with products to keep them in place. "Spliff?" He held up a perfectly rolled joint, wiggling his brows at Julia.
"Mum?" She widened her eyes at the door, just behind his shoulder and he shoved it in his pocket as fast as he could. Turning, when he saw no one, he ever so slowly faced Julia with an impassive stare.
Of course, their mum didn't know they smoked. Their mum didn't know a lot of things. Ignorance is bliss, someone once said.
Julia bit her lip, suppressing her grin, watching as Narcissa Eden walked out of the manor for real this time, clad in a green Dolce & Gabbana midi dress, hair pulled into a tight bun. She glanced at her daughter and son for a split second before sliding into the back of the limo. Jula pointed her chin towards the car and Chuck made a face at it, leading her towards it.
Once they had settled inside, Narcissa began, "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to introduce yourselves. So be respectable and regal. It's crucial that you two appear impressive today." She tugged her high rounded neckline up and stared at Julia as if to check her attire. She even reached forward to push Julia's cloak away to see how much cleavage was on display.
The fundraising function held behind the firm building, on the lawn, making it more like a garden party. A string quartet was visible at one corner, crooning about a classic Julia couldn't recognize. White flower chandeliers hung from the trees above the seating arrangements. Women in white sheath dresses served glasses of wine on command. Familiar faces were evident, greeting Narcissa and cooing about how wonderful they all looked.
