Perfect Scars

8. Darkness

Violet

Throughout my childhood, I was afraid of the dark. But as I grew old, I started appreciating the comfort darkness provides. Since that horrible night, the dark nights were my sanctuary, a temporary relief from my demons whereas the brightness of day highlighted my scars.

These people were just like the darkness. Dangerous and scary, but comforting. Whenever I was with Caleb, Daniel or Alessandro, I felt at peace. Maybe because they were just as damaged as me or they were hiding just as much as me. Their company was far better than the other perfect, happy people in my life.

It had been six days since I was kidnapped. Tomorrow was the day they would finally release me and I would go back to my own personal hell.

"Violet?" Daniel's voice penetrated my ears, breaking my chain of thoughts.

"What?" I looked at him and he pointed towards the omelet I was cooking, which had now turned into a black mess.

"Care to tell me what is bothering you?" he asked.

"Nothing," I replied and he raised an eyebrow.

"It's really nothing. Let me make something else," I tried to change the subject.

"Don't bother. You go and sit at the table. I will cook something," He said and pushed me out of the kitchen.

I almost turned back to my room on seeing Hayden sitting on the dining table but Alessandro's voice stopped me.

"Come on Violet, sit with us."

After much pondering, I settled on the chair beside Hayden. He, as usual, didn't acknowledge my presence.

"So King, will you attend it?" Alessandro asked Hayden. I still didn't understand why they didn't use his first name.

"Right now, I have a meeting with Mark Dempsey. If anything, I'll go to the party directly from the office so don't wait for me," he instructed.

What party are they talking about? Curiosity arose inside me but I kept my mouth shut.

Daniel came out and served the breakfast which was not half as bad as Caleb was pretending. After breakfast, all of them left for office except Katherine and Caleb. Cleaning the dishes, I picked "The Longest Ride" from their library and sprawled onto the couch in my room.

***

"You are coming to this party and that is final," Caleb said with fake anger.

"How many times do I need to tell you that I am not going?" I stated sternly.

"Please, I don't have a date." He pouted.

"Then go without a date," I suggested.

"I want to go with you. Besides, Daniel will be there too. You won't feel bored."

"Yeah, and Hayden will be there too. He will kill me with his bare hands."

"He won't mind."

"Really, how do you know?"

"He is my brother. I know his every move."

"But I don't even have a dress," I reasoned, expecting him to finally give up.

"Well, this issue can be solved. Let's go," he extended his hand towards me. Gripping his hand, I stood up and he led me to a room. He knocked on the door and Katherine opened the door.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" she spat, narrowing her eyes at me. I bowed my head to avoid her deadly stare.

"She needs a dress suitable for a party," Caleb told her calmly.

"And what do you expect me to do? Go on a shopping spree with her?" If looks could kill, Caleb would have been six feet under the ground.

"Katherine, you know how I am the hottest one among the guys here," he said smugly.

"I don't agree," she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Well, it doesn't matter. The thing is, besides being the hottest, I am the most cunning one too."

"Really?" she challenged.

"I know many secrets about you which can steal your chance of becoming King's queen for good," he threatene, d and it actually worked. Katherine's face contorted and she let out an aggravated sigh.

"Come inside," she snorted and moved inside the room.

"What kind of secrets Caleb?" I whispered.

"I was lying. But don't worry, in our profession, everyone has secrets," he explained and we both entered her room.

Katherine's room suited her personality perfectly. From the beddings to the curtains, everything was pitch black. She pointed towards the sofa and we both slouched down.

She opened her cupboard and started pulling out dresses. The first dress she showed was a backless royal blue knee-length dress.

"Umm it's too. . ." I trailed off.

"She wants to say it's too slutty," Caleb completed my sentence and I chuckled at his words. On the other hand, Katherine's face turned red with fury.

"Fuck off," she showed her middle finger to Caleb who just grinned in return.

The next dress was a red evening gown with a diamond shape cut in the stomach area. The dress was very elegant but the cut would show my scar to everyone at the party which I couldn't afford.

"I can't wear this," I gulped.

"But why angel?" Caleb looked at me with confusion.

"It's just that I hate red," I lied.

"Drama queen," Katherine groaned and showed me the next dress. My eyes widened in awe as I looked at the dress. It was an off-the-shoulder black maxi dress with small sequins covering the bodice. The dress had a silver strap in the middle which had small oval pearls embedded.

"I don't like this one," Katherine said and put it to the side.

"I would take this," I exclaimed excitedly and walked towards the dress. The material felt like rose petals under my touch as I glided my fingers along the neck line.

"Fine. You can take it. Don't bother to return," he said and laid down on her bed, putting her earplugs in.

"Lend her some makeup too," Caleb said and she cast another annoyed glance at him. She stood up from the bed and handed me a few makeup items. I mouthed a quick thank you and picked up the dress. I could hear the curse word she muttered under her breath when I was leaving the room.

"You have one hour to get ready," Caleb said and left me in my room alone.

After taking a quick shower, I wrapped a towel around my body and one around my hair. My skin was one thing I liked about myself. I never had to worry about acne or blackheads so I just applied a light layer of foundation and dusted a small amount of blush over my pale cheeks.

Not bothering with eye-liner, I just used mascara and applied cherry red matte lipgloss over my lips. Satisfied with my makeup, I dried my hair and let it down in natural waves.

After putting on the dress, I walked out of my room and went towards Caleb who was wearing a white three piece suit. His eyes widened as he looked at me from head to toe. A blush crept my cheeks as I found admiration in his eyes.

"Stunning," he said and I uttered a meek thank you.

"Come on. But beware angel, all the girls are going to claw your eyes out in jealousy," I chuckled at his remark. He gripped my wrist and led me towards his fancy car.

..................................