A Different Divergent: Everyday Love

19

Chapter 19

"Why, Alicia?" I spit, glaring at the woman who usually reminds me so much of my own mother with her shiny brown hair and warm green eyes. Today, however, her eyes have a distinct sadness to them. I guess I thought when I confronted the person who turned our lives upside down I would be met with malice or defiance not embarrassment and what's starting to look like near despondency.

"I'm so sorry, Tris," she says once again but it only angers me more. "I swear I didn't mean to start the rumors."

"You shouldn't apologize to me," I say after a lengthy, tense silence. "You should apologize to him." I point at Tobias. "He's going through hell right now with the suspicious stares and hushed whispers. He doesn't deserve this."

"I'm sorry, Four," she says, unable to bring herself to meet his gaze.

"Luna, I need you to take Alicia's next appointment," Tobias says, not one ounce of emotion in his voice. "Apologize for her absence and let the client know that she'll be tied up for the foreseeable future. Offer her a free service if she's not receptive to the idea."

"Yes, Four," the skittish technician chokes before slithering out of the room, thankfully closing the door behind her, giving us the privacy we need.

"Tell us what happened, Alicia," he says, his Four mask walling off his emotions.

"I-I saw a b-bruise on Tris' a-arm as she was g-giving me instructions on what to do with all the r-roses you had delivered the n-night she was h-here with Christina, Ana, and Avery," she says, stumbling along until she finally calms some. "I didn't think anything about it until she turned to go into the dressing room and that's when I recognized the bruise as a handprint. I thought about asking you about it, Tris, but I figured it wasn't any of my business. It's not like I believed he intentionally hurt you. I never did." Huh?

"Go on," Tobias says when she stalls.

"I went to a friend's place after work that night. We shared a bottle of wine while we watched a movie about an abused woman who faked her death to get away from her cruel husband. The alcohol loosened my lips – I know I shouldn't drink but that blackberry wine is just divine. Anyway, the fact that I saw bruises on your arm just slipped out. I'll admit, at the time, I thought I was just having an innocent conversation with a trusted, old friend but looking back she seemed entirely too … interested."

"What do you mean?" Tobias asks at the same time I ask, "What's your friend's name?"

"Jessica grilled me about the bruises and what I thought of you two, professionally andpersonally for hours. I was too drunk to realize it wasn't just an innocent conversation until the next morning. I started to hear whispers about Four and abuse and as the day progressed, they got worse and worse. I wanted to say something. I should have said something, but I was too embarrassed. I didn't mean for this to happen, and I never mentioned what I saw to anyone but Jess. I don't know how it got around Dauntless so fast. And I don't know why she would want it to."

"There's one thing I've come to know in the five years I've lived here, our faction thrives on gossip," Tobias mutters as he runs a hand through his hair.

"Who is this Jessica person, and why would she do this to us?" I ask looking toward Tobias, although I'm just thinking out loud.

"I think I may know," he says before Alicia can speak, surprising me.

"What? How? Who?" I'm thoroughly confused at the moment.

"It wouldn't happen to be Jessica Samuels would it?" he asks, addressing Alicia. Jessica Samuels? Jessica Samuels? Why does that name sound so familiar? It suddenly dawns on me.