I push those feelings back down and look at myself in the mirror, watching tears trail down my cheeks I clean up my face before I leave the bathroom.
As I’m walking down the hall, I find Greer walking my way. Instead of letting her past, I step right in front of her. She looks surprised but doesn’t say anything. Instead, she stops and gives me a tentative smile.
Earlier, Sofia told me she believed that Greer, along with her sister and mother, had something to do with her ruined dress. I was angry then, but all these leftover feelings from Giovanni are making the anger amplify.
“Sofia’s dress was nice, wasn’t it?” I sneer at her.
“It was. I loved the back. The red matched Bash’s tie perfectly. It looked amazing.”
She looks comfortable. I don’t observe a hint of guilt, but I know people can wear a mask. I wear one all the time. I grit my teeth.
“Which one of you did it?”
Her eyes widen in surprise then turn to confusion. “What are you talking about, Isabella?”
I grab her arm and shake it a little. “You know what the fuck I’m talking about. Which one of you ruined Sofia’s dress?”
She pulls out of my grip and huffs. “How was it ruined? It looked fine to me.” Confusion covers her face.
“Someone cut the back up. That beautiful design you love so much was a last-minute addition to cover up what you, your sister, and mother did to it.”
Her eyes finally show recognition. I’m about to punch the bitch when she speaks.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about, but if anything was done to sabotage Sofia’s dress, then I would bet my life that it was my mother. She may seem all meek and quiet, but she can be a vindictive bitch. Add in the fact that as soon as Bash and Sofia said ‘I do,’ Mom ceased to be the head matriarch of this family, and you have your answer. If she could kill Sofia, she would, but she’s too scared of Bash. Seeing him with Sofia, I would say she’s right to be scared.”
I narrow my eyes at her, judging her words, deciding if she’s telling me the truth. She sighs.
“Listen, Isabella, I like Sofia. She’s strong and independent. She’s what my brother needs. Someone to stand up to him, not be a doormat. Hell, I hope to be her one day. If my brother would ever let me live my life for myself, I would hope to be as strong and independent as her. My mother’s old fashioned. Women should be seen and not heard. They should lay on their backs and take it without saying a word. I’m not down with that. With Sofia, maybe I will have a chance at the life I want instead of the one my mother had predestined for me—some archaic arranged marriage that would be forced upon me.”
I see the truth behind her words. She isn’t wearing a mask like I originally thought. She reminds me a lot of myself at her age. Wanting something more than what was decided for herself before she was even born. I feel the tension leave my shoulders.
“Sorry, Greer. That was uncalled for. It’s been a rough night. Thank you for talking to me.” I go to move around her, but her words stop me.
“It’s Gio, isn’t it? I’m sorry you guys didn’t make it. I always wanted what you had when I was a kid. You could tell you two truly loved each other.”
I look over my shoulder at her. “Love isn’t always enough, Greer. Remember that, okay?”
She nods before I walk away. She isn’t wrong. We used to be in love. I saw how envious others were of us.
I remember our first kiss. We were fifteen and had been hanging out a lot but hadn’t quite put the boyfriend/girlfriend label on it yet. We were at school when Tracy, the head cheerleader, walked up to us at my locker.
“Hey, Tracy.”
I bristle at Gio acknowledging her. I hate Tracy. She always makes fun of me for looking like a boy. I wonder what she will say in front of Gio. I pray it isn’t anything too embarrassing. I really like him and don’t want her to ruin it.
“Hey, Giovanni. You know the only reason Isabella hangs out with you is because she has a huge crush on you, right?”
My face burns with embarrassment. We are friends. Yes, I have a crush on him, but I don’t want him to know. Now he’ll never hang out with me again. Fucking Tracy. I swear I would kill her if I could.
Gio chuckles, and I feel the tears prickle my eyes. He’s laughing at me. At what she said. Tracy starts to laugh with him, but his words stop her.
“I would sure hope she likes me; otherwise this could get awkward.”
Then he turns to me, grabs my cheek gently with his hand, and presses his lips to mine. I make out Tracy’s gasp, but I’m frozen. He pulls back and smiles at me.
“Considering she’s my girlfriend, she better be into me.”
Then he winks.
