Chapter 55
Evie
The Benefit Speech
I admired myself in the full-length mirror, running my hands down the red gown I’d borrowed for the event.
I’d mentioned to Stacey that I was attending, and she’d insisted they bring in a designer for Sebastian and me.
The designer had dressed me in a deep, burgundy gown with a sweetheart neckline and white ropes of pearls draping across my breasts, hips, and ribs.
The sleeves were black, puffed, and off-the-shoulder.
The dress hugged my body and flared at the knees, creating a goth-mermaid look that I was living for.
They’d brought in a professional hair and makeup artist to do the rest, and by the time Sebastian pulled up in a limo, I felt like a true Hollywood movie star.
This was how my mother would dress for these things, I recalled as I walked through her house.
I sighed, wishing I’d spent more time here.
Not as a child, but as an adult. I’d returned, but had I really come back?
I spent more time at Sebastian’s than my own house, and I wasn’t sure if I preferred that or wanted to have him come here instead.
Maybe it was time to let go.
Or alternatively, he could move in with me…
The doorbell rang, pulling me from my thoughts. I went to it, welcoming Sebastian inside.
“You’re stunning, Final Girl.” He lifted my hand, kissing the top of it, sending butterflies through my belly. “I have something for you.”
“You do?” I raised an eyebrow, stepping back as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin red velvet box.
My heart stopped and restarted at a fierce pace.
He held it up and opened it. I peered inside and gasped as he pulled out a gold necklace. It was a beautiful thin chain with the words Final Girl on a single charm, the words separated by a ruby in-between.
“What do you say? Will you be my Final Girl?”
I laughed, staring at the necklace in disbelief. “I don’t have any movie quotes for this.”
He removed the necklace from its box, and I turned around, lifting my hair so he could clasp it. I admired it in the small mirror by my front door. It was stunning.
“I had it custom made.”
“When?” I asked, turning back to him.
His eyes were distant, pained, but also... something else. “The first day I saw you on set.”
“Really?” I gaped.
He snorted. “No. I did it two weeks ago. Jeez, you’re so easy sometimes.”
“And difficult other times?” I quipped, letting him take my arm and lead me outside to the limousine.
“More than you know,” he muttered. “Come on, Final Girl. Let’s put Arthur in his place.”
I stared out the window, my hand on Sebastian’s as the driver took us to the venue.
“It’s odd they’re doing a red carpet for a charity event,” I commented as the limo got in line to be announced.
“Everything is an opportunity to tell a story,” Sebastian muttered.
Before I could ask what he meant, the door opened, and we climbed out to an explosion of bright lights and loud popping sounds as paparazzi took our photos.
“Sebastian! Over here!”
“Evie! Who are you wearing!”
Sebastian took my waist and escorted me up the stairs and down the red carpet, pausing when appropriate.
We went inside as quickly as possible. The room was decorated in pink and deep red.
Circular tables with pink tablecloths and red roses filled the room, seating eight people at each.
Lining the walls were large banners of my mother and other famous women I didn’t recognize.
We sat at the table with our names on place cards in the middle of the room and made small talk as the rest of the guests filed in.
“You’re our guest of honor, Ms. Reyes,” the hostess told us as we sat down and quickly poured water and wine.
I opened my mouth to ask what she meant by that, but Sebastian spoke, distracting me.
“Watch the cameras,” Sebastian whispered. His lips brushed against my ear, sending shivers down to my collarbone. “There’s one right there and one to your left.” He pointed discreetly.
I turned my head as subtly as I could to see. In the corners, cameramen stood with large video cameras, their red lights on.
“Is this live?” I asked.
Sebastian reached for his drink and nodded. He was staying silent on purpose. Why? He knew something I didn’t. Then, I watched Arthur come in, shaking hands and greeting people as he did so.
My blood boiled instantly.
“Easy, Final Girl,” Sebastian muttered a low warning.
“I—”
“Beep beep, Ritchie,” he said in a sharper tone.
My mouth snapped shut. I forced a smile and scanned the room as everyone settled into their seats and dinner was served.
While we ate, there were various music acts on stage, and in-between, Arthur hosted.
Putting on a charming face, he talked about We Become Roses and what good it had done over the past ten years.
He introduced speakers, asked for donations, and presented other non-musical acts.
After we finished eating, there was a small intermission, during which I sat solemnly with Sebastian.
Guests came to our table to talk, but we kept the conversations brief and polite, and they got the hint. When the short break was over and the cameras began filming again, Arthur decided it was time to highlight my appearance.
“We have a very special guest here tonight. Lita Reyes left behind a legacy through her movies and Wbr, but she also left behind loved ones, and we have one special family member of hers with us tonight. Evelyn Reyes, her daughter.”
Applause erupted as the audience and cameras turned toward me. My face flamed, and I waved politely at the cameras. They shifted to the front of the room just as a woman, dressed in a volunteer uniform, walked from behind the curtains, bringing Arthur a gold and pink plaque.
“We at We Become Roses wanted to honor Lita Reyes with an award tonight. Lita gave so much back to the Latine community without asking anything in return. Her kindness has helped countless women take back their freedom, while also educating the community about sexual violence in an effort to save others. The world is a better place because of Lita Reyes, and Evie, we’d like you to accept this glass rose on her behalf. ”
I stared at Arthur, frozen until Sebastian pinched me on the thigh.
My mind came to, and I stood, confused as to what was going on.
I made my way to the stage, the room around me one big blur.
I took the rose statue from Arthur and stared blankly at the audience, still clapping.
Arthur’s hand went to the small of my back and urged me toward the microphone.
I flinched away from his touch and leaned into the mic.
“Wow, this is…great, really great,” I started, my mind drawing a blank. They’d asked me to prepare a speech, but I’d declined. I should have known this was why. I raised the statue. “My mom always loved roses. This is going to go great on her awards shelf.”
There was polite laughter, which gave me a little strength. I stood up straight and cleared my throat.
“Helping Latine women who have been victims of sexual assault was important to my mother, as she knew all too well what it was like. Since she’s been gone, she’s helped a lot of people, and with her money, name, and help from everyone in this room, she’ll continue to do so.
Thank you all for taking care of my mother’s legacy while I was gone.
I hope to play a bigger part now that I’ve returned. ”
I stepped away from the mic as a standing ovation followed by music played me off. What was I saying? Play a bigger part? Why was I making promises I never intended to keep? I was directed backstage, and the moment I was hidden behind the curtains, I was yanked into a dark corner.
“You better fucking watch yourself, bitch.” I couldn’t see him, but the voice I’d been listening to all night was instantly recognizable. Arthur squeezed my upper arms.
I let out a sharp cry as I tried wrenching my arm free of his grasp.
“You’re trying to play games with players much more advanced. You’re as good as dead already.”
Suddenly, he let me go, and an instant later, a sharp pinch in my belly turned into a white- hot pain.
Or was it cold? I couldn’t tell, but I knew what had caused it.
I gasped as Arthur pulled the knife from my belly and disappeared into the curtains, fleeing.
I dropped against the wall, holding on to my wound.
Fuck.
Fuck fuck fuck.
The pain was blindingly hot. I could barely breathe. I wanted to scream, but alerting someone would only make it harder to exact my revenge later. Gritting my teeth, I stumbled forward, hurrying to the nearest door. I found myself in a green room. I collapsed to the ground, closing my eyes.
Sometime later—I wasn’t entirely sure how much time had passed—there was a knock on the door. I was drenched in sweat and could barely breathe. Biting a scream back, I called out.
“Who is it?”
“Sebastian! Evie, are you okay? Arthur said you came in here.”
Forcing myself up, I grabbed the doorknob and turned it, collapsing into his arms.
“Help me.”