Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sitting down at a formal dinner with my parents and their pretentious friends is the last thing I want to be doing.
I’m here, though. The man my father is currently talking to across the table is a business associate, and I know my role.
Be nice, polite, and smile. It’s not hard, but it is boring. And tiring.
Mr and Mrs Atwood and their son Ewen have been to our house for dinner before.
Although tonight is the first time I’m sitting right next to Ewen while my father is constantly trying to point out similarities between the two of us.
It’s odd. I’ve even caught my mother giving my dad the what the fuck are you doing look.
“You know, Ewen is starting at Melbourne University next year too. He’s also enrolling in business studies,” my dad says.
“Really? You must be so excited,” I say, doing my best to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. I don’t think it works too well, especially when Ewen’s lips tip up slightly.
“Thrilled,” he says.
“Before we know it, it will be you two holding business meetings, keeping our partnerships alive,” Mr Atwood says.
“Well, I won’t be as easy a negotiator as my father is, so you best study up and learn some skills, Ewen.” I grin, and everyone at the table laughs.
“Right, I’ll keep that in mind,” Ewen tells me.
I manage to fake politeness through the rest of the dinner. It’s right at the end, just before the Atwoods leave, that my dad looks at Ewen. “You should take Zara out. You two have a lot in common and come from the same world. It would be an ideal match.”
My jaw drops. He did not just try to set me up with this boy. If ever there was a time I wanted to disappear, it would be now. No, I don’t want to disappear. I want to run to Ares.
I glance over at my mum. Her lips are thinned out but still in a polite smile.
I’m speechless. I don’t even know what to say.
I’ve never been more humiliated, more disappointed in my dad.
I get he doesn’t like Ares, but to go as far as to try to palm me off to someone he sees as suitable? That’s not okay.
“Ah, yeah, sure. I’ll call you.” Ewen gives me a look that says he will do anything but call me. And then he shocks me when he leans in to kiss my cheek. “It’s not you. It’s me. I’m just not into chicks,” he whispers, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding.
My mum waves the Atwoods off and quickly shuts the door. She turns around and her entire demeanour shifts. Gone is the polite smile and in its place is a firm, very pissed-off glare.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Dominic?” she hisses out.
“Little Bee, calm down.”
“Don’t you Little Bee me right now. It’s not going to work. Our daughter isn’t a goddamn tool in your business dealings, and she certainly isn’t a piece of property for you to pimp out.” Mum’s voice rises, and as a maid walks around the corner, she turns right back around and disappears again.
“It’s okay,” I say. It’s not. I just don’t want my parents arguing over me.
“Don’t be dramatic. I didn’t pimp her out. I merely made a suggestion that she try dating a nice boy from a nice family.”
“I can’t believe you would do this to me,” I say, keeping my tone neutral. I will not cry right now. I’m not going to break down. I’ll hold that in for later.
“I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t have such shitty taste in boys, Zara.” Dad sighs.
“What exactly is your problem with Ares? What has he ever done to make you hate him so much?” I ask.
“He’s a De Bellis.”
“You can’t hate someone because of their last name,” I tell him.
“That’s not fair. You haven’t even given him a chance.
And just so you know, his parents like me.
Cammi and Vin have both said I’m welcome in their home anytime.
And yet, I can’t bring Ares here because you’re an overbearing…
something from the old ages. You can’t choose who I date.
I go along with everything else you want me to do. But this? It’s not your choice.”
“Zara.” My mum eyes me with pity.
“I’m fine. I’m going to bed.” I walk upstairs and head to my suite.
I can hear my mum yelling at Dad again. And when I get into my bedroom, I lock myself inside and look at the bed.
I want nothing more than to lie under my covers and cry.
I force myself to go to my bathroom, wash the makeup off my face, and brush my hair.
Then I sit on my bed and do the one thing I think will help me not totally fall apart right now.
Ares answers my call on the third ring. “Hey, hold on a sec.”
There’s a lot of noise, and I can see him walking through his house.
“Okay, that’s better,” he says, closing a door. I glance behind him and realise he’s in his bedroom.
“I’m sorry. Were you busy? Shit, I forgot your family was over.”
“It’s okay, I’ve had enough family time. What’s wrong? Why do you look like you’re about to cry? What happened?”
“I…” I stop and take a deep breath. “I called you because I thought maybe if I spoke to you, I wouldn’t just lie in my bed and cry all night.” I’m really trying to change, to fix myself. Even if I know I’m depending on Ares to help me way more than I should.
“I’m glad you called. Did something happen to set you off? How was dinner?”
“My dad tried to pimp me out to Ewen Atwood.”
“He what?” Ares’s tone changes. His jaw clenches. “What the fuck, Zara?”
“He suggested Ewen call me to arrange a date.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. I was in shock.”
“You didn’t think to tell the guy that you already have a boyfriend?”
“I didn’t think my dad would ever do something like this. I didn’t know what to do.”
“You’re not going out with Ewen Atwood,” Ares says.
“I have no intention of going out with him. Besides, he’s gay.”
“I know. But if anyone can tempt a gay guy to try a woman, it’s you.” Ares smirks.
“Thanks?”
“Is that why you’re upset?”
“My father tried to pimp me out. So, yeah, it upset me. But it’s not just that. He really doesn’t like you. He’s going to do anything to stop me from seeing you.”
“The only person who can stop you from seeing me… is you, P. We’re not going to let anyone come between us.”
“You’re right.”
“I usually am,” Ares says.
“Are your parents going to be annoyed you left your family thing to talk to me?”
“No. I told you I will talk to you anytime you want to talk to me. I’m glad you called.”
“What if…” I let my sentence drop off.
“What if what?”
“What if it gets to be too much? I can’t just call you every time I feel sad or something happens to trigger me.”
“Yes, you can.”
“You’ll get sick of me.”
“Never.”
“I know it’s probably not healthy. But right now, you’re the only thing that makes me feel like it’s going to be okay. That I’m going to get through this.”
“Because you are. I’m not going anywhere. You want me to come over? I’ve always wondered what your bed would feel like.”
“And face the firing squad? No, I’ll be okay.”
“I’d face an army for you.”
“You must really like me.” I smile.
“Just a tad.” Ares holds up his thumb and pointer finger, keeping a little space between them to emphasise his point.
“Probably a good thing I spent all night hearing about all my good qualities. I’m quite the catch if you ask my dad.”
“He’s right about that. You are a catch. And I’ve caught you. This isn’t a catch-and-release type of thing. I’m keeping you, P.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being there when I needed you. For helping me. For today. I don’t know if I could do any of this without you.”
“You could, but you don’t need to. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for.”
“I think you have a biased opinion.”
“No, I have an honest opinion. You’ve been fighting this alone for so long, Zara. You’re not alone anymore.”
There’s a knock at the door, and I hear the key go into it before it opens.
“Someone’s here. I have to go,” I tell Ares.
“Call me back if you need to,” he replies.
“Go hang out with your family. I’m okay now.”
“Call me back if you need to, P,” he repeats, and then the screen goes black.
My mum comes and sits on the bed. “Was that Ares?” she asks.
I nod.
“Why does he call you P?”
“It means butterfly in French or something like that. He thinks I’m pretty like a butterfly.” I smile.
“He’s not wrong. But you are way more beautiful than a butterfly.” Mum tucks loose strands of hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry for what your father did. He was out of line and it won’t happen again.”
“I think I understand why Kyla ran off with Lorenzo now,” I say.
“Don’t even think about it, kiddo. At least invite me. We can leave your father at home, but I refuse to miss another daughter’s wedding.”
“I’m not going to. I’m just saying I get it. Dad is a little too overprotective.”
“He loves you and wants the best for you.”
“So he wants me to date a kid who’s gay?”
“Well, he doesn’t know that. But he would prefer you didn’t date at all.”
“Ares is really kind to me.”
“I know. And if you’re giving him the time of day, then I know he’s worth it. I trust your judgement. Besides, he has great parents. They’ve raised that kid right.”
“I wish Dad could see that.”
“He will. Just give him time. But don’t let him off too easy for tonight. Make sure he knows how he’s hurt you, Zara. You don’t need to hide your feelings from us.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that’s exactly what I’ve been doing for years.
“I know,” I reply instead, taking the easy way out.