Chapter 18
CORA
The days slip past in a blur. We're sitting ducks right now, beholden to the Russian mafia and the information they've not been forthcoming with in regards to Louisa’s whereabouts. It’s taken Frankie longer than anticipated to get them settled into their new territory; Gary has been nowhere to be found, which has made the hand over difficult for everyone.
But what I can’t wrap my head around is the Grenville brothers.
How is it that they know that Louisa’s dying?
And why does that call for them to go back to their mansion?
While I know that greater forces are at play when it comes to them, none of it is easy to process or figure out.
The brothers have retreated back to their home in the countryside, leaving Frankie to deal with the mess left behind.
The situation has taken its toll on him both physically and mentally, while to everyone else, he’s' stepped into his father’s shoes somewhat seamlessly.
I get to see the ramifications of his masking late at night when he finally strolls in from the boxing club.
I do for him what any good person would do, give him time and space, make sure the flat is clean, make sure the vegetables he’s eating are organic, and run expensive bubble baths to ease his aches and pains.
Every morning without fail at five, he wakes, gets dressed, and goes for a run.
I go with him most of the time, but not on the days where his eyes seem far away.
My regime for him is working, though. He hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol since the night I arrived, and the endorphins that the running provides give him a healthy pink glow.
His muscle definition is beginning to return, and his face is no longer sallow and lifeless.
It’s working.
Me being here with him is working and before I know it, it’s the day of Bella’s ball. Frankie has agreed to accompany me, but it feels like the timing is so wrong for such an event.
“Are you nervous about tonight?” Frankie asks from the kitchen.
I shake my head, just now realising that I’ve been staring at a blank TV screen since I sat down. “...A little. My parents are going to be there and my sisters…” and the rest of society.
I glance back at him as he begins to scoop protein powder into a plastic bottle. His face falls. “You’re worried what they’ll think of me.” It isn’t a question.
“No, it’s not that at all. I’ve told you exactly how I feel about you, and nothing that anyone says is going to change my mind.” It comes out clipped. I don’t mean for it too, but when is he going to understand that I’m telling the truth?
Frankie stays silent and continues the routine of preparing the protein shake.
“You still don’t believe me, do you?” I’m exasperated at this point. What else am I supposed to do to show him that I’m in it for the long haul?
“I find it hard to believe that you could ever love someone like me.”
My heart breaks in two and exhaustion clouds my judgment. In that moment, at the sound of his defeatist attitude, I decide to do something rash.
I rise to my feet with well rehearsed grace and glamour and turn to face him. “Then I’m done, Frankie.”
He startles, the plastic bottle slips from his hand and the lid falls with it, spilling the thick liquid all over the counter. He opens his mouth to speak, but I hold up a hand to stop him.
“Let me finish.” I take a deep breath in.
“I am done trying to prove to you how I feel about you. I have done everything I can to show you that you are someone worth loving. Trust me when I tell you it would be a lot easier if I had just packed my feelings for you away in a neat little box and shoved it to the back of my mind, but unfortunately, I can’t do that.
I spent weeks trying, and I couldn’t get you out of my head.
You are good enough for me. Quite often, I find myself wondering if I’m good enough for you.
“But that ends now. I will no longer sit here while you feel so little of yourself and let you swallow me into the dark hole you have found yourself in.”
A hot blush creeps up my neck, and already I start to wonder if I should have, like many times before, just taken my mother’s advice and kept myself quiet. But isn’t that what this little adventure is all about? Breaking the rules even if it means I tear my own heart in two in the process?
“Now, the car is coming at five thirty. I expect you to be ready and waiting for me here. Please, do not disturb me until then.” I saunter off to his bedroom and slam the door behind me. There’s no going back now; I can't take back what I’ve said, so now it’s time to do what I do best.
Put on my own armour and get ready for this damn thing.
The front door slams, and terror trudges through me when I begin to wonder if he will return.
***
Frankie doesn’t come back for a few hours, and when he does, he doesn't dare to come in and try to talk things through. But at least he came back. He’s been shuffling out there for over an hour—god knows what he’s been doing—but hopefully he’s at least dressed and ready to go.
I check the time, it’s 5 p.m., so there’s no more time to hide.
I give myself one last look over in the mirror and appreciate how good I look.
My hair is in a messy updo that I know Pamela Anderson would be proud of, and it’s paired with dark smokey eye makeup, a soft blue, floor length gown with spaghetti straps, and a low heel.
The material looks like water on a calm day, flattering on my curves, yet understated so as not to draw too much attention to myself.
I grab my small bag that can only fit my phone and open the bedroom door.
A soft amber glow comes from the living room.
Interest piqued, I make my way down the hallway.
When I round the corner, I almost fall over from shock.
All throughout the room are beautiful bouquets of red roses and candles inside of glass holders.
In the middle of the room, is Frankie, dressed to the nines in an all black tuxedo, a nervous grin on his face.
“I—”
Frankie holds up his hand to stop me. “My turn to speak now.” My mouth clamps shut.
“Cora, since you came here, I have wondered every moment of every day if your feelings for me were genuine. When you’re told throughout your life that you’re a worthless piece of shit, you begin to believe it.
The only person who ever thought that I was capable of something more than what I am is my sister.
And she’s gone. I’ve taken it hard, and I’ve taken it out on you. That was wrong and I’m sorry.
“I should have listened to you from the beginning. I never should have taken any moment spent with you for granted because when I’m with you, you make me believe in myself.
You bring out the best in me, you shine a light on the demons that follow me and chase them away.
I’m sorry that I ever doubted your intentions.
And I’m telling you this now because I refuse to fuck up the one good thing in my life.
” He crosses the room and starts to undo the buttons on his shirt.
I freeze. I’m still trying to absorb his words and he’s taking off his shirt?
I’m not ready! He pulls back the fabric and reveals a fresh tattoo, right over his heart.
“This is how much you mean to me. I am yours for the rest of my life, if you’ll have me.
I can’t promise that every day will be sunshine and roses, but I can promise to be better, for myself, for you. ”
I stare at my name and the date that we met at the rugby game, nestled beneath a large rose. “You got my name tattooed on your chest?” I say breathlessly.
“I know it’s a bit weird, but I wanted something permanent. What we have feels deeper than some grand proposal. Think of this as my own personal way of declaring my love for you,” he jokes, his smile grows wider.
“You love me?” I search his eyes for any hint of hesitation, but I find none.
“I love you, Cora Stanley.” His tattooed hands gently cup my face and my heart flutters. Frankie pulls me in close and softly kisses my lips. I melt into him, allowing him full control over me and my body.
The kiss is over quicker than I would have liked as a buzzing sound erupts from his breast pocket.
He pulls away reluctantly and slides out his phone, reading the text that flashes up.
My stomach drops. Has something gone wrong at the boxing club?
Tonight is supposed to be his distraction from it all.
But thankfully, he smiles again. “Your friend Bella is impatient.”
My eyes widen. “Bella?” I echo as I snatch the phone from his hand and gaze down at the text.
Well? Did she like it? You two better not be cancelling on me tonight to stay home and shag!
I laugh loudly at my friend's words. “She knows about all this?”
“I may have reached out and told her what a colossal dickhead I’ve been.
She was more than happy to direct me to a flower shop.
Her words were… ‘Make sure you spend what little pittance you have on making her feel better.’” I blush and laugh again.
Frankie steps back and does up the buttons of his shirt again, then holds his arm out for me to take.
“Shall we? I believe we have a ball to attend.”
I smile and grip his arm as we make our way towards the door.
***
We finally pull up in front of Bella’s family's mansion, and I can already tell that there has been no expense spared for this party. A string quartet sits just off to the side of the huge water fountain, greeting the guests with a classical rendition of a pop song I vaguely recognise. My heart does back flips as we step out of the car, but Frankie’s warm hand in my own chases those thoughts and feelings away.
He acts like the perfect gentleman as photographers blind us with the flashes of their cameras.
His dazzling smile is already enough to make me want to fall to my knees, but when he pulls my hand up and kisses it, I almost swoon.
I try very hard not to think about the headlines tomorrow as we climb the steps up to the mansion.
Bella’s parties are always the talk of the town and rival anything that Benjamin Grenville can put on, so there is no doubt that tonight would give the gossip magazines enough to talk about for months.
We step into the grand entrance hall; each and every free bit of space, from the chandeliers to the staircase, is full of wild and exotic fresh flowers. God knows how much they had spent shipping them here from their natural habitats.
“Thank god, I was beginning to die of boredom.” Bella appears from nowhere, a glass of champagne in her hand and a vintage, red Cristian Dior gown hanging gracefully from her slim body.
“What a greeting. It’s nice to see you too.
” I pull her into a hug and practically collapse into her.
I hadn't realised how much I had missed her. Her spicy perfume is familiar and comforting, reminding me of the long nights we had spent together at Grenville University. It’s still not the same without Louisa.
“Well, what do you expect? You hardly return my texts, you’ve barely posted on Instagram; I have no idea who you are these days, and it makes me cross.” Despite her sarcastic tone, I know she's not joking.
God I’m a shit friend.
“That’s my fault. If anyone should be held responsible for Cora’s lack of social media presence, it’s me.” Frankie says before I can start grovelling. He’s wearing his most dashing smile, my favourite part of him.
When I look back at Bella her eyes are playing ping pong with the both of us. “Fine, I won’t scold you tonight, but it’s coming! Now, I have to go mingle. Kate Moss is here somewhere, and I’m dying to catch up with her.” Bella floats away, leaving us to fend for ourselves.
And judging by the looks that the room is giving us, we will indeed be fighting for our lives tonight. Judgment follows us like a snake in the grass, but a few of the party-goers hold a little curiosity in their eyes which gives me some hope.
“Come on, aren't you supposed to mingle at these things?” Frankie whispers in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. A small nod is all I can manage, too worried that if I were to speak, it would come out like a squeaky mouse.
I guide Frankie through the crowded entrance, weaving through the silk and silver of the elite towards the ballroom that I know like the back of my hand. Frankie stiffens at my side once the room is revealed to us.
People dance and laugh, chatter and glide around the tall champagne tower in the middle of the room.
The silver chandeliers sparkle against the light, and I'd liken it to a disco ball in the way that it casts the tiny flecks of light against the polished wooden floor.
A live orchestra plays, the atmosphere feels giddy, and the familiarity of the politics of it all provides comfort.
I turn to Frankie, my hand still firmly in his, to find him staring out with a stoney, unreadable face. “Is everything okay?” I ask, a flicker of worry beginning to kindle in my chest.
“I… don’t know how to do any of this.” He mumbles, still staring out at the couples dancing.
“Don’t worry, we don't have to?—”
“Look what the cat dragged in.” My heart lurches at the sound of my mother’s voice. I turn to find her standing to my left, both of my sisters looking sheepish behind her.
My grip on Frankie’s hand tightens. “Mother.” Frankie squeezes my hand back.
My mother’s sickly, lifeless blue eyes, the same shade as my own, look Frankie up and down as slow as she can manage.
“I mean, I read the papers, but I never thought you’d have the audacity to show up here, let alone bring him with you.
” She is pure venom tonight. I knew that she would be here, but I thought that I might not have to deal with her just yet.
“I see where Cora gets her bite from. Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Stanley.” Frankie holds out his hand for her to shake, but she doesn't take it. Instead her lip curls into a grimace as she stares at the tattoo’s on his hand.
“Cora, why don’t you go and get us some drinks?
I’d like to speak with your mum privately.
” The request catches me off guard, but I don't miss the edge in his tone.
“Come on, Sister.” Elise, my youngest sister, takes my arm. “Let’s leave them to discuss how much everyone is utterly disappointed in your choice in men.” My eyes go wide and my skin turns an unattractive shade of pink. But I let Elise whisk me away nonetheless.
“That is a terrible idea.” I whisper as my other sister, Hatty, takes my other arm.
“Oh please, these parties are so dull,” Hatty says.
If I were a witch, I would curse them both there and then.