15 #2
What had happened? And that thing about Aleixandre .
. . Maybe the younger brother didn’t obey his older brother out of fear and a sense of duty.
Yet again, everyone was afraid of Aegan for one reason or another, just like Artie and Eli.
Everything pointed toward him being a monster, capable of unthinkable things like . . .
Killing somebody?
What’s more, the brothers were covering something up. That argument between Aegan and Adrik had made that really clear. They had problems; they weren’t as close as they let on. Had things always been like that or had something come between them?
The dots were starting to connect. I was starting to really believe that Aegan had done something to Eli, just like Artie had warned me. I had to keep investigating to be sure, because if she was actually dead, surely there was some sort of evidence. I needed to find it.
First, though, I had to get through the party and survive the female version of Paolo from The Princess Diaries.
I went back to the room without the benefits of booze running through my system.
Once Francheska finished getting me ready, she told me I could put on the dress.
Her henchmen helped me into high heels and sprayed perfume on me that actually smelled pretty nice.
Finally, Francheska looked us up and down, trying to spot any flaws in our appearance.
She must not have found any because she just nodded and snapped her fingers.
“Mirror,” she demanded.
One of her henchmen rushed over, pulling a full-length mirror still covered with a blanket. She put it in front of us and dramatically pulled off the blanket.
Artie and I looked at ourselves. Artie looked gobsmacked and seemed to like what she saw. I didn’t know if I loved or hated what I was looking at though.
What I saw looked like a Cash version of me.
It had the elegant, luxurious sheen that they had.
The gold dress was stunning, making me look like I actually had a half-decent body.
The expensive necklace added an elegant touch to my look.
My sleek, straightened hair and makeup made me look more mature—sensual even.
Okay, Francheska was strange, but she was great at her job.
I didn’t look like a clown. Nothing was too extravagant.
I looked amazing, if I did say so myself.
I basically looked like what Aegan likes in a girl. And, well, it wasn’t really me.
Artie, though, was blown away by both of us. She had a wilder look: her hair fell in loose, voluminous waves, and her makeup brought out her delicate features.
“Thanks, Francheska,” I said, being completely honest. “We look amazing.”
She nodded with pride and, without saying a word, left with the entourage following behind her. When I looked at myself again in the mirror, I reminded myself, “You can do this.”
But I couldn’t. Yeah, I could manage the dress, the hairstyle, and the makeup, and even pretend to enjoy the party, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle what came next.
An hour later, we all met up in the hallway to be given instructions before heading down together. I took a look at Aegan, Adrik, Aleixandre, and Owen in their suits . . .
To truly get across how incredible they looked, they each deserved a poetic description, because they were works of art. Evil, but works of art all the same.
Aegan looked like he was ready to step onto the red carpet at the Oscars.
His jet-black hair was slicked back, and a few silver rings sparkled on his strong, commanding fingers.
With his piercing, almost demonic eyes and his feline grace, he gave the impression that he could bend the world to his will with just one word.
It was power, lust, vanity, and malice all in one.
Aegan was like an Oscar Wilde character.
Aleixandre was like a gentleman out of a Jane Austen book.
He had a more romantic style; it was like the guy you dreamed you’d share your first kiss and most intimate moments with.
The guy who would take you to every party, every graduation ceremony, and even to the ends of the world.
For the first time, his slicked-back hair had a strand out of place, and it was brushing against his forehead and making him look younger than he actually was.
Everything about him screamed laughter and love but still hinted at mischievousness and game-playing.
Owen’s suit had more of an informal look.
The top buttons of his shirt were undone; two blond locks of hair were around his face, and the rest was pulled back into a low ponytail.
He clearly hadn’t let anyone touch his hair, but what would’ve been the point?
Seeing him standing there, hands in his pockets, it was clear he would look flawless in any magazine photo.
He was the hot guy straight out of a young adult novel, the one who makes hearts melt.
And lastly, there was Adrik. Serious and aloof, yet more mysterious than ever, as if he was daring you to try to figure him out.
He was wearing a black, rather casual suit, and no tie.
They’d styled his hair somewhat like Aegan’s, but I suspected he had tousled it slightly himself to be different.
And he certainly was different, especially with that hint of sadness in his eyes.
Adrik had the dark, magnetic allure of a character straight out of an Edgar Allan Poe tale.
“I knew Francheska would work miracles,” Aegan said, looking me over. “This is the first time I’ve seen you look good.”
“I could say the same,” I said, giving him the once-over. “But . . . meh.”
I wasn’t about to tell him how ridiculously handsome he looked.
His smile was wiped from his face, and he shifted his gaze to Artie, looking her up and down too.
She was blushing. Then he turned to Adrik, who was so lost in thought that it took him a few seconds to realize we were all waiting for him to say something. He shuffled.
“You look beautiful,” he said to Artie dryly. It sounded forced, completely lacking sincerity.
All of a sudden, a door in the hallway opened and two girls came out. One stood beside Owen, and the other, surprisingly, stood next to Aleix. I focused more on Aleix’s girl because I had already seen the other one in Aegan’s friend group.
She was stunningly beautiful, blond, almost angelic-looking.
“This is Laila, my girlfriend,” he introduced her.
She smiled sweetly at us all, reminding me of the main character from Candy Candy.
Owen didn’t introduce his girl to us, and she didn’t seem too bothered by it.
“Okay, this is what’s going to happen,” Aleixandre started explaining.
“People are starting to arrive at the pool area. At all times, we must stay with our partners because there will be journalists around and they’ll want to take some snaps of us.
Then, at midnight, Aegan will give a toast and share a special announcement, so make sure you’re around for it. ”
A special announcement? Surely, it would be something pointless.
Before leaving, Aleixandre straightened Aegan’s tie, adding the finishing touch to his look.
“Jude, take a picture of me please,” Artie asked before we had to separate.
“Wouldn’t it be better if you got one with Adrik?” I asked, shifting my gaze between him and her, convinced it was a brilliant idea.
I knew she wanted one but wouldn’t say so because she wasn’t sure if he did.
And truth be told, I didn’t even feel like asking him.
Adrik said nothing, wearing his usual human-repellent face.
It radiated potential rejection. His entire demeanor was shouting, Speak to me and I’ll throw acid over you.
But she got the courage.
“I . . . don’t know . . . Adrik, do you want to . . . ?”
“I don’t like photos,” he shot back.
He was dry and hateful. Artie froze, and I was gobsmacked.
Our respective guys each offered an arm, and I took Aegan’s as we all headed out to the back of the house.
It was a beautiful and star-filled night, and the décor was understated yet elegant.
As soon as we came into view of the guests, all of them wearing expensive suits and dresses, it was time for greetings and a little showing off.
Aegan went around shaking hands and talking to everyone.
It was infuriating having to put on a fake smile while he gripped my waist as though I belonged to him.
The party wasn’t even that much fun. Seventy percent of the time, it was like one of those tedious high-society parties where you drift from one conversation to the next, sipping from the same glass all night and trying not to step out of line.
The remaining thirty percent made up for it thanks to the good music, and the booze and wine tastings; guests could sample bottles from different countries and buy the ones they liked to support charitable causes.
Having said that, I started getting bored since all I kept hearing were things like:
“I heard your father is going to run for president.”
“I’d vote for him.”
“He’d make a great president.”
“What a great party, Aegan. How much are you trying to raise?”
“You look dashing!”
Aegan spoke eloquently. He spoke of his family with such pride that it sounded like his only purpose in life was to carry on that surname. He adored his lineage. Being a Cash meant everything to him.
At one point, during a boring slow song, I spotted Artie by the drinks table. Something was clearly off with her because she kept taking sips from her glass and scanning the room, looking uneasy. I excused myself.
“I have to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
Aegan didn’t even hear me, immersed in his conversation, so I went over to Artie.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked her, almost whispering.
“It’s just that Adrik started drinking and then vanished,” she said, clearly miffed. “I can’t find him anywhere, so I’ve just been wandering around on my own, and everyone keeps giving me these really strange looks.”