Chapter 16 - Stella
Stella
Ireturned to my parents’ house fairly early. My mom and dad were there when I walked in.
“Stellina, my sweet starshine. I have missed you too much,” my father says through his still-thick Italian accent as he pulls me into a warm embrace.
“Papa, I’ve missed you too. Will you be leaving again anytime soon? I’m home for two weeks.”
My mom gives me a hug and a kiss.
“We’ll be home for a while. Your father has some business to handle here,” she says, using that tone that always means he’s in trouble for something.
“Papa, what’s going on at Carrington Caskets?”
I don’t ask about the company much. It’s not my dream to take over—but it is my family’s legacy. So one day, it’ll be mine. I suppose I should take more interest in it.
“That imbecile Jonathan. You know, the manager who came in to take over for…” My father snaps his fingers like it’ll help him remember her name. “Oh, you know who I mean. The older brunette lady.”
I cover my mouth and cough to hide the giggle escaping me.
“Papa, her name was Meredith. She worked for you for over twenty years. You should remember her name.”
“Ah, yes, thank you, Stellina. Jonathan took over for Meredith, and he proved to be incompetent. I had Ricky Richfield from that popular rock band call me to wipe my ass because Jonathan doesn’t even know basic casket design skills.”
Now I’m hunched over laughing.
“I think you meant to rip you a new one. If Jonathan isn’t cutting it, let him go and find someone else.”
After my father and I talked more about the onslaught of issues piling up under Jonathan’s reign, my mother and I went out for a small lunch and shopping, of course.
It was spectacular talking to her about everything going on with school and getting her opinions on Donovan.
Surprisingly enough, she was actually supportive of him.
She gave me sound advice while spoiling me with a plethora of new clothes, some for Virginia, and enough to leave here so I don’t have to keep lugging everything back and forth. Pulling me into a warm hug, she finally said the one thing I’ve always wanted to hear.
“Stella, I’m so proud of the woman you’re becoming.
Watching you blossom in college, finding your voice and growing into someone full of fire and grace, has been the greatest gift of my life.
You are brave, brilliant, and far stronger than I ever allowed myself to be.
Promise me something, okay? Don’t ever shrink to fit someone else’s expectations.
Don’t stay in something just because it feels familiar.
You deserve a love that truly sees you, that chooses you every day, and that stands by your side through everything.
Please don’t settle for less than that.”
She squeezed me tighter before letting go and grabbing the cutest pair of pastel boots.
Well. That chat felt weirdly ominous. Is she not happy with Dad?
Mom and I got home later than expected. I run up to my room, throwing my massive amount of bags onto the bed. I am rushing to take a shower, internally grateful I told Donovan I’d meet him for dinner instead of him picking me up.
With my hair still wet, I grab one of my new dresses and throw it on. In the mirror, I admire how it looks on me: a lacy corset top with a flowy, A-line skirt. It hugs all the right places, makes my tits look outstanding.
I pick red heels to add a pop of color to the black dress, sit at my vanity for a quick, light makeup look, and obviously apply red lipstick. One last glance in the mirror, and I grab my purse and cardigan on the way out.
I arrive at Agave and Iron ten minutes later than expected. I give the hostess Donovan’s name, and she walks me to the table. I apologize for being late and told him about lunch with my mom. The grimace on his face melts into what looks like relief. Was he worried because I was late for dinner?
We trade stories from the past week and a half—not much to say, really, since we text and video chat every day. We fill the silence with small talk. Nothing about what he said he needed to talk to me about.
After dinner, we step out of the restaurant. Donovan slips his hand into mine, then pulls me into him. I laugh, placing my free hand on his chest, relaxing into his embrace.
I breathe in, trying to calm myself, but his scent finds me, dark plum and warm musk, with sin simmering just beneath. His hand reaches down, tilting my chin up so I look at him.
He kisses me gently, his tongue gliding across my lips. I twist his shirt in my hand, pulling him closer. I part my lips, letting his tongue slip into my mouth. The kiss grows deeper, more frantic.
“Let’s go somewhere that isn’t so public,” he whispers against my lips.
“Donovan, my parents are home. We can’t go back to my place.” I say it wearily.
“Fuck—and my stepmom would kill me if we woke the baby.”
I tilted my head. Wait… what? “Baby? Your dad and stepmom had a baby?”
Nope. Definitely news to me. Guess we really have some things to discuss.
He grabs my hand, leading me toward the car while he tells me about his baby sister.
“Oh my god! Van Van, is that you?!”
The screech hit first. Then I am pushed aside.
“Uh. Hi, Elaine,” Donovan says, holding her at arm’s length by the shoulders.
“When did you get back into town?! Oh my god, we should totally hang out sometime!” Elaine reaches for Donovan. “You know, like we did the night of prom,” Elaine adds, the words laced with a kind of longing that makes my stomach twist.
Without saying a word, I turn and head toward my car. She just had to bring up prom. Damn it. I hate her so much.
“Star, wait, please don’t leave!”
Donovan chases after me.
“What, Donovan? Want to try and tell me she doesn’t hate me?” I grab the car door handle. He pushes it shut.
“Stella, stop it. I don’t talk to Elaine. I don’t even like Elaine.”
“Sure as hell didn’t do anything with her prom night,” he adds, his voice pleading.
“I can’t do this right now, Donovan. You said you needed to talk to me about something, and you made it sound serious.” I turn away so he can’t see the hurt in my eyes.
“We didn’t talk about anything of importance. Then she shows up, like a giant reminder of everything I lost—and you try to take me home for a quick fuck? It feels like you’re using me while I’m here.”
Oh shit. Did I just say that out loud?
The look that crosses Donovan’s face is nothing short of devastation.
“Stella Carrington,” he growls, “I will say this once, and only once, so you better listen real fucking close.”
His voice is a mess of rage and heartbreak, venom barely masking the ache beneath. “I’m not using you. I’m not here for a goddamn quick fuck while you’re in town.”
He steps closer, eyes dark.
“If that’s all I wanted, trust me—I could have any woman I wanted. But I don’t. I don’t want them.”
A pause, sharp and loaded.
“I want you. Only you. It’s always been you. There has only ever been one goddamn woman I’ve wanted to be with.”
He turned away, letting out a shaky breath.
“I wanted to talk to you about two things.”
“One”—he pushes me against my car. “You,” he kisses my neck, “are” his hand slides around my throat in a way that feels possessive, “mine.” He devours my lips, one hand tangled in my hair, pulling just enough to tilt my mouth up to meet his.
I push him back, heat still simmering in my voice. “And the second thing?”
He looks nervous. Unsure. He takes a breath to steady himself.
“I was offered a job at Virginia Bay Preparatory School. I start in two weeks.”
I stare at him, confused.
“Baby girl, I’m moving to Virginia. Our relationship doesn’t have to be long-distance.”
He leans in and kisses me again.
I stand there, stunned. Frozen.
“Don’t you think you should’ve asked me what I wanted before deciding like that, Donovan? You don’t just get to decide things for us and expect me to fall in line. This wasn’t your call to make. You should’ve fucking asked me first.”
I push him away just enough to open the car door, slide inside, and lock it. Then I pull out of the parking lot, tears already slipping down my face.