1
Valentina
I know I should be more excited to attend my first party. Between dressing up and the fact that my fiancé, Sal, agreed to let my cousin and best friend, Rose, come along too, it’s set to be a fantastic night. Rose isn’t really interested in the party, but I fear leaving her alone in the house with my father or my fiancé, so I bring her as my plus-one.
They can be ruthless and sinister, plus I’m stronger than her. It’s my duty to protect the only family I have left in this house.
I peer at my reflection in the mirror. The dress Rose chose for me hugs my curves, which only began filling out a few years ago. Not that there’s much yet. I still feel like my small petite shape resembles an ironing board compared to Rose’s curves and statuesque figure.
The champagne silk gown barely brushes the floor, Rose having hemmed it by hand all morning for me. It makes my pale skin shine in the mirror and sets off her own black cap sleeve number. We both look great, and I hug her to my side as she presses the last pin taming the unruly mass of brown known as my hair.
“Let’s try to have some fun, okay?” I whisper.
She nods, meeting my eyes in the mirror. “Let’s set a goal to make one sexy man trip over his feet tonight.”
“Sal doesn’t count.” I snicker.
“Ugh, Sal isn’t sexy. I know you’re being conscripted to spend the rest of your life with him, but hopefully once you get married, he’ll find a mistress to deal with his bullshit and leave you alone.”
I snort. “A new goal then. Find a mistress for my future husband at this party. Someone we think he could go for after we get married.”
It was a nice lie. But what are dreams? Nice lies to get you through the day, right?
We give each other one long conspiring look in the mirror and head downstairs for inspection by my father and Sal.
We descend to the foyer. Rose remains at my back, one step behind—not because she’s inferior but because she’s my support. My rock. The only thing keeping me from going apeshit most days.
My father steps out of his study, Sal follows, and they circle us like wolves. Once they finish scrutinizing us, my father sniffs, shakes his head, and points at the stairs. “Go back up to your room and change. You look like a cheap whore. I can see every inch of your body. You’re supposed to be a respectful woman and set an example.”
An example of what? What happens to women in this world when they can’t stand on their own two feet? I know better than to question him, though I can’t help but look down at the beautiful shimmering silk and frown at its loss. Instead of telling him off, I do the smart thing and say, “Yes, sir.” Then I grab Rose’s arm and haul her back up the stairs with me.
“Switch with your cousin,” my father’s hard voice calls after us. “At least she looks like a proper young lady.”
I wince but continue walking, dragging Rose with me back to my bedroom.
“I hate those motherfuckers,” she growls, throwing herself on the bed. I let out a half-hearted protest about her hair, but she turns her face to glare at me. “Do I look like I give a shit about my hair?”
I frown, looking down at the dress. “Let’s just change, and then we can go. I’m sorry you worked so hard on my dress, and now I can’t even wear it.”
Rose sits up, twisting gracefully, and waves me away. “It doesn’t matter. You’re right. Let’s change, and then we can get to drinking.”
We swap dresses, and I have to help ease the zipper of mine up the side of her waist. It barely fits, and the length is a foot too short. I feel bad, but I’m not sure what else to do. I won’t return to my father without this dress on. “Do you want to put on something else?”
She shakes her head. “We are already pushing it for time, and I’d expect if I went down in something else, then they’d order me right back up here out of spite. Or worse, make you go alone.”
I hug her one more time and adjust her hair a little where a few stray pieces have fallen down her slim neck.
She meets my eyes, stilling my face in her hands. “If there is any way to get you out of this marriage, I’m going to find it. You deserve so much better than that asshole.”
I nod, ducking my chin so she doesn’t see the sheen of tears building in my eyes. “I know, but it’s what Father wants, and you know I have to keep him happy.”