Violet I get in and pause before turning on the lights. Something’s off. I can’t say what, but I know it’s there. Then I notice the outline of his figure, sitting in the armchair, the window behind him. I instantly find the switch. Conor is sitting a few feet away from me, drinking. “Where were you?” He asks and I close the door carefully behind me - to give myself time to think of an answer. “Out. “ I say. “Out?” He growls the words. “With who?” “Since when is this sudden interest in how I spend my free time?” “Since you have become my wife. “ “ Oh, come on, Conor…” I let out a quiet protest slip my mouth. He grabs the glass and throws it. I almost jump in my spot. The crystal shatters and the hundreds of pieces fly with a clatter to the floor. My heart is picking up its pace, but I am not going to show him that I am scared. “I will give you one more chance to explain to me where you were. “ Conor says. “I went out after work. Why are you here?” “I have
Violet Dominic’s and my eyes meet. Then they travel to Anastasia, who is a pretty jewel, standing on his right side. All the men are looking at her. You see, there’s a difference between having me there, and her. Despite how I look, they will always see me as a competition. As someone, they have to outwork or outsmart. They will feel obliged to show me who has the upper hand, who is the dominant sex in the words of politics and economics. While Anastasia… Well, she is a beautiful creature they want to look at. I am sure they don’t even attempt to talk to her. Not so much because they can’t think of what to tell her - those men are some of the smartest people in the world, I am sure they can strike up a simple conversation with anyone, but there’s something else. The reason why they don’t talk to her is because they see no point in it. Because they have one aim - to sleep with her. Sex doesn’t involve too much talking. It often doesn’t even require you to respect the intelli
Violet“You kept staring at her!” Anastasia yells. I approach carefully and pause behind the corner. “What the hell are you talking about?”Dominic asks, voice even, which seems to drive her crazy. “You did! You kept looking at her! Do you think I didn’t notice? Everyone did. ““You are exaggerating. ““ ME? EXAGGERATING? And what was all this talking about art and shit? ““What?” “You heard me, “ she keeps yelling, “Since when do you care about this stuff?”“Always, “he says, his voice is still well-controlled. “I was just never able to talk to you about this. “AAA GGGHH!”Anastasia exclaims, then continues complaining. “What the hell is up to you?” she goes on , “It’s like you are an entirely different person since we came to this stupid place!”“I never asked you to come with me . “He says, lightly and - I assume- she kicks something. “I want to leave!”Anastasia yells “I don’t want to be here! I HATE this fuckign place. I HAVE everyone here, and their…. everything, I hat
Violet “No, no, “ I say, “We aren’t …” “Miss Hale is my brother’s wife, “ Dominic explains, “Hence, the names. “ “Oh…” The receptionist nods, “Nevertheless, the suite is spacious enough for more than four people, even. “ ‘Isn't there anything else we can do?” I ask and the receptionist continues looking at me in the same perplexed way. “Anything else as in…?” “Maybe I could take another room? “ I ask, hopeful. “Uh… “ she stutters, “Let me see what I can find. “ The woman checks and after a few seconds, she shakes her head. “I am afraid we are fully booked. “ Then she looks up from the screen. “At this time of the year, we are always …” “Of course,” Dominica says, then turns to me,” We can figure it out, though, right? ” “Okay, “ I agree and we heed to the room. We get in the elevator and the bellhop gets on with us. Dominic and I are at the back and I close my eyes briefly. I am going to spend the next few days with Dominic. That might turn out to be harder than
Violet“I’m serious, yes, “ I tell my sister. “Unfortunately. ““Damn, Val, “She says, “This sucks. Way more than the situation I am in. ““Nothing is going to happen. I mean it. ““Keep telling yourself that. You are literally in the most romantic city in the whole world. And you are telling me nothing is going to happen?““Yes.”“Right.”She snorts. “Come on, it’s unthinkable. ““But you are thinking about this!” Evie argues. I cover my eyes with my palm. “I have to go.”“I am sure you do. ““Evie!” I protest but she answers with a smile in her voice. “I love you, sis. “she says, “I will call you back again when we decide to come back. ““Okay. I love you too. Have fun. ““You too. “We hang up and I take a look around the spacious bedroom, looking for my bag. The room is huge - a giant bed, a table with armchairs around it. A huge bathroom with a bathtub and big mirrors. The receptionist didn’t exaggerate- the place is enough for more than four people, even.“Stop overthink
VioletAfter less than two hours I am looking at one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. The wind is warm, dancing on the surface of the crystal blue water. The beach is only a few feet away from us and I can’t wait to feel the sand underneath my feet. “It’s… I never knew places like this exist. “I say, unable to look away from the view. “It’s one of my favourite places. ““What is it called?”I glance at him. Dominic is standing next to me, the wind dancing in his hair. “The area is called Deauville. It’s almost 2,5 hours from Paris. “He says and I frown.“But we came much faster ““I am a good driver, “he winks at me. “This is a very small private beach, “ he goes on, “I like coming here. “I glance around and notice there are scarcely any people around. The place is tucked neatly between two cliffs and this beach looks like a small, private paradise. “Is this where you bring all your dates? “I joke, but he replies seriously. “I’ve never seen anyone here before.
Violet The family hotel we go to is very close to the private beach we just visited. It’s a small, cozy house that has beautiful, local flowers in the garden at the front. “It looks more like a home than a hotel. “ I say as we take the steps to the veranda. “In a way it is. “ Dominic opens the door for me and invites me in. The woman at the reception is older than us - almost the same age my mother would be if she was alive. Gray, long hair and tanned skin. I don’t tell myself “She was beautiful when she was young '' because I don’t believe in this- women are beautiful at any age. There’s no “was beautiful '' there's “she is beautiful. “ The woman looks up from her notebook as she hears our approaching footsteps. She gasps, surprise blossoming on her face. “Dominic!” the woman exclaims and spreads her arms wide. She moves past the counter and comes to hug him. The woman is wearing a long, colourful dress which makes her look even prettier. “What are you doing h
Violet “I am done, “ I declare and lean back in the comfortable chair. “I can’t. That's it. “ I place my fork on my plate and a waiter comes to pick up the cutlery. “What do you usually do on your days off?” Dominic asks. “I haven’t thought about this, actually. ” I admit. “I am at the office most of the time. “ This is one of the reasons why everything feels absolutely amazing. It also feels like it’s happening to someone else. At that moment the chef comes over and stands at our table. We are having a very late afternoon lunch in a traditional French restaurant, hidden in the small streets of the town. The restaurant is both close to the sea and close to the historical parts of the place. “How is everything, “ The man asks in English and I am short for words. “Amazing. It '’s… thank you. “ “I told you she would love it. “ The man tells Dominic and I am not even surprised they know each other. “Thank you, Pierre, “ Dominic says and after a quick chat he has with