That’s Chris Hawkins. Michael’s youngest child,” Taylor informs,
and I barely tear my eyes from Mr. Ice to face Taylor.
“Are we talking about the same guy? I thought his name was Ace Preston.”
“Oh, yeah. Ace is his middle name. Preston is his deceased mother’s maiden name. According
to the rumors, Michael disowned him when he turned eighteen. That’s why Chris changed
his name to Preston. But according to the other rumors, Michael is a gay, but that
can’t be true since you’re dating him. I think Ace uses his mother’s last name to
honor her.”
“Seriously?” My head swivels back and forth between Taylor and the stage, but I can’t
find it in me to look up at Ace and Zane, the two brothers whose penises I got too
intimate with. Nothing can take away the feeling of dirtiness taking me over right
now, for sleeping with two men who came out of the same womb. It’s wrong on so many
levels, I can’t even wrap my head around how I couldn’t see it.
Watching them on the stage while they’re patting each other’s shoulders, laughing
together, and exchanging words of brotherly love in front of hundreds of people makes
my stomach revolt with disgust for letting them play with me like a fool. What kind
of sick game have they pulled me into?
Especially Ace.
He knew his brother was the escort I’d spend my Saturday afternoon with, yet still,
he didn’t refrain from massaging and fingering my privates. Now I’m sure it was all
Ace’s idea to use coconut oil on me. As Zane’s brother, he must have known about his
allergies and still smeared it all over my vagina. Deliberately lying to me about
the oil being Zane’s choice.
I have no idea why he’d do such a horrible thing to his own brother. For all I know,
they’re a bunch of spoiled brats, getting a kick out of dirty tricks, the more dangerous
the better.
Ace nearly came to killing his brother, yet now he looks at him with love and respect,
as if Zane is his best friend, his idol, his everything. The same goes for Zane and
every other member of the family. Zane was right. They’re brilliant actors, the kind
you can only see among Oscar award winners.
I feel my stomach rolling over with disgust. Perhaps lying is a common practice, even
expected in this world of money and power. Phony bodies can host phony souls only.
No one would want to see a family fighting with each other. Even if it’s just pretending,
a happy-looking group of people must be what’s required among these people. Perhaps
that’s the only thing they’re capable of perceiving. Hatred is ugly, especially against
a family member, and god forbid if the precious eyes of these wealthy and powerful
mass get exposed to the ugliness of the world.
What am I doing here? I have no place among them, yet, as if being part of their wicked
show isn’t enough, I’m pulling Taylor with me into their repulsive lives.
I want to jump up from my chair and run as fast as I can, but I shift and straighten
my dress slowly, before getting on my feet.
“Where are you going?” Taylor asks, eyeing me curiously.
“I don’t feel good,” which is true. “I think I’ll go home.”
“What do you have?” She stands with me.
“I don’t know. My stomach feels weird.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll go with you.”
I don’t decline her offer, because the faster she’s out of here with me, the less
she’ll be exposed to the poisonous air these children of evil breathe out. Adam joins
us too, and we pass among tables under the curious eyes of the guests and head to
the door.
Before we can reach the door, though, Edric shows up, grabbing my elbow. “Hey, girl.
Where are you going?” he asks with a hint of worry in his voice.
“Home. I’m not feeling good.”
“What is it? If it’s headache or stomachache, I have boxes of painkillers in the car.”
I sigh, trying to think of a credible yet honest way to convince Edric that I