Chapter 18

The other parties.



"What do you mean, you don’t know how long we’re going to be there?" I asked Quentin when he picked me up on Sunday afternoon to attend a party with him. His closest friend was hosting a party for some well-known painter and Quentin promised to show up. A week had passed since my failed meeting and extraordinary performance of magic. I been trying to avoid Quentin—like the coward I’d become—but he kept calling and showing up at my apartment. The guilt came back full force. It increased tenfold when Quentin mentioned us moving in together again.
"A couple of hours, max. It’s a great opportunity for you to network. I'm sure Rufus would love to hear about all these contacts you managed to gain on a Sunday afternoon," Quentin said, frowning.
"Okay, you might be right. I'm being ungrateful," I muttered. He gave me a warm smile caressing my cheek. I tried to talk to him yesterday and today, starting with this whole “I've cheated on you" kind of speech in my mind, but every time I opened my mouth I started talking about something else. In the end I agreed to this dinner because I truly was a coward. I didn’t want to hurt him. Unfortunately, the deed was done and sooner or later I’d have to come clean.
My head wasn’t in the right place and the echo of Nicky’s words haunted me. She trusted me to do a right thing, so I had to tell him before other people ended up getting hurt.
"Since our weekend away was disrupted, I thought we might go away abroad, so this time no one can disturb us," Quentin suggested once he stopped the car in front of large semidetached home. We were outside London, somewhere in Canterbury, where all the artists and wealthy people lived. I was weighing my options thinking that Quentin was too good for me, plus he surrounded himself with all these upper-class paranormals. I was the girl he wanted to create a future with, a girl who was sleeping with her ex and was most likely a killer.
"Quentin, before we go in, I have to tell you something."
"I know what you’re going to say," he said tightening his hands on the wheel. I felt like a bucket of ice cubes was dropped into my stomach.
"You do?" I gasped feeling sick.
"Yeah, you think the next trip is going to be all about business," he said. “Don't worry, I’ve already planned everything, but we can't talk about this now, because people are waiting for us, right?"
"Of course, yes, let’s go."
The house looked just like I imagined: wooden floors, white furniture, expensive paintings and a lot of wealthy people mingling around. A few of them greeted Quentin when we walked in. I plastered a smile on my face, as usual, wondering if I could find a chance to escape, but someone shoved a drink into my hand, so I had no choice but to follow Quentin around like a fly.
"Queni, there you are, I thought you weren’t going to make it," an obese troll said wearing a white suit. He didn't have a neck and as he approached, I kept asking myself how he managed to kill off the disgusting smell that was specific for trolls.
"I promised to show up, so here I am ready to bargain over that painting from nineteen sixty."
"And this must be your girlfriend, the famous Julia Taylor," the troll beamed. "I'm an old friend of Queni’s, Joshua Preston."
"Nice to meet you," I said with my fake smile, hoping that no one recognised me here. I dated Nathaniel La Caz, a pharmaceutical tycoon, who I was certain half of these people probably knew. I shouldn’t have come to this party; I knew it was a bad idea. The three of us talked a little while, then I snuck off to the buffet table that was topped with fancy pastries and canapés. My stomach was growling as I stuffed my face and watched as all these beautiful paranormals were all watching Quentin and Joshua.
I knew that I should have brought Kate with me. She would have known what to do. We were here for an auction that was delayed by half an hour. My magic was buzzing again, and I was sure this time it was because I was in the company of so many paranormals. Witches, wizards, fairies, elves and other creatures were at this party.
Quentin came back to me two hours later looking excited with his new purchase. He kissed me way too passionately pulling me closely to his body.
"I got what I wanted, now I think it's time to leave and take care of my girlfriend," he whispered as a wave of magical current pinched my skin. It was strange, my power was always calm when Quentin was around, so this felt a little out of place.
“It's a great idea to disappear. I was thinking—"
"Excuse me, I was wondering if you would consider selling this little treasure," a voice behind me said, one that I knew very intimately. Within a moment my lungs felt like they’d stopped working. Warmth and the smell of lemons and cedar notes flooded around my body. Nathaniel was at the party, and now he’d begun a conversation with my boyfriend.
I couldn't turn around, my breath quickened, and my pores opened sending long streams of magical power down to my core. Quentin frowned at first, then smiled a little.
“I've been hunting this beauty for ten years, so I'm sorry, Mr.—"
"La Caz. Nathaniel La Caz and this is my fiancé, Meredith Valesco," Nathaniel introduced himself. I turned around. I had no choice and although I felt like I was ready to faint I had to get on with his game. The mermaid, Meredith looked stunning. Her skin was shimmering, and she was wearing a long pink dress accentuating her low-cut cleavage. Her perfect blond hair was smoothed in the back tied in a loose bun.
"La Caz, your name sounds familiar. Hon, doesn’t Paranormal Personnel have a client—"
" Mr. La Caz is our primary client, so yes, we’ve met," I said clearing my throat. My voice was high, and I was sure that my face was flushed. I needed to get the hell out of this party. Nathaniel’s eyes moved over mine for a moment. That fire that I saw in him the other night was still there, burning, igniting my desire.
"Pleasure to meet you, darling. I hope my Nate is behaving, he’s too harsh with all his clients," Meredith ranted showing off her perfectly white Hollywood teeth. For a brief moment I saw that ring on her finger and my chest heaved.
"So, now that the small talk is over, let me give you a price for that painting, Mr.—"
"Van Rooyen," Quentin cut him off not losing his cheerful voice. “I've been dealing with art for some time now and I know this is business, but this painting is sentimental and it’s not for sale."
Nathaniel pinched his eyebrows staring at Quentin with reservation. My pulse was racing, and I could have sworn that I was having a heart attack. Nathaniel had his fiancé by his side, so what on earth was he doing? My magic was going crazy, a few glasses cracked and certain paranormals were staring at each other with confusion. I needed to calm down, otherwise I was going to blow this off and cause a scene in front of everyone. Fairies were glancing at the four or us, probably wondering why my ex was talking to my current boyfriend. There was no way I could cover this up. I tried to keep Quentin away from my drama and Nathaniel, but everyone in this area knew we used to date. Well, everyone apart from Meredith and Quentin.
“That's understandable, Mr. Van Rooyen. When we treasure something it’s difficult to let go," Nathaniel muttered pinning me down with his eyes. My back was soaking with sweat, but I had to keep it together. Meredith was smiling moving the straw around in her glass.
"I'm glad you understand, and please excuse my personal question, but have you guys set the date yet?"
Meredith’s face flashed with anger for a brief moment and Nathaniel’s lips lifted in a smile. My energy was whipping through me fast and I knew I had at least a minute to get the hell away from him, otherwise something was going to blow up. Heavy tension hung all around us and I tried to breathe, but my fingertips started to sparkle.
"Excuse me, I need to go to the ladies’ room," I gasped, rushing away. I couldn't listen to how he was lying to himself. Maybe he was still planning to get married? Maybe sex with me was just a phase that he was going through. I hurried upstairs to the bathroom and once I locked the door I slid down to the floor, breathing hard. My head was spinning out of control and my fingers were inflamed; sparks of magic danced all over the bathroom.
Nathaniel crossed the line and I just stood there hot and flushed, unable to tell Quentin what I’d done. Then there was Meredith, the perfect fiancé who still thought that her wedding was going to happen.
When I lifted my head, the mirror cracked. I had no idea how long I was in that bathroom, but I knew there was no other way. It was time to confess all my sins to Quentin, it was time to come clean.
I loved Nathaniel so much that it hurt. For some time now, I thought that he was the love of my life, and now that he stopped hiding his feelings it was easier to think that we were made for each other.
After some time, I gathered some courage and left the bathroom. My hair was in perfect order as usual and I needed to tell Quentin that we had to go home. I knew it wouldn’t be that simple. Nathaniel’s scent was all over me and as soon as I opened the door, hands swept over me, and I was pushed back into the small bedroom. I tried to fight but whoever it was pushed me from behind before shutting the door. I abruptly turned around when I was freed and saw Nathaniel blocking the door. From the look on his face I knew instantly that I was in trouble.
"What do you think you’re doing talking to Quentin? Are you insane or just plain stupid?" I hissed feeling like I was ready to punch him.
"Stop it, Julia. You make me so hard when you’re angry," he growled moving towards me.
"No bloody way. We are not doing this here after our little conversation about your wedding!" I shouted ignoring the pulsation between my legs. I was wet for him and so ready to rip his clothes off and just make love to him here and now.
"I'll tell her now if you want. God, Julia, don’t you get it? I can’t stand this anymore; hiding and lying. We both know you don’t love that giant. Fuck, I want you," he said pulling me into his arms. I tried to fight but his scent and desire was so intense that I couldn't bear to be away from him.
"Nathaniel, please, we can’t do this. It's not fair to them, please," I pled as his lips were all over me, sucking my neck and grabbing my arse. He pulled away looking directly into my eyes and there it was: love and devotion, all the emotions that were lost before, were now there.
“Let's go and tell them. I can't stay away from you any longer. Julia, you’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Please, let me love you."
My heart was melting as I buried my face in his chest. He was the man I’d been dreaming of; there was not point denying that I didn't want this.
"No, wait, it’s too complicated. I'm going to tell him but not like this—not here—so don’t do anything right now. There’s something going on with me."
Nathaniel’s heart was beating like crazy and I didn't want to let go of him, but Quentin was downstairs, probably looking for me.
"Firecracker, I’ve been trying to stay away, but I can’t. Your ex-coworker was murdered in my factory. Please, tell me that you let your father deal with the investigation?"
I didn't plan on telling him anything. I didn't even want to be in this room with him, but I was afraid that if I were to get arrested Nathaniel wouldn’t understand.
“I’ve been having blackouts; the first one happened almost two months ago. Then I woke up in my apartment covered with blood, having thoughts about Jennifer, violent memories of me stabbing her over and over. I couldn’t remember what happened that night. It was like I had this black hole in my memory."
Nathaniel brought me back to his chest.
"That doesn't mean anything. You two were close and you were the one who discovered her body—"
He was still talking, telling me how everything would be all right and dismissing the facts about my blackouts, so at that point I decided to withhold the rest of the facts. Nathaniel and I, well, we had history, but we weren’t together, and I didn't want to worry him with my problems. At the moment, I was still the other woman, the hot mistress that men kept just to prey on their ego.
"Yeah, you’re right; it’s going to be fine, but I need to get back downstairs to Quentin," I said swallowing tears.
"So, he doesn't know about me, about the fact that we were together?" he asked. I took a sharp breath.
"No, and I presume your fiancé doesn't know about me?"
"Stop calling her my fiancé," he hissed running his hand through his sandy hair. "It’ll be over soon, I promise."
"Okay, I have to go, and please stop calling me. Let me solve this.”
I opened the door and left the room. I didn't expect anyone outside, but my heart gave me a giant smack in the chest when I saw Jasper walking towards me.
"Julia, hey, nice to see you again. What a coincidence," he said. I panicked when Nathaniel came out of the same room a few seconds later. Jasper took a step back moving his eyes from me to Nathaniel, and his wrinkled clothes.
"Hey, Jasper. What are you doing here?" I asked but my voice was rough. I sounded like I’d just been caught stealing sweets. Jasper shot Nathaniel a murderous look and put two and two together within a second. Nathaniel didn't look too happy, probably with the fact that I was talking to my ex like we were on great terms.
"I need to go, remember what I said, Julia," he barked, squeezing my hand, before he shot Jasper a warning look and walked away.
Right then, I literally wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole. This was not how this evening was planned out.
"So, what? Now you’re sleeping with him too? Fuck, Julia. You always had class, but this is—"
"Jasper, I'm warning you, this is none of your business!" I hissed trying to figure out what to do. "Can you please keep this to yourself. I'm going to tell Quentin when the moment is right."
He was breathing hard and I was expecting him to start screaming or rush downstairs to tell everyone that I was a whore. Jasper was unstable, reckless and unpredictable but he didn’t do any of those things.
"I thought you were happy. You looked happy when you came to visit me?"
My jaw dropped, and my fingertips stopped sparkling. It seemed that my ex-boyfriend truly was going through some kind of transformation. Maybe he was telling the truth after all and was ready to change for me.
"I can’t talk to you about this, not right now, not ever. Please, just let it go. I'm going to deal with the situation the best I can."