Page 45 of Frayed Bonds

As we step out into the courtyard all the air leaves my lips. It’s quiet, and only a few other guests are moving around admiring the statues.

“I’ll be right back, I want to find out where Adriano is.” He walks slightly to the side, leaving me alone with my thoughts and boy oh boy, are they running a mile a minute right now.

Walking around the small courtyard, I can feel people's eyes on me. The chill that creeps up my spine was inevitable, this feels all too familiar to the events Mattheo would drag me along to. The ideal setting to put his “perfect wife” on display. Eyes from every angle ready to judge, but right now, I’m only worried about a particular pair of eyes finding me.

My phone vibrates in my purse. I unlock it to see a text from Karyn.

Karyn:

You’re on the TV.

My cousin is on TV.

Also, your dad is so confused

Me:

Why am I on TV? We just got inside?

Karyn:

It was of the two of you on the runway, everyone is talking about Ambrose Vitale's new girl. Apparently you're the first girl he’s been seen with since he got back, and all the news outlets are assuming it's something serious since he kept you out of the public eye for so long…

Me:

Poor papá is probably wondering what the fuck is going on.

Karyn:

Don’t worry, I’ll fill him in.

I giggle at the message, knowing my father is one of the worst people when it comes to gossip because he wants to know everything and can barely keep a secret.

Ambrose returns to my side and places a hand on my exposed skin, it feels like someone lit a flame on the surface of my skin and left it there to burn. “Let’s go meet up with Adriano,” he says emotionlessly, and I nod.

The entire gala is being held inside the Sergio Verrelli Art Wing. A local artist, that has made it huge in the last few years. He’s everything I dream of being when it comes to being an artist. Unapologetic, raw and real. My art is a comedy show in comparison.

While his work screams its intentions and meanings, mine only whispers it.

I wander around the exhibition while Ambrose and Adriano speak briefly about work. They really could talk forever, and I’d be happily entertained for the rest of the evening.

“Was your exhibition anything like this?” a male voice asks. I don't have to turn my head to know who it is, but I do, because the question catches me so off guard coming from him.

I stare up at Ambrose in surprise, but his eyes remain locked on a painting of the city centre here in Tevici

“How–how do you know about that?”

The corner of his lips tilt up in a smirk, “What kind of fake date would I be if I knew nothing about you, sweetheart.” He graces me with his gaze, and suddenly I feel suffocated under it.

His green eyes pierce mine in a way that makes me want to take several steps back, because it is simply too intense to hold.

“No.” I focus on the painting again. “It was a success, but I didn't enjoy the evening.”

That evening was the night I realised how doomed my relationship with Mattheo was. Between him getting stupidly drunk and them making a scene in front of the entire crowd. It was possibly the best and worst night of my life. Not to mention it was filled with people Mattheo felt were important and no one I actually wanted there.

The heat on my cheek burns from Ambrose's gaze. He’s waiting patiently to hear why, or what happened to make me say that, and I guess I do owe him some sort of a response considering I said that.

“It was good, I had something going on outside of the art itself, so I couldn't enjoy myself.” I offer him a small smile that he simply raises a brow to.

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