Page 20 of Something Blue

I’ve worked hard to make this possible.

Nothing and no one is going to stop me.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Neve

“Ineed to get out, but we have to figure out a way so that the reporters don’t follow me.” I huff.

Dalila’s voice carries through the phone. “Are theystillat it? It’s been almost two weeks.”

“They’ll be at it until people are bored with the story or until we finally figure out where he is.”

“I hear you. They really are vultures. Ok - let me make a plan and arrange for a driver for us. I can come fetch you underground in a car they don’t recognize, and we can go for a drink?”

“That sounds like exactly what I need. I’ll go crazyif I have to stare at the walls of my apartment for one more day. I want to feel normal for a second.”

“Be ready at eight. I’ll confirm details later.” She says, and we say goodbye and hang up.

I breathe a sigh of relief. She has no idea how much I appreciate her.

Last night I invited Denver over. Damion’s brother.

Denver is a splitting image of my brother, Luke. Not physically, but in personality.

He’s stiff, uptight, poised and groomed to perfection.

His father has been grooming him since young to take over his business when the time comes, like my brother has been groomed to take over my father’s political career, and I think his entire personality has become enveloped around his father’s expectations of him. Denver and Luke could be twins in that regard.

I wanted to be subtle about questioning him - not to cause alarm for his family. But I still can’t shake the idea that there was foul play somewhere alongthe line. I wanted to find out if Damion was involved in something he shouldn’t have been.

Denver and him aren’t very close though and he couldn’t tell me much. His answers were very politically correct and cautious. It’s how it’s always been - every conversation I’ve ever had with Denver has been stiff.

It makes him a difficult person to communicate with and to be honest I was relieved when he left.

And also no closer to finding out what has happened to Damion.

It seems his own family is trying to keep the entire fiasco as quiet as possible because the media coverage is not helping his dad’s campaign. I reckon if it was boosting his numbers he would be more interested in solving it. It’s pretty disgusting if you ask me - to be so dismissive of your son’s disappearance.

Last night Denver told me that Damion once disappeared for two months, right before starting college. He fell off the map and didn’t have any contact with his family. He went on some sabbatical telling no one - climbed Machu Picchu andtook ayahuasca in the desert somewhere. He wanted to ‘find himself.’

I’m not convinced though. Even though getting married is a big thing that will change your life drastically, I still don’t think Damion would do that to me.

As promised, Dalila messages me to let me know she will be downstairs at eight to steal me away for our night out. I can’t wait. I get ready at six because I’m so excited to get out.

By eight I’m standing inside the door of the underground parking lot, partially hiding myself in case there are any reporters around, until Dalila’s driver pulls up, and she pushes the back door open, grinning at me.

“Hey, you need a ride?” She laughs.

“Oh my word - yes.” I exclaim, hurrying into the car.

“Wow, you look incredible.” She says, reaching out and touching my little black sequin dress. It’s a little short, but I love it. It glitters when I move and makes me feel gorgeous.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” I eye her up and down with a smirk. Her pale silver dress is going to get her a lot more attention that I think her husband would be pleasure about. “Nevio is going to have competition tonight.”

“Not a chance.” She shakes her head. “Besides, I asked him to meet us there when he’s done with the work he has to get through.”

Stepping into the night club is like stepping into another world. Music pulses over my body, setting goosebumps flickering over my skin. Thick base beats in my chest, vibrating against my rib cage.

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