Page 33 of One Weekend in Sydney

“Morning. You okay?” Odette asks as I walk in, her eyes filled with concern. Kelly’s and Anne’s expressions mirror Odette’s worry.

I nod, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a bit of a headache.”

Odette hands me a cup of coffee. “Here, I made this for you when I heard you in the bathroom.”

“Thanks.” I take a sip. The hot liquid burns my tongue, but I welcome the distraction from the turmoil inside me.

“Have you seen the video?” asks Anne softly.

I nod again, not trusting myself to speak. The room is silent for a moment before Odette breaks the silence. “Five Mooners—and counting—are going to make a recording in support of you. They’re gonna tell the truth—that they heard about Eric sending spies to catch you with strippers, and that was why you weren’t on the showboat with us. Gia will also confirm that your going to the masquerade was her idea, and that she even got the ticket for you.”

I give her a small smile. “Thanks. That’s great. But with the way that video was edited, I’m afraid the truth isn’t gonna make much difference.”

Odette sighs and stands. “Group hug,” she says, and the three girls wrap their arms around me.

The dam breaks. “Thank you,” I blubber, tears falling down my face.

“I know that a lot of Mooners want to hug you right now, too,” Odette soothes.

I sniff. “I know. But I’d really want them to vote for me instead of feeling sorry and thinking I’m not ready.”

They become silent. None of us has a good answer to my problem.

They release me, and Odette takes my hand. “Can we talk in private?”

“Sure.”

We go back to the bedroom and sit on Odette’s bed.

“About Mason,” she starts, squeezing my hand. “Tara, I know you’re upset with him, and you have every right to be. But he’s trying to help. We need all the help we can get right now.”

I look down, the mere mention of his name stirring up a whirlwind of emotions. “I can’t believe he didn’t tell me it was him,” I mutter, the sting of betrayal still fresh.

“He should have,” Odette agrees. “And he’s beating himself up about it. But right now, he’s doing everything he can to find out who’s behind that video.”

“What do you mean?”

“He texted me a little while ago. He’s been investigating that guy you met at the masquerade—Arpi?”

“He thinks Arpi is behind the video?”

Odette nods. “He said Arpi’s behaviour was suspicious from the start. He bought tickets from two women outside the Dome just as the event was about to start. He wasn’t even in costume apart from his mask. And then he sat next to you at dinner and got really friendly.”

I frown, remembering how Arpi had seemed too smooth, too eager. “Yes, he could have been the person sent by Eric,” I murmur.

Odette nods. “Mason’s looking into it.”

I stand up, pacing the room as my thoughts whirl. “This is all such a mess. I can’t believe this is happening.”

Odette watches me, her expression sympathetic. “I know it’s hard, but it might be easier if you speak directly with Mason with further info about Arpi.”

I hesitate, but I can see how it makes sense. “Okay. But I want you there with me, please. I don’t want to be alone with him.”

“Of course. I’ll invite him to dinner tonight. He can come after work.”

“Okay. And I guess I can ask him why he agreed to sleep with me, knowing it was me all along,” I add bitterly.

Odette sighs. “I shouldn’t be saying this, but if you reflect upon his actions this weekend, would you see something you don’t expect?”

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