Page 1 of Eternal

Part I

Chapter one

Freya

Deepbreathin.

Deep breath out.

You got this.

I’m sure to anyone walking by, I look like a fucking idiot as I stand in the entryway of my father’s skyscraper heaving in deep breaths.How the fuck did I let Serena talk me into this?Oh, that’s right, I’m a great big sister, and I would do anything for her, including going to my father’s business party to celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary. And of course, she had to go and fuck her bodyguard and fall head over heels in love with him. Abe is a good guy though, it’s just too bad she can’t bring him as a date to events like this. I’m the only other person she trusts to come with her.

“Freya!” Serena rushes at me, arms open for a hug as she spots me stepping into the foyer, her stick-straight chestnut brown hair waves in the wind with each step she takes towards me.

A lump starts to form in my throat as hushed whispers feel like ghosts’ creeping hands closing around my neck, suffocating me, as all attention falls on me. I close my eyes momentarily to untangle myself from their grip. I’m out of my element like a fish out of water. I hate parties, especially when everything is based on lies, mistreatment, and underground, illegal actions. It’s a joke. This company isn’t even real, the people aren’t real, nothing but a shell masking the ugliness of our hidden society. I know other crime families will be here too. People I thought I had gotten away from this, thought I ran away desperate to escape this life. Yet here I am, and I’m afraid to be back in my father’s clutches, but Serena knows I would do anything for her. I owe her.

Serena pulls me into a sisterly hug, one that leaves a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. The last time I saw her was under unfortunate circumstances. One I choose to never relive. If only I had such luck. I shake off the feeling as Serena pulls away and addresses me.

“I’m so glad you came. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this alone.”

“Yeah, well you’re lucky to have caught me before I turned right back around and went home. I shouldn’t be here. It’s too soon.” I know I sound ungrateful, and from the way Serena’s shoulders slump, the time I have been away has been hard on both of us. “I’m sorry, Serena. I really am glad to see you. Thank you for the dress, it fits perfectly.” I tell her, smoothing out the dress again.

I need to stay positive. Something good will come out of this, right? At the very least, I’m able to see my sister again. And God is it true how bad I’ve missed her.

She examines her handiwork for a moment, it’s a simple black dress stopping mid-thigh, and swooping in the back, stopping just above my ass, and thin straps resting on my shoulders. It exposes a little more skin than I’d like, that’s what I get for letting my sister dress me like a life-size Barbie doll.

“It does look really good on you. Come on, mother has been asking about you.” Serena loops her arm with mine, leading me further into the lobby.

It’s grand, and all glass. A reception desk now turned bar sits in the middle with a lounge area to the left. Stairs off to the right lead to a row of conference rooms that people reside in, seeking privacy from the bustle of the party. We pass by highly esteemed politicians mingling with members of other crime families, couples groping each other out in the open, huddles of women gossiping, and a small group of women surrounding a looming figure in the room. I try not to pay much attention to who is around, I just want to survive this party unscathed and unseen. Which more than likely will not happen, considering I’m already turning heads.

A man with women surrounding him, watches me for a moment, before pulling one woman along with him to the bar, leaving the other sulking faces behind. He’s devastatingly good-looking. I’m only able to get a quick look at his long black hair, and pressed suit before my mother invades my eyesight, leaving me hollowed out on the inside.

“My sweet, there you are. I was beginning to wonder when you’d arrive.” My mother greets me from the lounge.

Per usual, she’s surrounded by other bored housewives, all dishing out the latest rumor they’ve heard, or even showing off their latest boy toy among the crowd.

“Hi mother,” I greet her with a weak smile, feeling like I’m going to vomit up the snack I had on the plane ride here.

“You look so thin, good for you. Glad to see you’re finally losing some of that weight from your high school years.” My mother comments, holding me out at arm's length.

It’s been five years since I’ve seen this bitch, and this is what she has to say to me?

Fuck her.

“Yeah, living through what I’ve been through will make you lose your appetite,” I deadpan.

The women in the group start whispering immediately, and my mother’s face drops. “Right. Your father is looking for you. He wants to introduce you to Luca Astor. Make sure you find him. And Freya, I expect your best behavior for the gala.” Her voice turns ice cold, emotionless.

“Yup,” I breathe out and yank Serena along with me to the bar.

“It’s been five years, Serena. Five years, and that’s what she has to say to me?” I hiss, flagging down the bartender who is pouring drinks for the man and woman from earlier.

“I know. I’m sorry, Freya. This is a bad idea. I-- I shouldn’t have invited you.” Her voice is small with guilt.

I order our drinks. “It’s okay. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. It’s not even your fault. Besides, I was going to be here anyway for the Gala, remember?”

Serena nods. “Do you have your dress picked out for that?”

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