From Eve's perspective
I don't know what I'm doing. Why did I agree to this? Why am I at a party with Sebastian at this moment? I lied to the man I love, left him with our child to spend carefree time with my ex.
Yes, I've been partying many times, but so far, I've never lied to him, because Selena accompanied me every time, and Mike didn't mind.
Now that Selena is gone, he thinks I'm spending time with a schoolmate who has returned to Los Angeles after living abroad for many years.
I feel terrible.
Mike is such a good guy, he's capable of doing anything for his family, and I'm just hanging out with the man who was my biggest mistake in high school. The worst part is that since I met him after a dozen years, I can't get over how handsome and charismatic he's become.
Completely unlike that innocent boy from school.
I think it was curiosity that made me agree to spend some time with him, and well, I felt sorry for him when he told me how his life so far had started to fall apart after his mother's death.
Now we are sitting at the bar, drinking shots that the bartender has prepared for us. Ever since Lucas left us, I have felt a strange uneasiness in my heart. There are few people who can scare me, but this man has something about him that causes a feeling of terror in a person.
Perhaps these concerns are related to what Sebastian told me about him?
Nonetheless, I feel sorry for Felix that he is his cousin. Although now I know that with them, it runs in the family. They're all smacked upside the head.
I tip my glass to my lips and glance at Sebastian, who looks depressed. He's probably thinking about the words he heard a moment ago from Lucas.
- On a good note? Why did you choose this particular club when it belongs to your former boss? - I ask.
- I like this club. I was hoping that he would not be at this event. As usual, I'm unlucky to run into him," he replies, then tilts his glass to his lips, "I don't know what the future holds for me now, what I'm going to do with myself, but this night I want to get screwed up and forget everything, at least for a while. Life is messed up. Sixteen-year-old me would never have expected to end up like this. He had dreams of college, a good job and a happy family, a peaceful life, and it's quite the opposite.
I'm getting sad. I put my hand on his shoulder, trying to give him encouragement.
- You are still young, your whole life ahead of you. Who knows what will happen?
Sebastian smiles at the corner of his mouth.
- It's nice that there is someone who believes in me that I can do it.
- You are Sebastian, a man who in his teenage years was able to free himself from a crazy person like me, so nothing is impossible for you.
The young man starts laughing.
- Fact, you were more pushy than my former boss. If I could cope with you, nothing will be able to break me now either.
- What do you think? Are we going to the dance floor?
- I don't know if it's appropriate for you.... You have a man and a child, and you want to dance with me?
- No exaggeration. Having fun in the company of a former classmate is not a bad thing, I maintain.
- And does Mike know about this? I'm afraid I'm going to lose my teeth.
- That's why he doesn't know who I'm with. For your safety," I reply, forcing a nervous laugh.
*
From Lucas' perspective
Sipping whiskey, from the balcony I watch Sebastian clumsily dancing, accompanied by his friend Selena. I have to admit that my favorite man is pretty good at these games, since he can seduce a busy maiden with a child.
Out of the corner of my eye, I glance at Hannah, who is standing next to me.
- Do you really have to go this far and interfere in Eve and Mike's lives? - she asks. I take another sip of whiskey, not taking my eyes off Sebastian and the blonde woman accompanying him.
- He doesn't have to try much. Just see... this broad is going at it all by herself. You can see how much she loves her guy, since she has a great time in the company of another. Easy prey, nothing special. I hate such women, because they destroy the lives of their children.
- Just because you have bad memories from your experience doesn't mean that every woman is like your mother. - Her words are brave. I shift my gaze to her and squint my eyes. - And don't look at me like that. Surely, that's the point. You are cold, toxic, and controlling because you brought this from your own home. It's no coincidence that Felix also has a problem with himself.
A smile appears on my face.
- You're right. We're brothers, so we inherited it from mom. There must have been a serious issue with her.
- Brothers? Do you have a common mother? - Hannah looks shocked. I don't think she expected it. - Aren't you two cousins?
- It's just a version of Felix. Yes, he is my younger brother. I am the son from my first relationship with a Mafioso. Felix thinks it's his uncle, by the way, his father didn't discover the truth either. Funny, isn't it? - I asked her, then took another sip of whiskey. I don't take my eyes off her, seeing that she is analyzing everything in her head. - Our mother was a born manipulator.
- Is that why you are so worried about him?
- And you wouldn't worry about a younger sibling who has been struggling with a serious illness for many years? The fact that he was in a psychiatric facility only helped him through medication, which is why I took him out of there. Mental illness will never go away. He will always have a problem again, he will be on pills all his life, under care, and this idiot girl kidnapped him without knowing his condition. If he doesn't take medication, he'll get worse again.
- So why didn't you tell her the truth?
I smile at the corner of my mouth.
- Everything got messed up when she showed up in New York and Felix recognized her. His longing for her was revived. - I don't understand why I'm telling her this, but I think I need to finally talk to someone. - He spotted her as she entered the restaurant. I forcefully had to lead him to another room, telling him he was delusional. I knew that she would start it again, that he would live in the past. I wanted to remove her from his life at all costs, I even wanted to hurt her for a moment and made her appear at the races. I guess it's some kind of fucking destiny of theirs, because my whole plan went haywire when Felix ran into her at a party we were at. Without my knowledge, he then returned to Los Angeles, I had to come here after him.
- I still don't understand why you didn't tell her the truth?
- I tried, but this idiot kept claiming that it was me and our mother who got him into this state. She's selfish, and she thinks I'm the one doing Felix harm. If she makes him end up in the loony bin again, I swear I will....
- It's better not to finish it. I already understand everything," says the girl. - Now I'm thinking about the fact that Selene taking Felix away was indeed a stupid and ill-considered plan. It was irresponsible, and I think everyone should know the truth.
- No, it's too late for that. Each of them will receive punishment in their own way. With me and my family, you don't mess around....
*
From Selena's Perspective
I'm hungry, tired and dreaming of going to bed. After a long walk, we finally hit the bus stop, and now we are heading to my apartment.
Felix sits next to me in silence, staring out the window. I am beginning to worry more and more about him. I'm afraid that my idea was irresponsible and that I'll be the one to make his condition worse, because I can clearly see that something is happening to him since we ran away.
- Are you all right? - I ask, but he doesn't even turn his face in my direction. He looks at the passing images outside the window, looking absent-minded. - Felix?
There are tears in my eyes. I am terrified. I risked everything, and it turns out that it was the biggest mistake, because not only did I lose my job, but moreover, the condition of the man I care about worsened.
Furthermore, I wanted good for him, and in the end I screwed it up.
I'm starting to question everything. I also keep wondering who called us in the middle of the night, knowing the number and knowing where we were staying...
The woman on the phone warned me that Felix was still sick, that he would never be fully healthy again.
I look at his pale, tired face. He looks like a wreck of a man.
- I am such an idiot.... What have I done, Felix," I say in a whisper, covering my face with my hands. I wonder what I should do now.
Perhaps Lucas was not causing Felix to suffer? Maybe he knew how to take care of him properly, since he had been functioning all this time with him, and had lost his strength with me?
Should I call him and accept any punishment as long as he provides proper care?
I'm so scared, he scares me, I don't know what he will be able to do to punish me for putting Felix in such a state....
My heart beats restlessly fast as I turn back and notice a girl sitting there alone. Felix doesn't even react when I rise from my seat and walk over to her.
- I'm so sorry, but I need your help. Could I borrow your phone for a while to call somewhere?
- Sure enough. - The girl easily hands me her cell phone, and I turn back to Felix. I poke him on the shoulder, and then he shifts his semi-conscious gaze to me.
- Hm?
- Do you remember the number for Lucas? - He doesn't even show any emotion. He just takes the phone from me and punches the number on the keypad. - I realized that you need to get back to him. Those few days with me, they destroyed you. You require help.
- I don't need anything anymore," he whispers under his breath. - I'm just good for nothing.
My heart is pounding like crazy with fear as I put the phone to my ear, and every signal causes a feeling of nausea in me.
- Who is speaking? - His harsh voice makes my stomach go up to my throat.
- It's me, Selena," I reply. I am surprised that he remains silent, instead of exploding and threatening me with death. - I want Felix to come back to you. You were right when you said that I am his poison. Something bad is happening to him and I require your help. You can punish me, I deserve it for my irresponsible behavior. We will soon be at my apartment, come there....
The moment he hangs up without saying a word makes me deathly afraid.
This is even worse than if he were to threaten me with death. I don't know what to expect when he falls in there, but currently all I can think about is Felix.
He needs help.