Page 6 (1/2)

“Hello there, Mr and Mrs Baas,” a guy in a black suit says as he approaches us

Easton Van Buren Owner of this restaurant-hotel chain, famous all around the world And a friend and powerful ally to the Baas family

“Hello, Easton,” ht”

“Of course,” Easton replies “Only the best for the Baas family” Easton makes a tiny bow “Let me show you to your table”

“Are you always at this restaurant? I thought you ownede see him every week if he owns that many businesses

“I do, but I’ve told er to alert

We all follow him to our table

“We’re seated at the back,” my father tells Lex “The VIP suite” A proud smile forms on his face

“Of course you always get us the finest spot,” Lex replies, patting him on the back

“And my favorite clients deserve only the best,” Easton adds, pointing at the table “There you go”

“Thank you,” my mother replies as she looks around at all the expensive paintings hanging from the wall and touches the fabric of the seats “Very nice indeed”

But when she steps aside to pull back one of the seats,all the way at the back

Luca

I s

I haven’t seen him for a couple of months now, but every time I do, his wavy dark hair seems to have become even more tousled, his muscles even leaner, and the clothes he wears even more torn A metal chain wraps around his neck like a stolen souvenir But one thing has been added to his angsty-boy repertoire: a les from his pierced ear

I try to look away, but when his dark eyes meet mine, it becomes impossible

Fuck

Every da underneath the surface of ets worse An incessant need to hate overcomes me, andsome drinks for a couple at a table in the other corner of the roo to stopat him

Even now, I can still feel his eyes boring into my chest

I can’t fucking wait until this obligatory dinner party is over

“Jill?” Myto sit?”