Chrysalis (Dangerous Secrets)

by Francis, Rose

  Maria was breathing hard, an indignant look on her face. She opened her mouth to protest again but this time, she silenced herself, as if finally absorbing the implications of Sydney’s statement.

  “M, we both know how things are in the world right now. Who’s going to take this case seriously? I mean I’m not even a lawyer yet and I know I don’t have a chance. If he gets a good lawyer, they can put any number of spins on it.”

  “But how...”

  “Trust me, good money can buy good lawyers who can make up good stories. Who says it was him who put the drug in my drink for example? Who says he even knew I was under the influence? Suppose he was under the influence of something himself and therefore his judgment was really off? In any case, I don’t have the time or the strength to deal with a battle like this right now; I can’t deal with people prying, trying to ridicule me, belittle me. I thank my lucky stars, God, and my dead relatives looking out for me that it didn’t go all the way, but I am not going to pursue this.”

  Maria sat silent, looking distraught.

  “But it isn’t fair!” she finally said.

  “I know Maria, but I’m pretty happy that Nicholas kicked his...butt.”

  She smiled and Maria smiled back.

  “Besides, it’s my own fault for going where I don’t belong.”

  “Don’t you dare blame yourself Sydney.”

  “How can I not? I knew it wasn’t my thing, knew I’d hate it, and all for what? Just to get the attention of some guy? I could have tried in the library...anywhere else but no—I had to come out of my own skin. I’m not going to any of those parties again Maria, and don’t try to make me.”

  “Yeah I know Syd, I wouldn’t have tried again—especially after what happened. But besides that, I saw that you really didn’t like it, so I wouldn’t have pushed.”

  “Really? Because I think you’re just saying that because I got drugged this time. What if I didn’t?” She stopped herself from saying next what she was thinking, that Maria would have still tried to take her down with her; it was just the nature of people.

  “Okay, so I don’t know if I would have. But please don’t blame me either—I had no idea something like that would happen. I just wanted to help you...you know...”

  “What, spread my wings? Open my petals to the sun? Get deflowered? Maria...” Sydney took a deep breath. “Look, I’m mad, but not at you. I don’t blame you. Like I said, I’m mad at myself because I knew I shouldn’t have gone. It’s the trouble not being yourself gets you into.”

  Maria looked away.

  After a few moments, she said:

  “Are you gonna tell your parents about it?”

  Sydney didn’t answer right away.

  “No,” she said finally. “They’ll only insist on me doing something about it.”

  “Well...”

  “I told you Maria, forget it. I’m going to forget it. I’ll just be more careful in the future. I’m done with those parties; haven’t had a good time yet.”

  “Yeah right,” Maria said. “You looked like you were enjoying the dancing.”

  “I was laughing at myself that’s all.”

  “Admit it. You enjoyed it.”

  Sydney conceded and gave her a small smile.

  “Okay, that one moment in time was fun. That’s it.”

  “Do you think you and Nicholas are gonna hook up now?”

  “What? No, he doesn’t want us to.”

  “Yeah he does, Sydney. He’s just afraid. Syd, Nicholas is the type of guy women flock to. Meaning—yeah I’m gonna be blunt—he’s been around the world if you know what I mean.” She raised her eyebrows twice.

  Sydney laughed.

  “That’s the blunt version?”

  “You know what I mean Sydney. He has access to lots of money as an heir of in influential family, and he’s easy on the eyes. Women are like moths to a flame, and I’m sure he takes advantage of his power. He’s probably used to easy women, gold-digging chicks, and probably used to casting them aside when he’s done with them too. Maybe he’s just not sure he’d get it right with you, and doesn’t want you to be the guinea pig of his first ‘real’ relationship.”

  Sydney was impressed with Maria’s estimation.

  “Not a bad assessment; quite convincing in fact. It’s just that I get the sense something else is going on with him. I just don’t know what.”

  “You plan to find out?”

  Maria was grinning at her.

  “Maybe.”

  Sydney smiled back.

  Then their dorm phone rang, making them both jump. The girls looked at each other then at the phone. Sydney put it on speaker on the second ring, then turned to Maria and put a finger to her lips.

  “Hi. Sydney?” a male voice inquired.

  Sydney picked up the phone.

  “How did you get my number?”

  “I’m doing well thank you,” Nicholas replied. “We have a student directory remember? And you have a talkative friend,” he added. He had a smile in his voice.

  Sydney turned to Maria who shrugged, looking away.

  Sydney laughed.

  “I’m sorry, I’m a little on edge I guess.”

  “I understand.” He was quiet for a few moments. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m fine, really.”

  “You’re pressing charges right?”

  “No, I won’t.”

  There was a moment of silence.

  “Can I ask why not?”

  “I just...I don’t want to deal with that whole process. I’m just glad things didn’t, you know, get any further.”

  “So am I. Or else charges would have been pressed all right. Probably against me though.”

  “Um...I appreciate that. Listen, I understand you were the one who found me and...defended my honor. Thank you,” Sydney said.

  “No need to thank me. Just knowing I was able to help you out is enough.”

  Sydney smiled to herself, forgetting Maria was in the room. Then she remembered and turned to look right into Maria’s grinning face.

  “Ask him out!” Maria mouthed.

  Sydney fanned away her words.

  “Well, I was just calling to, you know, check up on you, make sure you’re okay,” Nicholas said.

  “I appreciate that.”

  “So, what are your plans for Christmas?”

  “Oh, I’m going home. Spend time with my family—my parents, my brother. You know how it is—Christmas is such a family holiday. How about you?”

  “Me? Oh, I’m going home too. You know, it’s like you said.”

  “That’s nice.”

  He cleared his throat.

  “Well, enjoy your holidays Sydney. I don’t suppose I’ll be seeing you in the library anymore. I mean...”

  Sydney giggled.

  “You enjoy your holidays too and I’ll see you in January! In the library of course.”

  “Until then. We’ll see what the new year brings.”

  Sydney chuckled through their goodbyes and was still smiling to herself when she disconnected the line.

  Maria brought her out of her reverie.

  “See? Even Nicholas agrees you should press charges. Don’t you want to make sure the creep thinks twice about doing it again?” she asked. “And what about those other girls out there who...”

  Sydney sighed.

  “Maria, I feel like I’m playing that whack-a-mole game.”

  “Okay fine, I get it. Can I ask one more serious question?”

  “Shoot.”

  “Can I ask what you and Nicholas were doing outside?”

  ***

  A few days later, Sydney came back to their dorm room from the library early once again.

  Maria was drawing in her art pad, but when she saw Sydney, she jumped up and told her she had something to show her then dug into her backpack for it. She pulled out a black folder then plucked a photo from it and held it hidden against her chest. She grinned wide before presenting it
to Sydney.

  “What?” Sydney asked, confused as she stared at the photo of herself.

  Maria let out a frustrated sigh.

  “Look at your eyes,” she said.

  Sydney struggled to see what her friend was talking about. It was just a picture of her as she emerged from the dance floor at her second and last party, but it did seem she was glowing from the experience.

  “The light’s pretty bright,” Sydney said.

  “Amazing what love can do to bring out that light, huh?” Maria said.

  Sydney looked at Maria.

  “Have your paints finally gone to your head? What are you talking about?”

  “You don’t think you’re in love with him?”

  Sydney sighed.

  “Maria I’ve had...what, three conversations with him? Been in the same social setting twice?”

  “But how long have you known he existed?”

  “Maria that’s not fair. The Dhaltons are like celebrities at home. We’ve known about them for years and years...”

  “Yeah but how long has he been making you feel self-conscious?”

  “Maria, I would hardly call that love...”

  “How long have you been waiting to talk to him? Or for him to talk to you? How long did you wait to kiss him?”

  “Maria I still don’t see how...”

  “I bet it was something like love at first sight.”

  “Right. You can’t really think that exists? Honestly, do you know anyone who that’s happened to?”

  Sydney looked at her, defying her to come up with an example but found herself lost in thought, thinking about her parents. They would probably be an example; in fact, it seemed to her they loved each other in a previous life and it had carried over.

  “So you don’t think it’s possible? To fall in love with someone quickly?”

  “I never said it was impossible in that case—I’m skeptical about that ‘first sight’ business...”

  “Forget about ‘first sight’—you admit it’s possible over a short period of time?”

  “Well, yeah I guess...”

  “Syd, it only takes a spark. Besides, I think ‘at first sight’ could mean more than one thing. Not just literally at first sight. For example, say friends of the opposite sex never saw each other as beyond that...”

  “That’s an issue in itself—what friends of the opposite sex never had a thought about being more than friends? Ever?”

  “Stay focused Syd. Now say these friends for whatever reason—tragedy, a huge act of unselfishness, whatever—something forces them to see each other in a different light. That’s a form of first sight—they’re seeing each other for the first time in a completely different way. Besides, falling in love is not the same thing as loving someone fiercely—the kind you grow into. Infatuations count. Are you telling me you’ve never had an instantaneous crush on someone?”

  Sydney looked at the wall.

  “People grossly underestimate love Sydney. It can happen at first sight, at first word, at first kiss. It’s a sneaky little thing. No one can predict it or stop it once that arrow’s shot.”

  Sydney gave her a look.

  “You read too many romance novels hon, I don’t think I quite believe that. For the heart to override the brain? People loving someone before they know and understand them? That just doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Well, congratulations on figuring out love’s middle and last names: ‘Makes No Damn Sense.’”

  Sydney giggled, looking away again. Then she turned back and looked Maria directly in the eye.

  “Maria,” she said, “are you in love with Edward?”

  Maria’s smile was slight.

  “Maybe I am.” She sighed a heavy sigh. “I’m gonna miss him while I’m in Mexico, pero mis tias would never forgive me if I didn’t go and see them.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Utah - Winter

  “I can’t believe we’re here man,” Eddie said as their driver, Benjamin, smoothly took them up the long, curving driveway toward the six-space garage.

  “Yeah,” Nicholas said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “Home sweet home.”

  Once the limousine was parked, Benjamin took their bags inside through the doorway in the garage, but the brothers exited the garage with the intentions of examining the familiar exterior for changes made in their absence.

  They surveyed the mansion and surrounding property. The mansion looked the same: a white, three-story building surrounded by an expanse of lawn broken only by geometrical topiary and stone statues doubling as water fountains. None of the other embellishments were visible from the front but Nicholas recalled the pool, and tennis and basketball courts waiting in the back, all of which he had imminent plans for.

  “It is kind of sweet though bro, you gotta admit,” Edward said, grinning. “I almost forgot after living in those condos.”

  “Yeah, it’s ‘kind of sweet.’ If only our parents didn’t live in it...oh wait, dad already doesn’t.”

  “Come on Nicholas...”

  “You know I’m telling the truth—those two drain life from everything. I’m surprised the lawn’s still green, that we still have some foliage.” He let out a breath. “I really hope we don’t regret coming here.”

  “Well, how often does mom ask us to come home? I mean—mom. Same woman who sent us off to boarding schools as soon as we could read and who couldn’t wait to ship us to college. I’m curious as hell Nick—I don’t know why she wants us around this time—although I was looking forward to another Christmas in some exotic country. Hey, remember New Zealand last year man? Remember that girl...”

  Nicholas heard his brother’s words moments after he said them; in fact was only yanked from his thoughts when he realized Eddie had suddenly stopped talking.

  “Nicholas,” Eddie began in a warning tone, “you’re not thinking about Sydney are you?”

  “Well if I wasn’t, thanks to you, I would be.”

  “Aw man,” Eddie turned away, shaking his head but with a small grin. “I knew it.” He turned back to him. “What were you thinking? That you wish she was here? You wish you were wherever she is? You wanna make sure she’s safe? Breastfeed her?”

  “Don’t make fun man. I just...I think I’ll miss her, that’s all. I won’t be seeing her for a few weeks and I usually see her at least once a week...what?”

  Eddie was laughing heartily at his expense. When he finally caught himself, he said:

  “Dude, whatever’s gotten into you is funny as hell. I hope Sydney sticks around. My life’s so much more entertaining with her in it.” Then he clasped his hands over his chest and fluttered his eyelids, faking a dreamy look in his eyes.

  When they got to the door, Nicholas rang the doorbell, for they both knew their keys would no longer work. Their mother flung open the door, ready for them.

  “Darlings!” she said, hugging them one after the other, shocking Nicholas since he couldn’t remember the last time she touched them.

  He examined her blue eyes for sincerity, curious about her actions.

  He was unable to find signs of fakeness. Either she had actually been looking forward to seeing them—and Nicholas was convinced that wasn’t the case—or she had become a better actress.

  “How was your trip?” she asked. Then she waved away any potential response. “Looks like everything went fine.”

  She took one of their hands in each of hers.

  “I’m so glad you decided to come—I feel like I haven’t seen you in years!”

  She showed her manicured teeth.

  Her blond, shoulder-length bluntly cut hair fell on her sea-green blouse which flowed with her movements as she then clasped her hands together in supposed joy. Nicholas had to admire her beauty despite himself—their mother looked fantastic at her age; in fact, could give women fifteen years her junior competition.

  “Mom! Nice to see you,” Eddie said.

  Nicholas could tell he was trying to soun
d genuine. For a moment, he even wondered if Eddie meant it. Then Eddie looked right at him.

  “Right Nicholas?”

  “Yeah!” Nicholas replied, looking everywhere but at Evelyn. “Been a while.”

  Evelyn surveyed them, still smiling wide.

  “Oh, look at my boys all grown up!” She patted each of their cheeks then brought her hands together again. “You should see Allison, she’s grown into such a lovely young woman.”

  Nicholas perked up at the mention of their sister and he could see Eddie’s interest piqued as well.

  “She’s here?” Eddie asked.

  They didn’t get to see Allison often but when they did, found her a breath of fresh air. Nicholas often wondered how such a beautiful soul could have been birthed from such an ugly one.

  “She will be!” Evelyn replied. “She’s coming home later this evening. Oh, all my children under one house—this will be wonderful!”

  “Where’s dad?” Nicholas asked, not sure why he was compelled to. Evelyn’s face seemed to darken although she managed to keep her smile.

  “Oh, at some business meeting or something, you know how it is. He’ll be around for the holidays though. We’re going to have a family Christmas dinner this year!” Her face brightened again. She turned toward the inside of the house and made a motion for them to follow her.

  “Well, let me show you around before you go to your rooms—we’ve made a few changes. And of course by ‘we’ I mean ‘I.’ Do let me know what you think.”

  Evelyn took them through the first floor, pointing out a new grand piano of rich mahogany in the parlor, and a stunning chandelier in the dining room. New exercise equipment had been installed in the gym, and new paintings hung on the walls.

  Despite the new additions and the upgrading of appliances, the place looked pretty much the same to Nicholas.

  After taking them through most of the first floor, Evelyn led them up the spiraling staircase to the second floor, and past two guest bedrooms. They stopped at what was now an ex-guest bedroom, redesigned for her snow-white Persian cat, Glacier, who didn’t seem to like any of them at her threshold. She sat on what appeared to be her scratching couch and stared at them with ice-blue eyes.