The Wounded Love novel Chapter 25

She didn't cook which explained why the food was so good, but that was the only decent part of the night.

I made small talk with her incredibly old and boring friends. They were only in their fifties just like mother was, but their dry attitudes made them seem older.

"So, Skyla?" Mother asked once we were alone. "What have you been up to? I'm only asking because I'm concerned."

"I haven't been doing anything out of the ordinary."

"You know who I'm talking about... the boy you had relations with."

"What about him?" I asked, impassively.

"Did you really not know who he was?"

"I do know who he is. We've been talking." And having more relations, but she didn't need to know that.

"That's good." She gave me a tight smile. I couldn't tell whether it was fake or not. "Well, I'm glad you figured out a way to make that better. There's just one thing I need to tell you."

"What?"

"You see, everyone was asking for you at the wedding. I had to tell them something."

"And what exactly did you tell them?" She looked nervous.

"I told them that you were uncomfortable with watching Nicholas marry another woman, so the next time you see anyone try to act like you're still in love with him. I don't want to look like a liar, and obviously I couldn't tell them the truth."

"What?" I yelled. "That makes me look pathetic! I am not still in love with him. I was the one who broke up with him, and you know perfectly well that he wanted things to end too."

"Well, did you want me to tell them that you decided to have sex with a stranger and then go on a ridiculous rant which really insulted your uncle and aunt. I told them to expect an apology from you?"

"Yes! That would've been a thousand times better. At least I wouldn't look like a pathetic lovesick girl!" And they were not receiving an apology from me.

"Skyla!"

"It's nice to meet you." She said. "Dante is like a son to us. I had a feeling he was seeing someone."

"Oh yeah, I guess so." I didn't know how to respond to her comment. We never actually had The Talk.

"So where are you guys off to tonight?" Anthony asked, not looking in my direction.

"I'm not sure yet."Dante and Anthony seemed to be having a private conversation. Silent looks were being passed between the two of them and they didn't appear to be happy ones. A part of me wasn't convinced that the purpose of this conversation was to discuss our plans.

"Well whatever you do, I'm sure you'll have fun." Susan cut in, pulling their attention onto something else.

Anthony nodded. "It was nice meeting you, Skyla." He said, finally turning his head in my direction. "Dante, I'll see you tomorrow." It sounded like a demand.

"If I'm not busy, then yes." The tension between them could be spotted from a mile away.

After they left I asked Dante what happened. "Nothing. He just worries." About what? "They took me in when I came to America, I was only sixteen." This topic seemed to make him uncomfortable, there was a stoic expression on his face and it wasn't very welcoming, so I decided to drop the subject.