Chapter 1

AMELIA LEAL

I was once taught that lying is ugly and dishonest, but I was never warned about the consequences. Well, I discovered that in addition to being painful, they can be irreversible. At ten, when all I wanted was to be accepted, I lied to help a classmate, Justine, fake a stomachache and get out of her calculus exam.

The same day the girl sent me a "Thank you" message full of admiration, I didn't know at the time if I should feel praised, but I liked having her gratitude. A week later, the principal suspended me. It took some time for me to realize that the lie surrounded me, constituted everything I knew and, consequently, was part of who I was too.

There was no escape, I kept lying not because I liked it, but because I was too good to ignore.

I learned that no matter how screwed up you are inside, if a beautiful smile is shaping your lips, in the end, no one wants to see tears or know about your anguish.

My smiles were rehearsed, dictated, just like my clothes and life. I lied to please and make happy the woman who brought me into the world, because she did the same for me and as much as I said otherwise, I knew it was a lie. Being the wife of the governor of New York was not enough, it never was. I just had to fake it a little longer, I could even put up with the romantic arrangements she kept making me, like the talkative and asshole Richard Alencar, the third son of a snobbish and corrupt senator who hasn't stopped talking since we were introduced.

"How about we go somewhere more private?" I squint at the boy, forcing a smile as I search for something in his appearance that makes up for his lack of common sense.

"I'm comfortable here, thank you. I slurp the strong"tasting yellow liquid through an aluminum straw, wishing I'd added a little more vodka. The boy keeps a malicious and suggestive gleam in his eyes, I stare for a few seconds at his thin and convinced face, allowing me to lower my eyes all over his body, as he has been doing to me since he approached me.

Broad, athletic shoulders, brown hair that looks like it's been finger"combed and not brushed. Thin, rosy lips, always ready to utter the cruelest words and pour out a lot of bullshit. Arrogant posture. Corrupted brain.

" Are you sure? I know a place where we can talk more peacefully."

" I don't think it would be convenient, people would speculate about our sudden departure in a few seconds, we are public people." I try to sound convincing, pretending that's the only reason I'm not going anywhere more intimate with him.

He laughs, catching the attention of a small group of people a few steps away from us. gasp. Impatience taking over me and I decide it's time to ruin any expectations the asshole had created.

"Listen, I don't think we have any unusual interests, and honestly… I'm not interested in relationships."

Even more with you.

The expression of surprise is quickly replaced by annoyance, I see anger brush the almond color of her irises and make them brighter. Apparently I've poked his weak spot and he won't let me go unpunished. A lump forms in my throat as I imagine the kind of trouble he can cause me at this stupid cocktail party, considering his explosive and rebellious track record. I shudder to imagine the consequences of this when I get home. Fuck!

"Come on, kitty. Don't be difficult, let's enjoy it. Nobody will know. He blinks suggestively, putting his hands on my waist, pressing my skin with his long fingers, and even though the fabric prevents direct contact, I'm repulsed.

" I said no! " I push his body away, ignoring etiquette as I raise my voice. His hands touch me again and I'm ready to mark his face with my hand when a familiar voice catches my eye.

"Is there a problem here?" Peter asks closer and makes Richard look up, who, when analyzing the large and imposing figure of my brother-in-law, removes his hands from me. Moron.

" I was already on my way out, there's nothing here for me. " The asshole speaks as he looks at me one last time, bringing a feeling of exposure to my body, which is covered by a thin"shouldered gray silk dress that covers me two fingers above the knee.

"Not really." Peter says, determined to intimidate the boy before he turns his back and leaves us. Richard disguises his insecurity with a mocking laugh, but doesn't hold his posture for long and leaves.

"Shit. I mumble under my breath, just so the man next to me hears. He laughs and stares at me with white, sample"lined teeth." What?

"This self of yours is so much better. " I declare and I end up blushing.

"You speak as if there is more than one of me. There is, for everyone you are the demure Amélia Leal, the governor's youngest daughter, but when she's with me it's just Amélia.

"Maybe you're a bad influence." Earring.

"Oh, he certainly is. " The high"pitched and familiar voice makes Peter stop the glass of drink he holds in the middle of the way, in a few seconds I'm forgotten and he turns to face her.

"Aurora". He whispers, in complete devotion, making my stomach churn at the clear love contained in his tone.

"I was looking for you." my sister says, her irritating voice masked by the ambient noise. "I thought you wouldn't arrive until tomorrow morning." She pouts, twirling her painted nails around his tie.

"Well, I missed home and the people I love. I decided to surprise my wife."

I follow the conversation in silence.

I wonder if deep down Peter knows what kind of person she is, love can be blind, but is it capable of covering up someone's character?

"Well, I hope you didn't leave anything unfinished there. she says, using a sly tone.

" All settled, I came to stay for good and make up for lost time."

Peter continues talking, totally ignoring my presence at his side, I catch my sister staring at my right hand that holds the baptized fruit drink. His gaze is that of someone who judges, his interpretation molding to the resentment he has for me.

" I need to go to the bathroom. " I say, taking the first steps before I even finish the sentence.

I head in the right direction until I'm sure neither of them are looking at me, then I detour and enter a hallway, this building is one of Dad's newest acquisitions, another trophy for his career and I don't think Aurora and I differ. of it to him. Empty rooms are the only things to explore in this place yet, so surprise invades me when I hear voices coming from the end of the hallway, a half"open door lets out a small sliver of light and curiosity takes me closer, high and male voices , looks like an argument between partners or something and I don't think there's anything interesting going on there, so a familiar voice speaks and I freeze in place.

"How did he get the penalty lessened?"  Dad speaks.

" Any good lawyer could reverse his situation, the arrest was made hastily and some points were run over, there were many paragraphs that could be revoked."

Who is he talking about?

"It doesn’t matter, after all this time we won't have to worry about him, I bet the boy learned not to touch a wasp nest." Dad concludes, getting chuckles in agreement.