The Other Version by Eve Blakely

Author:Eve Blakely [Blakely, Eve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eve B Ink
Published: 2022-09-30T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Olivia

I gaze up at Katerina’s oversized head, struggling with the notion that Katerina herself can’t see how undeniably cheesy and ridiculously conceited it is to lord a giant banner of yourself over one of the city’s finest establishments. Then again, I suppose I would have thought it was awesome a few months ago, maybe even have been envious. Twisted Ivy is humming with energy as we enter, Sean’s hand held firmly on my lower back. It’s a gesture of ownership, a reminder that I am one of his possessions.

“Oh my God! You’re here! Finally!” Katerina’s squeal gets louder as she draws closer, shoving whoever is in her way until she reaches us.

“Happy birthday, gorgeous!” I throw my arms around her neck and give her a quick squeeze. My enthusiasm is forced, but I hope I’m doing a sufficient job of acting like I want to be here. I should want to be here. Katerina is my best friend in the world. I can’t understand why it feels as though we’re drifting apart. It isn’t her fault that my life has become a mess.

“Thanks babe!” she shrieks in reply. “Come and check out the ice sculpture. It’s insane!”

We dissolve into the crowd in the direction of the alleged ice sculpture, leaving Sean to fend for himself. Katerina stops abruptly in the midst of a mass of people when she spots a server carrying a silver platter loaded with an assortment of sandwiches.

“Um, excuse me. What the hell is this?” Katerina pinches at one of the sandwiches with her thumb and index finger, inspecting the filling with a look of distaste. “Ham and cheese? Are you kidding me? My parents have paid for premium gourmet cuisine, not this subpar picnic food.”

“I’m sorry Miss Van Sant. I’m just serving the food as I’ve been directed to.” The catering assistant, a woman that looks to be in her early twenties, appears calm and collected despite Katerina’s condescending tone.

“Oh, I’m sure you are sorry,” Katerina says, sarcastically. “A sorry excuse for a waitress! If you still wish to be directed to do anything ever again, you better fix this. I can have you out of a job faster than you can raise those nasty man brows of yours. Do you understand?”

“Loud and clear, Miss Van Sant.” The woman, reluctant to take Katerina’s orders, seems resigned to the fact that her threats are most likely true. It’s easier to obey than pick a fight with the devil herself.

Katerina turns to me after the server heads back through the kitchen doors. “Can you believe this shit? I thought this place was supposed to be high end.”

“You know what you need?” I ask her.

“To not be surrounded by idiots?” she scoffs with an eyeroll.

“Well, there is that.” I consider, then gesture to a large bottle of champagne behind the bar. “Or maybe one of those.”

Katerina flashes a diabolical grin. “That could easily make all the idiots disappear.”

I saunter toward the bar, flash a smile at the bartender and point to the champagne bottle resting in the ice bucket behind him.

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