Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
I’m speechless and can only close my open mouth as I shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other. I glance at Sasha who also seems surprised by her aunt’s words. The awkward silence in the room is finally broken when Sarah shakes her head and makes her way to the door.
“Bryant wants her to wear red tonight to the dinner. There’s nothing in those racks that will do. I’ll have something sent up soon.”
She doesn’t say another word or even give us a silent goodbye with a nod of the head or a pause in her step.
She simply leaves.
Sasha releases a deep breath that I wonder if she had been holding. “Well… welcome to the Morellis. You’re about to get a crash course on how fucked up this family truly is.”
Chapter Four
Nick
My staff are lined up to greet me as I enter my house. I close my eyes as the door closes and inhale deeply.
Home. My home.
It used to be my favorite place on earth. Lock me inside for a lifetime, and I’d be okay. But now… there’s a void. Lyriope isn’t here and—
“Welcome home, sir,” Diane says as she steps forward, speaking for everyone.
“Thank you,” I say as I head straight to the study, knowing Harrison is waiting for me there as usual when business needs to be discussed.
The hollow sound of the click of my cane on marble flooring announces my presence before I even need to say a word. Harrison is sitting in a high-back chair with a glass of scotch in his hand. After our conversation, I’m sure the man needed a stiff drink. Sitting across from him with a martini glass in hand is Cora, who I hadn’t expected to be here, but still happy to see.
“Cora, what a delight,” I say as I make my way over to the wet bar. Harrison has the right idea.
Martha enters the room with a notepad and pen in hand. She’s clearly ready to get back to work as well. Usually we all chat for a bit before getting to work, but I’m not in the mood. And I get the feeling that everyone in the room is ready to distract me with the only thing that can.
Wonderland.
“What’s the theme for Wonderland?” Harrison asks. “Or do we just want to keep it general?”
“A birthday party,” I say, staring ahead at nothing as the images start to form in my head.
“Whose birthday?” Martha asks. “Or just the look of a birthday party?”
“An unbirthday party,” I begin to explain, still not looking at anyone as all the colors form in my mind. “A party for all the people who never got to have a birthday party. For all the forgotten birthdays. For all the people who had wished for a special event just for them and never got one. For all the people who hate birthdays because they’ve never been taught how to like one.” I nod, smile widely at everyone and slap my hand on the wet bar. “Yes, an unbirthday party. That’s the theme.”
“Sounds like a downer in nature,” Cora says. “Who wants to remember all the bad memories? Next, you’re going to say there’s going to be clowns and pony rides.”
“This party will drown them all away. A happy birthday to all. And I’m not opposed to a few clowns.” I stand up and lean on my cane as I stare off into nothing again. “Bright colors, streamers, balloons. But over the top. I want the balloons bigger than imaginable. Massive. I want the streamers made out of gold and silver. I want glitter raining from the ceiling, never pausing until every partygoer is ankle deep in it.” I close my eyes so I can see the picture in my head. “And cake. We must have cake passed around in bite-sized pieces with pink champagne.”
I open my eyes and see that Martha is taking notes, and Harrison is nodding as he clearly likes the idea.
“But I also want there to be side rooms. Private birthday parties. Rooms where the most decadent and depraved can celebrate together. Nothing like a good birthday orgy. I want voyeurism, dominance and submission. I want the kinky to be able to play at this party. Happy, happy birthday to all.” I give a toothy grin, loving the idea of a true sex party. “We behaved in Italy since we were beneath the Vatican. We haven’t let the dirty out to play in a while. It’s time we do.”
“I’ve heard some rumors that there will be people asking for a Tea Party,” Cora adds.
“No Tea Party,” I snap, not meaning to sound as harsh as I do. “This is an unbirthday party. No Tea Party. No business. No negativity. The night is going to be about pleasure. Fucking. Primal. Animalistic lust. We are going to celebrate our bodies and our desires. No fucking business allowed.”