94. Dress to kill.

Elena.

I felt a mix of relief and apprehension when Camilla confronted me about my “illness”. I was relieved that I did not have to keep up the charade any longer, but I was also worried about what Camilla would think if I told her the truth.

“I know you’re not really sick,” Camilla said, her eyes piercing into mine. “What’s really going on, Elena?”

I bit my lip, trying to come up with an excuse, but I know that Camilla won’t buy it. She had always been able to read me like a book. “I can’t tell you,” I finally admitted. “It’s just… personal.”

Camila nodded, a look of understanding on her face. “I get it. But you can’t stay cooped up in your room forever. One of my friends is having a party tonight and you’re coming with us.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Camila cut me off.

“Trust me, you need this. You need to let loose and have some fun.”

I sighed, knowing that she was right. I could not keep moping around in my room, waiting for Deangelo to come and talk to me. It was time to move on and enjoy myself.

“Okay,” I say finally. “I’ll come.”

Camila grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Good. Now, I want you to wear something sexy tonight. Something that will make whoever is giving you issues regret it.”

I blushed at her words, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and empowerment. It had been a while since I had dressed up and gone out, but I was determined to make the most of it.

I spent hours getting ready, trying on different outfits and experimenting with my makeup.

Camila came in to help me choose the perfect outfit – a tight-fitting black dress that showed off my curves, paired with strappy heels and bold red lipstick. As I slipped on my tight, figure-hugging dress, I felt a twinge of apprehension. Camilla had urged me to dress sexy, and as much as I did not want to admit it, Deangelo's coldness towards me had stung. I wanted to show him what he was missing out on. I glanced at myself in the mirror, checking that every strand of hair was in place and that my makeup was perfect. It was not often that I dressed like this, but tonight felt different.

“Perfect,” Camila declared, admiring me from head to toe. “Now, let’s go show those boys what they’re missing.”

I wanted to show Deangelo my look and sexiness too but as I make my way to his room, I felt a sense of nervousness. I did not know what I wanted to achieve by seeing him, but I felt like I had to. I told Camilla I forgot something in my room and asked her to wait for me downstairs.

I knocked on his door and waited for a response, but none came. I pushed the door open, and he was sitting on his bed, typing away on his laptop. He did not even look up at me.

I clear my throat. "Um, sorry to bother you. I forgot something in your room the other day," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

He still did not look at me. "Take whatever you need and leave, Elena," he said, his voice cold and clipped. His rejection stung, and I could not help but feel hurt. I grabbed what I came for and left without another word.

Camilla linked her arm through mine, and we headed to the gate. Luca was waiting for us at the door, dressed in a smart suit. Camilla had managed to rope him into driving us again, and he looked pleased to see us.

As we drove to the party, Camilla's dress caught my eye again. It was even more risque than mine, with a thigh-high split that revealed a lot of leg. I could not help but feel a little jealous of her confidence. She was so comfortable in her own skin, whereas I felt like a fraud in my sexy dress. But then again, she had always been one to push the boundaries.

I glanced over at Luca, and my heart skipped a beat and not in a good way when I saw him looking at me. I quickly looked away, feeling self-conscious. I knew he is only looking at me because of my dress, but I still could help the mixed feelings in my stomach. I couldn't help but notice how Camilla was also trying to attract his attention, and it made me feel bad for her. But as we drove to the party, I realized that Luca's eyes remained on me instead of Camila. It made me feel guilty, like I was betraying her.

I decided to distract myself by making conversation with Camila. "So, what's up with you and Luca?" I whispered, trying to sound casual.

Camila just smirked at me. "Oh, that's personal and sensitive information, Elena," she replied, using my own words against me.

I rolled my eyes but didn't press the issue any further. Instead, I leaned back in my seat and watched the streetlights flicker past. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off between Camilla and Luca, though. They seemed to be trying too hard to ignore each other, and the tension was palpable.

As we pulled up outside the party, I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious about my own outfit. It was a slinky little number that showed off more skin than I was used to, but I'd worn it because Camilla had urged me to "dress to kill." I was feeling more vulnerable than ever, and I wasn't sure if it was the outfit or the fact that Deangelo was still being so distant with me.

We made our way inside, and the party was pulsing with energy. The lights were flashing, and the music was so loud that it made my bones vibrate. Camila immediately headed to the bar, and I followed her, feeling like a lost lamb. I didn't drink often, but tonight, I felt like I needed something to take the edge off. Camila ordered us both a round of tequila shots, and I downed mine in one gulp, feeling the burn as it slid down my throat. The alcohol hit me hard and fast, and suddenly, I was feeling much more carefree than I had before.

As I excused myself to use the restroom, I was really hoping that Camila and Luca could have some time alone to work out their issues. I had been feeling like a third wheel lately, and it had been weighing heavily on me. I did not have a destination in mind as I wandered aimlessly around the party, turning down several dance offers. The music was thumping, and I was moving my body to the rhythm when a face caught my peripheral vision. I froze, my heart racing as I recognized the man before me. It was Salvatore.

I crouched down, trying to hide my face as I was filled with terror, thinking that Salvatore had come to take me away. I wanted to escape, but I was surrounded by people, and it seemed like there was no way out. All around me, bodies were moving and gyrating to the music, completely unaware of my fear. My eyes scanned the room, searching for any possible escape route, but I found none.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I reminded myself that Salvatore is dead, that it was all a nightmare, and that he could not hurt me anymore. But the fear gripped me, and I could not seem to shake it off. I considered calling Camilla or even Deangelo, but I did not want to seem like a burden, and I was not even sure what to tell them.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, trying to steady myself. When I opened them again, I saw that Salvatore was gone, and I was not sure if he was even there in the first place. Was it just my imagination, or was he really there? The uncertainty left me feeling even more unsettled.

I was shaking as I walked out of the crowded bar, desperate to get away from the pulsating music and swaying bodies. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I needed to escape, to find some quiet and solitude to calm myself down.

As I wandered aimlessly through the throngs of people, a man tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around, ready to lash out in fear and panic, but his kind eyes and gentle voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

I couldn't speak, couldn't even think straight. All I could see was the side of his face, the resemblance to Salvatore sending me into a tailspin.

He called me crazy and walked away, leaving me feeling more alone and scared than ever before.

I closed my eyes, trying to breathe deeply and steady my racing heart. When I opened them again, I saw the man's face once more. This time, I summoned the courage to push past the crowd and confront him.

It wasn't Salvatore after all, but the resemblance was uncanny. The man was friendly, offering me a drink and asking if I needed anything.

I apologized for my earlier outburst and walked away, still feeling jittery and on edge. I knew I couldn't stay here any longer, couldn't handle the noise and chaos of the bar.

I found Camila and Luca already in the midst of a heated argument, and I knew it was time to leave. I told them I wanted to go home, and they agreed, their sour moods making it an easy decision.

As we walked out of the bar and into the cool night air, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled deep in my bones. Something was wrong, and I didn't know if I had the strength to face it yet. Or even at all.