Page 97 of Strings

Before I can finish my sentence, the door opens to an older woman. She doesn’t look like her pictures, but maybe she got a new hair-do since then.

“Hello, Sebastian. Welcome home.”

I hold out my hand. “Mrs. Corronov, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Sebastian has told me so much about you, I feel like I already know you.”

She doesn’t take my hand. Instead, she glances up at Sebastian with a pained expression. Sebastian chuckles lightly.

“Rosa, this is my girlfriend, Talia. Talia, this is our house manager, Rosa.”

I spin on my heel to head back toward the car. Sebastian grabs my arm and pulls me back. “It was an honest mistake. Right, Rosa?”

Rosa smiles graciously. “Absolutely. It’s an honor that you thought I was Madame.”

“Madame? Is that what I should call her?”

“She’s a little nervous,” Sebastian says as he leads me into the house.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Talia. It’s nice to have such spirit in this house. Too many stuffy people on the regular, if you ask me.” She winks at Sebastian and he grins.

I kind of wish Rosa was his mom. She seems nice and forgiving. I’ve already fucked up majorly before I even entered the house. God knows what I’ll screw up now that I’m inside. I hope his father looks like his pictures. Next thing you know I’ll be hugging the butler.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a moment. I need to pretend this is a con, like the old days. I know I’m trying to change, but surely it would be appropriate to revisit my skills this one time. I need to take my feelings out of the equation. Maybe then I can be who I need to be.

“Darling, you’re here.”

I open my eyes as Constance Corronov walks toward Sebastian with open arms. As she embraces him, I take her in. She’s even more beautiful than her photos. Once I see her, I feel like an even bigger fool for assuming Rosa could be her. Her hair is piled on top of her head in the most stunning bun I’ve ever seen. Long ringlets flow around her face. She’s wearing an evening gown that makes me feel superbly underdressed. She looks like she’s about to go on stage at the opera to perform.

“And you must be Natalia.” She holds out her hand to me. I square my shoulders and prepare for a firm yet feminine handshake. Instead, she takes my hand and pulls me in for a hug. “I am beyond thrilled to have you in my home. I’ve been waiting for this day for what seems like an eternity. Come in. Let me introduce you.”

Did she just hug me? Is she actually warm and kind? Was everything Cherese said untrue? Maybe she will like me? Maybe I should relax like Sebastian said. I didn’t even have to speak. It’s going to be okay. I’ve got this.

I smile brightly as Constance leads us into a sitting area. My smile immediately drops.

“Natalia, I’m sure you know Bella Amarishio and her father Derrick Mercer from the Symphony. This is Bella’s mother, Derrick’s wife, and my dearest friend, Angelica Amarishio.”

I try to smile, squeezing Sebastian’s hand for dear life. “Hello.”

“Pleasure.” Angelica isn’t warm. She’s cold and judgy. There’s not an ounce of kindness in her expression. She gazes at me from head to toe. That one look from her is worse than the stares of my entire high school when the police came to arrest me when I was sixteen.

“Sebastian, sweetheart! You look as handsome as ever.”

She leans in to him and kisses both of his cheeks like we’re in Europe or something. He gets a great big smile. Bella steps forward and gives him the same greeting. I don’t like it, but Sebastian never lets go of my hand, so I’m good.

Mercer gives me the side-eye.

“Derrick,” Sebastian says coolly, nodding in his direction as he steps in between us protectively.

“Sebastian,” he replies.

“Salute!” An older distinguished gentlemen shouts with his arms open wide. He steps down the grand stairs like he’s floating. “Excuse me for being so late!”

I recognize Vladimir Corronov immediately. He’s tall and impeccably groomed with a trimmed beard and dark glasses. He’s exactly like his photographs. I don’t think he ages. Maybe he’s part vampire. Count Vlad. I almost snort.

Constance rolls her eyes. “And people say I’m the diva who has to make a grand entrance.”

Vladimir laughs as he shakes Sebastian’s hand. No hug from Dad. “Father, this is Natalia Pearson.”

I extend my hand and he bends to kiss my knuckles. I see where Sebastian gets it now. “We are thrilled to finally meet you. Constance has been obsessed with you since we found out you existed. Maybe now that you’re here, I won’t hear your name quite so much.”