25

Stronger (What doesn't kill you)

A few hours earlier, before the ball, Isadora wasn't between fifty-thousand dresses, make-up and hairdos. The car that had taken her to the airport wasn't of the royal family.

It was a car of the Bonovich family, and that alone was a reason to dislike it. Isa didn't even understand why her parents requested her presence when arriving in Angeles – it wouldn't make a bit of a difference whenever she was present or not, except that she could sleep for longer.

With the rest of the Bonovichs arriving, her life almost already had fallen back into the 'wake up, wait to fall asleep' circle she was so well used to. When Silvestre and the King had told them about the ball, she had considered approaching Silvestre and asking for her family not to be invited, but from the sounds of it, they already had been.

The call she had gotten from her mother in the evening of the same day, confirmed it. She had called to coordinate their appearance. Of course, the Bonovich family had to appear united. Putting aside the fact that Isadora felt about as much connection to her parents as she had to a rock.

Although, rocks sometimes looked beautiful. And Michael's dog, Rock, was cute.

"I was thinking about Proserpina." Isadora had told her mother when she inquired about costume plans. Not for any particular reason – she had read about the Romanian goddess and thought her to be interesting.
Of course, her mother hadn't been referring to her own plans (as if she was allowed to do that), but to what other people did. Isadora only knew that Rihanna was going to plunder Emilia's closet, as usual, and her mother, once again, was disappointed. She'd call back later and tell her about her decision in terms of the family's costumes.

Isadora had spent the evening at the Goldfinger, and it turned out to be the best decision ever. Vaguely, she remembered that Michael had been hanging out there too, and they – equally drunk – complained about things, but both confirmed on the next morning that neither remembered more than the first parts of their conversation (Michael's idea to go as unicorn; endorsed by the already tipsy Isadora).

"Greek Gods." Alexandria Bonovich had decided. "You can be the Greek version of Pro… whatever her name was."
Greek. Of course, Greek. Because her mother probably didn't even know the great hatred, she felt for anything related to that country. It had been her fault, yes, but her mother could have used the little bit of brain she had and come to the conclusion that reminding her of Theodosius Katsaros, the ex-boyfriend that she absolutely hated. And loved.

Alexandria Bonovich was the first to leave the airport – as usually, accompanied by photographers. With a bright, well-faked smile, she headed towards Isadora and gently hugged her – to show what a 'loving mother' she was.
"Play along." Alexandria whispered into her daughter's ear when she didn't respond.
In the end, Isa played along. She hugged Anton, her perfect, awesome, handsome, creative, intelligent, super-human twin brother, and her father whose primary interest was his phone. Probably work.
"… Where's Nazar?" The blonde whispered in Ukrainian.
Isadora looked around herself, fearing that her brother – who currently worked in Italy – hadn't come. From what her mother had said, it sounded like he was going to – she had spoken about what all of the Bonovichs would wear. Isa had expected him to be included – Nazar was her mother's favourite – but what if not? Then she'd suffer through yet another week of having the three Bonovichs around her.
"Coming later; his flight will arrive at noon." Alexandria answered. "My hardworking darling fortunately has taken time off."
Isadora genuinely smiled. "That's great!" She expressed happily. She did feel happy. Seeing Nazar again after his year of working in Italy was the best thing she could have hoped for.

The family – first of all – headed to Angeles Palace where they were briefly greeted by Silvestre. Alexandria showed clear dismay towards the coordinator, but from what Isadora noticed, Silvestre either didn't notice, didn't bother or couldn't figure out why.

Victor Bonovich, Isadora's father, had to make business phone calls, leaving Isadora alone with her mother and twin brother. Anton soon excused himself (on what seemed to be Alexandria's subtle signal), leaving Alexandria and Isadora alone in the garden of the palace which was, much to Isadora's surprise, almost empty.

"Alright." Alexandria sighed, still speaking in the family's native language. "Do explain this to me." She harshly said.
Isa only sighed. Of course, this had to come. Her mother probably would have preferred to send Anton or Nazar to the Selection over her, but hey, this was the only possible way. "What?" She answered equally cold.
"The headlines about your fight with Rhodes and co., the lack of any existence of a relationship between you and-"
"Actually, that's wrong."
"Going out partying and forgetting what happened does not count, Yelyzaveta." Alexandria sighed. "Over small hints that pop up on Twitter, stating that you've been seen with him, drunk in some random club," The Goldfinger wasn't just a 'random' club – it was good, but as if her mother cared. "but rather a news headline such as "The Crown Prince kissed her passionately in the night club." – if you have to spend your life drunk.
"…. Yeah, no thanks." Isa shook her head.
"This is not the right answer, daughter!" Alexandria declared angrily. "I do not know why in the world you are wasting the life you've been given. There are incredibly many people who would die for a moment of what you could have, but no matter what, you throw it away. You could be studying, like your brother, and working – making a difference, like Nazar, but instead, you're wasting your life, our family's wealth and name with stupidity and nonsense! Do you have no feeling of shame?"

Alexandria's rant went on. Isa pretended to listen with nothing but boredom on her face. Maybe, she was listening, but she didn't take in the exact words, the older Bonovich woman spoke. The content was the same – how terrible she was for the family name, what a disappointment she was, that she should take an example from her brothers; Alexandria wished just as much as her twin that Isa was never born.

It didn't hurt her, Isa wanted to believe. It made no difference, she told herself. She didn't care. She never imagined somehow gaining success in what she dreamed to do, and putting her family into the shadows – absolutely never.

Or maybe sometimes. Rarely – not every single moment she had to think that she did not spend drunk and unusable. Not every single second she wasn't preoccupied with hating herself, her life, her family, this situation.

What made the difference? Feeling empty every moment was probably mercy. Feeling empty was probably what she was meant to feel like; empty without the love she yearned for but didn't deserve. What did Theo do right now? Give someone the love that made her shattered heart beat faster? The love she still yearned for – three years after she finally managed to break away?

"Yelyzaveta, you aren't even listening!" Alexandria called out – in Ukrainian, again.
"Wh-what?" She was at the edge of tears.

There was no 'saviour' that would come and pull her out of this situation; she'd just end up breaking apart again. She'd just end up being shouted at by her angry mother, disappointed in her and grieving for the person she had never been before.

"Miss Bonovich?" Someone spoke, in English. "Yes, you must be Yelyzaveta's mother." Her first name was terribly mispronounced.
Isadora turned around, wary of who had spoken up. Alexandria straightened her back, put on her perfect but faked smile, as you do, and turned to the young man who had appeared. "Yes, I am. But who are you?"
"Dr Jason Reynolds, the younger one." Jason politely smiled and offered Alexandria a hand to shake She took it. "I can see where I- Yelyazaveta-" Still mispronounced. "has gotten her beauty from."
"Oh, thank you. You're charming, Dr Reynolds." Alexandria chuckled.
"I have only met your daughter once," Jason remarked. "but she is a remarkable young woman. I've had the pleasure to talk to His Highness briefly, and from what I've heard, he is quite charmed by her too."
"Oh, really?" Alexandria turned to her daughter. "She didn't tell."
"From what I have been told, she has made the best first impression as well." Jason added on. "Unique, strong and adequate for such a successful family."
"O- Of course she would." Alexandria smiled proudly. "What else would my little sunshine do? She hasn't told me anything though… Very sad, very sad."
"I believe that she is simply polite, a bit self-aware and modest, humble so to say." Jason answered in the charming voice that made her mother genuinely believe him. He was good, Isadora thought.
"Exactly as we raised her. But you should speak a bit more about your success, honey." Honey? She'd never talked to her like that. The blonde nearly broke into laugher.
"Uh… I… I haven't found the time to truly speak to you in private." Isadora answered, trying to make up a fitting lie. "And… I didn't feel like this was an adequate topic… to… bring up in public… Yes." Oh welp. "Didn't you mention that you wanted to visit a friend in Los Angeles, mother? This morning, before you have the appointment with the stylist?"
"I made you one too, dear. I'm sure he'll fit your taste." Alexandria explained. "But yes, yes. Thanks for reminding me. Go on like this." She started walking, pulling out her phone in the same moment.

That had worked. There was no friend, Alexandria wanted to visit, but Isa's mother often forgot to visit her so-called friends and all, she'd probably buy the reminder, and give Isadora time to escape this 'family situation'.
"You're a good liar."
"Practise." Jason huffed. "Katerina often needs excuses."
"I heard about the affairs."
"Can you call it affairs if I know of them from the beginning?" Jason asked. "Though, I must apologise. Rho told me that you felt mistreated, and I- uh… I shouldn't have done that." The awkwardness came back, and he looked aside nervously. "Yes, I did need someone to get the message to her, but I didn't mean to use you for that. You a nice company."
"Hmhm." Isadora shrugged.
"I… I apologise. I know how it feels like to be used by others – even if you won't believe me – and it is no good."
"Do you?"
"Katerina… I don't know if I ever love-loved her, but I hoped for a good, balanced friendship. Unfortunately, she never intended that, and while I hoped to bring good things to my family, she shattered these dreams. I asked her to stop, she agreed, and then started again."
"I know the feeling." Isadora remarked emotionless. "My older brother used to be my source of comfort, until he went to a boarding school. It only got better when I met someone. The son of the Greek ambassador." She remembered. "We dated, but on my eighteenth birthday, I learned that he had been cheating on me with my best friend. Asked him to stop, he claimed he did. I found them in bed the week after."
"That is terrible."
"I gave him another chance." A single tear left her eye. "And another." Another tear. "I hoped that he'd just come back to me, love me the way my parents never did and…" Isa broke off sobbing.

Having lost the warm love of her father in her childhood, her loving older brother in times of early teenagerhood and her boyfriend when she just turned eighteen, she had come to the conclusion that she wasn't worthy of the love she desired so much anymore.

Exactly because of that, Jason's warm hug scared her.

Maybe it wasn't scaring her. Maybe surprise? Maybe the resentment of going back to feeling loved, afraid of dropping back into the coldness of having no feelings again? Probably, but weak as always, Isadora leaned her head against Jason and allowed herself to cry.

If feeling cared for was possible for one moment, then she'd take it. Screw what'd come afterwards.

"My family's basically just one big trigger." Isadora explained. "And Nazar… he won't arrive until in one or two hours…" She sobbed. "Money, wealth and success won't buy you happiness."
"Would you be fine with me accompanying you until then?" Jason politely suggested.
"Sure. Sure." The young doctor had been a jerk, and probably was, but at least he was good in sweet-talking her mother; an art that Isadora would probably never learn.

Jason suggested to move to her room. Alexandria would probably not return anytime soon, and Jason wanted to dodge his wife as well – both would profit of it. The two, with Isadora trying to save her make up (sans success), headed back to the main staircase that lead to the Selected's apartments.

In the hallway, the two people both wanted to see least, were casually talking. Katerina Crowe and Anton Bonovich.
"You're so charming." Katerina giggled with a bright and beautiful smile.
"Thank you very much." Anton smiled equally. They were flirting. "I must advise you to stay away from my sister thought."
"Ah, y..y…Yal…"
"Yelyzaveta, yes." Anton nodded. "She is… No one you'd like to be around. Usually, we prefer to ignore her – she causes only trouble – but right now, this is barely possible; unfortunately. I don't want her to hurt such a beautiful lady as you are, Miss Crowe."
"Oh, please call me Katerina, darling." Katerina flirted. "Have you plans for the afternoon? Much preparations?"
"Oh, not too much, no."
"Would you like to come and eat with me then?" Katerina suggested. "I know the best restaurants, and the chef I am employing is still better."

"The ones you pay for?" Isadora turned to Jason and pushed him into another direction; a path that would allow them to avoid the two disliked relatives.
"… Yes."
"She's a jerk, absolutely." Isadora agreed.
"Your brother doesn't sound too nice either."
"Welcome to the club of terrible relatives."
"My parents adore her."
"Probably because she's the daughter of LA's mayor and a well-known socialite."
"Probably, yes." Jason agreed.

* . * . *

Jason and Isadora were still sitting in her apartment's living room. Jason had noticed the flyer of the upcoming royal ballet. It turned out that he enjoyed watching the dancers just as much as Isadora did, and that both rarely found time to enjoy the shows. When the door knocked, they were in the middle of discussing a newer version of Swanlake.

"Come in." Isadora spoke.

The oldest of the three Bonovich children, Nazar, stepped inside; the moment Isadora recognised her brother, she jumped up and hug-tackled him through the doorframe. For anyone watching, this probably looked like a murder-assault. For the two siblings, it was the first reunions in a year.

Isadora proceeded to help her older brother up, both laughing freely. Behind her, Jason smiled. It was good to see that Isadora still laughed.
"This is Jason; he's Rho's brother." Isadora introduced him. "Rho's one of my friends."
"Nazar Bonovich – I'm Isadora's older brother."
"It's nice to meet you." Another firm but friendlier handshake happened between Jason and a Bonovich.
"Where is Rhosyn, if I may ask?" Nazar asked curious.
"Being dragged along by our mother to a styling appointment, and to put on her clothes. Katerina's is in the afternoon, but mother wanted to spend some 'family time' with Rhosyn. I presume she'll be studying most of the time though." Jason summarised.
Isa chuckled. "Probably."
"I might not know why this is funny," Nazar remarked. "But good to know, huh? I'm glad to hear you've made friends."
"We were kinda pushed together – especially with Mayli and all." Isadora trailed off, looking down again.
"Mayli Yi seems to be a terrible person." Jason remarked.
"Would you mind explaining?" Nazar looked to his sister.
"It's fine…"
Jason shook his head. "What she is done is not 'fine'." He proceeded to explain what Rhosyn apparently had told him.

"I don't feel like we have that much in common, except mutual dislike for Mayli." Isa added when Jason finished. "But, yeah, that's pretty much the whole story."
"Do you?" Nazar asked. "From what I've heard, your new friends do seem to enjoy shopping and clubbing."
"Yeah, they do."
"And Jason here apparently is interested in ballet too." Nazar went on, pointing towards the flyer next to the younger man.
"Yes, but…" Isa trailed off. "Okay, we might have some things in common."
"See?" Nazar smiled. "I'm glad, you made friends, Isadora." He repeated. "But now, tell me, what's been happening between you and the prince?"
"Weeelll…" Isadora laughed. "I'd love to tell you, but we both don't remember. Drunk."
The two men joined her laugh. "Probably better than nothing." Jason remarked.
"Michael's nice and so on, but the only connection we have is the mutual dislike for being in the Selection, and the like for parties."
"Does he stay sober longer than you?"
"Nope."
"So no boyfriend material." Nazar summarised. He turned to Jason. "No one beats my sister in drunk games."
"I wouldn't ever dare to try." Jason rose his hands, half-laughing, half slightly afraid of what Isadora was capable of. "I would probably be on the ground first."
"Rho's probably still worse than you are." Isadora responded laughing. "I dare you to come with us."
"With you? How? When?"
"You live in Angeles." Isadora clarified. "I don't think I will get out of here until the eliminations happen, and even if, I have the feeling that mum will pressure someone into making me stay."
"Probably." Nazar agreed with a sigh.
"And we've got a week to cope with annoying parents, so I'm sure some of the girls will love to join."
Jason nodded. "I probably won't drink anything, but sure. I'd love to join."
"Nazar will come too, of course. Maybe we can even convince your sister to come." Isadora continued. "Oh, and I'll ask Tilly, Rihanna, Africa and Tate. They're fun to be around."
"What about Katherine?"
"Snobby rich kid and daddy's darling." Isadora shrugged. "No, thanks."
"Then it'll be even funnier to see her drunk." Nazar nudged – not with the actual intention of getting said girl drunk, but rather because he believed that Kath and Isadora could be just as good friends as Isadora believed they could hate each other.

Author's Note

This and other chapters include subtle usage / hints on background of characters that I will touch later on. I considered adding an explanation of what the hints mean / having them be less 'you need to know about the topic' like. Noting this, there IS something going on 'behind the scenes' that is happening in connection to Mike's relationships, but you won't learn yet because that would take away any tension. Now that I think about it, I feel bad about deciding to tackle TRH like this, but I wouldn't know how I could solve it without rewriting 25 chapters.