The Thing About Sisters
A shiny black limousine with tinted windows pulled up to the end of Rodeo drive where Hayden stood, waiting. Right on time.
Adjusting her shopping bags, Hayden let the driver get out and open her door so she could slip in the back. She deposited the bags on the empty seat beside her, choosing to scoot as close as she could to the only other passenger in the vehicle.
Rhys took on one look at the collection of designer logos and rolled his eyes. Hayden had the urge to tell him to fuck off, that this was a lot less damage done to the royal credit card than her usual shopping binges, but she let it go. He had enough to worry about without wondering if Hayden was joking or if she was mad at him.
This wasn't just another regular social call. This was a specific social call.
They were on their way to meet Rhys' sister.
The thing about sisters was, going to meet Rhys' sister made Hayden miss her own. She had only just left Auden in Portugal, but the separation already felt like a year. It was wrong, unnatural to separate twins as much as they were right now. They had video chatted and texted every day, but it wasn't enough. Hayden missed Auden like a missing limb, the loss of her presence unable to be ignored.
Hayden twisted the fabric of her skirt between her fingers. Hopefully meeting Rhys' sister would soothe some of Hayden's longing. That, or it would make the ache for Auden worse.
"Relax. She's going to love you," Rhys said, ever calm and collected. He raised the back of Hayden's hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. The gesture soothed only a fraction of her nerves.
"How do you know?"
"Because I love you."
Hayden flushed scarlet, unable to continue to look into Rhys' dark, steadfast gaze. She knew he meant every word, but that didn't make them any easier to hear...or for anyone else to hear. Her eyes darted to the rearview mirror, where the driver's gaze remained focused on the road.
"I really wish you wouldn't say that."
Rhys only hummed, undeterred. She'd told him that dozens of times, and each time he continued to ignore her, ever defiant in the face of society.
That was the last they spoke until the car pulled up to the curb outside an upscale high-rise. Rhys was the first to get out, going over to Hayden's side and opening her door. She peered up through sunglass-clad lenses at the glass-front building, spotting movement and foliage some twenty stories up.
The doorman let them in without so much as a word, directing them towards the set of elevators. Just as Hayden thought, their end stop was the twentieth floor.
The restaurant was crowded, tables full of sophisticated people gathering for business meetings and afternoon tea. Waiters bustled around in their black and white attire, serving trays of cakes and sandwiches on fine china and champagne that cost hundreds of dollars a bottle. No one paid another sophisticated couple any mind as they wove their way through the dining room to the outside patio. The weather was unnaturally balmy for the season, a perfect autumnal day that begged to be enjoyed. Everyone seemed to have that thought, the patio just as crowded as the dining room.
Hayden had no idea where to start looking. Thankfully, Rhys had sharper eyes, waving towards the table in the far corner. A woman around Hayden's age stood as she saw them approach, white fur shawl slipping off slim shoulders to reveal a little black dress, the same shade as the curls that fell down her back. Hayden could see the family resemblance; this woman was a carbon copy of Rhys save for one, distinct feature: intense, green eyes that pierced Hayden's the moment they landed on her.
"So good to see you," Rhys greeted, leaning in to place a kiss to both of his sister's cheeks.
"When big brother comes calling, how could I resist?"
Her voice was like silk and honey, full of humor yet Hayden knew she would never be able to tell if she was joking.
Those green eyes returned to Hayden, assessing her with a perfunctory brutality.
"Vesper, this is Hayden. Hayden, this is my sister, Vesper."
"I know who you are," Vesper said. There was no lean in for a hug, no kisses to cheeks, no joking tone even if she was perfectly polite. "You're the woman my brother refuses to shut up about."
Something warm fluttered in the pit of Hayden's stomach. Rhys talked about her? Often? It seemed so out of character. And yet, the tips of Rhys' ears had gone bright red with embarrassment, called out.
Vesper continued her silent assessment, eyes flickering between her brother and Hayden. What she was thinking, Hayden could not guess. Rhys looked downright nervous despite his assurances that Hayden would be loved.
And then, the mood shifted.
"I can certainly see the appeal," Vesper said, relaxing her stance.
Hayden passed whatever standards Vesper held, and both she and Rhys let out a silent breath of relief.
The three of them sat back down at the table and Vesper waved over a waiter, ordering them tea and sandwiches of their own. She had a cup of coffee - black, Hayden noted - red-rimmed with lipstick stains though still steaming with remnants of heat. Vesper could not have been waiting for them long. How she was not sweating between the furs and the coffee was a mystery.
"So, Rhys tells me that you're in to design."
"Interior design is one of my passions, among other things. Just last month I refurbished Angelina Malik-Devore's Angeles penthouse. I assume you are familiar?"
"Yes. I am vaguely familiar."
Hayden tried not to let the name sour her mood, but it was hard to hear about the bitchy mother of the bitchy woman who was sleeping her way through Hayden's family...and her family's pocket book. Rhys was familiar too, shooting Vesper a look that said 'bring that name up again, and this meeting is over'. Vesper probably didn't know that she was stepping on a sore subject, but took the non-verbal cue with grace.
"It was such an intense remodel - all clean lines and sharp surfaces. I'm all for a modern, cutting edge feel. Once it's over, I find it's hard to let go after pouring so much of myself into a space. I'm like that with fashion as well."
"You are a fashion designer?"
"Not at all. But from time to time I am consulted by Hauses for their more abstract projects."
The way Vesper pitched the idea was very nonchalant, like it was not an important undertaking to co-construct an entire season of fashion wear. But the pride that lingered in her carriage cued Hayden in that yes, it was a very big deal for Vesper indeed. She did so many important, impressive things for important, impressive people. And that's when it hit Hayden that Vesper was not trying to intimidate her...she was trying to impress her.
That changed everything.
Hayden relaxed, leaning back in her chair. The new angle made the sunlight catch and sparkle on the intricate silver chain around Vesper's wrist.
"Oh, I love your bracelet!"
"Thank you," Vesper said, turning over her delicate wrist as she admired her accessory. "Louis is so last season. Anyone who is anyone knows it is Chanel or nothing."
"That's exactly what I say!"
"Rhys, you never told me that your Hayden was a woman of taste," Vesper teased her brother with a playful swat. Then, she turned her attention back to Hayden, giving her a smile. "I think you and I are going to get along very well."
"Vesper has a very discerning eye," Rhys interjected, something conspiratorial in his smile. "She's been matching my socks to my belt ever since I was a child."
"Ha ha, you make it sound so simple," Vesper jabbed back, rolling her eyes. "This one wouldn't know a Windsor from a Pratt had it not been for me."
Hayden laughed along, looking fondly at Rhys. "What, your father didn't teach you?"
The way the mood immediately sobered let Hayden know that was the wrong thing to say. Rhy's face clouded over, dark storm clouds making him look angry. He glared into his cup, his lips twisting into a mockery of the smile he previously wore.
"He didn't really have time to be a father between all the drinking and the dealing."
Vesper cut Rhys a hard, disapproving look. "Our father took the loss of our mother...poorly. You can hardly blame him - "
"He didn't want us," Rhys hissed, something hateful seething from his aura, tainting the space by opening a wound that spanned a lifetime. "After all this time, I can't believe you still give him the benefit of the doubt."
"He's our father."
"August Illéa is my father!" Rhys' voice was loud, far louder than any of them liked. It was drawing attention from other tables, the unwanted kind. The kind that started rumors. Hayden tugged gently on Rhys's sleeve, reminding him of where they were, what they risked to lose should someone pry a little too closely. Rhys composed himself, his anger simmering down to just below the surface. He lowered his voice and repeated, "August Illéa is my father, and Georgia Illéa is my mother. They're the ones who raised me, who raised us. As far as I'm concerned, Marid Illéa is just the man who left us on their doorstep when he decided having two children wasn't worth his precious time."
The tension around them was so strong, Hayden could hardly breathe. She didn't dare move, lest she spark another outburst from either Vesper or Rhys. They both stared each other down, glaring daggers so sharp she was surprised neither flinched. It hurt to see Rhys hurting, and it was uncomfortable to see Vesper hurting as well. She could tell this was an old fight, one that was not going to be resolved today, nor any day in the foreseeable future.
And then, Vesper let out a long exhale, lowering her gaze as the first to come to her senses. She shook her head, and pushed a strand of black hair behind her ear before speaking to Hayden.
"I apologize for my brother's display. I hope he isn't always this much of an ass."
Hayden shook her head rapidly. "No, I shouldn't have - "
"It's not your fault," Rhys insisted, now eons tired. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "Vesper's right, I acted out of line. We are supposed to be having a fun outing, and I dragged it through the mud with all the family baggage. Forgive me?"
Rhys looked genuinely contrite, his wounded puppy eyes wide and seeking absolution.
"There's nothing to forgive," Hayden said with a tiny smile. That seemed to relieve some of the haunted look in Rhys' eyes, but not all of it.
Vesper straightened up in her chair and took a sip of her tea, as composed as she was when she first sat down. "You and I will continue to remain on different sides of this argument, but I forgive you...on one condition."
"Oh, and what's that?"
"You let me take your darling Hayden out on the town. Just the two of us, like a girls day."
Out of all the things Vesper could have said, Hayden could tell that this was one of the last things Rhys expected. He looked gobsmacked, his mouth actually gaping for a moment, as if he couldn't fathom the idea of his sister and his lover spending one on one time. Hayden wanted to be offended, but as far as she knew, she was the first woman to ever meet any member of his family. This was new and unprecedented to all of them.
"I don't know..."
"Come on," Vesper sighed, pretending to be put out. Only the smirk playing at her lips gave her away. "You can't possibly expect me to bond with the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with while you're breathing down our necks."
Rhys looked absolutely lost. Then, he turned to Hayden.
"What do you think?"
"I think it sounds like a wonderful idea," Hayden said, and meaning it too. She wanted nothing more than to understand this person who was fundamental in shaping Rhys into the man she held so near and dear. "What, are you afraid that she will spill your deepest, darkest secrets?"
"Something like that..." Rhys trailed off, the look he gave his sister nothing short of skeptical.
"All the more reason to go!" Hayden insisted, bold with her newfound amusement in Rhys' discomfort. "This is happening whether you like it or not."
"I suppose I can't stop you."
"You can try, but I would not advise it," Vesper warned, and there it was again, that unreadable tone. She cast one more glance between the two of them before standing up and gathering her fur coat. "Now, I really must be going. Things to do, places to be. But this was nice. We should do it again."
"Definitely," Hayden said. The smile Vesper gave her in return was warm, and Hayden harbored a small hope that maybe, just maybe, she had succeeded in endearing herself to Rhys' sister.
"Good to see you," Rhys said as he stood, kissing his sister goodbye.
Unlike their greeting, this time, Hayden did get an embrace from Vesper. Her grip was like a vice, thin arms holding Hayden close to the point of discomfort. And Vesper was cold, her skin chilled despite lingering in the sun.
"I'll send you my schedule," Vesper said as she pulled away. "Pick a day and I am yours."
Vesper shouldered her purse and exited the cafe, weaving through the crowded dining room until her furs could no longer be seen. Rhys let out an exaggerated breath, sinking back into his chair in a way that was unbecoming of a gentleman, legs splayed and coat jacket open. He called over the waiter and ordered a glass of top shelf brandy, not caring that it was only eleven in the morning. Hayden fixed him a curious look.
"Did that go well?"
"As well as it could have gone, I suppose."
That did nothing to soothe the worry that now resided in Hayden's mind. Rhys did not look like the meeting went well. He looked positively drained.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just...Vesper always seems to know how to bring out the worst in me."
"You're siblings. It's basically a right of passage," Hayden assured, waving away what she saw as a trivial worry. "I've lost count of how many times I've lost my cool around Delia, and that's only this week."
"You've only just got back from Portugal," Rhys reminded, a bit of his usual wry humor slipping into his voice. That was more like it.
"And?" she teased as she cradled her lukewarm tea.
"And I know you. You care about Delia, even if you won't admit it."
"Just like you care about Vesper, even when she gets under your skin."
"Touché." Rhys looked down into the swirling amber of his glass, worry furrowing his brow. "Just...promise me you'll be careful around her."
"Why?" Hayden was genuinely confused. Was Rhys having second thoughts about Hayden knowing his family. He was a notoriously private person for a reason; it had taken her forever to even get Vesper's name out of him, and even longer to wheedle out this meeting. She knew that Rhys didn't mesh with his family, and now Hayden knew exactly how far that went, but she really thought she had made progress. "It was your idea that we meet."
"That's when I thought meeting meant one short conversation over tea, not her spiriting you off to God knows where to do God knows what."
"So she can take me to her evil lair and enact her plan for world domination?" Hayden joked, hoping to lighten the mood. He was speaking of Vesper as if she were some kind of Bond villain or wicked witch. Sure, she might have been cold and a little standoffish, but that was to be expected when you were born to a name as infamous as theirs.
"You joke, but she's an Illéa," Rhys said, his voice containing a bitter, resigned edge. "Illéas cannot be trusted."
Hayden's heart squeezed in her chest. Is that what Rhys thought she thought of his sister, of him? That his last name immediately meant he could never be trusted?
She placed a hand over top of Rhys', giving it a squeeze. "I trust you."
The bitterness came back in full force as Rhys scoffed, "And look at all the good it's done you."
"Hey, look at me." Hayden's tone was soft but commanding, her royal training put to use. Rhys was reluctant to meet her eyes, as if he didn't want her comfort, but she wasn't letting him off that easily. "I don't regret a thing."
"Yes you do. Otherwise you would let me say I lo- "
Hayden raised a finger to Rhys' lips, silencing the words she knew were coming. Rhys gripped her wrist, gentle yet firm, moving her finger away. The way he looked at her, like she was slipping from his grasp though he held her right there, spoke volumes.
"Exactly."
One last word, and it hit like a punch to the gut. Hayden wished she could take her hand back, erase the last few hours of their lives, but she couldn't. The damage was done.
"Are you mad at me?" she asked, fearful she had ruined everything.
"No. Not you, Princess. Never you." The defeat in his voice said otherwise. He didn't even look at Hayden as he offered her his arm, staring somewhere past her shoulder, out into the crowd. "Come on, let's get you home before someone notices."