Wela’s frown deepened. “She said that?”
“It’s fine.” I swallowed hard. “I mean, it’s not fine, but I’ll figure something out.”
“She’s not in her right state,” Wela said, her voice low, brown eyes compassionate.
“I know.” I swallowed hard. I did know that, but it didn’t make it any easier.
“She’s not wrong about this island. What happened to your parents wasn’t an accident.”
“I saw the video. It was a total accident.”
“If you saw the video, you’d know that the accident didn’t kill your father, Penny. He walked out of that plane. His heart gave out on him afterward.”
“Because of the accident.”
“They both got out of that airplane unscathed. It wasn’t until they got back on the island that things started happening, and it wasn’t until you got here to pay your respects to your father that your mother’s health took a turn for the worse.”
“So, you’re saying this is my fault.” I put a hand to my heart and took a step back.
“It’s not your fault. It’s the curse.” She lowered her gaze. “This curse will be the end of us all.”
“I don’t believe in curses.”
“You may change your tune about that if you decide to stay longer.”
With those words, I picked up my bag and walked out of the house.
Chapter Five
“I mean, you can’t blame them for being worried.” Dee shot me a sympathetic look.
She was sitting in her vanity while Jose, a masterful makeup artist, worked on her look for the Carnival kickoff tonight. The theme this year was Black Swan and I had to assume most people would be wearing dark makeup and black tutus. Dee was wearing a short black tutu, sky-high Alexander McQueen sandals, and a lacey black bralette. She looked hot, and after Jose was done with the dark makeup, she’d look hotter. I still hadn’t decided whether or not I was going to join the festivities, which meant I wasn’t. I didn’t have anything to wear to it even if I wanted to and it was too late to go shopping.
“Maybe she’s right about the curse,” Jose said, looking at me over his shoulder. “After the life I’ve lived, I believe in it.”
“I don’t.” I pursed my lips. “She basically made it sound like I was responsible for all of this.”
“I think she’s just worried for your safety. You know how the elders can be,” Dee said with a sigh when Jose pulled away to get some fake lashes. “Just . . . stay here. Come out tonight for Carnival. I promise it’ll be fun and you won’t regret it.”
“I don’t even have anything to wear.”
“That’s the least of it.” She turned her face back to Jose as she spoke, “Jose can do your makeup and I’ll get you something from Xiomara’s closet. She ran off to New York anyway. It’s not like she misses anything she left behind. I bet she has some old ballet outfits.”
“I don’t know about ballet outfits, but she has that beautiful feathered skirt and crop top,” Jose said. “She never even wore it.”
“The one that gives The Crow and Cruel Intentions vibes?”
“That one!” Jose stood up. “She left it behind. I’ll go grab it for you, Pen. Don’t worry, we’ll have you looking like the hostess of the show.”
“I thought they didn’t pick women to be the host.” I smiled.
“They don’t,” Jose said as he waltzed out of the room.
“You know the patriarchy and their bullshit.” Dee rolled her eyes.
I shrugged. It wasn’t anything new, and it wasn’t like we were the only ones stuck on that bullshit.
“I knew I’d seen it there.” Jose walked back into the room with an item of clothing on either hand. “Skirt and bustier.”
“That’s a bra.” I blinked. “My grandmother would wring my neck if she saw me out in that.”
“She’s not going to be there,” Dee said with a laugh.
“You act like she won’t know every single thing that went on and what everyone was wearing before breakfast tomorrow.” I looked at the clothes as Jose walked over and touched the black feathers that looked like they were wet. The material felt glossy, almost like a dominatrix leather. I envisioned it on me—I could wear tiny boy shorts under the skirt. The feathers would hit me well above the knees. The bustier would lift my small breasts. I could wear a chunky gold necklace and a gold bracelet.
“Look at you. You’re salivating.” Jose chuckled then looked over at Dee. “She’s totally going to wear it.”
“I’m totally going to wear it.” There was no use in denying it. “I am going to need you to do my makeup though.”
“Girl. I’m going to do your makeup and we need to do something about that hair. That messy bun is sexy, but not for Carnival.”
“Do whatever you want with me.” I opened up my arms. “I’m willing to be your pet project.”