Truths and Lies Duet

Pulling my phone out of my purse, I dial Kostas. He answers on the first ring. “Talia.”

“Kostas, they’re trying to go in my class with me,” I whisper-yell, not wanting to cause a scene, as if two two-hundred-pound men in the performing arts building aren’t already standing out.

“That’s their job.” Jesus, is that the answer of the day?

“Kostas!” I screech, letting my frustration get the best of me. “You can’t do this! It’s so embarrassing. I’m a grown-ass woman. I don’t need a babysitter in my class, let alone two!” When the phone remains silent, I fear I’ve crossed the line. Scared he’s going to tell the men to bring me home, not allowing me to go to school after all, I change my tone.

“Kostas, please,” I beg. “Can’t they scope out the place and then wait outside by the door?”

“No.”

“No?” I ask dumbly.

“No,” he repeats.

No. That’s it. Just fucking no. No conversing. No discussing. No compromising. Just no. Like he really is goddamn God of the Underworld and has the final damn say in everything.

“Fine!” I hang up and throw my phone back into my purse. Stomping to the door, I swing it open, and my bodyguards follow me in, knowing I didn’t get my way.

I stalk down the aisle and find a seat a couple rows back, next to a girl who is flipping through the textbook for this class. I glance back and see Michael and Tadd have at least remained in the back, standing against the wall as if they’re meant to blend in.

“I’m Penelope.” The girl greets me with a soft smile.

“Talia.”

“Did you see the performance schedule?” she asks, holding the syllabus up for me to see.

“Yeah, it’s a good list. A couple of them I’ve performed back home, but a few are new.”

“Home?” she questions.

“I’m from Italy. This is my first semester here.”

“Italy is beautiful,” Penelope gushes. “My family and I visited there last summer.” She tells me about everything she saw and asks me questions about where I lived and went to school, until the professor enters the room and introduces himself. He runs through the performances and when the auditions will be held. I take notes, jotting down the ones I’m interested in. Because it’s a senior level course, the only requirements are that we participate in a minimum of three performances, either by acting or as part of the stage crew. The first audition is for Macbeth. I already know I’m going to try out for the role of Lady Macbeth.

The rest of the morning goes smoothly. Michael and Tadd escort me to my creative writing class and once again remain in the back. The professor gets straight to it, going over the different types of poetry and assigning us homework: to create a poem of our choosing. I meet a couple of people in this class who seem really nice and ask me to join them for lunch.

The afternoon consists of my Lit and History of Art classes. They’re not as fun as my morning classes, but they fly by, and before I know it I’m back in the car heading home. My classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays with Theatre practice on Fridays. That gives me the other days to get my homework done.

As I’m walking toward the parking lot with Michael and Tadd flanking me, my brother steps into view from out of nowhere.

“Phoenix!” I’m about to throw my arms around him for a hug when Michael yanks me back. “Hey,” I shriek at the same time my brother hisses, “Get your hands off her.”

“Back up,” Tadd commands.

Phoenix reaches behind him, for what I assume is his gun, and before he can even pull it out, Tadd has him on the ground with his hands locked behind his back.

“Stop, please,” I whisper, hating the attention we’re drawing from the students walking by. “I know him. He’s okay.”

Tadd stands, bringing Phoenix up with him. “He’s not on the approved list, ma’am.”

“I’m her fucking brother, asshole. I don’t need to be on any fucking list.”

Tadd steps toward him. “You do if you want to go anywhere near her.”

In fear he’ll take out my brother, I move forward, only Michael is still holding me back. “Okay, okay,” I say in a placating tone. “I’ll speak to Kostas tonight and get you on the approved list.” I silently beg Phoenix not to argue. The last thing I need is to give Kostas a reason to kill my brother. Phoenix looks like he wants to say something, but when I shake my head, he closes his mouth.

“I’ll see you soon,” I tell him.

“All right.” He nods once and then takes off in the opposite direction than we’re heading.

By the time we’re pulling through the entrance to the hotel, my blood is boiling. Damn Kostas and his need to control everything and everyone. Not sure when he’ll be home, and not wanting to be here when he arrives, I opt to go for a swim in the pool to cool off. I can bring my homework with me and work on it by the pool. But when I step through the door, and am hit with a cold glare from Kostas, I know I’m not going anywhere. Setting my purse and books on the table, I shoot him what I hope is an equally pissed off expression.