Case File 88

Case File Name:
Beyond Repair.

♤Chapter Eighty-Eight♤

A content sigh fell from my lips as I analyzed myself in the mirror—taking in the long red dress I wore.

The red material clung to every curve I had—falling to my ankles with a slit cutting up my long-toned leg.

My dark hair was down and in loose curls while I wore a matte makeup look, which sharpened all of my best features.

I felt good.

Really fucking good.

Even if I've been on edge this past week anticipating seeing Tazmin for the first time in such a long time.

The twin's birthday is also tomorrow—and since it's Saturday they decided to celebrate at one of the newest clubs.

Which they both supervised for Tazmin while she was out of town.

I'm also one hundred percent positive that Tazmin will be there tomorrow night too.

And would there be someone by her side?

Because I don't know what I would fucking do if that was the case.

I think I could genuinely leave Miami and never come back if that were the case.

I let out an anxious sigh, grabbing my purse and keys to head down to my car.

And for once, one of Claremont's events wasn't outside of downtown.

Instead, it was held at a venue in Brickell on a busy Friday night.

Which meant a shortened drive—aside from the annoying fucking traffic.

And quicker than I anticipated, I pulled up to the front of the building—handing my keys to the valet.

As I entered the venue, my heels clicked precisely against the pavement, mirroring my heart hammering so fucking harshly in my chest.

Before I could even walk past the lobby, I unconsciously ducked off into one of the bathrooms—hoping to get my nerves under fucking control.

I looked good—really fucking good.

And to me, that's what matters.

Even if I suddenly don't feel the greatest on the inside.

I just really hope she's not with anyone.

She can't fucking be.

I let out another long deep sigh, adjusting my dress and running my fingers through my hair.

I even touched up my lip gloss before exiting the bathroom—forcing myself to walk past the lobby toward the event.

Which was already crowded, but most people were either by the bar, playing the Slots machine, getting dealt in for poker, or just conversing among the crowd.

I smiled as soon as I noticed Morana by Zane's side—matching his crisp black tux in a long black gown.

But almost as soon as I started walking over to her, I regretted it. 

Especially when I immediately noticed Sophie by her side.

Why is she here right now?

I mean, I get wanting to ensure your child gets into Claremont but technically her daughter isn't a student.

So how the fuck is she here right now?

No no no, she can't be here because Tazmin will be here and—

"Meli, hey," Sophie greeted me first, which earned a forced smile from me as I hugged both Morana and Zane.

"Hi," I said to Sophie, glancing over to my sister, "This place looks amazing," I told her.

"Apparently thanks to some of your ideas too," Morana subtly added as Zane handed me a flute of champagne from a nearby server.

"Yeah, we heard you hit it off with the committee," Zane said as I began sipping on the bubbly champagne.

"They're really nice actually," I said, still surprised by that outcome.

"Well that's good to hear considering I'll be involved with them in the next couple of years," Sophie said, and I swear her familiar voice was enough to make my heart tick faster in my chest.

I really wish she'd just leave somehow. 

"Oh shoot, the auction items are out of order," Morana suddenly said, glancing past us.

"I'm on it," Zane said, walking past us with Morana who followed closely behind him.

"We'll be right back guys," Morana called over her shoulder as she followed Zane.

And I swear I wanted to suddenly offer myself up to help.

But with them already gone it felt entirely too fucking late.

"So uh... where's your wife?" I asked, briefly glancing around.

Sophie shook her head, "Still at the office—she's CEO and all so there's not many days off," she briefly explained, taking a long sip of her champagne.

I nodded with pursed lips, "Right yeah," I whispered, anxiously glancing past her to take a sip of my champagne.

Which I nearly choked on as soon as I felt a soft touch on my shoulder.

Sophie immediately pulled her hand away, "I'm sorry, you just seem really anxious and—"

"It's fine, I just..." I trailed off as I met Sophie's stare, "Maybe just don't touch me please," I awkwardly whispered, glancing away from her yet again.

Only to notice a new presence in this large venue.

One that I pinpointed immediately.

And my god she looked so perfect standing in the midst of it all.

Her blonde hair cascaded down her back—tucked precisely behind her ears to illuminate her face covered in minimal makeup.

Even the black pantsuit she wore clung perfectly to her frame, and her silver jewelry latched onto every ounce of the dim lights.

I officially felt fucking speechless, especially when my eyes finally locked with hers after so long.

Yet her eyes managed to dip back down to my body—analyzing every inch of my body.

Until she suddenly glanced over to Sophie.

And began walking over to us.

Fuck.

I blinked a few times, realizing I needed to act now.

And fucking quick.

Because the last thing I needed was Tazmin meeting Sophie.

The idea of that alone makes my throat close up really fucking badly.

"I uh have to go," I suddenly whispered to Sophie, immediately backing away from her before she had a chance to say anything.

And as I slipped through the crowd, I couldn't miss Tazmin's furrowed brows or her confused expression.

But I felt more confused considering she showed up here alone.

And is actively following me out of the venue.

"Milena," Tazmin called out from behind me, which slowly made my steps falter—halting the clicking of my heels.

"Oh hey..." I awkwardly trailed off, suddenly turning around to face Tazmin as we stood in the empty hallway.

Tazmin tilted her head, "Hey?" she questioned distastefully.

I pursed my lips together, "How was Italy?" I asked, deciding to keep the topic far away from Sophie.

"Good, I ended up handling a new deal," Tazmin said, her dark eyes trailing every inch of my face.

Which naturally made my body burn up.

"Oh, so that's not what you went there for?" I purposely asked, now realizing she had originally gone for that random fucking woman.

Tazmin shook her head, "No I had to handle something involving Gia," she briefly explained, which immediately piqued my interest, "But I ended up making contact with one of the syndicates there so I had to extend my stay."

I blinked a few times, "Oh," I whispered, glancing away from her stare.

And as soon as she took one step toward me—I unconsciously took one right back.

Which immediately made her confusion visibly triple.

"I see you came alone tonight," I pointed out, wanting to address the random woman in some kind of way.

Even if it felt hard for me to. 

Tazmin tilted her head, "Yeah? Vic is coming with Marie and Mav's in the middle of a disagreement with Mila," she said, her dark eyes analyzing my face entirely.

Until she suddenly took another step toward me and said—

"What's going on Milena?"

I immediately shook my head, "Nothing I just... I guess I assumed you would be with that woman," I awkwardly explained, now feeling weird for immediately assuming she was seeing someone, "You know the one who interrupted our call—"

"Sienna?" Tazmin cut me short almost offensively, "She's a part of the syndicate—I stepped out of a meeting with them to take your call."

I blinked a few times, "Right, I guess I shouldn't have assumed," I whispered, realizing I had jumped to conclusions so fucking quickly.

But what else was I supposed to think after she had been gone for an entire month?

"Yeah, you shouldn't have," Tazmin said, her voice nothing but serious with me.

Which made me let out a deep sigh, "I'm sorry you were just gone for so long and then you ended our call when she said something and—"

I immediately cut myself short when Tazmin pulled me into a hug—her arms sliding so perfectly around my waist as she held me close to her body.

Which naturally caught me off guard, I swear I remained stuck in place for a few moments.

Until I hesitantly reached my arms up to wrap back around her waist—hugging her closer to me.

Which felt like everything I could've possibly needed right now. 

"I missed you so fucking much," Tazmin whispered, running her hands up my back to hold me even closer.

I let out a soft hum, "I missed you too," I whispered, nuzzling in closer to her as she rested her face in the crook of my neck.

And I couldn't help but bask in every single detail about her.

How warm her body was against mine—how good her soft cologne smelled.

This was heaven. 

Or at least Tazmin was my very own version of it.

A content sigh fell from my lips as she continuously ran her hands up and down my back, nuzzling in even closer to me to deepen the hug.

"I had time to think in Italy," Tazmin whispered, giving my waist a gentle squeeze, "And I was thinking we should talk—"

"There you are Meli," I heard Sophie's familiar voice, which immediately made me pull away from Tazmin, feeling completely thrown by her sudden presence. 

"What are you doing out here?" I asked, ignoring how Tazmin tilted her head as she glanced between us.

Sophie smiled as she walked closer to me, "I was checking on you but—"

"I'm good—more than good actually," I quickly cut her short, hoping she would head back into the event.

Even if I hated how mean my tone sounded with her. 

It felt like that day in the locker room all over again. 

But luckily Sophie nodded once, briefly glancing over to Tazmin whose posture looked noticeably stiff.

Especially as she watched Sophie silently walk away—clearly confused by her presence as a whole.

"Who is that?" Tazmin asked, turning back to me.

"No one," I said before I could think it through. 

And suddenly, I knew my bad habit was back.

I know I don't have to lie about this, but for some fucking reason it feels better that way.

It's easier than talking about something that happened so long ago.

"No one?" Tazmin repeated back to me, her dark eyes analyzing my face for a better answer, "Then why is no one checking on you?"

I shook my head, "We were just talking in there," I said, pursing my lips when Tazmin drew in a deep breath.

And let it out as a sigh, "Are you really lying to me right now?" she questioned, taking a step back from me, "After all of this—after lying to me for fucking months?"

I blinked a few times, hating how defensive I suddenly felt, "I just don't want to fucking talk about her okay?" I said, my tone coming off snappier than I wanted it to, "I just need space—you literally just got back and now you're throwing so much at me."

Tazmin hummed tightly, "Right because me wondering who that was is throwing so much at you Milena," she said, shaking her head at me.

I felt my face burn, feeling the biggest urge to scream.

Mostly at myself because what the fuck am I doing?

Why can't I ever just talk to her?

"I just want fucking space," I whispered, glancing down at the shiny floors in shame.

Because all I could feel was ashamed of myself.

I had put in so much work and now it's all down the drain.

All for nothing.

"Okay," Tazmin suddenly said, her voice much calmer than before, "I'm leaving," she sighed, walking past me before I could say anything else.

Which left me alone in the empty hallway, wondering where we just went wrong.

It all happened so fucking fast.

All Tazmin wants is honesty and somehow I can never give it to her.

I sniffled a few times, shaking my head when tears burned in my eyes.

And before I could break down right there in the hallway—I quickly ran off to one of the bathrooms.

Where I locked myself in a stall—allowing all of my tears to break loose.

I thought I made progress...

I thought we would be good now.

But clearly not.

And now Tazmin is definitely fucking mad at me.

I'm also not doing anything to necessarily help her trust issues either.

I let out a weak sigh, patting underneath my puffy eyes with hopes of fixing my makeup.

But it's all so ruined.

Tonight's ruined.

But I only tried to shake it off, mostly because Marie and Vic wanted to see me on the lower level past the stairs.

Where they were inevitably eating fries and drinking martinis at a more emptier bar than upstairs. 

"Hey have you seen Taz—"

"I fucked up," I cut Vic short, sliding into the chair with a deep sigh.

Marie raised a brow, "What happened now?" she asked, handing me her martini which I immediately accepted.

I shook my head, taking a long sip of the martini, "I just have terrible fucking issues with letting people in and I'm just..." I trailed off, feeling tears burn in my eyes as I glanced between Marie and Vic, "I'm just so tired of it—I'm so tired of myself, I genuinely can't do this anymore," I whispered.

Vic furrowed his brows, "But you're good though right?" he asked, sitting up in his chair as his light eyes analyzed my face, "I mean like mentally because Marie and I can stay the night or something—"

"No-no, I'm good," I quickly reassured him, setting the martini glass down.

Marie tilted her head, "Are you sure babe?" she asked, gently resting her hand on my shoulder.

"I think so," I whispered, my voice so weak in my own ears, "I just don't think Tazmin is ever going to forgive me and I don't know why I lie anymore."

Vic blinked a few times, "Nah, she's forgiven you—at least from what I've heard," he pointed out.

I shook my head, "Not after I just lied to her again about Sophie," I said, grabbing the martini glass to finish off the last of what was in it.

"Sophie?" Marie asked, clearly unaware of a huge chunk of my past.

It was something I hadn't shared with anyone. 

Minus my therapist. 

"She's my high school best friend—I ended up fucking her the day after my parent's deaths and then I fucked another girl the same day and I..." I trailed off, burying my face in my hands as I drew in a deep breath, mostly to keep the heaviness growing around me at bay.

Because I had never actually said it aloud to any of my friends or family, and now I'm just full-out saying it. 

At least this area of the event was basically empty due to all the action going on upstairs.

Otherwise, I would feel really fucking embarrassed.

"How about we get you out of here," Vic offered, suddenly standing from his chair.

Marie nodded, "Yeah we could chill at your place tonight," she offered as Vic gently guided me to stand up.

"I fucked up everything guys," I whispered, feeling the tears break free from my eyes as soon as Vic pulled me into a hug, "I think I'm broken beyond repair," I forced out. 

"That's not true at all Lena," Marie whispered, now joining in on our hug.

"Just explain this to Taz when you're ready—I'm sure she'll understand," Vic told me as we all pulled back from the hug.

I nodded silently—even if more tears gathered in my eyes.

"Everything's going to be okay," Marie assured me, grabbing a fresh napkin that she helped me gently pat under my eyes.

I nodded again, sniffling a few times as Vic handed Marie another napkin.

"Let's just go watch movies or some shit back at your place—we can even get Chips Ahoy or whatever the fuck it is," Vic said.

Which immediately made a weak smile grow on my lips, "Really?" I whispered, raising a brow when Vic reluctantly nodded, "And you'll eat them too?" I clarified. 

Vic shrugged, "I fucking guess so," he mumbled.

Which immediately made a slow smile grow on my face, "Let's go then," I whispered, now feeling partially excited to witness Vic finally eating a Chips Ahoy cookie.

At least that would be one good thing that happened tonight.