Red by Olha Sheludko

Her lips are dark red.

They touch the glass with golden champagne and a red mark is left on the glass and oh, he wishes he were it and feel the touch of her crimson lips.  Her raven black contrasted her pale skin, curls gracefully falling. The purple dress was simple, but probably cost more than his house.

He watched from afar. His dark blue suit was well-thumbed and was inherited from his father, not because it was so valuable that it was passed down, they just didn’t have money for a new one. Maybe, he doesn’t have money, but he has something better.

-”Jack Daniel’s” for me and more champagne for the lady.

-Which one?

He looks at her, his brows furrowed. 

-Pardon me?

-Which champagne?

He stays silent, trying to compose a calm posture, not letting anyone see what he really feels. Sly smile appears on her face.

-You don’t know any champagne names, do you?

She turns around and asks barman for Dom Perigman 1969 and turns to him.

-How did you even get there?

He smirks.

-Window

-Huh, brave one. What made you think I won’t call security?

-Because you need me.

She laughs. He expected it.

-Nice suit.-She says,-Probably very old. I think that maybe it belonged to someone from your family and was loved, it was used a lot. Either that or you couldn’t afford to buy it. You sneaked into a party that is so out of your league, yet you are so confident… or pretend to be confident, so that you won’t be kicked out. So do I need you or do you need me?

-Nice observation,  now it's my turn. You are bored. Why then you speak with such a poor boy and observe a well-thumbed suit? You can get whatever you want and yet daddy’s money can’t get one thing you truly want.

-And what’s that?

-Freedom.

She gives him a smirk.

-Maybe you are poor, but definitely not dumb. Camila.

-Jack.

***

Breaking into houses is way easier with each time and so does being in Jack’s arms. She kicks her feets and he kisses her. 

-I’ve got a surprise.-Jack whispers in her ear and puts her down,-Just wait a little bit.

He smiles and goes out of the room.

She can finally look around.

The host of the house has terrible taste. There is a difference between taste and screaming “rich”. The walls are yellow, there are some paintings on the wall, she recognises “Francesca da Ramini” and “Last supper”, but those definitely were copies and definitely didn’t suit here. She already hear dad’s voice disapproving the choice.

-Camila! Go here! - she hears Jack  and does she hear notes of worry in his voice?  Probably she’s wrong, Jack is always confident.

She goes into a hall from where she heard Jack and she sees a tied-up man on a chair screaming at Jack.

-You are a filthy rat! Your legs are not worthy of going…

-Dad?

Camila hopes she is wrong, but when the man turns his head and looks at her, she knows it’s him.

He turns his head to Jack.

-You won’t threaten me or my…

-Don’t worry.- Jack’s voice is coldly confident.- I won’t lay a finger on her.

-What’s going on here?

Jack finally faces her. The last glimpse of confidence disappearing when he looks at her.

-Your father is a killer and a cheater. He murdered my mom…

-So that’s it? All those years, you were using me to get to my dad?

Jack shakes his head.

-No, I do love you. But he doesn’t. He cheated on your mom and hid his lover here. He is a murderer, cheater and liar.

-He is lying!- her dad screams.

Jack faces him.

-Then why do you need this house?

Dad can't look her in the eyes.

Then Jack hands her a gun.

Her heart is boiling with rage.Jack lied to her. He used her to get to dad and dad… he is a killer and cheater and liar. She is so mad at both of them and yet…

She fires a gun at him. His blood is dark red.