Eva. (English version)

Chapter 2

I am Marco Galasso, I was born in Italy but my parents moved when I was 8 years old, all my life I have lived it full of luxuries, whims, trips and loneliness.

My mother and father are the best lawyers in the circle in which they move and they have the fantasy that I will be the same or even better than them. Although in reality, being a lawyer bores me. Who in their right mind wants to be a lawyer? Not me!

I study at the most prestigious law school in the area and the only good thing about going there are my friends, Ian and Harry. And of course the most beautiful woman in the place, Cleo Pellegrini, my girlfriend.

-Marco, come down now or you'll be late. -shouts my mother from the dining room.

-It's a surprise that you're here, mother. -She looks at me with a warning in her eyes.

-In fact, I'm already leaving, your nana has made breakfast, don't be late, and don't forget that today you must be ready at eight, there's a dinner at the Pellegrini's house. -She kisses my cheek quickly and runs out into the street.

-I hate dinner with Cleo's parents. -I grumble.

-But you must go or your mother will get something, my boy. -my nana points tenderly.

-I know, Nana. -I sigh with resignation, but I hate doing it, it's so boring. They only talk about wedding, babies and work.

-I can imagine it, but one day you will have to marry her and you better get used to it.

My nana has been with us since I can remember, of course she was younger but time has taken its toll. She was the closest to a mother figure, my mother lived her life outside, in trials and meetings just like my father so my only company was her.

I finished breakfast and went upstairs to get my things, I had to stop by Cleo's and she couldn't be late or she would be in an unbearable mood.

I got in my car and drove a couple of blocks and again there she was, Eva, the black-haired, long, impressively heterosexual with such clear brown eyes and beautiful smile, it was a shame she was a girl of bad reputation like her aunt.

When she saw me she was tense, but without hesitation she smiled shyly at me and I could only ignore her, I could not mix with that kind of person according to Dad and even less with someone from the Lowell family. He says that they all have a bad reputation even though they never mention why, my mother hates them and I think it is unnecessary but they are my parents and I suppose they must be right.

I came in through Cleo and she effusively greeted me with that high-pitched voice that stuns even a deaf person.

-Hello fatty you're late, do you know how sick it is for me to wait for you?

-I know, and don't call me "fatty" it sounds pathetic. -I request in annoyance.

-I'm sorry love, it's just a pet name.

-If I call you "hello chubby" I assure you that you are castrating me at that moment.

-Are you saying I'm fat? -She's feeling offended.

-No Cleo, I just don't understand how can you be so banal, sometimes I wish you were ... -I stop before I make a mistake.

-I would be what? -She asks with burning anger.

-Normal.

-Normal? What is normal for you, Marco? Do you want me to be as "Normal" as that stupid Eva?

And there he goes again with Eva. There isn't a day that Eva doesn't show up in an argument.

-No Cleo, I just wish you wouldn't have such an attitude about the appearance itself.

-Yes, of course, you'd like me to be like her, wouldn't you? But guess what? I'd rather die than be a cheap woman like Eva.

-That's enough, Cleo, that’s up to her, it’s her life, her body. -I made it clear even angrier than I wanted it to sound.

-Do you still like her Marco?-She asks in a mocking way, -Can't you still forget her pure and angelic days?

-No, that was before. -I say with regret.

-Before what?

-Before she was a ... a slut. -I say with difficulty.

I don't like to express myself that way about Eva like that, but her aunt was a woman like that, who says she wasn't the same? I know I didn't have the right to judge her, but it was more than obvious, a lot of men come in and out of the Lowell house, and that could only mean one thing and I think we all know what that is.

Eva

And there he goes, the man I've always been in love with, even though he' s never been interested in me, but perhaps that's because I'm not as pretty and sophisticated as Cleo.

-Look who we have here, Harry.

-Eva, what a surprise to meet you here, are you looking for a morning clientele?-asks Harry, laughing out loud.

-I could spend a few hours savoring that delicious body. -Ian adds.

-In your dreams, you idiot. -I answer tired of their dumb routine.

-Oh come on Eva, you're dying to have me.

-The three of us could do it, there's no problem with sharing you Eva. -Suggests Harry.

It's true that Ian and Harry were very handsome, but they weren't exactly to my liking, they were totally cocky louts. You know, the ones with pretty faces and poison in their souls.

-Never in the rest of my life will any of you assholes lay a hand on me.

-Oh I forgot that Eva likes our dear Marco. -Ian says, pouting ridiculously.

-It's a shame that Marco thinks Eva is an easy one. -He adds Harry caressing my cheek and then laughing.

My patience was reaching its limit, it was always the same and I never did anything about it, but this time it was different, this time they would pay me or at least one of them. My hand was slammed into Harry's face, I would no longer tolerate him expressing that way about me, if the idiot knew that I have never in my life had sex. But I guess that's irrelevant right now.

-Mature already, big jerk.

Ian stopped laughing and Harry looked at me in shock and anger, his red, swollen face gave me some laughs, who knew I'd hit him so hard.

-This is not going to stay just like this Eva, one day you will be mine.-He threatened to leave.

And that was always the case, I loved my aunt, but now because of her many fleeting affairs everyone assumed I was the same, I think it might be a good idea to move out of here as soon as possible.

I arrived at the entrance of the institute, and due to my bad luck, Cleo and Marco were there. Here comes another dose of my daily routine.

-Eva dear, how's your day going?-She's smiling hypocritically.

I pass by ignoring her, I don't need any more of this, Marco's gaze rested on me but I also decided to ignore him, it was already enough what had happened to have to endure another humiliation.

-You should leave her alone, Cleo. -I ask in a gentle manner knowing that this will cause a problem.

-Does it disturb you that I bother that stupid Eva, honey?

-No, it just seemed too stupid and immature from you.

-Yeah, whatever. Should we go in?

-I'll catch up with you.

I sigh bringing a little peace and patience to me, Cleo is making it difficult with the Eva stuff.

I walk into the school, the halls are almost empty, there are a few people and she, with her usual smile, with her black hair tucked behind her ear, carrying a bookcase like she used to. I walked over to her with the intention of looking at her better and one of her books fell out of her hands dragging all the others with it. I ran over to her and helped her pick them up. At once our hands brushed against each other and her whole body tensed.

-I'm sorry, Eva.

-No problem, Marco. -She says without looking at me.

-You look beautiful today and like... always. -I let go without being able to stop myself.

Eva looked at me in amazement, I had never told her this before and it seemed to surprise her as much as me.

-Yeah, sure, thanks for the help. -She says in a drab tone as she walks away.

-Eva! -I shouted without caring that my voice echoed in every corner of the place.

Eva turned and looked at me with a crooked smile.

-I am so sorry that Cleo is so childish and immature.

-I'm even more sorry. -She smiled at me.

I smile at her smiles, but soon she disappears and I realized why, Cleo.

-Eva, are you offering your services to Marco? -She asks, placing her hand on my shoulder.

-Cleo, stop it. -I asked in a calm tone.

-What a pity you give me, Eva, it should be a sin to bear that name when you are a whore.

-I'm surprised that you are what you just said, Cleo. -Eva defends herself by taking Cleo's insult to her advantage.

-No, you don't understand Eva, the opportunistic bitch is you.

-Right, since I'm the one sleeping with my boyfriend's "best friend". -Clarifies Eva smiling.

-I'm not sleeping with Harry! -My shiny girlfriend spits with fury.

-I didn't say it was Harry, Cleo. -She responds with the quietest and brightest of smiles.

I looked at Cleo who was looking at me with anguish in her eyes, I just shook my head and laughed, she had hit the target, and if you were waiting for that comment to bother me, you are wrong, the relationship between Cleo and I is merely about our parents, the firm and our money.

If only Eva wasn't the same as her aunt, everything would be different.

Cleo

About ten thousand cuddles and puppy faces later, Marco was no longer angry with me.

-Marco this will be the last week that I study here.

-Oh really, why?

-I talked to my parents about wanting to be a model, at first they didn't accept it but they finally agreed. -I'm very excited about it.

-Ah, it's okay Cleo.

-You'll miss me, right?

-Yes Cleo, very much.

I notice the lack of enthusiasm, I know that this is an agreement but I hate that he doesn't give me the attention I deserve.

I left the classroom and took my cell phone, I needed to call who never lets me down, who is always there for me, Harry.

Phone call

-Harry Blumer at your orders. -he can be heard on the other side of the line.

-I need to see you, honey, can you?

-For you anything, my goddess of the Nile.

-It's Eva, she's opened her mouth a bit too much and hinted to Marcus that you and I might have an understanding.

-Damn nosy.

-I need you to do something, this is the last week I'm here, I'm going to Paris.

-Don't worry, I'll take care of it princess, see you in a few months over there.

End of call.

Eva would never humiliate me like that again; Harry will do something to make the idiot regret what she said. I was on my way to class when I ran into Ian's obnoxious girlfriend, Marcy Palmieri.

-Cleo, I heard you're going to Paris.

-That's right, I'm modeling on the fashion shows next week.

-What about Marco? -she asks, smiling at Nina, Harry's girlfriend.

-What does Marco have to do with it?

-Will you leave him in the hands of all the greedy bitches who want him?

-Dear, I'm not worried about that, Marco is very smart and he won't mess with any of those "greedy bitches".

-Only with Eva, I’m sorry for you Cleo, it must be humiliating to tolerate Marco cheating on you. -she says, shaking her head.

-My dear little deer, you should worry more about your own business.

-Little Deer? -Questioned Nina and Marcy in unison.

-The whole school knows you as " Little Deer Jackson" and it' s not necessary to tell you why. –And I show her a big smile.

-Harry is faithful to me, Cleo. I would never doubt that he loves me.

-I'm so touched you give me a little pity, -I caress her arm-. Harry needs a woman, not a foolish girl like you.

-And that woman is you, huh?

-Maybe. -I answer in the most serene way.

-Don't listen, Nina. Cleo is a snake.

-I know, I would never doubt Harry's love for me.

-Well, you're a fool, but everything comes at the right time, my dear, everything comes at the right time. -I smile triumphantly and walk through the horrible halls of this filthy place.

Nina and Marcy still look at me with anger, poor stupid and naive girls.

*Two weeks later*

Eva

Two weeks and the school feels totally calm, there is no more Cleo and I appreciate that, in fact I think that even the teachers are breathing easier, you can tell that even the other students are in complete peace.

-Hello Eva. -Nina and Marcy interrupt my reading.

-Amm, hello.

In this school I was practically invisible to the girls, they all avoided me because of my "bad reputation" including Marcy and Nina.

-You know, Marcy and I have been talking and we want to be your friends.

-My friends?

-Yes Eva, if we weren't before it was because Cleo forbade us.

-And what makes you think I want to be your friend?

-Well, you're alone. -Marcy states.

-You don't have any friends. -Nina spoke this time.

-And we want to try. -They said in unison, which made her look sillier than usual.

-No, I think I'm not interested.

-Come on, Eva, please, just give us a chance, okay?

-How do I know this isn't Cleo's trick?

-Eva we are not like Cleo, in fact we only talked to her because of Marco but now that they are no longer together there is no need.

-Why should I? -Look at you guys, we're so... different -I say to state the obvious.

-Let's do one thing, let's go out one day, just one and if you're not convinced or don't feel comfortable we'll just forget it. -suggests Marcy.

-You don't lose anything by trying.

I analyzed the matter, suddenly Miss "I am perfect" leaves and these crazy girls come to offer me their friendship, I don't know if I should accept or not, I really don't lose anything by trying, but I am afraid that it is Cleo's idea, I took a deep breath and decided to answer.

-Well, I guess I have nothing to lose, so it's okay.

-Marcy and Nina looked at each other excitedly and then hugged.

-But there are a couple of conditions. -I said, breaking the thrill of both girls.

-Which ones?

-Condition number one: No ridiculous hugs in public with me.

Number two: No gossiping about other girls, when I am present.

Number three: I hate your boyfriends, they are the worst jerks on the planet, so no dating or romantic encounters with them while I am with you. If you accept those conditions, I'm all yours.

-Done. -Both respond.

I prayed to heaven not to regret it, I had no idea if this was going to turn out well or not after all. What can possibly go wrong?