Authors: Lola Smirnova

Craved (Twisted Book 2) (25 page)

‘Are you happy now?’ Natalia threw at me as soon as Lena left, and stormed out of the hospital. Since then, she hasn’t spoken to me.

I seldom talk to Mom either. When we do call each other, we end up arguing. ‘I can’t recognize you,’ or, ‘You are so arrogant lately,’ are her usual lines before she slams the phone down.

The only person I’m still friendly with is Mark. Eventually, he forgave Lena and decided to help Natalia with legal procedures to free her. And the latest news about Natalia I learn from him. She is five months pregnant and is starting to show already. She is enjoying her new life with Tom and her growing tummy.

At least that’s what she tells Mark. I can’t believe how much I miss her.

I walk into the shower, step under the hot stream and close my eyes. The steaming water washes down the sticky sweat, but not my loneliness.

I open the drawer to get my face cream, and notice a square gold lipstick case in the far corner. I frown, trying to remember whether it’s mine.

It can’t be, maybe it’s Lena’s?

I open it and twist the bottom to see what color it is, but a tiny white and red nubble falls out, next to my foot.

Immediately my temples surge a bit faster.

Yes, it’s Lena’s…

I pick it up, and put it next to the basin. I lean to look closer. It’s a tiny oval plastic wrap tightened with a red rubber band. I undo the rubber and empty the bag onto the table. It’s white as snow.

‘Honey, is everything all right?’ Saad’s sleepy voice makes me shrug.

‘Yes, don’t worry, go back to sleep. I’ll be out in a second,’ I reply, without taking my eyes off the white stuff. I scoop some out with a pointy acrylic nail, and take a long, slow snort. I moan, feeling the energy. A pleasant wave runs up my body. I still hear my own voice in my head yelling and cursing, trying to reason and convince me that I’m making a mistake. But it no longer seems loud. I look at myself in the mirror, feeling the relief, as if somebody’s firm hands have pulled me out from under concrete and my lungs can breathe again.

The reflection in the mirror is smiling at me.

A note from the author:

Thank you very much for reading Craved!

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Happy reading!

[1]
Turkish for ‘pervert’ (plural).

[2]
Russian for ‘drama queen’.

[3]
Russian: ‘To use our healthcare while sick, you have to be in the best of health.’

[4]
‘Decaying capitalism.’ The expression was often used by soviet propaganda in describing the West.