Possessed hearts - стр. 10

– It was a present from my mum for my last birthday. If I take it off, she'll be sad and her heart will break," Mscislav whispered theatrically to me.

– 'If you don't like that bowtie, darling, just take it off. You don't have to wear it just to please me," I heard our mother's joking voice.

I cast a glance at those present: Mum was standing next to Mariszka not far from us. She caught my gaze and smiled warmly at me.

Mariszka only raised her eyebrows, as if to say, " Look who showed up!".

– Oh, thank you, Mum, but I really don't wear bow ties, – Mscislav sighed with relief and immediately pulled the stupid black butterfly off his neck. – Next time give me a scarf and I'll be extremely pleased.

– No, you buy your own scarf, and I only give bow ties! – Mum parried this witticism.

We laughed casually.

It's nice that even my parents have a sense of humour sometimes.

– Mum, you already look our age, where are you going to get any better? – I said as I approached her.

My mother was beautiful. And Mariszka was a copy of her. And so was Martin.

Me, Misha and Mscislav looked like my father.

– It's not my fault, darling. My beautiful daughter. Another one. How I love you, my girls. – Mum hugged me gustily, and I squeezed her in an answering hug.

Now that I knew she didn't disapprove of me for sleeping with men (vampires, naturally), I felt respect for her. But my mother didn't know that in addition to vampires, I also slept with mortals. Oh, she would be devastated by this news. But she would never find out. I'm very good at keeping my secrets.

– Hi Mariszka, it's good to see you too," I said sarcastically to my sister, who stood there with her palms folded on her stomach and just staring at me.

– Hi. Honestly, we were expecting you back for Cedric's first birthday, but apparently your nephew isn't as important to you as your career. Congratulations, by the way, you're a celebrity now," Mariszka told me in a calm tone.

Bloody ulcer. She knows how to hit a nerve.

I wanted to answer her with a sharp witticism about her beautiful way of greeting long-awaited guests, but the tired look of my mother, who knows that between me and Mariszka there is nothing but dislike, stopped me from this idea. So I smiled strainedly.

– It's a wonderful dress. You're very elegant, as always," I said to my sister.

Mariszka raised her eyebrows in surprise, clearly not expecting this compliment from me. After all, when we had the honour of saying a few words to each other, we used to exercise in throwing sarcasm arrows.

– Thank you. Your dress is adorable, too," she said in an even tone.

But I knew it was a lie. In fact, Mariszka was of the exact opposite opinion. Oh, yes, she was the one who was always telling me that I had frankly cheap taste in clothes. That's why my short silver dress, against her elegant dark blue, looked inexcusably bright and too short. And my ten-centimetre heels made Mariszka lift her chin to look at my face. After all, she only wore a medium heel. The elegant, imposing Mrs. Morgan.

– I'm glad you like it. After all, you're the most elegant lady in our little society for a reason. – I meant to say it in a calm tone, but there was a hint of mockery in it.

Mariszka's lips immediately pressed into a thin line, but after a second she opened her mouth, ready to give me a proper rebuff, when suddenly Misha appeared between me and her. She grabbed our hands and dragged us behind her.