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Alma
Vadim adjusts his tie, Felix straightens his bow tie, and Lily hikes her candy-colored, strapless dress up over her breasts. She gives my bun one last spritz of hairspray, and our dream team is finally ready.
To ring in the New Year in style, King Productions has organized an extraordinary evening: a private concert, an haute couture fashion show, an exclusive set by a star DJ, and an extravagant spread of food. Three hundred guests are expected in the heart of the eighth arrondissement, at the extravagant Coliseum nightclub, which has been rented for the occasion.
As a special touch, the famous red carpet has been replaced by a glittering, golden floor, in keeping with the New Year celebrations. The paparazzi are there, pressed against the barriers and calling out the names of famous people, hoping to nail the shot that will make tomorrow morning’s magazine covers. As soon as we step out of the limousine, I grab my sister’s hand and hurry discreetly into the venue, while Vadim reluctantly poses for the cameras.
I turn around to watch him for a few seconds and notice that, unsurprisingly, Felix is having the time of his life. Glued to Vadim’s side, he makes the most of his fifteen minutes of fame by putting on a show—fingers in a V-sign, tongue stuck out, one hand casually slung around the back of his neck, and a few awkward winks.
I’ve still got no idea what Lily sees in him.
Inside, the decor is breathtaking, and the atmosphere magical: cascades of light, furniture in shades of white and silver, illuminated ice bars, gigantic mirrors. Lily is ecstatic, pulling me in every direction and nearly crushing my arm in the process. I wave to Kate and her husband from across the room. She gives me a genuine smile and a warm, little wave back.
Upstairs, I find Sophie and Clarence sitting on brightly colored banquettes. Sophie throws herself at me and kisses me on the mouth, caught up in the euphoria of the moment. Clarence contents himself with complimenting my outfit, without even properly looking at it. He seems distant, distracted—and incapable of hiding it. I meet their respective partners, trying to conceal my discomfort.
“What are our men up to?” Lily grumbles. “I promised Fe I’d wait for him, so we could toast together.”
“Socialize. Go mingle with the guests. You never know, you might meet the man of your dreams,” I respond, the picture of innocence.
“Alma, you promised me you’d stop! I’m with Felix, and that’s not going to change.”
“Whoops.”
“Not so long ago, you were giving me a hard time for sleeping with a different guy every week. And when I stick with the same one, you don’t seem to like that either.”
“It’s not you, Lily. It’s him. I’m not sure he’s really changed, and I’m afraid he’ll end up hurting you, that’s all. But fine, I’ll try to switch off my annoying big-sister mode.”
“Okay, I don’t know who you’re talking about, but if anyone hurts my Lil’, I’ll kill them!” Basile clamps one hand on my shoulder and one on my sister’s, then pulls us into a three-way hug. This would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.
Niels jumps on us next, wrapping all of us in his big arms.
“What? There isn’t an ugly sweater under that three-piece suit?!” I exclaim.
“Oh, you haven’t seen my underwear…”
I squeeze my eyes shut and try to erase the image from my mind. The two lovebirds crack up, and Lily takes the opportunity to plant a quick kiss on my cheek before walking away, dramatically tossing her hair over her bare shoulder.
Watching her go, I spot Clémentine leaning against the main bar, a serious look on her face. She’s wearing a black, backless dress that hugs her pregnant figure. I gently place my hand on her forearm, and she jumps out of her skin.
“Alma, do you want me to give birth at four months?!”
I wasn’t expecting her to snap like that, and her eyes tell me that she wasn’t either.
“Sorry,” she breathes.
“Me too.”
“I got into a fight with Yann in the car, and he’s been giving me the cold shoulder ever since. I also feel hideous in this ridiculous dress. And on top of that, I have to put up with this…” She jerks her chin disdainfully in Clarence’s direction.
“Wait, I’m lost.”
“While I’m all alone, beating myself up, you-know-who is over there, having a blast with his wife and coworkers as if nothing ever happened.”
“If you want my opinion, he’s in a bad place. But I thought you—”
“Fine! Let him stay there! That makes two of us, then,” she barks, banging on the bar. “Is it possible to get served here? Hello! Pregnant woman in distress!”
