6
VANESSA
Ilounged on my oversized sofa, one foot tapping to the beat of the radio while I hunted online, my phone inches away from my face.
There she was. ‘Cami’ Harrington, pouting at me from the tiny Instagram circle that was her profile photo. I scrolled down, seeing her bio linking to her Facebook account, and clicked there.
Cami was actually Camilla, and she worked at a strip bar.
Classy.
There were photos of her downing shots with her friends, dancing on tables, and generally being a full-time party girl. Hot pants and tight tops, an obvious lip job and the sort of body that left nothing to the imagination. And her hair extensions were shoddy, to say the least, and I should know, I was a hairdresser.
An idea formed in my mind, and I texted Enzo.
Vanessa: Wanna come out with me to a bar tonight? I wanna see this bitch.
Enzo replied instantly.
Enzo: I will not be an accessory to a crime.
A smile played at my lips as I rolled my eyes, texting him back.
Vanessa: I won’t say a word. I just need you to come with me.
Enzo: It’s not your words I’m worried about.
I scoffed and sent him the bar location and an angel emoji.
Vanessa: See you at seven?
Enzo sent the thumbs-up emoji, and I slid my phone into my pocket, grabbed my keys from the counter near my front door, and headed outside. The skies were overcast, the air thick with rain. A robin hopped over the fence to my right before disappearing.
I’ll make Cami wish she’d disappear.
I slid into my dark blue Mazda, flicking on the heated seats before heading to Lila’s house. I wanted to tell her I’d found the whore who’d helped ruin her marriage, maybe give her the opportunity to come with me to destroy her.
Or maybe not. Lila wasn’t like that.
Not like me. I smiled as I navigated the light traffic to Lila’s, even stopping to give way to other drivers which I very rarely did. I hated the March weather. Rain started coming down thick and fast, my windshield wipers trying to keep my view clear as they fought it furiously. I eventually arrived and dragged an umbrella out from the back seat so I didn't get soaked.
I hurried up her driveway and knocked on the door. I heard her footsteps padding to the door, then the lock twisting.
The door swung open to reveal a woman I barely recognised; with bags under her swollen eyes, her skin paler than I’d ever seen it, and her hair scraped into a messy bun. She was wearing pyjamas, and it was two in the afternoon.
But I wasn’t judging.
“Hi,” she said in a small voice.
“Hey, girl.” I reached forward and pulled her into my arms, wincing when the smell of stale wine greeted me. “No work today?”
Lila stepped out of my embrace and waved me inside, leaving me to close the door.
“No. I’m not in for the rest of the week. I called Ian and explained…” Lila’s voice trailed off as she stared at the wedding canvas on the floor, now ripped in two.
Okay, maybe Lila was a little unhinged.
I raised an eyebrow as she continued talking.
