In Fair Verona // Modern Romeo and Juliet // Private RP - CLOSED

I accepted this statement with a nod, letting my eyes flash briefly to the waiter. My move was a dangerous one….. what if he told his parents?

I let the conversation lapse into silence. I needed the silence. Just to think for a few moments. Too many things were happening too fast for me to keep up with. “I uh… I’ll be gone for awhile, after tomorrow.”

"How come?" The question flew out of my mouth before I could even think to hold it back. "I mean—you don't have to tell me. How long is 'awhile'?"

“Veronica—my mother is sending me on some type of mission. I haven’t been briefed yet. I just wanted to let you know in case you needed me and I wasn’t around…” I sighed, knowing Juliet probably wouldn’t even call me if her life depended on it.

With the threat of Paris gone for a few days…..

Life might even be a little bit easier, if only for a short while. I nodded in Paris's direction, withholding a sigh of relief.

“Would you mind keeping that quiet? I don’t know how much anyone else knows…” I added on hastily, praying Angelo wouldn’t come after me.

“Your secret is safe with me,” I assured him, propping my elbows up on the table. “As long as you tell no one about our boundaries conversation.”

“Of course, that goes without saying.” I nodded firmly, hoping my words sounded more confident than I felt.

"Good." Twirling a lock of hair around my index finger, I took a deep breath and dropped my eyes to the table top.

“Right, um…” I fumbled to resurrect previous light hearted conversation only to find that my mouth had gone dry.

"Are you alright?" I questioned yet again, letting my eyes flick back to his face.

I stiffened immediately, straightening out my posture. “Of course, love. Just tired. I’ll get rest when I get home.” I lied through my teeth, suppressing at least fourteen different nervous ticks.

Love.

For a split second, my mask fell, exposing just how much the simple word had shaken me. Inhaling sharply, I struggled to pull a smile into my face. “Get—Make sure you get sleep tonight.”

The look on her face sent any last hopes I had about this relationship bursting into flame and fizzling out. So this is it… I nodded, gulping slowly. “I will, I promise.”

Shit, shit, shit, shit.

Panic flooded me when I realized how much I had revealed to him. So I scrambled for a half-truth, trying desperately to patch things up. “I-I’m sorry—you just reminded me of someone really briefly. I wasn’t reacting to you, I was reacting to the memory.”

“Juliet, please just stop.” I murmured faintly in reply. “I am aware you find our situation to be less than ideal.” I paused, carefully wording my next few sentences. One slip up and I was a dead man. “I can only hope time will heal whatever pain I have caused you as I know I am incapable of fixing this, myself. But I must beg of you to give me a worthy chance.”

Each word struck me like a bullet.

I didn’t realize how badly I was shaking until my knee bumped against his. Biting down on my tongue until I tasted blood, I scoured my panicking mind for a reply.

“You haven’t caused me any pain,” I said quietly, voice low. “None of this is your fault. And I’m trying my best, I’m sorry. I’ll… I’ll try harder. Please—Please don’t tell my father.”

I flinched backwards a little as Juliet pleaded with me, a cold sweat dripping down my back. She was a reminder of too many bad memories. Too many times in which my own pleas for mercy fell upon deaf ears.

I leaned across the table, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. “Don’t show weakness, love.” I whispered quickly. “Prying eyes are more common than street pigeons.” I made a show of bending down to kiss her hand before releasing her and sliding smoothly into my seat. The only sign of my distress was the constant shaking of my hands.

I fell silent, struggling to keep my shoulders from slumping under the weight of sheer relief. He wasn’t upset—right? He wasn’t going to tell my father…

Inhaling deeply, I straightened my back. “Thank you.”

“Of course. If you’d excuse me for a moment.” I got up, hiding my shaking hands behind my back. “I just need to visit the restroom, I’ll be back shortly.” I murmured softly before retreating.

I watched his retreating back, sighing softly as I buried my face in my hands. What had I gotten myself into?

I took a few minutes in the bathroom to wash my face and cool off. This relationship had a high potential of blowing up in my face. What am I supposed to do now? Wait for someone she actually likes to come along so she could cheat on me? My family has spies everywhere, surely they would know before I did. Then the punishments would start flooding in…

I shuddered involuntarily. “Pull yourself together, Paris.” I grumbled to myself, ignoring the fear building in my chest.

(too late Paris, lol, there's already someone else)

You like acting, Juliet, I told myself, So start pretending. Act like you're falling in love with him, your life depends on it. Lie. Stop showing vulnerability.

I took my time heading back upstairs. Each step was agonizing. A slow march towards my downfall. I approached our table and sat down without a word, trying to work up the nerve to say what needed to be said.

I raised my eyes as he approached, only this time, my expression was a flawless impression of undisturbed calm. "Would you mind helping me figure out what to order?" I asked him politely, indicating towards my menu. "There's so much choice, I'm not sure what to choose."

I eyed her suspiciously, but nodded. “I am often more inclined to order a slice of the feta cheese pizza, myself.” I replied softly.

"Why don't we share a small pizza?" I suggested, doing my best to smooth over the tension I had created. "Feta cheese, like you said."

I cleared my throat, nodding. “That sounds perfect.” I replied stiffly.

I took note of his stiffness but didn't comment, leaning back in my chair. "Is there anything you'd like to order for dessert?"

“Juliet, perhaps we should just skip dessert and go home early.” I suggested quietly, fidgeting with the edge of the tablecloth.