I love and stan trashy books

               Tired of this, Erika decided at some point to climb the palace stairs and enjoy the night air on the corridor balcony. She was looking  at the fountain when she heard footsteps approaching her.

               _Good night, Duchess Erika – she turned and saw Beth standing in front of her. A smug smile on her lips, making Erika roll her eyes.

               _You. How dare you appear at my ball? – Beth held up her hands in defense.

               _My family was invited like every noble family in Cordonia. This’s not a nice way to greet a guest, you know.

               _Actually, I was very polite, considering that this guest slept with my husband – Erika glared at Beth – I knew you were up to something, Hana and Olivia warned me about your relationship with Drake in the past, and that you’re a shameless who doesn’t respect married men – Beth chuckled.

               _It’s not my fault I always get what I want – she looked at her perfectly manicured nails – and Drake was so easy to convince, I just put him in bed and he immediately…

               _No need to know. You look like  a perfect lady, but actually you’re gross and vulgar.

               _And what can we say about you, Erika? You’re not a saint either. You slept with Maxwell, and got pregnant with him – Erika clenched her fists at the provocative tone of Beth’s voice.

               _First, Drake gave me a free pass. And second, this baby can be Drake’s. Actually, I know it’s Drake’s, I can feel it. And I don’t know why I’m saying that, it’s none of your business – Beth shook her head negatively.

               _I can see why Cordonia fell in love with you. Your ingenuity is cute, but I must call you out. Sooner or later, Drake will leave you. This “Vegas incident” is something that will change your relationship forever, things will not be the same as before. And of course, you can’t keep a marriage only because of the kids, if this baby is Drake’s. And when that day comes, he will come back to me. I know that our night together made him miss me, and I know what he likes since teenage – Erika frowned and Beth smirked – you’re no match for me, Erika.

               _Shut up, Beth. Drake loves me like he has never loved anyone before. He always tells me that. And if he wanted you so badly, he would have been looking for you a long time ago. He never mentions you, he doesn’t care about you.

               _Well, I said what I needed to say. Now I’m going back to the party – Beth turned on a heel and looked over her shoulder – and don’t worry, I’m not pregnant. Unlike you, I’m responsible – she walked away before Erika could say anything. The Duchess of Valtoria snorted and cursed Beth, but when she saw Tucker and Gigi playing near the maze with Merlin and Morgana, she smiled and forgot what had happened. Then she returned to the party.

__

               _Hey, Drake – Maxwell said when he saw Drake sitting on a bench in the garden near the palace. Drake turned to his friend.

               _Hey, Maxwell – Drake said nervously. He has barely spoken to Maxwell since Erika told them about the night in Vegas. Liam noticed, but Drake said everything was fine. And since he pretended everything was fine with Erika, he did the same with Maxwell.

               _I…can I sit here?

               _Of course, you don’t even have to ask – Maxwell sat awkwardly and Drake immediately knew why.

               _Of course I have to ask, Drake – Maxwell sighed sadly – I don’t even know if you still consider me your friend – it was Drake’s turn to sigh.

               _Look, I know things are weird between us, but you are and always have been my friend, Maxwell. I’m not mad at you. I mean, maybe I was at first, but it’s not your fault. I am to blame. Maybe Erika and I should have talked more about her request that night.

               _But now she’s pregnant and I can be the father, although I’m sure the baby is yours – Drake’s brows arched in surprise.

               _You really think that?

               _Why are you so surprised?

               _I thought you wanted the baby to be yours – Maxwell smiled unusually upset.

               _Don’t get me wrong, having a child would be wonderful, and Erika will do an amazing job as a mother, but I know you do too. And you both love each other, it’s impossible this baby isn’t be yours. You’re the future royal family, you have everything to be happy together.

               _Maxwell… - Drake figured it would be hard for his friend to say. He had never seen Maxwell so serious and restrained. This wasn’t being easy for him either.

               _I’m fine, Drake. I love you both, you’re my best friends and I want you to be happy with your little kid. I just miss the old days when we were all together without having to pretend it was all right.

               _I miss that too, Maxwell – Drake and Maxwell stared at each other for a few seconds and hugged tightly – I’m sorry for everything.

               _I’m sorry too, Drake – Drake made his best to wipe away his tears without Maxwell realizing – and if you and I are fine now, I think you and Erika could talk too…

               _We tried yesterday – Drake rubbed a hand over his face – but we ended up fighting again. I messed up when I slept with Beth, I think Erika probably told you that.

               _Yes, she did. But I don’t judge you, Drake, you weren’t in your right mind. But I still think you should try talking to Erika again.

               _Yeah, maybe I should. But I don’t want to think about it now. I think we should go back to the party, Williams must be looking for us.

               _Hi, Drake – she greeted as she entered the room. Drake was lying in bed with Tucker and Gigi. The dogs didn’t look happy in those days, they obviously realized something was wrong. Her husband looked at her in surprise.

               _Hi, Williams. How was your day?

               _It was pretty nice, actually – she sat on the bed next to him, and took a deep breath – Drake, I…I was thinking and I think we should talk about what happened at the hotel – Drake sat upright, even more surprised. He tried to forget what happened, but he would give everything for a chance to explain it to her.

               _Oh, that’s nice actually. I’ve wanted to tell you everything but I didn’t know how to do it. I’m relieved you gave the first step, you were always better at it than me – Erika smiled a little.

               _So, how you and Beth – say that name made Erika taste bitter in the mouth – how did you meet that night? – he flushed a little. That was the worst night of his life and he would regret it forever.

               _When I saw you leaving the reception, and I didn’t have the strength to go after you. I just…I don’t know, I can’t explain. Then I made a huge mistake, I decided to go to a bar I saw near the hotel. I didn’t know Beth was at the wedding, but I think she saw me. She came after me, and brought me back to the hotel. And then… - he bit his lip.

               _You two slept together – Erika was doing her best to stop the tears.

               _Yes. I was too drunk, Erika, like never before. I didn’t think what I was doing. And I deeply regret it – Drake saw Erika’s face showing she knew more than that.

               _Drake, I know you and Beth dated when you were teenagers. And you didn’t get together because of her parents – Drake’s eyes widened.

               _How do you know that?

               _I heard a fight between Beth and her mom, and then Olivia and Hana told me the truth – she sighed – I can’t help but feel you took the opportunity to remember your relationship with her – the anger in her voice was increasing – unless you two have been seeing each other all this time since she arrived!

               _Not true, Williams! I saw her that night on her sister’s engagement and again at Bertrand and Savannah’s wedding. She’s being texting me since that night, and today I went to her office-

               _YOU WHAT? – she shouted. Gigi and Tucker jumped out of the bed and got outside. They hated to hear their arguments – how could you do that?

               _I just wanted to ask her to stop texting me, Erika, I swear! – she was already crying.

               _How can I trust you after what you did, Drake? – she shouted, and he got angry.

               _Oh, do you want to talk about trust? How about sleeping and getting pregnant with your husband’s best friend? – Erika grimaced.

               _You knew I was doing this, and I don’t even know if this baby is Maxwell’s!

               _This’s the worst, you don’t know. As Beth said, you were irresponsible.

               _You told Beth? – she laughed wryly – okay, Drake, let’s pretend you haven’t seen each other all this time.

               _I was drunk, Erika! And like you and Maxwell don’t hang out too!

               _He’s my friend!

               _And the father of your baby? – Erika glared at Drake, but soon after shook her head.

               _Look, I don’t answer the way you deserve because of the baby. They are not to blame for that, actually, they’re the biggest victim – she got up and walked towards the bathroom – oh, don’t forget to pretend we’re fine tomorrow night. That’s the best thing we’ve done lately – she closed the door before he could say anything. Drake threw himself on the bed, running his hands over his face and hair.