4.

The hard ground was cold, and her teeth chattered violently while she tried to get warm. She could see the shadows of the guards that walked along the door but didn't bother to call out. She lay, curled around herself in the centre of the room as she prayed for the sun to rise. There would be a little warmth then. A reprieve from the cold night. She needed it. Her body was breaking down a little more each second.

Ayesha woke up from her nightmare to the sound of Joseph bustling around the apartment. Her eyes searched for the clock. It was 8:12. She must have fallen asleep while scrolling through her phone. When she got out of bed, she walked out of her dark room and into the lit living room.

"Joseph?"

"Hey, sorry. I woke you."

“It's alright. What are you doing?”

“Did you forget? I am working a party tonight. The one I told you about, in the big house up in High Elm Lane?”

“Right. Sorry, my sleepy brain isn’t cooperating with me.” She sat on the high stool and watched him pack up his bags. “How long would the party be?”

“Till the morning. I should be back around two.”

“Well, you seem very excited.”

“Hotels, restaurants, apartments, I have been to all of that. But this party is being held in a manor. A manor. Don’t mean to sound vane, but can you imagine living in a place like that?”

“I imagine it would be splendid.”

“Yeah.” He grabbed his jacket from the counter and shook his arms through it. “I bet this would bring us some good money. A party this big is bound to pay well.”

“That’s good to hear. I would try to prepare breakfast then. You’d need it when you wake up after crashing from exhaustion.”

He grimaced. “Big house, more guests, more walking. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.”

“I am sure you’d find ways to enjoy it. Now get out of here before you’re late.”

He kissed her cheek before running out the door. Ayesha plunked her chin on her arm as it rested on the countertop. She had another day ahead of her, alone in her apartment, with nothing to do. She had opted out of delivery to work at a laundry. She was thankful to get the job, and couldn't wait to start, but she was hired as part of the afternoon staff. Which meant she only worked from ten in the morning till six in the evening. There wasn't much to do before or after the fact.

She grabbed the kettle and poured some hot water into a cup before taking three slices of lime from the fridge and dropping them in. It was time to start looking for something more to do with her free time. Maybe think of an old hobby she could learn again. Like pottery. She loved pottery as a teenager. There were classes she could sign up for and equipment she could buy.

The more she thought about it, the more excited she became. Excitement bubbled up inside her. Surely having classes could fill her mornings or nights, and she could even find a way to make some profits after mastering the skill. She looked around the kitchen for a bit, before taking her steaming cup along with her to the bedroom.

She dropped down on the bed and grabbed her phone, gleefully typing to see if there were any classes offered around town.

Dimitri laughed, twirling the glass in his hands and watching the whiskey-brown liquid swirl. His mother’s “small” gathering was in full swing. Men and women still walked into the house in their numbers. The window to his right gave a direct view of their driveway. When he looked outside, he could see cars still driving in. The floors were filled with stylishly dressed people, most of whom were friends of his family. Soft jazz music played from the speakers, and some guests swayed around as they talked. The waiters, dressed in black and white, bustled around the floor, ensuring every guest was taken care of.

He sat at a table with some of his college friends. There wasn't much to catch up on since they kept in touch even while he was away, but they made do. Dimitri, though reluctant, found himself recounting his story with Ayesha.

"You nearly ran her over?"

"I was on a call. Which was my first mistake, but I didn't see her moving behind the car."

"This is why you need a smart car. It would never have allowed you to reverse." Steven, Dimitri’s oldest friend, commented.

Dimitri chuckled. "Yeah, I think I am not trusting enough to get behind the wheel of one of those."

"They are in season."

"I bet they are."

"You are trying to be an old head and it doesn't suit you." Carlos teased. "Those cars are the future and for good reason. I am looking to get one of those selfdriving cars, myself."

"I have watched too many movies to sit behind the wheels of a car like that. It was one bad experience, and thankfully she wasn't harmed."

Steven laughed. "So? How was she?"

"Who?"

"The woman you nearly ran over? Beautiful."

"Why is that important?"

"Don't mind me. I am only trying to see if you can still recognize a beautiful woman after years of living like a monk. The only thing I am sure you find attractive now is a drafted contract."

That made Dimitri laugh even harder. It rumbled out of him richly only to be swallowed by the liveliness of the room.

He thought about the question, and indeed, beautiful was a word that could describe Ayesha. She had gorgeous, rich brown hair, smooth skin, and a bright smile. But along with her beauty, he also picked up on how young she was and respectfully didn't allow his thoughts to roll on any further.

"Huh." Carlos scoffed after Dimitri's long silence. "She was that beautiful."

"Calm yourself. Yes, she was beautiful, but that's about it."

"You didn't take her number?" Steven asked.

"I nearly killed her. I don't think flirting would have been the wise next step."

"So boring. Maybe you will meet someone at the party."

"I left you as a doctor. Didn't think I return to your new career as a matchmaker. Where's your woman?"

"Don't throw stones from that glass house." Steven chuckled.

"Says the guy hiding his hands." Carlos jumped in, in defence of Dimitri. "You wonder about his living like a monk, but you haven't dated anyone in years either."

"Difference in situations. Not all of us have hit the jackpot like you Carlos."

"You are too old to be salty." Carlos smoothly replied with a wink. "Take your own advice and see if you can find someone at the party."

Steven laughed and raised his glass towards the guest though he shook his head. There were some beautifully dressed ladies in the crowd. Some he recognized without introduction, others he recognized after introductions were made. But most were fresh faces, his mind couldn't place them. And men were included in that confusion, too.

"Maybe it's being away for too long, but I thought I knew more people. I can't recognize more than half the room."

“Your mother's parties are highly coveted, you know. Especially since your father became Mayor. Most people here are here for connections. Flash a smile here, build some bridges there, make some alliances, and they are set.” Carlos commented.

"Some people here are friends of a friend's friend. Don't beat yourself up about not knowing them. I am sure once they get comfortable, they'll approach you. You have your connections too."

Dimitri grimaced. "That'd be uncomfortable. The last thing I want to do at this party is work."

"I hear that."

Steven's glass went up, and Carlos lifted his as well, prompting Dimitri to join them. The men clinked their glasses and emptied the content in one gulp. Dimitri winced and then smiled, as the alcohol burned down his throat.  

“Come on, man.” Carlos turned in his chair to face him, setting his emptied glass aside. “When will you finally tell us why you decided to come back?”

“There is nothing to tell. I can run the business from here. Let’s just say I wanted a change of environment.”

“You leave the big city for a town and expect us to believe nothing prompted it.”

“It doesn't have to be prompted. They both have their charms.”

“Yolanda and I think differently, and we are going to spend some time learning about the world. We want to see more places, and we are starting with the big cities.”

“So, you’re moving out in a few months?”

“Funny, isn’t it?” Carlos laughed along with some other guys at the table. “You think it’s about time you got back home and settled here, and I think it’s about time I left.”

“Different strokes for different folks. Unlike me, you’ve lived here your whole life. If you want to see other parts of the world, I think it’s a great idea.”

“So your plan is to spend a year just travelling the world?” Steven asked, and Carlos nodded. “Have a flight plan planned out yet? Or is it just going to be a spur-of-the-moment choice?”

“I am not leaving yet. I’ll decide later on. Hey, but first on my list is Dubai.” Dimitri laughed heartily, his fingers drumming against his glass. “You’ve spent years praising the place. I think I am going to see what it’s all about.”

“Well, I think you’d find yourself pleasantly surprised.” He pondered over his empty glass. With a glance at the bar, he stood from his seat. “If you guys will excuse me, I am getting myself another drink.”

“Sure, man.”

On the way to the bar, he was stopped by some acquaintances of his father. He stood to speak to them for a while, discussing the town and his father’s role as mayor, amongst other things. Their family was well known long before his father ran for office, but Dimitri felt like there were more eyes on them now. It was no longer just them being the wealthiest family in the town. They were now the family of the Mayor of Watford, as well.

“Whiskey on the rocks.”

“Hello, Dimitri.”

He looked over his shoulder and noticed Sofia standing behind him. Pleasantly surprised to see her after a long time, he turned around to get a good look at her. She was dressed like everybody else, in high-end fashion and glittering jewellery. Her golden evening gown was moulded to her skin and complimented by topaz jewelled earrings and a layered necklace.

Their relationship had rekindled while he was away. It lasted for four years until things ended between them, and she returned to Watford not long after. They had spoken on occasion, but it was the first time since the break-up that they were finally seeing each other.

“Sofia. It’s good to see you.” He embraced her. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“If you had called me, you’d have found out. You came back and didn’t even say hello.”

“Sorry, I didn’t think of that. My head’s been full lately. You are here now, and as I said, it’s good to see you.”

“You too. How long are you going to stay?”

“Unless things change, I am staying indefinitely.” The bartender pushed a new glass of whiskey over to him. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Champagne, please. Any.”

“So, what have you been doing? Still working at the school?”

“No. I am now a business manager. Your mother didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“I am her business manager.” His look of complete surprise was the only answer she needed. “I started working for her a year ago. She and a few other people here and outside of town.”

“That is surprising, but you have always been good with such things. I am glad you are making something out of it. Just wondering why my mother didn’t say anything.”

“Maybe she didn’t think it was a newsworthy announcement.” Her order arrived, and she took it with a smile at the bartender. Then she wrapped her arms through his. “How has it been for you? Being back? How are you liking it?”

The question made him smile to himself. It was the same thing he asked Ayesha when he realised she was new to town. In many ways, they were alike. They were both trying to find their footing living in Watford. His only advantage was that he had lived here most of his life before moving out after college.

“What?” Sofia chortled at his smile.

“Nothing, just remembering a conversation I had with someone. It’s been good being back. Not much has changed here, and thankfully, I still remember most of the places.”

“Met any new people...” she trailed off as they stood in front of the tables his friend sat at. “Aside from these guys.”

“No. None.”

“In that case, I’ll leave you to them.” She kissed his cheek and squeezed his forearm with a sweet smile. “It’s nice seeing you again, Dimitri. Hope we will be seeing more of each other.”

“Sure.”

His friends watched her sashay away to socialize with the other guests.

“You guys are on speaking terms?”

He shrugged at Steven’s question. “I didn’t think we were.”

“Since you haven’t dated anyone else after your break-up, are you thinking of getting back together with her?”

Dimitri chuckled. “My mind is very far from that. I am just happy she is in good spirits. Better to be on good terms now more than ever.”

“Why?”

“She works for my mother now.”

“Are you kidding?” Steven asked in shock.

“No. It shocked me too.”

“Seriously?” They all snapped around to watch Vienna march over to them. Carlos lifted a drink to her, and she took it out of his hand, leaving him open-mouthed.

“Are you guys going to sit here gossiping like little children?”

She dropped the glass on the table and it found its way back into Carlos's hand. Her eyes took in each of them, and she snapped her fingers.

"You are meant to be entertaining the guest."

Dimitri looked up at her. "You do it so much better than I."

"Well, boo-hoo, but this your party."

"She has a point." Steven voiced confidently. Effectively throwing Dimitri under the bus. "Sorry, we took him for so long."

"Some friend you are."

“Dimitri, with me, please. I told some friends I’d introduce you. And the two of you get up and mingle. It’s a party.”

Feigning surrender, he took her hand, and she pulled him out of the seat. He drained his glass and followed his sister towards the ballroom. In a matter of time, he was swarmed by various guests. He spent the rest of the night making introductions to a few of her colleagues from the college.