CHAPTER SEVEN — A BIG DAY.

Chapter 07.

A BIG DAY.

Abby's POV.

I stopped walking, and drew in a deep, calming breath. Standing in the hallway, I looked into the room where people were gathered. A good number of them were having conversations with two or three other people, while holding a wineglass.

For one, I didn't know if that was what I needed. The crowd just seemed to make my skin crawl. What if someone recognizes me in there? At the thought, I tightened my grip around my purse which I held in front of me. Coming down here was a mistake; I shouldn't have come to begin with.

I turned around to leave.

“Abby?” the voice came from behind.

It was aunt Lydia's. She didn't even notice when I stopped walking with her. She was rather concerned about the party going on. Meanwhile, I froze, rooted to the spot. If anything, I knew it was only a matter of time before she would notice my absence, and return to find me.

“Are you leaving already?” I heard her footsteps approaching me from behind. “Come on, don't tell me it's what I think. I mean, we barely got here. Why would you try to leave already.”

“I know you're trying to help me.” I said, turning to face her. “But I don't think I can do this. I'm sorry.”

“I don't understand, do what?” she asked. “No one is asking you to do anything. All you have to do is walk in there, grab a drink, take a bite of whatever is served, talk to someone and that's it.”

“Yes, I know, but it's not that simple.” I said, shaking my head. “I wish it was, but it's not. I mean, what if the very person I choose to talk to already knows about me? About everything that happened to me?”

“Is that what you're worried about?” she asked, narrowing her gaze at the words. “You think someone in there would try to joke about what happened to you?”

“Isn't it something to be worried about?” I asked. “I can't tell exactly who I'll meet in there. I might not know them, but they'll be able to recognize me.”

“Those people in there,” she said, in a soft voice. “They don't have time for such. They don't concern themselves with such news, so you have nothing to worry yourself about.”

“You think so?” I asked, looking past her.

There was a man standing in the room with a half empty wineglass in one hand, while the other hand was in his pocket. He'd been standing there for a few seconds, looking my way. But as soon as we locked gazes, he walked away.

“Is there a problem?” she asked, noticing the look on my face.

She turned around to know what was going on. But after looking around for a few seconds, she turned back to face me.

“No, there's no problem.” I said with a brief smile. “We should go in.”

“Of course, we should.” she said.

“So, what is the celebration about?” I asked as we walked into the room.

“Well, after several failures, we are here to celebrate my friend.” she took two half filled wineglasses from a server who was about to walk past us, and then gave me one. “She has finally recorded a major success in software development.”

“Oh, I see.” I said, taking a sip of the wine.

“Yes, the software has undergone the testing stages, and it passed all of them.” she said with a smile. “In a few days time, she is going to be one of the big names in the country.”

“That is something good.” I said. “So, this software, what exactly is it used for?”

“Well, it can be used for a lot, actually.” she said, dropping her empty wineglass on the tray of a server who was passing by. “For me, it's a major breakthrough in the medical field. This software helps you to check your vitals, among other things.”

“Among other things?” I narrowed my gaze at the words. “Things like what?”

“It could read your thoughts, detect your fears, you know, stuffs like that.” she shrugged.

“It does seem like a major breakthrough.” I said, emptying my wineglass. “So, has it been launched yet?”

“No, it hasn't.” she said, shaking her head. “This is just to celebrate her success; the launch will take place some time later next month, I guess.”

“So, you'll be here till next month?” I asked, raising a brow. “I thought you weren't planning on staying that long.”

“Well, plans change, doesn't it?” she chuckled, and shrugged. “Don't get me wrong. That isn't exactly why I've decided to stay back. I'm staying because of you.”

“I can take care of myself, and you know that, right?” I said. “You don't have to worry about me; I'm not some kid, you know.”

“Yes, I know, but you're the only family I have left.” she said, stroking my face with her fingers. “And I'm the only family you have left. Even if I'm to leave, I've to make sure that you're doing just fine for yourself. I can't just leave you like this.”

“I will be fine.” I said. “I always have my way.”

“I bet you do.” she said with a smile. “Look, I know you think you have this all figured out, but you still need help. Allow me to help you.”

“Ahem, can I get your attention for a few minutes, please?” the voice came from the woman standing in front of everyone. “I know we all want to celebrate, and have fun, there will be time for that. But right now, I just need you to give me some time.”

The hall went quiet as everyone offered their attention to her.

“Thank you.” she said with a smile. “I believe everyone present here knows what we're celebrating. So, I'll just do a little introduction of myself. My name is Artie Yvonne. I'm a doctor and a software developer.”

“She is a doctor, too?” I whispered into Lydia's ear.

“Yes, she is.” she said, barely breathing the words.

“I just want to thank you all for accepting my invitation, and showing up on a day like this, it means a lot to me.” she said with a hand on her chest. “This is just my own little way of giving back to the world. You all have no idea how happy I am that you're here to celebrate with me.”

“It is just so beautiful to see that she's finally gotten all she wanted.” Lydia said, lacing her fingers beneath her jaw as she watched Yvonne speak. “I could recall when she would talk to me about all these. Now, it's a reality.”

“Thank you all for coming, let's toast to a brighter future.” she lifted a wineglass. “To a brighter future!”

“To a brighter future!” everyone said after her, raising their glasses.

“Come, let's grab a bite of everything that's been made available here.” she said, holding my hand.

We'd barely taken a step from where we were standing when a young man walked up to us. Not just any man, but the same man I found looking at me earlier.

“Is there a problem?” Lydia asked, raising a brow.

“No, but I'd like to have a moment with her, alone.” he said, looking at me.

“Me?” the retort sprang out of my lips on its own accord.

“I guess we'll have that bite later.” she said, leaving me with him.

“Aunt…” I took a step forward, and sighed.

That was just too quick. She shouldn't have bailed out on me that way. I mean, what if he was sent to harm me, was that how she would just leave me with him?

“My name is Artie Clem.” he said, adjusting his tie into position. “Do you mind if I show you around?”