Chapter 03: The Party

After the cafeteria incident, we attended some classes and then closing hour came.

It was the time I always anticipated. Coleman and I always met after school. No one but my chauffeur knew about our frequent arrangement.

I strode to the school park, greeted my chauffeur and told him to take to the usual place.

Subtly, he shook his head via the rear mirror and said “Sorry ma’am, but your Father just called to instruct me to bring you home immediately after school.”

“But why?” I frowned , but he shrugged and started the car.

I sighed deeply and called Coleman to reschedule. He was displeased and ended the call with a “I love you,” and still I couldn’t find it in my heart to tell him I loved him too.

Zara would always say that I accepted to date Coleman because I was miserable, and lonely.

In no time, Idris drove us home, and I saw my Dad in a navy blue suit standing outside the house to receive me.

I was stunned and wondered what was happening.

"Oh! Sarah; you're just in time. I want you to get ready  because we'll be attending Damian’s home welcoming party,”

I almost coughed. "Do I have to go?" I asked.

"What do you mean why? You should feel privileged that we were one of the few invited guests,”

“I don’t want to go,” I protested

"No. As a family; we will be attending the party. The Delance’s are family friends and business partners. We are not going to turn them down, neither are you going to be absent. Go join your sister, she is getting dressed already,” Dad said firmly

***

”Gosh! I can't believe I am going to Damian’s house,” Stephanie bugged my ear continuously, she has been to her room and mine; over and over- and almost pulling the house down for the perfect dress to wear.

She returned home just to attend the party.

Finally, she settled for a blue cocktail dress with a long V neck that showed her cleavage and bare back. Then she paired it with a shimmery white stiletto and bag.

‘Gorgeous’ was the word to describe her.

I thought hard about what to wear, when Linda suggested that I wore the same thing as Stephanie’s, since we had almost everything but in different colors.

So, I wore the red version of the dress. Linda helped me apply a light makeup on my face.

After we were both ready, we scurried out and sat with Dad in the back seat as Mr Eric, Dad’s chauffeur drove us into the Delance’s estate.

My heart rammed quickly at the sight of the luxurious buildings. They had so many security stations. Atlas, we entered the main premises and my jaw dropped to the ground.

“This is paradise!” Stephanie exclaimed softly.

The party was taking place in the open air, and we both alighted from the car with Dad.

“Mr Wright!” a voice called my Dad’s name as we approached the party.

It was Damian’s mum.

"Mrs Delance!" Dad called and they shook hands. Damian’s mum looked stunning in her white shimmering gown.

"I am glad you made it, my husband will be so excited to see you," she said and stared at Stephanie and I.

"Oh, my! Are these your daughters, the twin I once carried some years ago?" she asked, marveled.

“Yes, meet Stephanie and Sarah. They are my daughters,” Dad answered proudly.

“Goodness, gracious. They’ve blossomed into well sophisticated young ladies. I hope Damian ends up with either of them,” she smiled

Dad smiled too, and Stephanie blushed, twirling her hair as I looked away.

“Alright, let me take you to my husband,” she said and took Dad away, not before he muttered “You two be safe, and Stephanie don't leave your sister for a second. I'll be back!”

"Oh! Of course" Stephanie giggled mischievously and took a drink from a waiter’s tray. She gulped it and told me “Catch ya, baby sister. I am off to find the celebrant; my prince charming,”

I stamped my feet frustratedly. I knew she was going to leave me. I was too boring for her company.

The party was buzzing as lots of dignitaries filled the place. I walked to a table which was empty and took a seat. There was drinks on the table and I took a glass of wine to calm my nerves.

My phone started ringing and I brought it out from my purse. It was Zara.

"Hey Bestie!" she said immediately.

"Hey" I answered slowly.

"Oh, my God! You're at the party, right? I knew your Dad was going to be invited. So, tell me; how is it going? Have you seen Damian?" She said excitedly and I snorted.

"No, not at all," I replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Why? Please, let me know when you see him. We should do a video call, and don't forget to take pictures, okay? Bye" she said, ending the call quickly.

Oh heavens! Why are the two important girls in my life obsessed with Damian? I could really use screaming into a pillow now.

I looked around and my eyes met with a group of girls, they scowled at me. I quickly looked away and began playing games with my phone to pass time.

A waitress passed by with cupcakes and fruit juice, I took some from her. I ate with relishment. When I looked up to see Dad and a replica of Damian, more like the older version of Damian. I figured it was Mr Delance.

Maybe Dad was done, and we could go home. It was a boring party anyway. I noted that Stephanie was still nowhere in sight.

Just then I noticed Mr Delance excuse himself from my dad. Then he went to corner and pulled Damian from a group of surrounding girls. Up until now, I didn’t even know he was few feet from me.

I watched Mr Delance say something into his ear, and Damian excused himself from the girls and followed his Dad.

I waved to my dad who gestured to me to be calm— to say that he was coming.

I fidgeted with my hands, and looked up again when I saw my Dad leading Mr Delance and Damian towards my direction.

My breath hitched, and my eyes widened in horror.

Dad’s face held nothing but pride. As they got to me, my dad introduced us “Meet my daughter, Sarah. Sarah, meet the Delances”.

I could feel Damian’s blue eyes steadily on me. He looked so charming in his black suit, and his sleek hair was begging to be roughen.

I shook the sinful thoughts away, and smiled at Mr Delance. “Its so nice to meet you sir,” I said to Mr Delance with a bow.

He chuckled and took my hand. “Its so nice to meet a beautiful, prim and proper lady like yourself, Sarah.” Mr Delance smiled, and turned to looked around us “I thought your second daughter was also around?” he asked my dad.

My Dad shuffled his feet nervously “Ah, of course. She is— I guess she went to…” he looked at me for help

“She went to meet some friends,” I completed the sentence. My Dad sighed in relief.

“Okay,” Mr Delance nodded, turning to look at his quiet and stiff-necked son “Son, meet Sarah. I have heard so many positive things about her. I would like you both to really know each other well,”

Damian forced a smile. I bet he didn't fancy me. Well, the feeling was mutual. I didn’t like him either.

“Hello,” he grumbled, extending his hand for a handshake.

“Hello Damian,” I accepted his handshake.

“Perfect.” I heard his Dad mutter with mischief, “who knows you two may just end getting married,”

Our fathers smiled sheepishly, sharing knowing looks.

Wait— what??