The engagement party

Audrey

    Alexander and I walked down, the majestically designed aisle, of the party venue. The aisle was lined with a beautiful red carpet which was lavishly designed with  lavenders, roses and tulips making them scream not just luxury but also royalty.

    The party room was an open garden, which was situated at the heart of the hotel. It had a kidney shaped swimming pool in it which looked comforting. They also illuminated stars from the lights beneath them, causing the pool’s surface to embody the sky. I could literally jump in it and forget all that just happened but, I wasn't a good swimmer. 

    The cotton garlands lining  the garden could almost be mistaken for a roof. It was beautifully decorated, with white and green roses, which was a matching color with the carpet grasses. The lights which hung from them, shone brightly and were being aided by the stars that embraced the sky.

    Everything looked perfect and for a moment, it felt as if the heavens were in support of what was going on that night, including Jimmie's death.

    And if they were, then they were definitely not being fair.

    The eyes of the guests felt like arrows that shot out angrily from its archer's bow. It was the look of disgust, sneer and jealousy. But for some weird reasons, it felt like they were also scared.

   I was carefully observing the guests when I lost my balance but was caught by Alexander just in time.

    “Don't be scared Hazel. No one here would dare to do anything to my bride.”  

    “No one here would dare touch your bride but my sister was murdered in cold blood right here.”  I whispered with anger.

    “Hazel….” He proceeded again but I cut him short.

    “I'm not scared Mr. Royales. I'm just exhausted.” I retorted as I helped myself up and adjusted my dress.

    “Let's go.” I said to him coldly.

    “You know hazel, a thank you would have been appreciated.” Alexander said calmly, as we locked our hands together again, like magnet and metal.qq

    “I didn't ask you to catch me Mr. Royales.” 

    “I was definitely fine on my own.”

    “ You just can't pass up any chance you get to touch me .” I blurted out immediately.

    I was already getting furious by the turnout of things this night. 

    “That statement really hurts Hazel.” 

    “Can you just keep quiet?!” I whispered.

    “Let's just get this done quietly please.” 

    “Anything for my wife,” he replied calmly.

    The event finally kicked off and all sorts of activities were going on. From recitals to auctions down to exhibitions. It dawned on me then.

    This wasn't an engagement party. It was clearly a masked way for these hungry grabbers to make more money. 

    Soon enough, the guests came to greet us and also welcome me into the business. The lingering thought that, one of these guests could be Jimmie’s killer was sickening and I felt nauseous from it. I quickly excused myself to go get a drink from the bar.

    The bar was situated right next to the buffet. It was a mini bar and the drinks were arranged neatly behind the counter, which made it easier for people to identify the drink they would like to get.

    “A shot of lager beer please.” I gestured to the bartender.

    “Incoming milady!” The bartender replied offering me a heartwarming smile.

    I sat there in silence as I waited for my drink when my mom suddenly walked up to me.

    “Jimmie's body has been taken care of.” She said coldly.

    I felt a burning sting in my chest as my mom dropped the bomb. I actually expected this from her but, for some reasons, it hurt.

    I just nodded and gave her a fake smile.

    The thought of never seeing Jimmie again lingered bitterly in my heart. More so that the killer could have been apprehended, if not for my mom's desires.

    I turned and stared at my mom intently filled with rage and disgust, as I bit my lower lip sharply, causing it to bruise a little, all in an attempt to stop my tears from escaping.

    “Audrey,”

    “In no time, you will get to understand your dad and I.” She stated plainly but I stared her in disbelief.

    “Mom, spare me this crap already please.”

    “I have already had enough for a day.” 

    She stared at me quietly.

    The silence after was soul wrenching.

    

“Your drink, ma’am.” The bartender said, breaking the silence.

    “Thanks.” I said as I stood up and walked to the buffet.

   

     I wasn't really sure of what I was doing here. If there was something I was certain about right now, it was the fact that I wasn't hungry but I had no choice.

    The buffét looked really inviting. It was a Scottish banquet buffét style, with many Scottish delicacies ranging from roasted Scottish beef, wild Scottish game pie, smoked salmon canapés, langoustine cocktail and Scottish tablets as desserts. I took a serving of Scottish tablets and was munching slowly when, the discussion between two ladies caught my attention.

    “I mean she's not even up to his standard. I'm still amused at what could make Alexander settle for a girl like that.”

    “Don't get me started Sophia. She clearly seduced him because, she can only offer her body.”

    “Besides, her father is wretched.”

    “Yeah, the scandal really took a toll on his company.”

   “Which gives her no other option but to go after Alexander’s money.” 

    “She had absolutely nothing to offer.” 

    “You need to see the way her mom sucks up to aunt Lisa.”

    “She could pass for one of our cleaners.” The girl finished, as they let out a heartfelt laughter.

    I thought I should ignore them.

    “A poor shameless b*tch.” 

    Her utterance lit up the anger I had felt all night. 

    I suddenly walked up to her furiously and emptied my drink on her hair as she screamed in shock, attracting the crowd to us. Everywhere suddenly went silent, that even the sound of a pin dropping to the floor could be heard. 

    She turned towards me in shock.

    “What…… did…. you…. just…..do…..?” 

    I just stared at her nonchalantly.

    “Sorry...” I said, making an irritated face.

    “My intrusive thoughts took over.”

    “The drink looks good with your hair by the way.” I replied sarcastically.

    “You b*tch!!!” She cursed as she raised her slender hand to hit me but I held it in place.

    “Don't you dare!” I threatened her.

    “Let go of me!!” 

     “Now!!!!!!!!” 

    I forcefully let go of her hand and made to walk away when she gripped my right hand.

    “And where do you think you are going?” She asked furiously.

  “Pay for my dress.” 

   “What?!” I scoffed.

    “This dress cost me fifteen thousand dollars, and you just ruined it.”

    I stared in disbelief.

    “Ohh really?.” 

    “I can't afford it dear.” 

    “I'm so sorry about that.”

     “Excuse you?” 

    “I'm sorry not sorry about your dress.” I stated plainly.

    “This has got to be some kind of sick joke right?”

     “You’ve got some nerve girl..” her friend chipped in.

   “I mean you just ruined a 15k dollar dress and you are not even bothered about it?” 

   “Ohh I'm sorry.”

   “Am I supposed to be scared?” 

   “What?” She scoffed.

   “I see you clearly don't know whom you are messing with right?” She said as she pushed my right shoulder aggressively.

    “You should have watched it before you called me a cunt!.” I replied gripping her hand.

    “And who the hell do you think you are?” She asked in fury.

    I made to reply her when a husky voice echoed from behind and sent chills throughout the crowd.

   “My bride.” Alexander answered as he approached us, like he didn't just send chills into the crowd.