Uninvited Guest

SABRINA MORALES

Sally! He called me Sally!

I swear I could not believe it. Was I angry or did I just find it funny? And if I was angry, could I also be hurt?

Were my emotions valid?

I mean, Blaze was just a man from a one-night stand.

And he did warn me.

All the jokes he made about having him for the night weren't just some bad boy jokes.

He was who he said he was. A whore with a brain that didn't have space big enough to hold my name for twelve hours.

I griped the sink and stared down at the white surface. I had to stop myself from feeling this way.

Every emotion rushed at me. Each one felt stronger than the last.

I wasn't meant to be feel this way.

I asked myself what I was expecting. I was the one who sneaked out of his room this morning when I connected the dots.

Now I was mad over him forgetting my name.

I turned on the water and placed my hand under it.

My finger was missing my engagement ring. I had locked it away in my box.

I remembered walking in on Alex and his mistress, Maggie.

I should have thrown that piece-of-shit ring he got for me at him instead of my bangle.

But I couldn't. The ring may not have been expensive but it had meant sonething to me. It was a promise from a man I loved until he broke it.

I washed my face and left the rest room as a group of ladies strutted in, giggling excitedly over something.

At least they had something that was making them laugh.

I envied them and I found myself rolling my eyes as I took the turns that would lead me back to the dining area of the restaurant.

This place was nothing like the restaurant Blaze and I had met in.

Unlike the previous, this offered a completely indoor eating area with glass and steel furniture options.

The lights were bright blue and white, and the tiles looked like they were painted with waves from the ocean.

It was truly beautiful. Nothing like my pathetic life.

At our table, everyone was laughing.

Mum momentarily leaned on Jo. Their backs were mostly what I saw but Blaze?

I could see his face, watch and his cheeks move with laughter. I was looking at him be happy and fulfilled five minutes after calling me Sally.

In what universe did Sally sound like Salome?

I thought of returning to the rest room but I chose the path of discomfort.

I marched to our table, trying my best to act and walk like I didn't care.

I didn't care about him. I was here for mum and Jo, her finance.

“Hi, guys.” I slid into my chair and pushed it forward.

“What are you having? The waitress was here a couple of minutes ago,” Mum was saying.

She looked around, searching for the exact waitress.

Jo was oblivious to the tension brewing between his son and I.

Blaze held my gaze and then he dared me to look away.

I didn't want to be the one who chickened out.

But I also was not interested in playing any of his silly games. I looked away

“What are you getting?” I asked Mum, turning my attention to her.

“Some fries and chicken. We had a heavy meal on our ride here.” Mum held her stomach as though to show me prove of her last meal. “I told her to bring the same thing for you but if you want to change it–”

“Not at all,” I disagreed not wanting to stress her. “Fries and chicken works for me too.”

Besides, I had lost my appetite after being called Sally.

Mum and Jo arrived Night Park at exactly Seven pm. I knew because mum and I were on facetime when they did.

It was after they got into their suite that Jo said hi to me for the first time.

I was rounding up the call with mum when Jo popped in to say hi.

Staring at Jo was not like staring at Blaze, but their similarities were as loud as they were few.

The shape of their face was clearly similar. They both had diamond shaped faces.

Jo kept a low trim on his beards and facial hair, Blaze did the same thing.

Blaze’s however still stood out more because he had a dark hair color in contrast to his light skin.

Jo had light orange hair, almost blonde and so his low trimmed facial hair could go unnoticed from a distance.

“Blaze and I were just talking. He studied business management with a masters in finance. Impressive, don’t you think?” Mum tried to start a conversation between Blaze and I.

I kept a straight face when I acknowledged Blaze. He got a small smile from me too but that was all.

And I only did that because mum was here. If anyone could read me, it was her. I had to pretend like everything was okay between us.

Like we were just meeting eachother, starting off in a clean slate.

“Well done, Blaze. Incase you were wondering, I'm a professional photographer,” I dumped the info.

Casually, I reached for the jug of water to drink while mum continued with her conversation starters.

I could see how excited she was about this wedding from all she was doing.

She wanted everything to be perfect and for us to be the perfect blended family.

I wanted whatever my mom wanted.

“Yup,” Mum continued easily. “My girl’s images are astronomical. She catches images in a way that provokes a long stare and deep thinking.” Mum sang my praises, going from one achievement of mine to the other.

If I didn't know better, I would think she was plotting a relationship between Blaze and I.

“What did you have to study for that?” Blaze asked with a soft pat of disrespect.

He could fool everyone on the table and say he was just asking, but I knew he was looking for a reaction from me.

Not tonight, Blaze.

Not ever.

“Studied fine and applied arts, majored in photography and sculpting and I came out as top of my class. I've headlined two shows, one of which was hosted by the American Organiztaion of Pixels and Dreams. Hopefully, this year I can host an event in my name.” It was my turn to sing my praises and I did it with joy.

If this was a competition, then I had won it.

Jo leaned forward. “Would you mind sending some of your most impressive works to me? I could have investor friends willing to tap into your artistry if its worth it.”

“You’re being serious, yes?” I stopped myself from exploding on my seat.

Blaze bit his lips and continued to watch. His gaze made me uncomfortable but I forced myself to not mind.

It was just one night that we spent in each other’s arms. He didn't want more than one night.

I needed nothing more than one night too.

“Send them to me too?” Blaze asked.

My sharp mouth had a reply for him faster than the speed of light.

“Do you have investor friends for me too?” I asked Blaze, feigning a soft voice like I wasn't struggling to not hate him right now.

Everyone at the table laughed except for Blaze and I.

“I could,” he answered smugly. He dipped his hand into his breast pocket and offered the luxury, aluminum card to me. “Here’s my card. It has my dad’s contact information too.”

But I wasn't even looking at Blaze anymore.

The color left my face as a ball formed at the back of my throat.

“Shut up,” I muttered

Blaze caught my words somehow.

“Excuse me?” He said offended.

Blaze’s question simmered away in the back ends of my brain.

I couldn't believe my eyes and I blinked twice to clear my vision.

The figure didn't magically disappear. It also didn't stop walking towards us.

It was Alex, my ex and he was aprroaching with a bouquet of red and white lillies.

I glared at him and asked him silently to leave. He did not want to do this here.

But instead, he smiled like everything was okay between us and got close enough.

Now everyone was going to find out about my embarrassing ex who couldn't keep it in his pants.

Isn't this the perfect family dinner and introduction?

“Sabrina, darling.”