LENA
"I'm beautiful, I'm smart, I'm lovely and most of all I'm not fat!"
I whispered my daily mantra to myself once more. No, a millionth time today since my fiance, Liam and my cousin and absolute best friend, Natalie went MIA.
They had dragged me to this big event where socialites, politicians,celebrities, business mogul, to simply put; people with billions in their accounts murmured, laughed and kissed each others' butts. This was networking disguised as partying. And this was absolutely not my scene.
I'm seated at the bar, facing a wall of mirrors stretched from floor to ceiling just behind where the bartender stood mixing my drink, which I need for little encouragement. I hate alcohol.
The music pulsed through the rooms but it did nothing to tune out the whispers and the murmurs of the few women behind me, I could hear them as clear as day. Their heavy makeup faces were locked at my every movement like I was an art in an exhibition show. Not that they'd ever described me as such, to them I was a gorilla being showcased in the zoo.
"You mean she is Lucy's daughter ?
How come she looks like that ?"
"She was such a gorgeous woman. Too bad she didn't pass her genes to her only child"
Giggles.
I do hope my mother was resting peacefully wherever she was, she didn't need to hear this.
"I kind of feel bad for her"
More giggles
The few others' conversations merged together like a broken radio. I couldn't care less. They only had me when my mother's name was mentioned.
"I heard lugard's company hasn't been doing so well. Is that why she's wearing such a cheap dress ?!"
"Look at those hips ? Omg. I think she should stop eating!"
"if not for those dips she'd look like jelly!"
More and more giggles
Huh? Jelly? How was that even hilarious to them ? Was that the only insult she could come up with?
I whispered my daily affirmations to myself once again to completely rule them out. They can't ruin my recently found confidence, courtesy of my Liam and Natalie who have stuck closer more than ever in the last few months.
I caught glimpses of my reflection once more from behind the bar, I wore a fitted, sultry beige dress with thin straps, it grazed my knees, simple yet it clinged to every piece of my curves that I hate so much, especially, right now, when there were lean bodies and long elegant heads everywhere I look.
My light brown eyes sparkled in the mirror and my dark brown hair which was pulled up from my face in a tight bun was starting to hurt, my scalp slightly burning. The bartender poured me another portion of something I couldn't name, I offered a 'thank you' as I clutched my wine glass tightly, taking a sip to calm my nerves.
I needed to get out of here but first, I needed to find my fiance and my best friend.
Were they planning another surprise for me?
The last surprise was my engagement party, all planned out by the both of them, I had no idea and as much as I hate surprises, it was a pleasant one. They are just too good to me and I love them so friggin 'much!
I quickly 'byye' the pretty bartender and I turned to leave. To my horror, I collided with a hard chest and the drink spilled all over both of us.
I almost slipped but I caught myself and I quickly looked down. Thank God I didn't drop the glass, I hated attention. I briskly put the glass on the table top.
"Omg I'm so sorry…" I said, still looking down at the hot mess I had just created. White crisp shirt, now brown and my beige dress now, well, also brown.
I looked up to apologize again to the person whose night I just ruined but the words just died in my throat. A slow, sweet death.
Tall, chiseled, suit-clad perfection.
He's beautiful.
Can I even say that when he's built like a wall clad in clay?
He raised a perfect eyebrow, his piercing green eyes locked onto mine.
Jesus Christ. Was I just checking out another man?
I suddenly felt guilty and I snapped out of my trance.
"I'm so sorry about this' I signaled to his shirt " I can just grab a napkin and help you clean up.. I'm.."
"It's fine" he said in a voice that I could immediately taste on my tongue, velvet and vanilla, cake and icecream. I swallowed the deliciousness.
I almost salivated but then I mentally kicked myself in the brain, you love Liam. you fool!
"I understand people like you barely focus on where you're going but i should tell you' clumsiness is not an attractive trait" he said in a clipped voice, showing no emotion whatsoever.
Oh he's the jerk type.
"What? People like me?! You're clearly at fault here too" I faced him head on, not backing away, even though he towered above me. He was taller than Liam. Shut up.
"So young and stupid" he turned to leave without sparing me another glance.
"I'm not stupid" I said after him. Coward. Running away after picking a fight.
And as if he heard me, he stopped.
I almost ran but what was he going to do? Beat me up ? We were at a party for Christ's sake. I didn't move a step.
He turned over his shoulder reluctantly and pointed his head towards my chest.
"You should fix that. Lena" he said my name with so much spite that I'm taking aback. I froze.
And he disappeared. Like he was never there, like he was a figment of my imagination. He didn't even let me get a word in!
Rude.
Arrogant asshole.
Wait. He knew my name ?
I glanced at the front of my dress and turned red, it was completely see through now. I rushed out of the bustling of the party, no one seemed to be glancing my way anymore. Yeah, everybody else was busy making connections and I was busy making a mess of myself.
Where's Liam and Natalie anyway ??
I closed the sliding door on my way out and the noise quickly died down. plush carpets in a rich, dark hue stretched across the lobby floor, huge and fearful my step mother would say 'elegant' chandeliers cast a warm glow on my face.
There were too many rooms but then again, I expected nothing less from one of the biggest hotels in 7th avenue street, New York.
I walked hurriedly through the dimly lit hallway, the quicker I got this done, the better, I'd find Liam and Natalie and we'd leave this godforsaken party.
I'd love nothing more to be in my bed right now, curled up against my comforter.
I gripped a handle and pushed but it didn't bulge, then another, and another, absolutely nothing friggin opened. I angrily gripped another handle again and then pushed, still nothing! Ughhhh.
I couldn't go back to the party like this.
I walked further down the hallway and started pulling and pushing on the doors once more and finally one gave away. Yes! Never give up! I should add that to my friggin motto.
I don't curse, ever. So I use words like 'friggin' instead, Lame. I know.
I was half way in when some strange voices stopped me midway.
"Ahhh"
"Fuck"
"Yess"
Those rhythms, those noises, my ears were turning pink. Not wanting to interrupt the situation, I moved to close the door then a voice stopped me, no, trapped me to the door.
"Fuck. Natalie, I need to have you from the back right now, will you be a good girl and bend over for daddy."
I froze. My hands were jelly, they slided from the door handles and dropped to my side.
"Yess. Daddy, shove your big cock…"
"Ah. don't fuckin stop"
For a moment, I couldn't think. Huh. Why was I standing here?
A cord has either disconnected from my brain or an alien has just passed and wiped off my memory.
"You can count on it baby. Now roll your hips backwards"
"Yeah, just like that
. Perfect"
" Ah Liamm..I'm going to …"
And without warning, all at once, blood rushed to my brains.
What. the. FUCK ?!