"What the hell." I gave him a push. He took up three quarters of the bed, pushing me nearly over the edge. He opened his eyes and looked at me. "What?" he asked.
"What the heck are you doing here? And move over, you fat ass." I was trying not to fall over the edge.
"Adrian wanted the master’s bedroom ‘cause it was warmer. The idiot kept coming back so I moved here."
"There are other rooms, you know," I reminded him as I grabbed the blanket he was hogging. Darius closed his eyes, perhaps in exasperation, and grabbed the blanket, covering my face in the process.
"Go to sleep," he replied, turning around.
I frowned and pushed his back. "Move!" I said, moving a safe distance from the edge.
He muttered something I couldn't hear and I rolled my eyes. I turned around and pulled more of the blanket. I knew it was morning because the sun was. But I couldn't help it as sleep took over.
But not for long. The door burst open and I winced, opening my eyes.
"WAKE UP!" yelled a voice. I squinted and saw Adrian holding a bucket of water.
"Shit," I yelled, sitting up. I looked behind me and realised the bed was empty. Was I dreaming? But the crinkle in the folds and the other half of the blanket creased meant I wasn't.
"What the heck." I ran a hand over my face.
"What do you mean what the heck? You slept through most of the day and we are now one hour late to the cocktail party or wherever we are supposed to go."
I looked at the clock and swore loudly. Shit, why didn't anyone tell me? I noticed that Adrian was ready to go in a navy shirt over suit pants and a grey vest, somehow pulling it off well.
"I'm going," I grumbled as he warningly raised the bucket over me.
After nearly another hour, making us really late, Ma had finally finished helping me get ready.
"There," she said as she placed the final pin on my hair. I winced as I looked in the mirror, wanting to pull it out. It hurt and I could feel one of the strands in the wrong way, which was tugging at everything.
"It hurts," I complained, hoping Ma would remove that pin.
"There, there, child, you'll be fine. And you look stunning, my dear," she said, smiling as she grabbed the back of my shoulders to turn me around. I frowned.
It was a floor-length lace dress with a scoop neck and sleeveless and made out of tulle. It had a champagne bodice with black lace design over it, black tulle at the bottom, and the champagne colour running all the way down the bottom.
I wore simple spiral earrings that Ma had picked out, which only succeeded in making me worry that I might accidental pull them out.
I was still looking at myself in the mirror when I heard someone say, "Hurry up, we’re- Hot…"
I looked over as Adrian stood at the door, nodding in approval.
"Late, yes, I know. Let's go." I slipped into my simple black heels that had one small crystal that shone when the light hit it but it was covered by my floor-length dress.
Darius was waiting downstairs as Adrian and I both ran down the stairs, being yelled at by Ma to take it easy before I rip the ruffle of the dress. I rolled my eyes. It was only a dress. I can imagine my mother’s face if she saw me rip this dress.
"Let's go," said Adrian, bursting out the front door ahead of us.
"What's his hurry?" I asked, looking up at Darius whose eyes met mine.
"He's hungry. Don't know why he's in a hurry. You know, Miss Alvin is cooking," he said and I wrinkled my nose as I remembered the last time I was in her party. Hopefully, she didn't try and make me eat one of those pastries.
Darius placed his hand on my back, gently pushing me toward the car. "You look…good," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. I bit my lip trying not to smile at his awkwardness.
"Thanks," I said as I got in the car where Adrian was studying a bar of a chocolate or something.
"How old is this?" he asked Darius who just got inside. Darius shrugged.
"I think it's gone bad," said Adrian as he ate the last bite. He was crazy. If he ended up getting food poisoned, we’ll know why.
I didn't realise how late we were till we walked in and most people stopped to look at who it was. A few came to say hello and greet us, with the men standing on either side of me: Darius talking to some man and Adrian looking around.
"Where's the food?" he asked, looking down at me and I shrugged. Now I wondered about the same thing. Where was the food?
"Oh Ivory, darling, you look so lovely. And Darius, I'm glad you both made it." We looked up as Miss Alvin came to us with her arms outstretched. She squeezed me into a hug, one as tight as Jeremy's.
"Sorry we're late," I said as she pulled back laughing.
"At least you made it," she said. Linking my hand with hers, she dragged me away. I looked back at the two, wanting to scream 'help'.
After half an hour of introductions, she finally left me and I found my way to the table where Alicia was sitting. She was looking around and did a double take when she saw me. She rushed over to me, giggling and ushering me to her seat.
"Damn, girl, you look beautiful," she complimented as she eyed me up and down. I could feel my cheeks turning red. She was wearing a bright pink and white gradient dress with a crystal belt; she seemed to pull off the bold colour very well.
"I bet Darius was lost for words when he saw you, eh," she said, winking and nudging me . I shook my head at her. "How was your trip?"
I opened my mouth but closed it when Jake, Adrian and Darius joined the table. Adrian brought with him a plate full of quiches.
"Oh, can I have one?" asked Alicia as Adrian took a big bite.
He looked at her funny, then said, "Get your own."
We were so shocked by his rudeness that we just stared at him.
"Gentleman, you can't keep the ladies hungry," said Miss Alvin, coming over our table carrying a massive plate of pastries and placing one on each of our plates. Alicia and I exchanged a look. The pastry looked raw on the bottom and burnt on top and the middle. We wouldn't know what we’d find till we open it.
"It’s my famous rum and banana pie."
I nearly gagged. Rum and banana?
"Eat up," she sang as she moved on. Alicia and I both stared at our plates.
"You think it's edible?" Alicia asked, touching the top of her pie with her finger.
"I don't know. I dare you to eat some." It was childish, but I couldn’t dive right into the pie. She looked at me with eyes wide.
"No way. You first."
"If you do it, I will," I said. She bit her lip, looking around and back down to her plate. I looked down at my own plate.
"You first," she said and I nodded. Fine.
How bad can a pie be?
Just as I was about to reach for the pie, I saw Darius reach for it, but somebody beat him to it. From behind me, a hand connected to an arm covered in a bright red sleeve picked the pie up off my plate. I stared at the plate in confusion and looked at Darius who was staring at someone behind me. Then he broke into a smile.
I turned around in my chair, looking up to see who it was who took the pie. I felt all the blood drain from my face.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
It felt as though my heart stopped beating as I met the blue eyes that stared back.
"James," said Darius, breaking the silence that seemed to go on forever but was really a brief second or two.
James held out the pie and Darius laughed, shaking his head. "How have you been?" he asked.
"Heartbroken since someone didn't reply to my phone calls all week," he replied. Darius laughed uncomfortably as he stood up. So James was the one calling?
Right now, I would have preferred a skinny–size, negative nine supermodel calling him instead. James's eyes looked down, meeting mine, and I turned around in my seat as they continued talking, trying to ignore my beating heart.
Alicia looked at me, her eyes brows furrowing.
"Are you okay?" Alicia asked and I jumped in surprise.
/> "Oh yea. No, I just… Isn't it hot in here?" I asked, fanning myself for emphasis. She raised her eyebrows and I bit my lip, looking around.
"I'm going to get some fresh air." Without waiting for her reply, I stood up.
"Ooh, me too. I’ll come with you," she said, looking at the pie distastefully before standing up.
I didn't want her to come but she followed me as I made my way outside. The air was relaxing and I greedily sucked it in. What was he doing here?
Of course, he was Miss Alvin’s son. All the times I had been with him, not once had he mentioned family or names even. What happened to being an orphan? I knew I should have doubted him then. We had been together longer than I could remember and he had been to my house a million times and met my parents but I had never really met his. Well, probably because he told me he was an orphan.
"Are you okay?"
I looked at Alicia with a nod and felt the hot sting at the back of my throat. Oh god, Ivory, don't cry now.
Alicia continued when I remained quiet. ”Because you look like you saw a ghost."
I let out a nervous laugh. I was expecting her to say that because, in fact, I did see a ghost. A ghost of my past.
"There you are."
I looked to see Miss Alvin walking toward us.
"My son’s here somewhere. I was going to introduce him but then you ladies left. Never mind. At dinner I will introduce you. That reminds me, are you both hungry?"
I shook my head, surreptitiously signaling at Alicia to say no. Oh dear, no more pies.
"Oh good. James gave me this brilliant idea. He said not everyone would like seafood so I have the chef cook some other food, so hopefully it should be done soon. Smart boy. I have never imagined someone not liking seafood," she said and I nodded vigorously.
Of course, he asked to change the menu. I could feel my nails digging into my skin.
"You ladies head back inside before you get sick. Off you go, both of you. Dinner should be soon, hopefully," she said, making gestures with her hands to shoo us back inside.
Alicia shrugged her shoulders and grabbed my arm, pulling me inside. Instead of taking me toward the table, she took me to an isolated parlour room. She closed the door behind us.
"Alright, girly, speak," she said, crossing her arms and waiting.
"About what?"
"You know exactly what. Trust me, I know that look," she snapped.
I collapsed on the couch behind me and placed my head in my hands.
I have to tell someone, and I might as well start with her.
"You should tell Darius."
I looked up at her, with a “was she serious”? look.
"I can't."
"Of course you can. It's simple. You go up to him and tell him everything, Ivory, or else-"
"No way," I said, shaking my head.
"You know that he'll find out sooner or later. It's better with you telling him than James filling his head up with stuff."
I sighed, not sure what to do. She was right. I need to tell him, but I don't want to.
What if he judged me for it? We were finally getting on good terms and I don't want to ruin it.
"I will, just not now."
"No. Do it now. Did you know that Darius just accepted him as a business partner?"
"What?" I asked, half-yelling as I looked up at her in utter surprise. She nodded, twirling one of her locks in her fingers.
"They're still talking about it. Darius hasn’t fully accepted him as a partner yet. And from what you have told me, James would bring the company down. I was surprised when Jake told me. I didn't quite believe it myself."
I tapped my foot impatiently on the ground. This wasn't good. Wasn't good at all, but how was I supposed to tell him?
"We should get back," I said, standing up.
Alicia stood up as well and went for the door. "Ivory, you need to tell him. He deserves to know," she said.
"I will," I said, leaving out the part when I would tell him. I mean I'll get to it, just not now.
By the time we went back, people were sitting back down for dinner. How long had we been away? I plastered a fake smile as we walked back and Alicia stared at me. James seemed to have disappeared and Jake and Darius were talking.
"There you both are. We were about to send out a search party," said Jake as we approached them.
Alicia laughed, waving a hand. "Please, we were admiring the garden," she said, the lie slipping out so easily.
"That reminds me,” Jake said, looking in my direction. “How is your garden going, Ivory?"
Darius looked at me, raising his eyebrows, and I could feel heat rushing to my cheeks. Jeez, Jake, did you have to blurt that out loud?
"Eh, it's fine," I said, shrugging as I sat down. The waiter came toward us pushing a tray.
"What would you like, chicken or seafood, ma'am," he said. I opened my mouth and saw James in the corner watching us.
"Seafood," I replied, frowning. The waiter nodded and placed a plate in front of me. I looked up to see the smirk wiped off James's face. If he still thought he knew me, he was wrong. Alicia raised her eyebrows at me in question. I ignored her, looking down at the prawns in front of me.
Here goes nothing.
I was the only one at our table who had ordered seafood and now, looking at them all eat their succulent chicken, I was annoyed. Damn it, Ivory, you should have just gotten the damn chicken. But of course, my pride was far too big for that. I looked up, my eyes roaming till I spotted him.
James was sitting a table away from us with his mother as he talked to people around him. He was always someone who had their way with words, always making a good impression.
Stop thinking about him! I placed a prawn in my mouth and chewed on it, trying not to let it rise back up. Just swallow, chew and swallow.
"Are you okay?"
I looked up to see Darius staring at me, his eyebrows knotted in confusion. I nodded, placing my fork on the plate.
"I'll be right back," I said. I got up quickly, ignoring Alicia's worried look as I rushed to the bathroom. I could feel everything around me crushing, my resolve breaking. God, why did he have to show up? Just when I have finally started putting my life back together, here he was again.
Alicia was right. I needed to tell Darius. But how will I tell him? I can't just simply walk up to him and say, ‘Oh by the way, your new business partner? He’s my ex.’ I can’t do it. Darius is moody as hell, not to mention bi polar. The second I tell him, all hell will break loose.
I splashed water on my face, washing all my makeup off. It was cold and refreshing. I stared at my somewhat pale reflection, my brown eyes looking scared. The only colour on my face was my cheeks that were slightly pink from the cold water.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Come on, Ivory, dinner, maybe a dance with your husband and go home. I can do this.
Fixing my hair one last time, I stepped out of the bathroom in a hurry and bumped into someone. What happened to the lights?
"Sorr-"
"Don't you look beautiful as ever."
I froze.
I stared into those eyes and forced my legs to move. Come on, you can do this. But he blocked my way, pushing me against the far wall to shield me from everyone.
"Surprised to see me?"
"Move," I hissed through my teeth and pushed my hands against his chest. He caught them easily, holding my wrists and leaning forward. His body towered over mine, making it near impossible to move. The more I struggled, the more he seemed to enjoy it, so I slumped against the wall.
"Move, James."
"Let me explain, Ivory. You never let me explain," he said, his finger brushing against my cheek, making me wince. The touch I once used to love made bile rise up my throat.
"I don't need an explanation," I snapped, glaring up at him. His eyes softened as they looked into mine and I gritted my teeth.
"Ivory, I miss you."
Oh god. Not this again. I gave him a harsh
push which made him stumble backwards. Without so much as a glace in his direction, I quickly rushed back to the table. Dinner seemed to have been finished. I surely hadn't been gone that long, had I?
Marriage by Law Page 14