"Ann let's get going, it's already 3 in the morning." Drey pressured me, "We have a new year dinner with my parents today, we have to catch some sleep." He looked at my face waiting for me to give in.
"Okayyy, one minute more please."
"Annnnnn." He pleaded with me, we were all tired, El and Chloe left a while ago leaving Drey and I alone at a restaurant in Times Square.
I took his hand in mine, "okay let's go." I'm so tired and exhausted standing in the pen for 12 hours waiting for the ball to start dropping at 11:59pm at Times Square.
What I read in the search results weren't as fun and way more thrilling than experiencing it firsthand. We went around noon and met a lot of anxious crowd waiting for the event to start.
There were a lot more performances from celebs who made it more lit. I stared in awe when the ball began dropping, my eyes kinda followed it till it landed and joined the rest of the crowd in cheering a big, "happy new year."
I was caught off guard when Drey kissed me, and when I looked around our pen at the rest of the crowd, there were a lot more couples who were so engrossed in sharing saliva to notice whatever was going on. Chloe and Rohit were not left out.
El and Darrel went overboard, but who I'm I to complain? When they're so in love. We waited for most of the crowd in our own to go out of it before we left to a restaurant around Times Square. I left immediately to the bathroom, my bladder wanted to explode from the urine I've kept during the 12 hours wait.
Drey and I ordered French fries with chicken stripes and the rest ordered steak with fries and grilled potatoes. We sat there and made conversations till we ran out of topics, that's when the others left leaving Drey and I.
I finally got to meet Rohit Singh Alawal, Chloe's Indian boyfriend that got her pinned down, not forcefully though, it's her choice. She referred to herself as a free bird who cannot be pinned down by one man, she's wild and free to go out with any man without being labeled as a girlfriend or anything.
Now I see a new Chloe, even El agrees with me. The way her eyes look at Rohit in adoration tells us she's really in love. He also looks at her like Chloe's the most cutest angel on earth.
From their conversation, I got to know they've been together for three months now and that's unlike her, like I did before she's a free bird who doesn't last close to a month in her flings.
Rohit told us they met through a political friend of theirs and they instantly clicked and have been inseparable since.
Rohit is also from a political family but unlike Chloe, he's studying civil engineering at Harvard and will be graduating this new year to head their family company.
"Will you go to mine or yours?" Drey asked when we got into the car after maneuvering our way through the thick crowd on the streets, there were so excited and with the way their energy is up, you might think it's daytime on a national festive day.
"I'll go to mine and meet you at your parents' with my family." It's much acceptable going there with my family than with Drey.
Drey was cool with it, "that's fine, buckle your seatbelt love."
I did as he said, after buckling it I turned on the radio, listening to the songs being played.
I felt my body being carried in a strong pair of arms, opening my eyes, I found myself in Drey's arms being carried to my room.
He opened my door and gently laid me on the bed, "I'll see you later in the day, Alright?" He pecked my forehead, "sleep well babe."
"Goodnight too baby boo, I love you."
"I love you more." He pecked me one last time and left me to sleep. Though I was awake minutes ago, sleep took over the minute I closed my eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I woke up feeling so famished, it's as if I've not eaten in weeks. I got out of my clothes and went to the kitchen, the house was surprisingly quiet. There was left over pizza in the refrigerator which I heated and ate with a glass of Welch's fruit punch.
A hand grabbed the last two slice of pizza on my plate. Can't a hungry girl eat her food in peace? "This pizza is too good to be eaten alone by you." El's annoying voice said to me.
"That was my last slice El, you do know last slices taste the best right." Her voice is annoying because she's eaten my last slice of pizza which isn't enough. I know sharing is caring but in this case, I'm stillllllll hungry!
"Yeah they taste the best, I was hungry." She shrugged her shoulders and sat down beside me, taking my glass of fruit punch, she gulped it all down.
What's with El and stealing my food today. "Elisa Gyanwaa Morrison!" I screeched her name to infuriate her, that's what she gets for stealing my food.
She grimaces her face and pinched my arm, "you know how I hate the Gyanwaa, it's too old fashioned for my liking."
"That's what you get for stealing my food this morning."
"It's late afternoon, which time did you get home?" She asked looking in the refrigerator for food.
"There's no food available, I didn't look at the time, I was asleep when Drey brought me home."
She sat down dejected, "You two really were goals at Times Square, entwining your hands, kissing and speaking with your eyes."
"So were you and Chloe, you even went overboard." I shake my head smiling as I recount what El and Darrel did.
She covered her face, blushing, "okay okay, this topic is not up for discussion." She got up from her seat and walked out of the kitchen, grinning.
"Don't start what you can't finish!" I yelled out to her going to the sink to wash the plate and glass.
She yelled back at me, "Mum and Dad are over at Drey's parents'. They texted me saying we should get our asses up at the Archambeau's in an hour."
"Okayyyy." I took out the trash and went back my room to take my bath and get ready, the dinner starts at 6 and it's already 5:12pm.
El came into my bathroom when I was in the tub, "hurry up Ann, I wanna take my bath here."
"Why?" Her bathroom is way bigger than mine.
"I feel like it and dress over here too, so get your ass out of the tub and lemme get in, I'm itchy."
"Join the queue princesse."
She stared at me like I've said the most surprising thing ever, "are you now French, have you ditched Ghana already?"
"Lmao El no! I'm still proudly Ghanaian." I've been more around Drey since we got together, he's growing in on me and every now and then I try i copying his French words.
"You sounding like a French lady right now." She sat on the water closet, brushing her teeth.
"I'm always gonna be a Ghanaian." I'm never going to ditch Ghana ever in my life, poor or not Ghana is the only country I have that is always going to give me the peace, protection and comfort I need, she's the only country I can be myself without any fear of violating foreign rules.
"For a while, you'll soon be French."
"Not happening."
"It's going to happen when the wedding bells ring."
"No one's talking about marriage El." I'm not ready to tie the knot, I still have university to complete. Drey hasn't talked about it with me though.
"You aren't yeah but that doesn't mean Drey isn't."
"When did he talk to you about it?"
"That time-" El cut herself off, realizing she's going to blurt out something I'm not supposed to know or has sworn secrecy to.
"Which time?" I asked getting out of the tub, "pass me the towel please."
El took the towel from the rack and handed it to me, "here you go." She got into the tub, not answering me.
I get the memo, it's not in my power to know at least not for now. My closet was a mess, El ransacked through it yesterday to bring me clothes for the Times ball drop.
Clothes were scattered everywhere, I was at loss as to what to wear to the dinner so I sat there searching through my clothes in my head for the perfect outfit.
Halter neck dress ? No, Off shoulder dress? No, sleeveless dress? No, pants with top? No, "Aarrgh!" I yelled in frustration, throwing a dress in my hand away, choosing the perfect outfit is a headache sometimes. I must applaud Chloe for her styling skills.
"What's with the anger?" El who just entered the closet caught the dress.
"I can't settle on the perfect dress for the dinner."
"Don't be silly Ann, you look perfect in anything, you'll look chic even in flour sack."
I must say that boosted my ego, El is not the complimenting type so if she says I look perfect in anything then that's an ego feeder. "Lemme model this dress for you to judge, if it's perfect."
I got up from the floor, stepping on clothes I threw away out of frustration and picked up a black velvet off shoulder jumpsuit, wearing it, I paired it with a gold layered choker and beige pumps.
I did a catwalk in front of El, who assessed the dress, "you looking flawless, I told you you look perfect in anything."
"Thanks El, I would still be on that floor if you didn't help."
"Family over everything, what are you going to do with your hair?"
My hair? It's still in its natural state, I've not braided or fixed a wig. "I'm gonna put it in a bun on my head, not in a wig wearing mood."
"Okay cool."
I got out of the dress,wore a strapless bra, no one wants to meet their in-laws with fallen boobs and got into the jumpsuit again. I don't know much about make up, I cleansed my face and left it at that.
El was ready in minutes, "want a make up?"She asked taking a look at her face one last time in the mirror.
"Nope I'll pass." I took a beige clutch and stuffed my phone into it, "shall we go?" I retraced my steps to my vanity table and wore the Chanel perfume I'm trying out.
I went downstairs, waiting in the drive way for El, she said something about changing her purse. She came out dangling her car keys in my face, "you driving Ann, I can't drive in this state." She said yawning.
"Hop into the car baby." I winked at her, I enjoy driving as much as I enjoy watching YouTube nail tutorials videos. I really need to get the license ASAP, I've started saving for my dream car, gold Lamborghini Urus.
I turned on the ignition, the engine roared to life. Cautiously I reversed the car out of the gate into the streets. Come to think of it, I have no idea where we're going, "El can you input the address in the GPS ? I have no idea where they live."
"Sure." She turned on the radio, fumbling in entering the address. El sure is sleepy, I burst into laughter seeing her being all clumsy, "why are you so sleepy when you got home before me?"
El yawned sleepily and relaxed in her seat, "I texted with D into the early hours of the morning when I got home."
"And you call Drey and I goals, why don't you get some sleep with the time we have before getting to the house, I'm sure it'll do you good."
"Yeah I thought as much." She adjusted her seat and laid her head back.
I focused more on the road, the streets were quite new to me, plush houses and expensive neighborhoods were what greeted my eyes. There was a huge digital billboard at one end of the street displaying Cèleste Realty, the estate the Archambeau's own.
I drove in its direction, a guard was stationed at the security post of the gate leading into the estate. He signaled for me to stop, "Miss who're you visiting?"
"The Archambeau's."
"Do you have an invitation card ?"
Invitation card? I thought it was a simple family dinner with us, turns out it's a ball or banquet. "I wasn't told anything about invitation letters."
El's eyes fluttered open, our conversation has woken her up. She readjusted her seat, "what's happening here?"
"He asked if we have an invitation card to show."
She turned to the guard, "We don't have an invitation with us right now, you can call to confirm, tell them it's Anniella and Elisa Morrison."
The guard flipped the pages of the book in his hand, scanning the names, "are you related to Mr and Mrs Morrison, the owners of Morrison and sons Furniture?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience ladies." He apologized and signaled to the other guard to unlock the gate for us.
"Don't worry, we understand you're just doing your job." I assured him with a smile and drove through the gate. Money money money the houses no! Scratch that, the mansions in the estate are screaming MONEY jeez.
I had to tear my eyes off them and concentrate more on the street ahead of me, the cars in the drive ways were not left out, I've spotted three Lamborghini Venenos in drive ways of mansions, a Rolls Royce Sweptail and two Bugatti Chirons, people here are surely living their best lives.
"We're here." El said signaling me to park the car among the lot in front of what I've concluded to be a castle on its own.
I found a space at the parking lot and parked, stuffing the key into my clutch though there were valets around.
El led the way as we entered into the castle, yeah that's what I'm gonna call their house, it's too small to be a mansion. The interior was overflowing with sophistication, the chandeliers, glitzy furniture, curtains and anything else you can find in a plush mansion yeah they are all here.
Wealthy women dressed in their satin, sequin and silk georgette gowns and dresses, necks adorned with diamond studded necklaces, nails neatly manicured and sophisticated hair dos stood in groups or mingled with friends of their husbands.
There were younger ladies here too, some looked elegant in their designer dresses which were appropriate. We can't have a party or event without those young ladies who can't resist wearing skimpy clothes.
They stood flirting with both the old and young men, showing off their beautiful skin tone and hour glass figures. My breath hitches when an all too familiar man in a vintage tuxedo comes into view. Head turn in his direction, both older and skimpy clothes ladies ogle over him lasciviously as he approaches me.
I stood there unable to take my eyes off him just like the other ladies around, I'm not really into outer appearance but today Drey looks like fallen angel, his hair falling a little below his shoulders in locs, emerald eyes twinkling as he smiles at me. El nudged me and wiggled her eyes at me before excusing herself, "I'll be right back." I know she wants to give us privacy, I nodded at her.
He pulled me into a warm hug, breaking apart slightly to smash his lips on mine, I suddenly became conscious of our environment. I failed in wiggling out of his hold as it got more intense and his hold on me tightened.
I gave in, finally breaking away to catch our breaths. My eyes unconsciously scanned around the room, the facial expressions weren't the least friendly. We got, sorry, I got eye rolls, disgusted looks and warning looks.
I snuggled into the comforting arms of Drey, they were a safe haven from the hostile looks around. He slid his arm around my waist and whispered into my ear, "God really was showing off when He created you, you look beyond words babe." He bit my ear lobe.
I can't help but say same for you boo. I very well know I'm blushing a brighter shade of red more than a freaking tomato. I hid my head in the chest of Drey unable to speak.
First my breath hitches and now I'm not able to speak. What is Drey doing to me ? I open my mouth stuttering, "T-han-ks boo."
"Look at me babe." He lifted my chin, his eyes boring into mine, "you don't have to thank me when I compliment you, it's my duty to tell you how stunning you are, I love you princesse."
"Iâ" I was cut off from saying the three magic words back by an annoying voice trying so damn hard to sound sexy.
"Zaddy!" The owner of the annoying voice purred, batting her lashes at Drey who was unfazed and infuriated. She took a step closer to him and ran her hands down his chest down somewhere I don't wanna mention.
WTH! Like really? Girl's got no shame. I was pissed off and embarrassed by her brazen behavior. Shamelessly flirting with a man who is standing with his girlfriend. I turned away to leave, to give her the space she wants so she can flirt all she can. I can't stand here watching the nasty things she wants to do, who the heck is she to Drey for her to get the audacity to do that.
I looked over at Drey who clenched and unclenches his hands like he was trying so hard to control himself from doing something stupid before turning away. I wasn't even two steps away when a pair of strong arms pulled me to their body. "Which part of stay away from me don't you understand!"
She wasn't bothered by Drey's barking, she rather pushed her big boobs into his face, they're way too higher and firmer to be natural, "you know I only understand the language of me ri-"
"Are you that pathetic? Chasing after a man who's not interested in you?" I managed to ask, it was getting out of hand, I really do not want to hear the nasty things she wanted to say. Drey has serious explanations to give after we're done here.
"And who gave you the right to interfere in our conversation Oreo?" Miss fake boobs asked her face contorted with rage, her eyes darkening. Clearly pissed at me for interrupting what she wanted to say. Her hand was lifted ready to slap or smack me if I am to give an answer that's doesn't sit well with her.
Drey yanked her hand away, "listen here and listen good Mia! That is the love of my life you're talking to, address her with respect and reverence or face my wrath which I don't think you'd want to." He paused to caress my cheeks and kissed me whispering into my ear, "I'm so sorry cutie."
He entwined our fingers, turning away from the Mia girl but stopped in his tracks, "such a pity, I keep forgetting girls like you don't know what reverence and respect is." with those words he led us away from her.
I stole a glance at Mia who stood there fuming with anger at our retreating figure. She regained her composure and strutted off to wherever.
On the stairs leading to the balcony, we went another Botox queen who held onto Drey's arm hindering us from moving. I left them alone to discuss whatever issue they have. I can't be dealing with ladies like that all night.
Drey gave me a stern look, I shook my head at him with a stern face too and walked away.