Chapter 7

It was the day of the long-awaited party. The weather, as if a testament to the event to come- was overclouded with a thick atmosphere casting a shadow over the once bright and lively sky; Kanan was deep in thought. The events of yesterday lingered heavily on Kanan's mind. With Nathaniel's mother's birthday celebration in tow, his siblings would gather for the occasion, a recipe for disaster based on Nathaniel's previous actions towards his family. The celebration would be nothing short of grand as it appeared that Nathaniel hailed from an affluent family. He knew that with the dynamics between Nathaniel and his family, the road ahead seemed challenging.

"What if they turned me away at the gate or threw expensive wine in my face," He chuckled at the thought- A scene he had seen often in movies that left an unforgettable memory. With mixtures of anticipation and uncertainty, hoping for the best, and acknowledging the unknown ahead, Kanan waited out the day at home, his thoughts his only companion. His lovely abode was more than a physical shelter but a haven for a chapter of his life where he could process, reflect, and navigate the complexities of the changes he encountered. However, there are days when his haven seems less than a haven. In the wake of a life-changing event, fueled by the gravity of it all, Kanan decided to drop everything. The decision to be home most of the time was not about isolation. He'd venture beyond the threshold when called for. This retreat was not an escape; it was an intentional pause for restoration.

~~

The day was uneventful. Before he knew it, Nathaniel came to pick him up, and he was back at his lavish home. They had two hours to be ready for the celebration at 7 pm. An air of anxiety enveloped Nathaniel. He was tense and barely uttered a word. His energy cast a shadow of nervousness on Kanan.

"Do you not want to go?" Kanan broke the silence.

"I don't," Nathaniel spoke honestly. "I wasn't going to, but my mother was persistent."

"That's what led to the invite?"

"To be honest, having lunch with me was the intended repayment," Nathaniel admitted. "Seeing that my mother wasn't giving up, I needed a companion if I was attending, and you insisted that you owed me," Nathaniel added. "Killing two birds with one stone. What about you? Change of heart? It's a stranger's party you're attending. Plus, we haven't known each other for long."

"It's a little too late for that now," There was a question that haunted Kanan. "I've been wondering, what are we? Acquaintances? Friends? Strangers?"

"You're in my house, so you're not a stranger, and I'm comfortable enough to think we're friends. If this continues, I think we could have a great friendship."

It lifted a weight off Kanan's shoulders that he didn't know was weighing on him. The question lingered on his mind-Would they lose contact when it's all over? In their brief time together, he felt a good energy emitting from Nathaniel. While Kanan was generally friendly, forging true friendship was a rarity. However, Nathaniel seemed to possess a quality that hinted at the potential for a meaningful connection. Something about him felt promising, and importantly, they got along well.

Nathaniel then asked, "How good are you at wrapping presents?"

"I'm a professional gift wrapper," Not to boast, but Kanan possessed a quiet finesse when it came to gift wrapping, a skill subtly tucked away, obtained from wrapping gifts for his family. Nathaniel brought the gift he had purchased along with wrapping paper and other essentials and placed them on the coffee table.

"Would you mind wrapping it for me?" Nathaniel asked. Kanan didn't mind. "I feel like I'm always asking you for something."

"Maybe I should start asking for stuff," Kanan finished wrapping, adding a cute ribbon for added details. "All done."

"Thank you,"

~~

Time rolled around, and it was time for the party. Kanan adorned himself in a sharp navy blue suit while Nathaniel donned a classic three-piece black attire. They embody a visual appeal that mirrors the pages of a high-end magazine, a glint of cufflinks, and a watch on their wrist to complete the look. They were head turners that might steal the spotlight. The once overcast sky had given way midway. They drove to the destination in silence. True to what Nathaniel stated before, it wasn't long until they arrived. As they approached, a grand mansion emerged on the horizon. The sheer magnitude demanded attention. The grand entrance, adorned with an iron gate, opened to a cobblestone driveway leading to the front door. As they approached, the sheer scale of the building became more apparent. The grounds showcased detailed landscaping, and vibrant flowers littered the pathway, adding a natural look.

Lined up like an automotive gallery, a group of cars lined the driveway. The choice of vehicles painted a picture of the incoming guests. "Now that I'm here, I can't help being nervous," Kanan was in the presence of something he never witnessed before-A glamorous and luxurious scene creating a world of its own. There was no doubt that Nathaniel's background lay in riches.

"We won't be staying long," Nathaniel assured him.

It was time to embark on their mission as they exited the car. Entering the mansion, guests mingled, dressed in sophisticated attire. Tasteful artwork hung on the wall, a sparkling large chandelier, high ceilings, and furnishing offering comfort and luxury. As the grand staircase beckoned exploration, the distant murmur and soft music hinted at the celebration unfolding beyond. Nathaniel moved with quick steps, bringing them to the backyard. String lights overhead cast a warm glow, and tables with exquisite floral arrangements and fine china. The air filled with hums of conversations and occasional clunks of wine glasses. In one corner, a live band casts a harmonious backdrop with soulful melodies. Chefs crafted culinary masterpieces, and servers glided through the crowd, offering delicacies.

Despite the breathtaking sight, an uncomfortable atmosphere surrounded the two. Eyes filled with disdain looking their way didn't go unnoticed. Kanan knew he had to shift gears. He didn't know what was heading their way, but he knew it wasn't anything good. With confidence radiating in each step, a man looking to be in his thirties approached them with neatly combed black hair, standing over six feet. As he drew nearer, a subtle resemblance to Nathaniel became apparent.

"At least try to arrive before the guests." His voice was devoid of warmth as if spoken from a place untouched by emotions. His presence created an atmosphere of tension and unease. Kanan looked at Nathaniel, seeing him upset by the interaction. "I see you've picked up another stray." Kanan met with sharp, cold eyes behind glasses. He bit his lip in offense. He exuded natural rudeness and a lack of common courtesy, having words with a sharp edge as if social skills and morals were lacking. "You never learn, do you?"

Kanan scoffed, brows furrowed, and a subtle shake of the head conveying both surprise and disappointment. It was a peak into the world that Nathaniel resided in. Beyond the glitters and glamour laid muddy waters that Kanan now knew why he never spoke of it and why he said what he had. The sheer embarrassment and anger that Kanan thought Nathaniel must be feeling. To think that his first encounter upon entering would be so disrespectful.

"Behind all those designers is the bottom-of-the-barrel behavior," Kanan said. "You couldn't buy yourself some manners along with those? Even a dog is more trained than you." Kanan's lack of a filter resulted in the raw nature of his immediate thoughts. While he often joked and was friendly, his occasional rudeness stemmed from a low tolerance for specific behaviors, signaling a clear boundary.

"This one has a mouth on it."

Kanan refused to grace his presence not a second more. He grabbed Nathaniel's hand, pulling him along to anywhere but there. They sat at a free table on the far end. Kanan adjusted his tie in anger. "I'm sorry," Nathaniel finally spoke.

"I can't say I'm not angry, being talked to like that by someone I just met, but I don't need an apology, not from you," Kanan told him, remembering the condescending look. The night was already off to a rough start. The mood dampened, and Nathaniel's mind was off in the distance. "I don't know who that was," Kanan started. "We didn't come here to have a good time. I knew that much before coming. But you know what fuck him and let's have a drink."

"I thought you get clingy and say weird things when you drink,"

Kanan laughed, "I'm not big on drinking, but you can knock yourself out, and I'll be the driver for tonight." Nathaniel stared at him. "Is there something on my face?"

"No, I just thought how wonderful it would be," Nathaniel replied. "I'll get the drinks. Zero alcohol for you."

Their conversation progressed seamlessly, with jokes and random topics that made the earlier incident seem like a distant memory. Nathaniel sipped on champagne while Kanan savored sparkling water with fresh citrus. They enjoyed their own company, simply embracing the tranquility of the present.

"Nathaniel, honey," An excited voice interrupted, both turning heads to look. Admits the crowd; she stands out in a striking red evening dress. Both elegant and classy, cascading down to the floor with a split to the side, revealing her confident stride and silver heels. The fabric caught the light, revealing a sparkle. Her black curly hair, perfectly styled to grace her shoulders, created a visual harmony. At that moment, she became a captivating centerpiece, standing out with an air of grace and elegance that left a lasting impression. Next to her was a girl looking to be in her teens, dressed in a soft pink floral dress with dropped sleeves, complimented by chestnut brown hair partially tied by a ribbon, and the rest flowed gracefully down her back. She had an air of innocence radiating a quiet confidence. A distinct contrast to her companion. Lastly, a stain upon their night, the familiar black suit with a collar chain and burgundy pocket square along with glasses. "It's so hard to see you these days."

Nathaniel stood as the lady in red approached for a hug, embracing him as though they hadn't seen each other in years. "Happy birthday, Mom," Kanan had guessed from her standout appearance among the others, showcasing a look that stole the show. She looked so young that no one would believe her age.

Kanan was surprised to see a welcoming wave and friendly smile from the younger of the group. He returned the gesture, thankful that someone was welcoming. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Victoria, Nathaniel's mother. And this is..." She looked worried as she turned to Nathaniel.

"Kanan, he's a friend of mine," Nathaniel told her.

"It's nice to meet the star of the show. I wish you the happiest of birthdays." Kanan spoke.

"Thank you. I do hope you enjoy the party."

"I got you something," Nathaniel said. Victoria's excitement was evident. She didn't hesitate to unbox it, revealing the bracelet.

"I love it," Nathaniel placed it on her wrist after Victoria extended her hand to him. She admired the jewelry on her wrist.

As if he hated being in the background, he finally spoke. "For someone who could buy and build a business for someone. Don't you think you should've gone bigger for Mom? You can afford more than that." It made Kanan wonder just how much was going on with this family.

Victoria replied. "Richard, sweetheart, we have more than enough businesses. Plus, I like this even if it's cheaper in comparison." Victoria looked at Kanan with an unreadable look in her eyes. "There's someone I'd like you to meet, Nathaniel. She's the daughter of a friend of your father's. A lovely girl."

"Mom, we've been over this," It was clear that Nathaniel was displeased by the course of the conversation.

"Do tell me when you change your mind. It's about time you settled down." Victoria said, giving Kanan a glance over. "While I would love to stay, I have to go."

"I'll stay with Nathaniel for a bit," The young girl finally spoke.

"Be a dear and not let your father see," Victoria told her, a glance between her and Nathaniel. "I would hate to have my party ruined over an age-old matter."