Twenty Seven

Amaryllis Lexington

*****

True to Allison's words, these guys fed us next to nothing. Somehow, the muffins I ate had disappeared in less than an hour, and now I was a starving and annoyed mess. I watched as everyone socialized with one another and it was a reminder of just how much I didn't fit in here.

Carlson stood at the other end of the room, talking to a man who looked probably twice his age, but the way they interacted would make you think they were in the same age circle. The man paid rapt attention to every word that fell from his lips. His lips. I shook my head to get rid of the thoughts that were beginning to swarm around my head like flies. It didn't take too long for the thoughts to simmer down because I was already pissed at him.

One would think the way he looked me tonight, he'd be glued to me all through. Instead, he jumped from one business talk to another. I could swear he had forgotten he came with someone. Somehow, he went solo even though he brought a date. We've barely had a ten minutes conversation in the past hour and I was just a step away from walking out and getting a cab to take me home.

The mocking face of Maya plagued me and I shuddered. I bet she would have a field day if she found I was ditched, sort of. Sitting alone and staring at everyone just doing their thing made me feel pretty stupid. If only there was an abundance of food, at least I would have something to occupy myself with before dearest Hawthorne realizes he brought someone to this stupid gala.

Deciding that sitting pretty wasn't going to ease my bored mind, I left the ball room, walking out so I could grab some fresh air. If I thought Carlson would notice my absence and come looking for me, I was wrong. When I glanced over at him, he was still engrossed in the conversation, but this time he wasn't the one talking. Idiot.

I was just at the door when someone pushed the door open and two guys walked in. One of them was quite more mature and the other looked about my age and he really looked like Jordan. The resemblance was so striking and appalling and if Jordan wasn't away in Halloway, I would have sworn he was the one.

Umm... Just because he's in Halloway doesn't mean he has restricted movement, lady.

When his gaze settled on me, his eyes widened in recognition and a light bulb went on in my head. It really is Jordan! His surprise-glazed eyes swept over me and I saw an emotion that would have made my toes curl some months ago.

"Amari? Wow. Fancy seeing you here. You look, uh- absolutely amazing." A grin bounced to my face.

"Thank you. And I should be the one surprised to see you. What are you doing here? Not like you're not supposed to be here or something, it's just, you know. Forget it, I'm rambling. It's so great to see you." I almost slapped myself for making a fool of myself, but the smile that adorned his face showed that he didn't mind.

"I am a plus one, for my brother. We came in together." My mouth formed an O as I recalled the older man whose face I suddenly couldn't remember anymore.

I changed my mind about going outside and we walked in together. I was surprised when his hand settled on the lower part of my back as he guided me to my seat. I knew he just trying to be a gentleman, but a part of my brain just screamed 'Hey, that right belongs to Carlson only!' It felt weird how I was giving him exclusive boyfriend rights when we weren't even dating. I mean, we just kinda settled into the whole boyfriend and girlfriend atmosphere without either of us mentioning the big leap.

"So, tell me, what brought you here? Did you come with someone?" Nothing could be more embarrassing. Honestly. Someone with a date shouldn't have to be asked if she had a date! It was supposed to be an obvious fact that could be seen by everyone with eyes glued to their heads, but somehow, Carlson managed to embarrass me. I glanced over in the direction I saw him in earlier, but he wasn't there anymore. And so, my search began. I finally found him standing with a lady very close to the bar. Although she looked older than him, I could tell she was sucking up to him badly. The way she threw her head back and laughed like he was the funniest man in the world so annoying and infuriating. Humph, Carlson isn't even that funny. Heck, even Trevor Noah isn't that funny..

"You might wanna go easy on the napkin." It wasn't until Jordan pointed it out that I realized I had been squeezing the daylights (or nightlights) out of the poor napkin on the table. I let go of my grip on it and chuckled nervously.

"Yeah. I came with someone. That's him over there." I couldn't keep the bite out of my voice when I spat out the last sentence. I just couldn't believe he was so comfortable leaving me behind and talking to anyone who cared to listen.

"Boyfriend?" Yeah, I wish. I shook my head at Jordan's question, slowly taking my gaze off Carlson and settled it on the guy who cared enough to keep me company. Why did I have to get over this sweet guy and fall for the evil one who does nothing but piss me off? Jordan and I would have been a blast, but then I had to get uprooted from the life I knew and loved and get sucked into this. Although this wasn't so bad, especially with recent developments with Allison and the boys, it still annoyed me because of Carlson's attitude.

"I take it you're mad at him?" That question was like unleashing a tap, and before I knew it, I was ranting.

"Mad? Boy, I am furious. If he dares to come within a five meter radius, I won't hesitate to snap his head off his neck. Can you imagine that we've been here for a solid hour and I've only talked to him for, what, a second? God knows I'm very mad right now. Why ask me to be your date when all you want to do is talk to every Jack and Harry, or Harriet as he's currently doing." My gaze settled on them and the lady already had one hand on his shoulder. Oh, help me, Lord. Rein my anger in!

"Can you imagine that? He's just standing there and letting her bathe him in flirtations. I am so disgusted right now. I can't believe I went through this stress just for him not to spare me a second glance. Do you know I almost got burnt by a tong" I placed a dramatic hand on my chest and let out a long sigh. "Boy,  you wouldn't believe it. All because I wanted to look pretty, and then he goes ahead to ignore me. So, yeah. You're right. I'm mad at him. Does me explanation suffice or you need me to expatiate?"

He chuckled while shaking his head. "No, I think I get it. Well, if I may, I'd say every effort you put into looking pretty really paid off. You look stunning tonight, Amaryllis, and if he can't see that, then sucks to be him." See? Boyfriend material! Heck, what am I saying? HUSBAND MATERIAL. Before I could even appreciate him for his very kind words,  the music started playing.

"If you would allow me to redeem the night, dance with me. Please?" Who could say no to a face like that? Also, this would be the perfect time to get revenge on Carlson, that's if he would even feel affected when he sees me in the hands of another man. I looked over in his direction and he was still engrossed in his conversation with the lady, so I slipped my hand into Jordan's warm one.

We walked to the dance floor, where a lot of people have gathered, and we swayed to the beat. I had to admit, the guy could burst some really nice moves. I momentarily forgot all about my fury and enjoyed the dance with Jordan. I was worried things might be awkward seeing as we almost dated before I moved, but I was not. At that moment, Jordan felt more like a best friend than a guy I used to have a crush on. We danced and goofed around on the dance floor, popping out crazy moves to every song the disc jockey provided.

"Cut in?" I heard and turned to find Carlson standing behind me, an unreadable expression on him face. Jordan looked at me, as if asking for permission, and when I nodded, he let me go and walked away. All Carlson had to do was take my hand and I felt my heart whirring like an engine coming alive. I've got it real bad for this kid, don't I?

"I see you were having a great time?" was that anger I hear? It better not be, else, I'd take my shoes off right now and smack him in the head till his brain turns into mashed potatoes.

"Yes. A very wonderful time, in fact. Someone brought me here and left me to die of boredom, but God had better plans, you see." He paused for a minute, causing me to miss my steps and I almost lost my footing.

"Are you trying to break my legs now? Haven't you done enough damage for one night?" I spat at him and he looked somewhat guilty and apologetic.

"Can we get out of here? Then, I'll explain." Oh, so now he wants to leave. He has finished all his stupid business transactions and then he's just gonna drop me off at home and tell me thank you for being an accessory.

"Sure. Let's leave. It's what I've wanted to do since the very minute you abandoned me and left me sitting pretty." I said and stormed off the dance floor, going to grab my purse. I didn't want to get so mad. I wanted to keep my anger in and just stew in private, but seeing him all annoyed because I was dancing with Jordan just made me mad. I mean,  hello? What right do you have questioning the fun I finally managed to have.

I walked over to Jordan and said my goodbyes before I walked out the door, knowingly fully well the culprit was trailing behind me. I looked around for the car that came to pick me up but I couldn't sight it, so I had to wait for him to catch up with me and tell me which way to go.

"Tony isn't coming. I'm the one taking you home." I nodded, not saying a word. We got to his car and he tried to open the door the door for me but I beat him to it, giving him that 'don't even dare' look. He clamped his lips shut and nodded in understanding. The look in his eyes almost made me reconsider my anger, but I just didn't want to.

We sat in the car and I waited for him to start the ignition and get moving, but instead he just sat there, staring out the window. Okay? If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was contemplating how to strangle me and dump me off in a bush somewhere.

"I messed up tonight, didn't I?" He finally spoke up, cutting through the thick silence that was about to choke me.

I shrugged, "Goes without question." He finally turned to me and I could see the repentance in his eyes. It was so overwhelming, I almost reached out and hugged him, but I was a little too mad to allow myself to do that.

I opened his mouth to say something, then he clamped it shut and started the car. The disappointment that descended on me almost made me cry. I thought he was going to apologize and give a reasonable reason for leaving me all alone in a gathering of about a hundred strangers, but no, he just wanted to drop me off. At least, I would be able to get something to eat and cry myself to sleep in the comfort of my room. Yay me.

I closed my eyes, counting down till the moment we would arrive at my house, but before I knew it, hunger and exhaustion won me over and I soon slipped into a peaceful slumber.

"Amari?" I heard a faint voice calling me but I ignored it, smiling at the scene that was playing before my eyes. I could see myself with Carlson. We were dancing under the stars with little puppies wagging their tails around us.

"Amaryllis?" This time, the voice was louder and the person was poking me. I opened my eyes to find Carlson staring at me. I looked around and realized I was in a car, and not under some beautiful blanket of stars. AND THERE WERE NO PUPPIES AROUND!

My foggy brain started to put bits and pieces together and I remebered that I was mad at the beautiful boy I was dancing with in my dream. I sat up and looked around.

"This isn't my house." I stated the obvious, looking around to find that we were in front of a fancy wooden cabin. The serenity and beauty of the place took my breath away and I found myself lowering the glass so I could poke my head around and take in the scenery.

"Yup, Captain Obvious. It's not your house." Carlson's voice pierced into my wonderful oblivion and I glared at him. Before I knew it, he was getting out of the car and opening my door. He unbuckled my seatbelt and pulled me out of the car.

He took my hand and guided me into the house. The scared part of me was thinking up weird scenarios that made me want to break free and run away, but the dominant part of me, the part that trusts Carlson more than anything, was quite excited to see what was inside.

I expected us to walk into a cozy looking home when we passed the front door, instead, we met with a garden like open space. The pseudo-front door was just a fence that prevented others from seeing this beautiful looking outdoor space. It was like the most beautiful garden in the world and there was a small pond, surrounded by water lilies. I felt a gasp escape my throat.  The further we walked, the more I saw things that made me cover my mouth with my hand. It wasn't until we reached where Carlson was heading to that I realized all I had been seeing was nothing compared to this. And by this, I was talking about the perfect date setting ever. Talk about candles, lighting, flower arrangements, the works. Everything looked perfect.

"Carlson." His name escaped my mouth in a volume that was barely louder than a whisper.

He turned towards me and held my hands, "I didn't plan things correctly tonight, and I'm sorry about that. I knew I wouldn't have too much time on my hands to bask in the awesomeness that is you tonight, so I had this set up so I could bring you here later on." Say. What. Now? Oh. My. Heart!

"Galas are always a great place to build business connections and strengthen established bonds, and that was the aim tonight. That gala is going to last till midnight, so I tried to get as much work stuff done in one hour so I could whisk you out of there immediately and get tonight to ourselves. When I was planning it, it all made sense to me, but I didn't realize just how stupid it was to plan all that without telling you. It was extremely wrong of me to leave you there for almost an hour without even stopping by just because I was trying to finalize stuff, and I'm very sorry." As his words sank in, my anger dissipated. The fact that he rushed almost five hours worth of conversation and condensed it into an hour for me just made me want to lay a big one on him.

"Yeah, it was a stupid plan, but I think you've redeemed yourself." I grinned, looking at the beautiful setting again. He stepped closer to me,  bringing his hand to my face and tilting my chin so I could look in his eyes. The intensity of desire that hit me in the face made my knees turn into jelly.

"Yeah, and you got your revenge. Watching that guy with his arms around you drove me mad, Cielita. I can't stand it. I can't stand watching you be so happy with someone that isn't me. As much as I can, I want to be the reason behind every fun you're having."

"Why?" I managed to voice out even though I could barely breathe. He moved closer to me, his eyes leaving my face and trailing down to my lips. Even though all he did was stare at them, I felt my pulse quicken and I was scared I might be having myocardial infarction.

"Because I love you, Amari. God help me, but I've fallen so madly in love with you and I just can't stop myself from falling any further." He didn't give me a chance to respond before he covered the distance between us and his lips met mine.

If he had given me a chance to answer, I knew what my response would have been. I knew it like I knew my name.

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I'm sorry I didn't get to update yesterday. I was working on it but I just couldn't conclude it until this morning. I had to stay up just to finish this chapter. I'm sorry if it's a little bit cringy, lol, blame it on sleepiness.

Anywayyy,

Merry Christmas, Beloved!

I wish you a prosperous year in advance.

Baby Jesus loves you.

God loves you.

I love you!