I wore a smile on my face, which became stiff after a while.
I went through the crowd and sat at a table, on which I saw quite some good dishes.
This was a table of 16. Folly was welcoming the guests. Luna and Samuel were busy too.
The one beside me was Mr. White, whom I came across just now in the hall.
Link was also there. He waved towards me, “Clara, come here.”
I glanced at Dennis near me; I was not an expert in socializing.
He smiled at me, “don’t worry. It’s okay.”
I approached Link, who let me sit down and said to Mr. White, “Let me introduce my daughter, Clara.”
The old gentleman nodded and laughed, “I saw her a moment ago. Folly said she was the daughter of the Lewis family, and now she is your child?”
Link laughed, “yes. I like this girl and I made her my daughter.”
“I see.” The old man laughed, “she is so lucky.”
Everybody laughed at this; I fabricated a smile too.
Luck, to me, meant safety and health for a whole life. Then how could I be lucky?
“Clara, please go to the hotel with me. I need to change this troublesome garment.” Folly whispered to me.
I nodded and I wanted to change my clothes too.
We went upstairs and I lost my thought in the elevator.
She said, “Hey, what are you thinking of?”
I shook my head, “Nothing.”
In the room, she was so tired after changing her dress. She lay on the bed and declared, “I swear I won’t marry a second time.”
I pressed my lips and lost myself on the screen I was holding.
Folly cried several times before I returned to reality.
I asked her, “What’s the matter?”
She frowned, “it is me, not you, that should ask this question. You have been thinking of something since we went into the elevator. What on earth is in your mind?”
“Can you do me a favor?” I asked.
“What?”
“My grandma bequeathed me a wooden box. But I didn’t cherish it so well that it was lost now. I think it might be taken to Luna by Dennis and that the reason for her apology was that box. Can you look for it in your house or just ask Luna if she has it?”
She was surprised, “Why do you think of that box?”
“It just came into my mind.” I didn’t want to explain.
She didn’t force an explanation from me and said, “Okay. I will try to find it.”
I thanked her and left.
Clarrie was still home and I needed to go home.
Downstairs, Dennis was not to be seen. I found a place to sit and waited for his appearance.
He appeared soon; his height made him quite conspicuous in the crowd.
I waved at him and walked toward him. He asked, “Have you eaten?”
I didn’t. I was taken upstairs by Folly a moment ago.
“I am not hungry.” I wanted to go home.
But he returned me to the table and made me eat some food.
He was drinking beside me, and I was surprised, “Won’t you drive us home?”
He had a gulp and replied, “We have a driver.”
I looked at the dishes and was in no mood to consume them.
He asked, “are you not hungry?”
I nodded, “Folly gave me many candies and I will bring them to Clarrie.”
“Children cannot eat too many sweets. They are bad for their health.”
“How about your aunt?” I asked. She seemed to have accepted us.
“She is fine.” He drank some wine.
I smiled at him and he passed me a glass of water.
I was to take it but he said, “You don’t need to drink if you don’t want to.”
I pressed my lips and knew he wasn’t in a bright mood.
“Let’s go home after tiring ourselves for such a long time.” I knew he was busy with work and he didn’t need to be present at the wedding ceremony. But he came for me.
I held his hands; they were cold.
He smiled, ‘I am okay.”
I could smell; he was drunk.
I pulled him out of the hotel and into the car. He leaned against my shoulders and was unusually quiet.
Halfway, he cried suddenly, “Stop the car.”
The driver pulled over.
Dennis got off and vomited.
I went to buy water for him and saw he sat in the car with his eyes closed when I came back.
“Gargle your mouth.” I passed the water to him.
He opened his eyes and did what I told him to do.
The car restarted and he closed his eyes again.
After half an hour, we arrived home.
I asked the driver to carry him to the bedroom and I went to the kitchen to make him honey water.
I heard the sound of his vomiting before I set my foot in the kitchen. I went upstairs and saw him vomiting outside the bedroom.
I helped him into the room and put him to bed.
It was late and I let the driver go home.
I cleared the mess and returned to the room.
I asked, “Dennis?”
He replied, “Yes.”
“Take a shower before you sleep.” I went to him and took off his coat.
He nodded and staggered into the bathroom.
I took out his pajamas and followed him.
He was so intoxicated that he was standing under the shower with his clothes on.
I turned off the switch of the water and helped him take off his shirt, ‘You must take off your clothes before bathing yourself.”
He nodded, “okay.”
I watched his masculine body and was wondering whether I should take off his underpants for him.
I said, “Dennis, take off your clothes and take a shower. I will wait for you outside.”
He nodded and I left the bathroom.