Thea
The days counted down to my mum’s party and finally it was here. Angel and I were ready for it, adorned in fine jewelry and clothes to match.
I gave it my best, I wasn’t planning on wearing my emotions over my shoulder the entire night. Even though it seemed nearly impossible, I wanted to enjoy the night.
It would seem awkward especially since Angel was coming with me as my mum had offered. I didn’t expect her to act like she was cool with Angel when I knew for a fact that she hated him, I only hoped her attitude towards him wouldn’t ruin the night. Angel had also promised to be understanding in case the night went bad for him. He said he deserved whatever treatment my mum would give him.
When we got downstairs, everyone was there waiting for us, the atmosphere one of a farewell. I didn’t like the mood so I tried to brighten up the place with happy remarks but the gloominess still lingered in the air.
They all hugged me and spoke to me as if I wasn’t coming back. I joked about it getting them to laugh but still, it felt unsettling.
It could be that everyone was on the edge about me leaving for the party today due to my history of always messing things up whenever I went out with Angel.
They were scared it would happen again. I had assured them that no such thing would happen. I didn’t even see the situation that could make it happen. I was very certain of myself and my place was with Angel.
When we arrived at the hotel, we were lead to the the grand hall where the party was being hosted.
Angel and I walked hand in hand with each other. My hand clung unto the arm he had offered. We walked in with our poise like the couple we were.
As I entered the crowded hall, a familiar scent hit me, and I felt a sudden sense of deja vu. I couldn’t shake the feeling that what happened the last time I attended a similar event hosted by my mom was about to happen again.
This time was different. I wasn’t afraid of Angel as I was in the past and I had no desire to return to my mum like the last time. It was just a feeling and couldn’t mean anything serious.
The meeting with my mum and Scott was awkward, so many unsaid words between us. Our expressions spoke louder than the words we intended to say.
My mum and I had a heartfelt moment while Scott had taken Angel aside. Then my mum started introducing me to her friends and business partners.
After a while, I sighted Scott coming with Angel to join us. My mum looked like she was about to flare seeing Angel approaching as well. No doubt that she hated him.
“How’s your evening going?” Scott asked and I forced a smile at him. Angel weaved his hands with mine, holding me tightly and not giving a care in the world about how my mum felt about that. I held him too, I had missed him the little time we spent apart.
“Oh there he is….” My mum suddenly said gesturing to someone in the crowd. Come Thea, I need you to meet someone. He is our newest investor. ” She said coming to the other side where Angel held my hand. She was so obvious of her disdain for Angel. She took my hand from him and dragged me through the crowd. I glanced at Angel but he gave me a smile as if to tell me I could go ahead without him. I didn’t like this, the way my mum was acting with him. I hoped she didn’t have something planned to ruin this night.
She finally stopped, looking all excited as she looked at a man whose back was against us.
He was young, curly haired, a stature and pose that I recalled too well. I squinted trying to make sure that I was mistaken then my jaw dropped in disbelieve.
“Alfred.” My mum called, this couldn’t be a coincidence or maybe it was but then he turned, a smile lingering on his lips which turned to shock the moment he saw me.
I couldn’t believe my eyes, I had to blink severally to be certain of the image it had captured. I needed a wake to reality or was this really reality?
It wasn’t a mistake after all because the Alfred I knew was indeed standing before us.
__________
“Thea….” Alfred had called when he came closer, surprising my mum.
“How are you here?” I managed not to stutter.
“You know each other?” My mum asked trailing her gaze from Alfred to me. I could see her surprised and curious expression from my side eyes.
The silence was defeaning, none of us said a word, we only stared at each other.
“Alfred, you know my daughter?” She asked again seeing how dumbfounded I was.
“Yes we do.” I said interrupting. She stayed silent still in shock but her expression switched to excitement the next minute.
“This must be fate because I can’t explain this.”
“Mum?” I cautioned and she gulped, blinking like she had just realized herself and called her manners to order.
“I’m sorry Alfred. How did you guys meet? Or rather how did you know each other?” She asked in a composed tone this time.
Alfred and I kept staring at each other unable to answer the question. My mum watched me, studying my face like answers were written on it. Then she took turns staring at the both of us again.
I guess we were giving her the answer she needed to know with our silence as she cleared her throat and adjusted uncomfortably.
She already figured that he was my client in the past.
“I guess we’ll catch up on that some other time. ” She said and Alfred nodded.
“Mum, I’ll be back.” I said to her feeling too shocked to gather myself and senses. My heart had been beating fast at the sudden reveal. I had many questions but I couldn’t be so obvious. I just wanted to leave this uncomfortable situation. I needed to find Angel also and make sure he didn’t bump into Alfred. I hoped our tables would be far from my mother’s table. That would be likely impossible, my mum would love to have me close more than she would want to keep Angel far.
I found Angel and he was no longer at the spot where we left him. Thankfully, from the way he acted I knew he haden’t seen us speaking with Alfred. I didn’t want to get him worked up, not after assuring him that he had nothing to worry about when it came to Alfred.
Angel and I found our table and settled when it was time for refreshments. I had sighted my mum and Alfred in the crowd and they both saw us. Alfred definitely remembered Angel’s face because his face had constricted into a frown when he looked in our direction.
The night went on and at a point my mum decided to steal me from Angel. She was doing everything she could to make sure that Angel knew he wasn’t welcome. I couldn’t blame her, her grudges were justified.
Angel had swallowed the disregard she threw at him at every point. He understood her really well.
I had thought my mum would take me to her table where Alfred sat but when I looked there, he wasn’t seated and she wasn’t taking me there either. My suspicion grew and I became concerned. I hoped she wasn’t trying to take me away in disguise of showing me something. That was what she had said when I asked about the place she was taking me to. I couldn’t quite lay a finger on what to expect but I knew my mum was being cunny this entire time.