Chp 5: Preparation for the Party

IVANA

I was sitting in my cabin massing my temple, lost in thoughts. The events from the last few days were on replay in my mind. It’s been three days since our sibling dinner. When we came back, our parents were again arguing. Since then, they haven't talked with each other. Ever since I remember, I have seen my parents fighting more than anything. And above all, tomorrow is the success party for our latest deal. All of it was messing with my head. Banging my fists on the desk, I mumbled to myself.

“Why can’t they behave like parents of three children?”

Suddenly, someone barged into my cabin. As my back was facing the door, I turned my chair and shouted,

“What the hell? Now, do I have to teach you manners to knock before barging into someone’s cabin?”

But as soon I was the person, I wore my usual blank look again. It was my best friend, Sebastian aka Ian. He was a large frame with six feet in height, but a little narrow in the shoulders. His bronzed skin was shining in the daylight. He was a compact, clear-cut man, with precise features and has a lot of soft black hair and thoughtful dark brown eyes. There was an amused friendliness and pleasure smile on his lips. He wore a plain t-shirt with a grey jacket with blue jeans.

“Heyy, cool down. I just wanted to surprise you.” He said with his smile intact.

“Ian, you were going to come back 2 days later.”

“Ain’t you glad that I came back early?” He asked, avoiding my question.

“I am just concerned about work. That’s it. And it’s almost lunchtime. You should have taken a rest and come tomorrow.”

“But I wanted to discuss some matters with you. And I missed you. Didn’t you?” He replied while pouting.

“Fine. Let’s talk in the canteen,” I said and stood up to leave.

"Heyy, wait. First, sign these files. Ginny gave it to me." He spoke while stopping me and kept the files on the desk. I gave an amused look and asked,

"If Ginny wanted these files signed, why did you bring them?? It should be her."

"I was coming here, so she gave it to me."

"Let's go. Let's teach her some manners." I said with a strict tone, got up from my chair and left.

"When you wanted to get those papers signed, why did you send him?? Is he your worker or secretary?? Or you were so busy that you couldn't come on your own??" I asked, keeping my hands on her desk.

"Mam, I am sorry. I....." Ginny got cut-off in between her apology.

"Shut up!! You know I hate excuses." I raised my voice.

"Mam, I'm really very sorry. It won't happen again." She replied, lowering her head.

"You..." But before I could complete, Ian jumped in between and said,

"It's ok. It's not a big deal. Leave it. It's lunch break. Let's go to the canteen. I'm starving." While keeping his hands on my shoulders from behind. I turned my head and sighed. He understood my mood wasn't good today. And when it happens, I become more strict towards everyone and everything. He dragged me from there.

After we arrived, he went to order their food. And I went to sit in our usual place. I was again lost in my thoughts, staring blankly at the window.

"Heyy, what's happening?? You didn't look good today." Ian came back and sat on his place and asked.

"Nothing. Nothing special." I replied while huffing.

He got upset that I didn't want to speak to him. However, without letting it come to his face, he asked again,

"Come on, you can tell me. I won't tell anyone. I'm good at keeping secrets. I am your only friend here. You can share with me."

"Nothing. Just some work stress. You wanted to talk about something. What is it??" I counter-attacked him with my question. And we started talking about some business issues and solutions.

After we were done with our discussion, lunch break was almost ending. But I didn't even complete half the plate. Being a health-conscious person, he stopped me from leaving.

"Heyy didn't even finish half of your food. First, finish it and then leave." He commanded.

"I didn't feel hungry. I just came to accompany you." I replied, trying to make him understand.

"No, have some. If you don't eat, it will affect your work and your health. And I think I don't need to remind you, how??" He looked at me with 'you know, right??' look. I shook my head in defeat and silently started eating.

***********

"It's too plain. Change it." Ian said after a long pause. He looked at me with narrow eyes.

"Till when do I have to do this fashion show?? I have changed to over 5 dresses. And you still like nothing." I said being frustrated.

"Today's party is especially for you. You are the primary star of it. I can't let you wear anything. And the boss himself said to take you shopping. 'Cause he is very well aware of your choice of clothes. So, keep your mouth shut and change it." He explained.

"But I don't want to go. I hate parties. You have to smile all the fucking time at every single stranger you come across. You called it a party. It is torture for me. Let's buy some simple and decent dress and be done with it. Please!!" I pleaded with him.

"Nope." He got up from his place and gave me another dress from the dresses he had already chosen for me.

"Try this. It should look good." He said and pushed me into the changing room and closed the door. It was a peach coloured knee-length dress with golden net sleeves and a long neckline. There was embroidery below the chest.

"I'll kill you,'' I said, slamming my leg on the floor in frustration.

"Doesn't matter. Be quick."

I quickly changed into it. After being confirmed that it was looking awkward on me, I came out. He was busy texting someone. So, I faked coughing to get his attention. He lifted his head and looked at me from head to toe. And he was shocked. For a second, I thought that something was wrong with the dress. But, looking at him again, I understood he was shocked because maybe I'm looking good at it. He didn't say anything for a minute or two.

"Stop looking at me like that. You'll fall in love with me." I said sarcastically.

"Is it a bad thing??" He asked. His eyes were full of curiosity.

"No, it isn't. But it's not for me. Love comes with expectations. And I don't want to live with more expectations than I already have." I replied with bitterness in my tone. I hate that word. There is no such thing to me. No one loves anyone unconditionally, that too with flaws. I have seen couples in my life that prove it. And after some time it becomes a responsibility for both. So, why waste time on it?? There are many more things in the world to do.

"Huh...." his reply broke my chains of thoughts.

"Forget it. Tell me if it's good or not?? I am fucking tired. You made me do all the fashion here." I said with frustration.

"Yes, it's the best. You're looking gorgeous in this." He said like a child getting his favourite candy after a long time. I huffed at my thought and sigh.

"Please pack this dress." He said to one of the lady employees there.

I quickly changed it to my dress. Wearing my clothes after one or two hours felt like heaven. Whatever dresses I had tried till now were too tight or too heavy. After being done with other formalities, we finally came out. Thinking that now we are going back, I headed towards the exit. But suddenly Ian pulled me back and asked,

"Where are you going??"

"Towards the exit, where else??"

"Why??"

"Are you having a temporary memory loss?? Where the hell would I go after this hectic shopping?? I need rest. I am tired as hell. All thanks to you." I replied to his stupid question with a plastic smile on my face.

"But who said shopping is over?? We just brought the dress. Sandals and accessories are still remaining. Let's go. We don't have much time." He said with authority in his tone.

God, why is it so hard to resist when he talks in this tone??? It's like following him is the most obvious thing to do. He can spellbind anyone with this tone. Suddenly I remember he said, we don't have much time. What does he mean by it?? We still have 4 to 5 hours.

"Why are you behaving like I am your girlfriend who is going to meet your parents for the very first time?? And you want everything to be perfect."

"Ohh!!" He said as he didn't hear what I said.

But then he paused. And looked at me. As if he is processing my words. And when he understood, he glared at me.

"Shut up!! I said I'm doing all this because the boss told me. Cause he knows only I can handle your mood swings. And he trusts my choice." He said proudly the last part.

"It's not because of that, dumbo. Because you are my only friend in the office. Understood!!" I snapped back.

"Ohh!! You called me your friend. Oh, my!! Date to be remembered. Ms. Ivana herself called me her friend. I am truly honoured. Thank you so much, your highness." He said, bowing his head towards me. I rolled my eyes at him and his overacting.

But he was one of those people who made me forget all my worries and problems for a time being. As much as I hate to admit it, he is really one of my close people. But I will never confess it to him ever.

************

Oh, my!! He didn't lie when he said we didn't have much time. Because he took so much time to choose my heels, earrings, and small chain. He didn't even bother to ask me whether I liked it?? He basically ignored my opinions, saying I know nothing.

After the hardship of a couple of hours, he finally matches golden heels with my dress, golden earrings, and a chain with a small bird-shaped pendant. I would be lying if I said I didn't like it. I like everything he brought for me.

I bought nothing for me other than nightdresses and different shoes. Everything else is brought by Mom and Freya for me. Therefore, buying all these things was quite new for me.

"Are we going home now?? Cause I have to get ready and we brought everything you want."

I asked while he was putting shopping bags in the backseat.

"Yes, you are getting ready, but not at home. I have made an appointment for you in the parlour. I'll drop you there first and pick you up after one and a half hours." He said while buckling the seat belt. I was dumbfounded by the brand-new information he gave me. After recovering from the shock, I asked him,

"Did I steal your property or something from you in your previous life??"

He just huffed at it. He didn't answer me and started his Fortuner's ignition. I internally cried because I didn't want to go there. But I knew it would be in vain to tell him that. The entire ride went into silence.

NATHAN

I reached Weston's house and saw him standing all dressed up. He told me to come and take him half an hour ago. I opened the window of my car and said,

"Why did you call me?? You would have booked UBER for you. I am so tired, I wanted to go home. If you call me 5 minutes later, I will be on the way back." With tiredness in my tone.

"I know, Bro. That's why I called you before those 5 minutes. I know your time to leave. That's why."

He replied with a fake innocent smile on his lips. He has a party to attend tonight. It's his cousin's party and being an employee of his, he has to attend it. I know he wanted to stay home, but his uncle might have called his mom and said he had to attend it. He doesn't like his uncle and his family, especially his arrogant children, the brother-sister duo. They can do anything for business. They take relationships also as a business. He broke my chain of thoughts by saying,

"Are you planning to be here all night???" I blinked my eyes repeatedly to process his words and when I did, I furrowed my eyebrows and said,

"Shut up." And started in the car. He gave me a look and started driving.

"Are you going to give me silent treatment now???" He asked, frustrated by the silence in the car after some time.

"What do you want me to say?? You know I can't talk unless necessary. I'm not a chatterbox like you." I snapped back without removing my eyes from the road.

"But that's for the people you don't know. I am like your brother. Speak something!!! You know I hate silence when I am with you." He said and shifted a little to face me. I gave him a look like 

'What the hell???' Raising my eyebrows. He rolled his eyes in response.

"At least tell me some ideas about how to approach your girl's sister. I can't think of one." He said to tease me. Listening to her saying 'his girl' I lost control of a car for a second. I stopped the car at the side and looked at him.

"What the hell was that??? How can you say she's 'my girl'?? I didn't even talk to her properly." I burst at him.

"Who said that you have to talk to someone first to like them??? And don't lie, OKK!! See how your cheeks get red when I take her name???" He said and winked at me. I kept both of my hands on my cheeks to confirm and looked in the rearview mirror. He couldn't control his laugh anymore. And he burst into it.

"Oh my god, Nate. You look so cute when you blush." He said between his laughs. I hit on his shoulder and got more embarrassed by myself.

"Shut up, you idiot," I said and started the car again.

After laughing for a good minute, he looked at me. I was treating him like he didn't exist. He patted my shoulder. At first, I ignored but after continuous patting; I looked at him, and said being frustrated,

"WHAT!!!"

"Jokes apart. But I seriously need your help. What should I do???" He asked being serious.

"How could I know??? You are the one who is better in this department!!" I replied and rolled my eyes.

"Heyyy, why are you making it sound like I am a womaniser???" He shouted.

"I didn't say that. You thought it yourself."

"Ohh!! You know what? I asked my cousin about her when she came home to meet my mom. She said she didn't know much about her. She just got to know her when they did that project. She said she's a foodie person. Every weekend, she and her siblings go to different restaurants. And she is a topper in her class. She enjoys shopping as well. That's all." He said everything he got to know about her.

"Didn't your cousin doubt you, when you were asking so many questions about her???" I asked instead of giving an answer.

"Nope, she didn't. Cause I didn't ask those questions, Mom did. She was asking how her friend was and what she did?? I was just crossing her room, so I went there. I was so happy that mom also liked her." He said the last part with a big smile.

"Ohh!! But honestly, I have no idea about this." I said and shook my head.

"You know what!! I think we both should go to the same restaurant which they are going to. And somehow try to build a conversation. That's all. This way, you can also see her sister. Then you won't have any problem coming with me, right???" He said all his ideas in one go without letting me interrupt. He looked at me, waiting for an answer. I turned my head towards him and said,

"And why do you think they will talk to strangers??? And second, you know her sister. She can't talk to her siblings. How come she talks to us, much less me??? And as you said, it's their sibling's dinner. Why do they let us interrupt them??? Don't you think before you say??" I listed all the negative possibilities.

"Urghhh!!! Why are you so negative?? Can't you think good for once??" He asked, frustrated with me.

"Cause I don't live in a fantasy world like you," I replied with a plastic smile on my face.

"You......" He got cut off by me saying,

"Save your curses for next time. See, your hotel came. Now, leave me."

He straightened the coat and got out of the car. He waved goodbye to me and started walking into the hotel.