Chapter Twenty-Six

We walked down the spiral stairs leading to the living room and immediately everyone started to sing our praises.

“Look at that adorable couple!”

“They look so amazing together!”

“Oh my, just look at them!”

"They were definitely made for each other!"

We took a seat at the front of the room. We were the center of attraction.

Mom got onto the stage with a microphone in her hand. “Welcome everyone, welcome, thank you for coming to the engagement party.” mom said and everyone cheered.

“As you all know, I am Wanda Crispin. This has been a fantastic year having Domino and Jaden together. Domino is such a darling, she is so lovable, I want all of you to meet her! Domino and Jaden, please stand up so everyone can see you.”

I took Domino’s hand and arose with her. Bright smiles on our faces.

Domino squeezed my hand and that made me smile, knowing that she needed me when she felt nervous. Everyone cheered and I smirked.

“Don’t they just look fantastic together?” The audience agreed.

“Jaden and Domino, darlings, please come up here.” We linked arms and walked up on the stage. Domino squeezed my arm this time.

I smiled, again, at that.

“Domino, I would like to have a few words from you.” Mom said, smiling her billion dollar smile, while putting the microphone in front of her.

Domino laughed nervously as she spoke. “I-I don’t know…” The audience laughed. They quieted down before she said something.

“Hi, I'm Domino. I am really grateful to be here. Well, I also want to say thanks to certain people. Uhmm... I would like to start off by thanking Dr and Mrs Crispin for everything, for, bringing us together and helping us through everything.”

“I wouldn't be here with Jaden, wearing this dress, feeling and looking this amazing if it wasn't for you. I-I also want to thank Jaden...” she said, turning to me as she stared up at me adoringly.

Her eyes drifted from my eyes to her feet. I wanted to hold up her chin so that she could look in my eyes forever. She nervously rubbed her thumb with her index finger.

“For being there for me when I needed him and creating many great memories with me and also, I want to thank everyone that I know and I met so far. Thank you all.” She said, turning back to the audience.

Everyone clapped and Domino passed the microphone without looking up.

"What about you, Jaden?" Mom asked.

I held onto the microphone and smirked, feeling everyone's attention fall on me.

“I want to thank everyone for everything they have done for me. I am very grateful for having all of you by my side. I hope you guys have a great time here.” Everyone clapped and we got off the stage. I glanced at Domino from the corner of my eyes.

We took a seat and mom gave the final speech. Domino fidgeted with her dress.

“Domino.” I said, breaking the silence between us. She looked up at me.

“Uhm, listen, about yesterday’s night, I just want to say that I-”

"Look, Jaden, I wanted to tell you all along that I am sorry, I really didn't mean it and now I want to take back all of the words that I said to you. I really don't want to fight anymore. But… But I get it. I am just not your type of girl. It's ok if you don't feel the same way. I get it if you don't want to apologize." she said, looking in my eyes.

There was sadness in her eyes. I wanted to wipe away the tear that threatened to slip out and kiss her. I wanted to do whatever it took to make her happy.

"Domino, I-"

"Jaden, can you just leave it at that? I really don't want to talk about it."

“Domino!” one of her designers exclaimed.

I balled my fist.

How dare she interrupt my conversation when I am talking to Domino?

“Come on, it’s time for the outfit change.” she exclaimed, literally dragging Domino away.

When she was out of sight, I sighed and rubbed my temples. It'd been really stressful lately.

Domino was being introduced to guests for the most of the night. I walked over to the makeshift bar and grabbed a whiskey.

I downed it in one gulp before grabbing two more glasses.

“Is there any water?” Domino asked, suddenly appearing by my side.

I looked towards the cool voice, before realizing that it was her. I smiled, a light chuckle escaping my lips.

“Water?” I asked, “When have you ever heard of water at an evening party?”

“Hey. I never drank wine or beer or whatever there was before.” She replied, blushing.

I grinned, “There’s beer, wine, whiskey and other liquor here.”

“What am I supposed to drink?”

“Whatever you want to drink from this table.”

"Fine, is there any juice here?" she asked, peeking at all of the cups.

I smirked. "No, but there's alcohol."

“What is this?” she asked, pointing at the liquors.

“Liquors.” She grabbed a glass and took a sip.

She made a face and stared a little. I smiled.

“What about this?” she asked, pointing to the wine.

“Wine.”

Again, she grabbed a cup and took a sip.

“Gross. It tastes odd. It tastes like metal!” she said, when she placed the glass on the table.

I laughed. "That's why you don't choose wine, you drink other things."

She smiled a little before tasting another.

“Are you sure you want to continue drinking?” I asked her.

“Yeah, I like it. All of the weird and unique tastes in my mouth. I like it.” She said, while nodding.

I raised my eyebrows.

“What is this?” she said, pointing at the vodka.

“Vodka.”

She smiled. "I've always wanted to try some vodka!" she said.

She grabbed it and took a sip before she downed the whole shot.

I chuckled, “Damn, you drink a lot.”

She laughed, “But I am not an alcoholic and this is my first time.”

“You drink a lot for a beginner.” I said.

“That’s ‘cause I like it!” she said, grabbing for another shot of Vodka.

I raised my eyebrows. She put one of her hands on my shoulder and downed it. I chuckled.

“What’s this?” she asked, pointing to a tall glass.

“Cocktail.”

“Ooh... cocktails. I’ve always dreamt of drinking cocktails too!”

She said as she picked on up, sipping on it.

"This tastes really good!" she grabbed another cup and gulped it down.

“You don’t know how to drink alcohol.” I said, laughing as I shook my head.

“Then how do you drink it?” she said.

“You don’t need to drink it all at once. It makes you get drunk faster.”

“Who cares?” she said, waving her hand dismissively as she grabbed another cocktail and drank everything. I grinned.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Spirits.” I said.

“Spirits?” she asked.

“Yup and you’re not getting any.”

She knitted her eyebrow and made a face.

“So, how was the night?” I asked, trying to get her attention from drinking too much.

“Boring... It was so boring!” she said.

I chuckled and then, there was an awkward silence. She grabbed another shot of vodka and gulped it.

"Domino, I think you are drinking too much." I tried to caution her.

She shrugged.