Chapter 18 Function Torture
Mariko's POV
I needed to get this function over and done with because I'm tired of pretending that I am happy with Amber. I am tired of this show that we have put up with for years. The fake smiles are not me, they became part of me once this started. Earlier today at work, Maddie was in an odd mood and she hardly looked my way. I am not sure what was going on, but I had to be busy with my own work as I prepared myself for another meeting which will take place tomorrow.
As I stood with Amber, she linked her arm through mine. She was wearing a champagne-colored dress that flowed towards the floor and she had Hollywood curls. She is a beautiful woman and I had always admired her when we were married, but nothing compares with the ugliness that is on the inside. "I miss Jamie," Reggie stated as he took a sip of his champagne.
"I'm sure you miss her," I replied. Reggie gave me a knowing look because he knew the situation. I scanned the room as I hoped to see Maddie. If she didn't show up, then I knew that she was at home and studying.
"I hope to see her soon. We need a girls night or something," Amber chimed in. I rolled my eyes as I took a sip of my champagne. I didn't want to be here, but it was the anniversary of Sternpoint, so I'm here to honor my dear friend, Mark and his legacy. "I need another glass of champagne," Amber reached out to a waiter and took one off the tray.
"You two really look like the most happy couple in here," Reggie smirked, looking at Amber. I was hoping that Reggie wouldn't push that because I don't want to have a nasty battle with Amber when it comes to Bella.
"I guess we are," she smiled at him.
"How do you stay this happy for years?" he asked.
"I will be going over to Arden," I said, as I wanted to be away from this conversation.
"Oh no, you do not leave me to mingle alone with guests," Amber placed her hand on my arm, stopping me. I burned my gaze into her and she held mine. With a heavy breath, I remained on my spot and took huge gulps of my champagne until it was empty. I continued to scan the room.
"Why don't you just allow him to have some time with Arden, not that big of a deal." Reggie said, his one hand in his pocket while the other held his champagne glass.
As I continued my scan, there at the bar...she stood. She was wearing a red dress, the same one from that night, five years ago. My gaze raked up her body, she scanned the crowd and then her eyes finally found mine. It was as if time stood still, her glossy lips parted. Her hair was in curls but pinned up, she has a body to die for. Not that I want her for her looks, but she is beautiful inside and out.
"Hey, where have you disappeared to?" Amber asked as she brought me back to my reality as I looked at Amber.
"Just looking at the guests and familiar faces," I replied.
"Can I at least borrow Mariko and mingle with guests?" Reggie asked Amber.
She sighed "Fine."
I was relieved when Reggie came to my rescue, but before we could even leave Amber, Arden and Lana stood by us, and now it is pretending from all over again. I wanted to slip away so that I could at least be with Maddie but it seems like that will not happen.
"Are you okay?" Arden looked at me with concern.
"Yeah, last evening," I told him and he nodded.
"I hope that the process is easy," he said softly enough for me to hear.
"Thank you," I gave him a weak smile and he turned his attention back on the group. I looked in Maddie's direction, her back was facing me, she was leaning against the bar. I want to know how her day has been or what is bothering her. I wanted to take that mood away and make her smile.
If only I can know what is going on in her life. I do hope that Ash doesn't show up here, because anything might be possible. I will make sure that if he shows up that I will put a stop to his disrespect. I hope that he didn't break her heart, because I hate to see her in this mood. It feels like a cold shoulder and I hate cold shoulders.
"I'm going to the men's restroom," I excused myself and Amber was distracted enough by Lana and Reggie, which I was happy about. I didn't go to the men's restroom, I weaved myself through the crowd and I stood beside Maddie at the bar. She was drinking Scotch. I smirked.
"Good evening, may I stand here?" I asked and she looked at me as if I was bothering her. I kept my smirk in place because she would not give me any cold shoulder this time.
'
Maddie's POV
I wasn't in the mood for Mariko after I saw him and his ex-wife, or whatever she is now, kissing in his office. It felt as if a knife was still pierced in my heart and it couldn't be taken out. My hope that I had to be with him is shattered and I don't want him to help me with my work. I was grateful that, this morning, he told me that he had work of his own to complete for a meeting and I was more than happy about that.
I knew that I would see him at the function. I wasn't going to stay at my apartment and have my mind filled up with all of these thoughts and picture that kiss in my mind. I tossed and turned the entire night as that image was engrained into my mind.
I saw him with his ex-wife, having her on his arm here at the function. They were smiling and mingling here and there, never leaving each other's side. That gave me a message that they were not over. As I scanned the room, I spotted them again and his gaze was already on me, with parted lips. My heart still felt a pull towards him, but then his ex-wife got his attention again. I let out a heavy breath and turned to face the bar. Ordering a Scotch neat.
The music was soft and I needed this drink that the bartender placed in front of me. I wasn't good for company today, so I was going to try and enjoy it by myself. I took a sip of the Scotch and it was still like fire down my throat. But I needed it. I first tried this when I saw Mariko drinking it. I wonder how he keeps a straight face drinking this. But it reminds me of him. He seems to enjoy it.
"Good evening, may I stand here?" I looked to the side and it was Mariko. He was smirking at me.
"Will your ex-wife allow you to?" I asked as I took a sip of my drink.
"It seems that you love Scotch...she is distracted. I wanted to make sure that you were okay," he stated.
"Oh, I'm perfectly okay by myself," I smirked at him, but I was feeling a little bit tipsy. I had to monitor myself.
"Is everything okay? If this is about me not helping with your work, I do apologize," he said, and I looked down at my drink.
"The last thing that I want is your apology and it has nothing to do with my work. You are free to do whatever you want as a man and as a director of the company," I turned my head to look at him. He seemed confused and concerned, but I could care less. My heart lost hope to be with him.
"Whatever is going on, you can always talk to me and my door is always open," he said.
"I know and I doubt that I will ever talk to you about my personal problems, if you only know what my feelings are doing to me," I looked away from him.
My one hand rested on the bar counter, and he placed his hand gently on top of mine "Either way, I am always here for you," he rasped.
I yanked my hand out from under his and I looked straight into his eyes. "I appreciate that but I think that I'm fine."
"Here you are," his ex-wife placed a hand on his arm. "Is everything okay?" she asked, and smiled at me.
"Yes, everything is okay." I gave her a fake smile.
"I'm just here because we have guests to mingle with," she said to him, and I gulped down my last Scotch and I scrunched my face as I never seemed to get used to the fire. I placed the empty glass on the counter as Mariko and his ex-wife moved away from me and into the crowd, Mariko didn't look back at me.
I wasn't going to sit around here and watch as Mariko parades around with her, keep on pushing that knife, Mariko. I shook my head in disappointment, as if he was into me. I should've guarded my heart and not let it get this far. After everything that I did to get through my bad break up with Ash, I have opened my heart to this again.
This was not going to do me any good. I don't even have friends to talk to and it was always me. I didn't really tell my mother about the extent of how I had been treated and it took a lot from me to move on and forget everything. I did that on my own. The older that I am, I still don't have friends and maybe that is because they see me as low class. Ash is to thank for that because he made that known to everyone.
So, instead of trying to make it worse for myself in this place, I left into the cold night. I will not do this to myself again and I think that I will put my studies as a priority and not Mariko. I have my father issues to get through too and I cannot wait for that day to come soon. I do not want any money from him if that is what he would think because I bet my mother worked for him. I like to prove people wrong and I will continue to do just that.
I am studying fashion and hopefully I can start my own fashion line and I want to do that all by myself. I don't know what my future holds as anything could happen, life doesn't go as we plan, and maybe I should just go with life's flow and see where I end up. It is certainly not with Mariko.