Chapter Seven
Tristan
The four of us were hardly ever together.
I sat next to my sister, and my parents were across from us in the limo. My dad, he was pretty much my twin. Women still hit on him too, I could only hope that I would age like him. I was already entering the perpetual loneliness of divorced life. I had to admit, I wish it were as easy for me as it was for my parents.
They met in college. They were friends first, dated, and then got married. I was already divorced at thirty, considering getting a few cats.
“You need to look like you want to be here.” Natalie whispered to me.
Mom and Dad were off in their own world, their faces close as they held their conversation.
“I can try. Can’t really promise anything.” I adjusted the cuff of my shirt, I hated suits. Even when I went in the office every day, I never wore them.
“And be nice to everyone. I know they can be nosy, but sometimes they mean well.” She meant I should ignore everyone prying into my personal life about Vivian.
It was none of their fucking business, but God forbid you tell them that. They took it as a direct insult.
“Right. I’ll keep that in mind.”
The only reason I was even going to this thing was because Sasha was such a sweet old lady, and it is a good cause after all. If it were anyone else, I probably wouldn’t be going
The drive was pretty long since the ballroom was all the way downtown. And then once we got there, we were up to our fucking necks in traffic.
“Let’s go around the back, please.” Dad said to the driver. We usually always had the same one, but we hadn’t gone to any events in quite a while.
The driver took us around the back. The only thing here were the catering vans. Mom and Dad didn’t usually like to make an entrance. The front walkway would just have a bunch of photographers anyway.
“Whoa, who did this arrangement?” Natalie commented once we got out.
We went in through the back door. Mom blended in with the color scheme in her cream-colored gown.
“I’m not sure.” Mom answered her.
The back went through a long hallway. We came across another door, probably the back entrance. I let them go ahead of me, so I could mentally prepare myself for all the faking that I had to do. That other door opened up when my family rounded the corner, I did a quick look, but did a double take when I saw her.
It might have been in slow motion. Or maybe I was just dizzy from not really eating all day, but she waltzed in like a cloud of blue silk. Her hair fell in waves of dark curls, framing her angelic face. But that was all I got before she disappeared down the corner. The only reason I stepped into that party was to figure out who the hell that was.
It seemed odd, but in this circle, everyone knew everyone. And I had never seen her before. I found my way in and spotted the family at a table close to the front.
“Where did you go off to?” Natalie handed me a glass of champagne as I sat next to her.
“Bathroom.” I lied.
Mom and Dad were already getting visitors. Dad put on his best friendly face, and Mom just played along.
“So, Kit couldn’t come?” I said to Natalie, and she shot me a glare. Her thick eyeliner didn’t make her look any nicer.
“No, he comes back tomorrow though.” She answered.
I sipped the champagne, but I needed some food in my stomach before I started hitting the alcohol. The event hadn’t started yet anyway. People were still piling in, and I was still looking for that woman. I replayed everything in my head; her wavy hair, her flawless skin. She was so far away I didn’t get a good look, but I was already stuck on her.
Then I had to tell myself to quit it. I wasn’t in the mood to get attached to any other women.
“Natalie, you couldn’t have worn something else?” Mom leaned in to the table to scold Natalie. I chuckled to myself, not believing we could still be chastised for what we wear.
“What, why?” Nat played dumb, looking down at her gold dress with a rather deep vee.
“You’re hanging out.” Mom hissed. Dad just frowned, and I kept laughing.
“Chill, Mom.” Natalie groaned.
Her only saving grace were Sasha and Bryan, who were approaching us now.
“Anthony, Miranda!” Sasha had the most chipper voice, like a bell from a bike. You couldn’t miss it. My dad and I stood up and greeted her.
“You all look so wonderful! Tristan, I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?” She pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek softly. She was almost like a surrogate aunt, or godmother.
Her and my mom went way back, I think they each met their respective partners through each other.
“Fine. And yourself?” She rolled her eyes and pursed her lips as she looked up at me. I just smiled and shrugged. It was all she was going to get out of me.
“Wonderful. Thank you so much for coming!”
“All for the kids.” I murmured, but Mom heard me and scolded me with her eyes as I sat down.
Sasha and Natalie talked for a bit while Bryan said hello.
“We haven’t seen you in a while. How has work been?” Bryan was actually older than Sasha, so his hair was fully gray, though I was sure he retouched it, and his wrinkles set in deep. But like my dad, he still looked great.
“Not much of any work lately since I sold T-Nine.” I answered. He nodded, remembering the multi-billion-dollar transaction I made just a few months ago.
I was actually shocked when it made it all over the news. I didn’t know people cared about that technology stuff, but then I realized it wasn’t about that at all. It was about the money.
“Oh, that’s right. We should talk more later over drinks.” He clapped my shoulder, and he and Sasha went off. I supposed to greet more people.
We were forced to mingle for only a few more minutes before the emcee started the proceedings. He went about the normal stuff; announcing the charity, and the order of events. But first was the food, which made me happy because I was starving. I didn’t know what I was thinking, coming here on an empty stomach. The food were like pigeon servings, good, but tiny.
And I couldn’t find that woman anywhere. Why was I even still looking for her? I blamed my irrationality on my hunger. I ate more of the bread and olive oil before washing it down with more champagne. I knew that was enough.
When the auction started, I had to escape the stuffy air. Everyone waving their money around was making me nauseous.
“Put me down for that weekend cabin thing.” I whispered to Natalie. She gave me a face but nodded before I stepped out.
I went through the same hall and found my way to the front. It was even more beautiful up here, like I was stepping into a fairytale.
I walked through the path, looking on the intricate floral designs. It was pretty damn good. If I ever moved into a house, I would hire whoever did this to make it look like someone actually lived there. I kept going until I reached the small maze path, lined with a few stone chairs. Then my eyes caught that blue fabric again.