Chapter 2:The Party
1125 Words
I was determined “ I must attend this party, I don't know who this is! But I must attend this party.”
I kept pacing towards my room, as my heart kept pounding, and my palms grew cold and numb. I felt a bit scared but it didn't matter to me.
Jennifer couldn't utter a word as she stared at my phone.
Her eyes filled with concern. She looked terrified and sad; I walked close to her and smiled reassuring her. “Nothing will happen to me, I will go.”
Jennifer nodded, still looking sad.
The next day, while preparing, Jennifer burst into my room with little self-defense tools. “Take this, just in case.” Her voice trembled.
She gave me a tight hug as she looked at me. “Girl, you look like the birthday girl, this dress looks so good on you.”
I smiled sheepishly and then to the car keys on my table. I walked into the car my sister arranged for me.
I arrived at the venue, and the hall and its surroundings looked so beautiful.
I came down from my expensive car, I walked in but then the security man held me back.
He said, gazing at me, “Your invitation card please.”
I handed him over my invitation card, and he scanned through it with his eyes. “You can go in.”
Entering the hall, I became speechless; the decorations were top-notch, and I had to vibe to the music.
I noticed Mr. Lucas, the birthday celebrant, was greeting his guest; his eyes, hair, and aunt exuded wealth.
I walked up so close to Mr. Lucas, holding a glass of wine in my hand, as I poured it directly into his suit.
Everyone around there stared at me. However, Mr. Lucas got worried and angry as he stared at me intensely.
“I am sorry,” I said, feigning surprise as I dabbed at the stains with my handkerchief.
His security men walked up to us and tried to intervene but he refused.
My gaze was fixed on him, smiling sweetly to diffuse the tension. “Your suits look exquisite, and the designs are top-notch. Whoever chose this style has an excellent taste.”
Immediately, Mr. Lucas smiled, his face brightened as he replied to me. “I did. You know how to lighten up someone .”
He spoke further as he got me another glass of wine. “ I would love you to meet my son. I love your sense of humor, and I like you already.”
My face lit up with excitement; my jaw clenched in determination as I processed what Mr. Lucas had said. However, I had to go home to tell my sister how successful it was.
As I walked in, Jennifer paced around the sitting room, her face tense with worry. "Hi, Jennie," I said, trying to sound calm. Jennifer exhaled a sigh of relief, her expression easing. "Thank goodness you're back. Did it go well?"
I smiled, trying to reassure her. "Yes, it did."
Later, during dinner, my phone rang, shrill in the silence. An unknown number flashed on the screen. I felt a shiver run down my spine. I didn't want Jennifer to notice my nervousness, so I excused myself and headed to my room.
I stared at the phone, my heart racing, before reluctantly picking up. "Hi, Shirley," a smooth bass voice said. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered who this could be.
"This is Rowan, Mr. Lucas's son," he continued. I gasped, caught off guard. Rowan's voice was unexpected, sending a thrill through me.
"I know you're busy, but can we go on a date?" he asked. I paused, taking a deep breath before responding. "Yes...yes."
"Okay, I'll send details by tomorrow," Rowan said, and then the line went dead.
Being excited I walked to my sister at the dinner table.
Laughing out loudly “Guess what?”
Jennifer rolled her eyes and stared at me “What's that?? You know I am not good at guessing?”
I scoffed and winked my eyes. “Mr. Lucas' son just called me now and he asked me to go on a date with him.”
Jennifer smiled, her eyes widened in shock. “You did it, girl; you have to do everything to please him. Note: you are going to that family to find out who did this to mum.”
My smile faded, and my heart suddenly longed for my mum. “I know Jennifer.”
I stood up and dropped my plates in the sink as I went to sleep.
However, Jennifer left for her room, she went there to make some phone calls and find out the kind of girls Rowan likes.
……
This new day bloomed, and the sky was blue. The weather felt refreshing and a perfect day for a date.
Rowan had sent the details for the date, and the restaurant was classy and the most expensive in New York.
Stretching out the bed as I stared at my phone. Jennifer suddenly bursted into the room with a gift box.
“TA DA” she yelled, smiling sweetly and stretching her hands to give me the box of gifts.
I skeptically looked at her while opening it. “What is this, Jennifer?”
This is your outfit for the date; I tracked his phone and saw the place he was taking you to.
I had to get this for you to look good.
“I was a bit glad but where is my sister getting this money from?” I muttered to myself.
We are both orphans; before our mum died, we all struggled to eat and go to school. Things weren't moving fine and Jennifer lost her job after my mum's death.
I felt concerned. Jennifer noticed the look on my face; she moved closer to me.
“You don't have to worry, I got another job. I am sorry I didn't let you know about it, and besides, Mark has been giving me money.”
I yelled, “What do you mean, Mark?? The tout who extorts money from people?”
Jennifer's face crumpled, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Mark has been my rock since Mum's death. He helped me find the family responsible..."
Her voice trailed off as she sobbed.
I hugged her tightly, wiping away her tears. "It's okay, Jennifer. Just be careful, okay?"
As we hugged, Jennifer's phone rang, shrill in the silence.
She hesitated, but the persistent ringing forced her to answer.
An unknown woman's voice sent chills down my spine. "Hi, Jennifer. Mark was shot dead this morning."
Jennifer's phone slipped from her hand, her eyes frozen in horror.
- Writer
