Young And Thirsty

Chapter Three

"Of course, I don't! I know he's handsome and tall and I would say dreamily but I don't like him and clear that smirk off your face, old man!" I wanted to rant but I shook my head instead and focused my gaze somewhere else.

"I thought you did." He started "I'm scared for my son. He's a rising star with excellent communication and social skills but the ladies…" He smirked, "He's always complaining about the attention, you know?"

I was beginning to get uncomfortable. I thought I had him where I wanted him to be but it seems he's the one leading the conversation and advertising his son to me!

Oh f**k! This wasn't a part of our plan!

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable but I think you are a decent lady, Brianna." He leaned back into his seat, his glass of wine in his left hand. "A great dancer, a beautiful brunette with a mother that I can vouch for being a role model to her kids and raising you guys the right way."

I cleared my throat daintily before inquiring, "What are you driving at, Sir?"

His charming smile burst the inflated bubbles of worry in my head but I was visibly shocked when he told me what he had in mind.

"Marriage?!" I found my voice and didn't care if it was raised a few decibels.

"Why are you acting surprised? Wasn't it a plan? To come here and showcase your talent in order to get my attention and …"

I couldn't let him finish, he had misunderstood my intentions and I could see our whole plan shattering.

"I'm sorry I have to cut you short, Sir." I stated with a finger raised to my lips. He adjusted his frame on the seat and left his eyes on my face.

"This is a misunderstanding. I had come here because I wanted to seek your help with something and I admit to devising this plan with my sister but our intention isn't to match me with your son for marriage."

"Oh really?" He arched his brow and I nodded quickly. "Then, let's start all over. I'm Mr Norman Davidson" He introduced, sticking out his palm for a handshake.

I received it with a formal smile and took my seat, "I'm Brianna McClure."

"Let's talk business, Miss Brianna."

"Thank you for your audience, Sir. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome, Miss Brianna."

"Firstly, I would love to establish that my meeting with you has nothing to do with your son. I had graced this occasion and danced to the entertainment of your guests just so you see that I'm a great dancer and I have potential to fly if given wings."

"Now, you are talking in parables, Miss Brianna. Would you mind bringing this home?"

"Sure! Look Sir, I'm a great dancer but I'm banned from dancing because my mother doesn't agree with the dress code of belly dancing and that's the reason I'm here today."

I swallowed hard, "Please Sir, I came to ask you for help with my mum."

His face softened with concern, "Is she okay?"

"Yes but she doesn't want to support my dancing career. I have won a full scholarship to a dance school in LA but they need my mother's signature and other requirements she has to complete for the scholarship to be mine".

He took a deep breath and looked downwards for the first time since we started discussing.

"Does she know about this?"

"No, she doesn't. I don't know how to tell her. I mean, she just found out about a competition I had been chosen to perform in this morning and threatened to throw me out."

"Wow!" He exhaled deeply "Don't you think you should listen to your mother and find another path in life?"

"Please Sir, this is my passion. The path I have charted for myself since I was seven years old. I'm ready to do anything to get that scholarship. I can't see life aside from dancing."

"I love your conviction, dear but I can't force your mother to go against her wish because I hold the largest share in her company?"

"My mother's company is already going downhill as a result of her succumbing to fraudulent investments. She will need your help to get back on her feet…"

His laughter caught me off-guard and I forgot to complete my sentence. "You're really smart for your age, Brianna."

I lowered my gaze, "Thank you Sir."

He leaned onto the table again, "Tell you what?"

I remained silent.

"I don't see anything I can get from you in return, young lady. I'm a businessman and I've lived by the barter principle for many years and this time won't be different."

With a determined expression on my face, I blurted out. "No, you do. I'll work as your son, Jeremy's maid for two years without pay, which is when I will be done with my dance program."

I expected his laughter which sounded hollow but I remained poker-faced. "You won't last for a week, Brianna. Jeremy is not only physically abusive, he is verbally and emotionally abusive. No one has ever stayed for three days at most. He's the worst!"

"I know that, Sir but the fact remains that you need help with him and I can render that help."

"All right." He exhaled "I will grant your own part of the deal at the end of your first week."

"Thank you so much, Sir!" I squealed, my lips spread in the widest smile.

"Don't be happy yet until the first week is over. I doubt if you'd return but let's try." He shrugged as his eyes twitched in a funny way. I could feel someone's eyes on me and I turned to confirm my suspicions but my mother sitting calmly tables away wasn't the sight I wanted to behold.

She smirked at me, stood up and began walking towards us. The look on her face was frightening but what scared me the most was when I saw her left eye twitch.

I decided to take the bull by its horns and approached her midway with trembly feet.

"Hey mum!" I grinned, masking my fear but I can bet she was seeing through me.

She hesitated for a moment, shocked that I wasn't shaking like a chicken or planning 70 ways of escape in my head. "What are you doing here?" She asked, coolly but I could see the sparks of fire in her eyes.

"I was conversing with your friend." I began, carefully leading her to the other seat on the table. My legs have stopped wobbling but my heart still slammed against my chest like it knew everything wasn't fine yet.

I drew out a chair for her and watched as the business partners dropped their formal coats and acted in camaraderie. It was pleasant to know that my mum had a genial side to her.

Trust me when I say we have seen little of her friendly days and at a time in High School, I had forgotten how my mum's smile looked. She has created a persona suitable for each occasion or environment she found herself and strict was what she felt was good to raise her children.

"All right young lady, can you tell me what you were discussing with my friend?" She asked in her mummy tone and I opened my mouth to spill the truth but Mr Norman went first.

"We were having chats about school and stuff like that. I never knew you had such a talented and brilliant person for a daughter." He commented but quickly chipped in, "I mean she took her qualities from you but not the looks." He joked and laughter spread round the table.

Mum didn't look at all convinced but she shrugged and beckoned to the waiter. A teenage girl adorned with the beautiful uniform cat walked to our table and jotted down our orders.

Mum wanted champagne and salad, urgh! Mum and dieting! She's always been careful about her looks which makes her diet and workout a lot. I am happy she's taking some wine though and being nice too.

I went for a french dish to impress mum and Mr Norman excused himself with the claim of being full but was persuaded to get the same order as with mum. I enjoyed the glee on mum's face and sat there feeling like a third wheel while they conversed about business, the news and other things. Somehow, I liked their chemistry!

I mean this part of mummy was sweet! I felt like making a video and watching it everytime I begin to feel that I have a cruel monster for a mother but I dared not!

Soon enough, the waiter cat walked back to our table with a large tray. I love how the food was packaged and arranged with a touch of excellence and precision!

"Mmmm" Mum moaned immediately as she chewed on the first bit of her salad. "Oh, I'm sorry." She sent her apology Mr Norman's way. "But this is good! So good!" She laughed lightly, pointing her cutlery at the salad as she talked. Mr Norman praised the chef and another discussion ensued.

"Can anyone tell me what is happening here?! Why are two grown ups acting dumb with each other when it's obvious that they want more?!" I wanted to scream but I stuffed a large quantity of my dish into my mouth instead. Yeah, call me whatever but I always run miles away from trouble.

"Why are you stuffing your mouth like that?" Mum's voice surprised me. For a moment, I thought she had forgotten all about my presence at the table. "I was asking a question…" She dragged her words warningly but I couldn't find words.

"C'mon mum! You guys are doing all lovey-dovey and I'm feeling outta place. Watching PDA is pure torture for a nineteen-year-old who has never dated before?" I rehearsed in my head but physically, I just stared down at my plate, lacking words to answer her.

Mum didn't relent, she fired another question that made my head shoot up in shock. "Or don't you like the food?" Her tone was softer.

"Uhm" I cleared my throat, nodding repeatedly, "I do, I do."

"Great then, eat like a dainty lady like I have taught you to be." She replied categorically. I flashed an awkward smile and sent my eyes back to my plate of food.

"Ahhh." Mr Norman expressed as he reclined back to his seat. I saw mum look at him with concern and at the same time, stopping the urge to correct his sitting posture.

"What brought you here, Brianna?" Mum went back to her questioning. I didn't spill out my food or fumble. I have been trained to absorb shock just fine, hiding it perfectly from the other person but trust me, my heart was racing to far away lands!

I had nothing to say!

I raised my head and met Mr Norman's smirking face and my mother looked like she had found gold. What was it with these people?!

"I came because Asher Davidson had invited me."

Mum's left eyebrow went up quizzically, "Really?" Her tone emitting nothing close to surprise but I didn't care.

Mr Norman mumbled something and excused himself. Left alone with mum, she turned on me. Her eyeballs were red and her face twitched into a thick frown. "Haven't I taught you never to lie?! Oh, that's too far! Didn't we go over you trying to outsmart everyone just this morning?!" She asked in an angry tone.

"I'm sorry, mum! I just wanted a future for my dancing!" I blurted out with a voice raised a few decibels high.

"Really?!" She yelled in disbelief but nobody could hear us over the loud music. "Do you now raise your voice at me?!" She heaved.

I remained silent and tears were threatening to fall down from my cheeks.

"You know what, Brie! I can't take anymore of your naughtiness and yelling back at me?!" She paused. "That was the last straw! I'm going to send you to your father! Sort yourself out and then I will have a rethink in 6 months time! But for now, I'm off!" She concluded, picked up her bag and stormed out of the hall.

My world crumbled before me! My father's house was a death sentence. What will happen to me? My dreams? My life?

I had to do something about this!