Chapter 8
2064 Words
Venus
We entered the house where I saw Steven was in the dining room with Auntie Feli. He turned around and Auntie Feli followed. I smiled. Auntie Feli smiled.
I had managed to convince Nathan to take a break for a whole day. If he needed more, I would gladly let him.
We went closer to where Auntie Feli and Steven were. I turned to Nathan. “Get some sleep.”
“I’m fine,” he countered.
Rolling my eyes, I asked, “How many years we’ve been living together, Nathan?”
He scowled. “Too long to count.”
“Right. You’re pale, Nathan. Just get some rest.”
“Venus right, Nathan. You’re going to need it for tonight,” Auntie Feli added, capturing both of our attention.
“Is there going to be something tonight?” I asked.
Auntie Feli smiled widely. I could hear the ticking bomb from her like she was ready to explode something juicy. “I was talking with Steven and he said there’s going to be an event tonight at the local bar; The Blossom.”
“What event?”
“Couple night.”
“What?”
“That’s right,” Steven added. “Couples could get drinks as much as they wanted as long as they were, well, a couple. Today is the bar’s anniversary and that’s how the owner wants to celebrate it. It marks the date he met his lovely wife. He wants to share his happiness with the couples around the town. But he strictly said just drinking, not some extra.”
Nathan scowled in disgust. Why he was scowling? “What do you mean not some extra?”
“Well, you know, making out, some the usual stuff when people are in the bar.” Ah, I see. “The owner wants something different and only a vanilla-kind couple in his bar. I’ve known him for a few years and he told me to invite someone. And I want to invite you. If you like.”
Bar. The kind of place I wanted to avoid forever. I never liked to drink so much although I had a tolerance for wine.
But I would be out.
This could be my golden ticket but I flicked my eyes to Nathan and judging by how he was staring at me; he disapproved of the idea. Yes, I wanted Nathan to take a break, but having me out of his sight, was a solid no-no to Nathan.
I was in a dilemma.
At some point, I wanted to go out and let Nathan had his beauty sleep. Beauty rest. But then, I would make him worried and probably made him restless and had a heart attack plus a stroke. Could an angel have that? No, but he would definitely be in that zone.
Until Auntie Feli pulled out the dangerous card by saying, “I already allowed Venus to go.” Both me and Nathan turned to her. “She deserves to know around the city. And I’m sure Steven will keep her safe. That’s why I told Nathan to get some rest for tonight. He will need the strength. Steven, dear, is it okay if someone enters the bar without bringing someone?”
“Yes, but they have to pay.”
“Ah, you don’t need to worry. Nathan has the money he needed. His credit card is endless,” Auntie Feli joked and Steven laughed.
Nathan touched his forehead. “This is crazy.” He took the stairs, probably heading to his bedroom, and he slammed the door quite hard.
That was…quite childish.
I looked at Steven. “I’m so sorry about Nathan.”
He shook his head. “No problem. Your brother is just worried about you, that’s all. Especially when all of you are still new in town.” Snapping my eyes to Auntie Feli, she only smiled. She must have just lied to Steven. Sometimes she was an expert in the deceitful department. “Felicia told me that you are extremely shy around new people so she asked me to keep you company wherever you are, including escorting you to the bathroom if you need one.” Oh, my God. I could scream. Auntie Feli didn’t need to tell him that. Although I knew the meaning behind her statement. She wanted Steven to always beside me just in case Micah or his men were around. And Nathan would be there too. “I would like to ask you properly whether you’re willing to come or not, Venus. If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
Actually, this was my chance. I could go out again. With Steven and Nathan too. Although he might be hating the idea already, Nathan would come. I was sure of it. It was always my priority first before his. And I wanted to see the town again, although this time would be a bar, a place where I would always avoid. I needed some air.
“Yes.” Earning me his signature wide smile, those dimples looked so adorable on his handsome face. Yeah, Steven was highly attractive. I wonder how old he was.
Steven drank the last of his tea and stood up. “I have to go back now. The owner asked me to help him getting ready before the big night. And the money is good.” Auntie Feli and I laughed.
“Thank you for inviting Venus, Steven. She needs some friends.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Felicia. I would love to be her friend. No one will refuse a beautiful lady like her.” Okay, that did something to me. Such a charmer.
Auntie Feli and I escorted Steven outside. “Do you need a ride?” he asked.
“I’m fine. I will go there with Nathan.”
“I can send you the location,” he stated while pulling out his iPhone. “What’s your number?” And then I remembered, I didn’t have my phone. Both my phones were gone. My previous phone and the phone from Micah.
“I…haven’t replaced my phone. Sorry.”
“I see. Well, I can wait for you outside the forest and you two can follow me behind.”
“Great idea,” Auntie Feli said.
“Okay. I’ll be going now, ladies. See you tonight, Venus,” he parted as he ran towards the road.
“Wow.” I looked at Auntie Feli and her blue eyes turned to me. “I have to get you ready for tonight,” she excitedly said.
“Do you think this is truly a good idea?”
“Of course! Don’t bother by what Nathan told you. He’s just worried. He’s also wanted to give you some freedom, but he’s concerned. That’s all.” I nodded and she patted my head. “Let him rest, Venus. He will be downstairs before nine, I’m sure of it.”
“Oh, I forgot to ask him what time the event is.”
“He said ten. But I’ve told him to take you before it’s gotten too crowded. I know how you dislike the place.”
“Thank you, Aunt.”
“I’ll help you with the dress, your hair, and make-up. Don’t you worry a thing.” She poked my nose, making me smiled.
For the first time after six months, I was so excited.
***
At night, Auntie Feli chose the clothes for me to wear. Steven had told her that I didn’t need to wear slutty dress as long I was comfortable with it. There was no dress code anyway so I was free to wear anything I wanted. She chose me a U-neck black one-piece dress with black stockings. The dress was quite short. When I stood, the hem only reached the middle of my thighs which meant if I sat, the hem would be pulled up more. My underwear would be a great show later. So, I wore stockings to prevent that. I also wore dark brown moccasins.
She curled up the tip of my hair. “Your hair is longer now,” she commented.
“You’re right. I like this style better.”
“Long hair fits you but short is also good.” Yeah, I also liked it. Yet, Micah was the one who cut them without me knowing. When I was sleeping. “You should enjoy your night, Venus. Although you’re about to go to the place, you least expected.”
I chuckled. “I won’t be long.”
“You could get to know Steven better.”
“What?”
She shrugged. “He seems a great guy.”
“Aunt, I—”
“You are allowed to fall in love, Venus,” she cut me first. “You are allowed to have a few friends. You can do anything you want. This is your life, Venus. Yes, we still have to be careful but I want you to enjoy your life. You are free to choose what you wanted to do. Your parents thought the same thing too.”
“They were?”
“Yes. They knew what would happen to you the second you were born, that’s why they protected you until the end. If they were weak, they could just abandon you. But they didn’t. Claudia wished the best for you. She believed whatever you have decided in your life, it is the best decision.”
I wanted to cry.
I didn’t know my parents well.
Yes, I lived with my mother before but it was too short. Too short I almost forgot how she looked like. I remembered her platinum blonde hair. Her warm crystal blue eyes. How she called me lovingly. Just for three years.
I missed her.
And I wanted to see the father I never had the chance to meet.
Listening to how Auntie Feli told me about my parents, I knew how they loved me. I wasn’t abandoned, I was loved. And that didn’t mean I was stuck with my destiny. I was in control of my life.
“Thank you, Auntie Feli.”
And by the time she was done with my hair. “There. You look so beautiful, sweetheart.” She put down the hair straightener. “Maybe Nathan already tired waiting downstairs,” she joked while walking toward the door. Maybe he was.
I stood up and grabbed my purse, following Auntie Feli out. When I was downstairs, I saw Nathan was sitting on the couch. Already wearing a black leather jacket and his golden gems were on me. Wow, he looked yummy. He looked better than this morning. He stood up and walked toward me. “You’re ready?” I gave him a single nod. He flicked his eyes to Auntie Feli. “One hour.”
“Take your time, Nathan. You two are allowed to go out until midnight.”
“No, we won’t,” Nathan countered and headed to the door.
I turned to Auntie Feli, she only smiled. “Have fun, dear.” I nodded and followed Nathan out to his truck.
Pushing myself inside, I asked, “How’s your sleep?”
“Good.” He smashed the door and went to his. His mood was quite bad and he jumped behind the wheel.
“Hey, you know that I won’t like the place too much. We can go home faster than predicted.”
He smiled mockingly. “You have a date, woman. One hour won’t be enough.” I laughed and he ignited the engine. He drove toward the road.
A date.
Maybe I could consider it a date with Steven.
Unless I had no idea at that time, that was not the case at all.
- Writer
