Say Ah

Chapter 14: The heartfelt speech

Alison POV -

"Alison..." He said in his low voice.

"Christopher" I said breathless, he looked breath taking, in his black slick down suit and royal blue shirt, no tie. Then I remembered the drink had splashed unto his back.

"I-I got juice all over the back of your jacket" I stuttered, ashamed of my clumsiness, that suit must have been expensive. It had to be.

"It's fine" he said still smiling at me.

"I did the damage... again. I should be able to at least clean it" I pressed, not thinking.

"OK fine when we get the chance" he said.

I smiled then heard a voice on a mic.

"Goodnight beautiful people!" it was Emanuel. He was outside so everyone followed the voice and went out there.

"I'm so glad that many of you were able to come to my party...", he continued then Christopher’s voice chimed in.

"You look beautiful" Christopher said beside me, breaking my concentration from Emanuel.

I looked up to find his eyes staring directly at me.

"Thank you" I smiled stupidly.

"You look very handsome... even with the stain" I said. What the hell was wrong with me! I mentally kicked myself.

He smiled widely, I think I died and went to Heaven.

"Thank you" he said.

We then stayed like that staring at each other but before it got awkward, I heard another voice on the small stage much deeper than Emanuel's.

He slightly resembled him.

"Goodnight everyone" he got some replies of goodnight from everyone else including me.

"As most of you may know I'm Jose. I just wanted to say a few words to my brother... Emanuel who is celebrating his birthday today we haven't seen each other in the longest while and I'm glad that I could be here to celebrate such an amazing occasion... as most of you may know also, we were separated as kids and I was taken in by the most amazing family I have ever known, though it was only three of us" I looked to see Christopher smiling and looking at Jose on the podium.

"He's my brother" He said proudly.

I nodded in thought, that's the adopted brother he was talking about. Jose finished his speech that triggered a few laughs coming from us soon after with applause erupting from everyone including me.

"Hey, I'll be right back, I have to go up" he turned to say to me.

I c****d my eyebrow at him.

"Ok then" I replied." I'll be where Jhene is" He smiled then turned to leave.

I started looking for Jhene when I found her standing at a table talking to a guy and looking rather annoyed.

I walked in their direction, once I got into earshot I started listening, yes I am a bit nosey as Jhene said, deal with it.

"Your dress is far too short Jhene. You’re so exposed what the hell?" I heard the guy say dominantly.

"Why thanks my dressmaker used you d**k for inspiration" I heard Jhene spit at him, earning laughter from the people surrounding them she then saw me right after, flipped him off and strutted towards me.

"Ex-boyfriend" she said simply.

"That comeback though" I said in a humour filled tone.

"I saw it on i********:" she whispered, I laughed.

"Where's your guy? Did he blow you off? I'm gonna chop his d**k up in a million pieces and feed it to him!" She ranted. Not giving me a chance to answer. "Calm down sister he's here and he is gonna do a speech." I replied calmly to her as if she's a mental patient.

"I saw what you did there, b***h" she glared and I gave her a toothy grin.

We went up closer to the front to see Christopher giving his speech. "Goodnight everyone" he said so professionally, like he has done this many times before, other people responded by saying various good nights as well.

"Emmanuel has already been like a brother to me for the past couple of months since Jose found him, he has been a massive inspiration to everyone who has met him and for some, a bad influence" some people of the crowd knowingly chuckled, others gave awkward looks. Emanuel pointed gun fingers at Christopher and smirked.

"Anyway, I'm glad that we found you in time to celebrate your birthday and I’m happy we could also use this very special occasion as a reunion, for all of us ,have a happy birthday Emanuel and continue making the world happy and a little more free even if you’re getting too old to still be spreading rainbows" everyone laughed and clapped after Christopher ended his speech .I chuckled also. There were some other speeches from other friends of Emanuel they varied from emotional to humorous.

As another speech ended I saw Christopher making his way over to where I was after talking with Emanuel and Jose. "Hi" he said smiling as he stopped in front of me.

"Guess that's ma que...", Jhene stated " ... oh Emanuel!" She then ran off in Emanuel's direction not before embarrassingly nudging me.

"Hi" I then replied with a tight smile.

" Wanna dance?" He asked.