The Daughter In the Corner

Inebriated

Derrick was led away but even though his legs moved in one direction, his head turned towards Jenny like a sunflower chasing the sun. She was dazzling. Her golden crown of hair was like sunlight and her amber eyes – those perfect beautiful orbs that graced her small face were like jewels. Derrick sighed. It wasn’t a secret in their circle that Nathan Al Saad was engaged to a young woman from the States. He just didn’t pay attention to the details because it didn’t affect him. Had he known there was such a goddess among men, he would have tried to win her affections before Nathan got to her.

Soon, Jenny was lost amongst the throng of mingling guests and Derrick tore his eyes away. He sighed in resignation and trudged behind Amara. Nathan, who was observing Derrick’s behavior from the start, escorted Jenny to his table. After she was seated, he smiled apologetically. “Habibti, please excuse me. I have to take care of something: I shall be right back.”

Jenny nodded and watched as Nathan walked a short distance away and merely raised a finger before his aide came running. One of the many things she loved about him was how easily he took control of situations. When she met him two years ago at a global convention, she, like everyone else in the room, was immediately captivated. The way he held himself, the gentle yet commanding tone of voice, his handsome face, and that unapproachable aura. Jenny had never succumbed to anyone in her life, the strongest men she knew all catered to her whim but Nathan… this man she could not conquer. Instead, the more she got to know him, the deeper she sank into the mire of lust and desire. For once in her life, she wanted something she couldn’t attain— but that was about to change. In six months, she would be joined in holy matrimony to have and hold the one and only Nathan Al Saad. He would be hers and hers alone.

Jenny watched him turn and speak softly to his aide, his eyes cast downward in a gentle arc. Jenny couldn’t make out his words but she imagined him murmuring sweet nothings into her ear with his deep voice. She clenched her legs together in wanton desire. She let out a deep sigh; tonight, like many others, she would have to settle with relieving her needs with her fingers.

***

Derrick helped Amara get to her table before he left for his own. Amara gazed after him for a while before lowering her head in contemplation.

Did Derrick fall in love with her sister? She shook her head gently. Even if he did, so what? Her sister was already betrothed to another. Still, the way Derrick’s eyes continuously sought after Jenny niggled at her.

The room dimmed and the lights focused on the stage. Amara shook her head and gave her full attention to the speaker.

The event was a collaboration between the Farley and Roger Groups to raise funds for orphanages around the world giving orphans a fighting chance in the competitive world. Amelia Farley was an orphan and had gone through hard times before her marriage to Chris Farley. Although Amara knew Amelia was the main reason the two groups hosted the event, she wasn’t upset because, over the past fifteen years, her father had been nothing but faithful to his current family. He became hypersensitive to their reactions and took care to put their needs first before anyone else’s. Amara thought it was great that her dad was reflecting on himself and was changing for the better.

She smiled and clapped for her father and Chris as they took the stage to give a speech. As they spoke, she drank the red wine served at the table as if it were water.

Amanda frowned. “Honey, you can’t hold your liquor. Don’t drink so much.”

Amara smiled and shook her head. “It’s fine Mom! It’s fruity and probably low in alcohol content. I can take it.”

As if she challenged fate, within twenty minutes, Amara was wobbling in her chair; her eyes barely open.

Amanda shook her head and frowned. “I told you. Let’s get you a room. We can’t have you wobbling around on the table like this.” She got up and started pulling Amara up by the arm.

“Come on, darling.”

Amelia who sat at the table next to them got up as well. “What’s wrong, Amanda?”

Amanda sighed and shook her head. “This kid can’t hold her liquor and drank too much red wine. I’m going to get her a room upstairs to sober up a bit.”

Amelia checked the watch on her wrist. “Oh no! It’s almost time for us to go up as well.”

She looked around and spotted Jenny sitting at a table on the way to the exit. “Here, let Jenny take her up. I would feel more comfortable if a family member took Amara up. She can stay in my room. Here’s the room card.”

Amanda smiled in relief. “That would be great. Thank you so much, Amelia.”

Amara staggered to her feet and leaned heavily on her mother with Amelia walking ahead.

“Jenny darling?”

Jenny looked up and found her mother standing nearby. “Yes, mom?”

“Would you be a dear and take Amara to my room to sober up? She’s a little inebriated.”

Jenny sighed and looked around. “Can’t you have one of the hotel staff do that?”

Amelia frowned. “She’s your sister and she’s drunk. Do you want to leave her to some stranger? Amanda and I are due to go up on stage any minute now. I don’t have time to banter with you.”

Jenny pursed her lips but remembered that Nathan was sitting right next to her so she got up. “Give me the keycard. I’ll take her.”

She watched impassively as Amanda lugged Amara over then took over when they got closer.

Nathan leaned back and glanced at Amara who leaned heavily against Jenny.

“Do you need help, Habibti?” He scooted his chair back and was about to stand up.

“No,” Jenny grunted, “I got this. I will be right back.”

Nathan nodded. He didn’t argue since he didn’t want to touch other women carelessly.

Jenny struggled and somehow stumbled out of the hall with Amara.

***

Across the hall, Peter noticed his two sisters leaving under the cover of darkness. He only noticed because he knew which table they were at. Just as he was pushing his chair back to stand, Hunter bolted up.

“I’m going to go to the restroom. I will be back later,” he murmured.

Dillon also jumped up. “I have to go too. Let’s go together.”

Peter sighed and settled back into his chair. He didn't want people comparing them to a group of women who visit the bathroom together. He glanced towards the exit where Amara and Jenny had headed but they had already disappeared.

“Guess they don’t need help,” he muttered under his breath.

He noticed a male guest slip out of the room but he didn’t think much of it.