Estella & Dominic (6)
959 Words
(♡‿♡) Estella and Dominic 6 (♡‿♡)
“Er... I..” Chris struggled, his voice catching in his throat.
I was too exhausted to stay on my feet much longer, so I leaned against the wall and studied him.
“Why do you always get so nervous around me? Am I that intimidating? Do I come off too harsh?”
“No, Estella!” he blurted immediately.
“You’re amazing. Really. You’re a great friend.” He adjusted his glasses, buying himself time.
I folded my arms. “Okay.. so what’s going on?”
He swallowed. “My friend Jill is throwing a birthday party tonight. He, um... asked everyone to come with their girlfriends. All my friends are bringing someone, and I just...”
“And you just?” I asked, pretending to be innocent even though I already knew.
“Would you go with me? I mean— if you’re not busy. Just so I’m not the only loser there.” He said, almost passing out in embarrassment.
His eyes were shut, and his fingers crossed. When he stood for few seconds and I didn't give a response, he blinked his left eye open.
“What’s in it for me?” I asked, keeping my expression perfectly neutral.
“Anything,” he said without hesitation. “You name it. I’m yours.”
I raised a brow.“Careful. What if I say no?”
He gasped. “Ouch. That would hurt. A lot.” he said dramatically, clutching his chest.
“Relax. I’m kidding.” I laughed.
His shoulders dropped in relief. “So time and place?”
“Wow. Straight to business? You’re very eager.”
He grinned. “Extremely”
“The Smokers Club. I can come pick you up.” he added.
“No need.”
"Why is that?”
“I will meet you there,” I corrected with a smile. “Smokers Club, huh? Your friend must be one of those big shots.”
He scratched the back of his neck. “Not really. Jill just loves really loud music and expensive drinks.”
Quickly, he walked toward the exit barely containing his excitement. “Thank you, Estella! You have no idea how happy this makes me!”
I walked out as well, increasing my pace now. The day was slowly waning and I needed to get home on time. Apparently, Chris had altered my schedule for today but I couldn't deny the fact that I badly wanted to go to that club.
He handed me the perfect excuse. The biggest club in the City!. That idea alone made my heart race. But what was I going to tell mom?
“Estella! Over here!”
Speak of the devil. I rolled my eyes.
Of course, my mother had impeccable timing. It was almost like she lived inside my head.
She honked twice from across the road, and I waited for the stream of cars to pass before crossing over.
I tossed my backpack onto the passenger seat and settled in, beside her.
“I thought you said you wouldn’t be free to pick me up today?”
“I wasn’t supposed to,” she replied, adjusting the mirror. “But I rushed out without freshening up. I needed to swing home to do that before heading back to the hospital."
“And then I thought, might as well kill two birds with one stone.” she shrugged.
“That’s gross,” I groaned playfully. “Don’t phrase it like that."
She laughed.
“What choice do I have? I had to see Kay...” she said more quietly this time.
“Please don’t ever do that again, Mom. Do you want to drag my reputation down with you? Lovelight Hospital is miles away from Berlin Street and you traveled all that distance in that condition?”I shrieked, covering my nose.
“That condition?” she repeated with two nods, smacking my arm. “You’re ridiculous, Estella.”
We both laughed too hard, a little too long. It felt strange, but it was nice. Like we were finally talking the way we were supposed to.
She looked at me intently for a moment. I had a feeling she felt the same way too.
Then she looked away and started the engine.
The car rolled forward.
“How’s Aunt Kay though?” I asked, breaking the silence.
Mom sighed.
“She’s holding on,” she said, swerving to the right. “But from what the doctors are saying she may need surgery.”
My chest tightened. “What kind of surgery?”
She hesitated.
“An amputation.”
“Amputation? Oh my God!” I pressed my lips together. “That’s terrible. I feel so bad for her.”
She shook her head slowly.
“We’re not there yet,” she said quietly. “And I’m not giving up. Miracles still happen, you know..."
“As long as I’m breathing, Kay isn’t losing anything,” she muttered firmly.
That made me think again about Dominic.
How exactly did someone like my mother so disciplined, so upright end up with a man like him?
Strange.
****
My obsession with mini skirts didn't let me pick a gown for the party. I had slipped out of the house the moment my mother rode back to the hospital. I didn’t want her asking questions about Chris so I kept my plans to myself.
By the time I arrived, the club was already alive, vibrating with loud music and flashing lights. I pulled out my phone and dialled Chris. I had promised to be on time but technically, makeup emergencies don’t count as being late.
- Writer
