KARMA: FALLING FOR MY ENEMY'S SON

14. DINNER PARTY

I have more scars than friends…

After hours of running around the mall… going from store to store in search of an outfit best suited for tonight. Gia and I were now sitting in a restaurant to catch our breath and grab something to eat. People were speaking around us and the news played on a tv in the distance but couldn't make out what it was about, caught up in my own head. It had been two days since I last saw either of the Magliolo brothers, since I last heard from Dino and it was stressing me the f**k out… I didn't like his silence. My plan couldn't fail, I needed Dino tirelessly trying to impress me and make me his girlfriend.

Clack clack clack!! I'm pulled out of my thoughts by Georgia, tapping her long nails against the glass table between us to get my attention. "Eva, are you even listening to me??" She asked when I looked at her, the question coming out in a whine.

Nodding my head, I said reassuringly "Of course I am"

She let out an exasperated sigh, clearly unconvinced and asked "Then what was I saying??" Now I was caught. I bit the inside of my cheek and rummaged through my mind, trying to remember what she had said minutes before I zoned out but to my luck nothing came up.

"... forget it, let's just get out of here. Can we have our bill please??" She waved a server over to our table and a girl in a black and white restaurant uniform walked up to us. She gave her her credit card and waited for her to run it through the machine to make the payment before taking it back and got up to leave with her shopping bag. I sighed, doing the same and followed her out of the restaurant.

“Gosh my feet are killing me, who's idea was it to come to the mall wearing heels anyway??” She grumbled, stopping and leaned down to take off her shoes. I only chuckled, shaking my head and continued walking down the open hallway toward the mall's exit. She was such a dramatic friend and to think I didn't want to be her friend when we first met.

It happened about a month after I joined the university, we bumped into each other in the campus’ library. She was lost and needed someone to help her navigate her way to her next class… unfortunately at the time that someone turned out to be me. We've been close ever since, but of course I had my doubts and was hesitant to trust her. I didn't like how chirpy and very carefree she always seemed to be but Dr Sanchez convinced me to give her a chance, said that she would be good for me and that I needed someone to talk about boys with that wasn't him. I could imagine just how uncomfortably bad that conversation would've been had I not agreed but I'm glad I listened.

“Miss Sanchez??” I'm snapped out of my head by a commotion and continuous snapping of cameras. I looked around us confused, but soon let out an exasperated groan when I noticed we were already outside the mall and now surrounded by journalists.

“Miss Sanchez, what can you tell us about the special announcement your father will be making tonight??” One of them asked.

Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I smiled at the cameras and said “We'll all find out tonight” just as Ivan rushed to our rescue. He stood between us and the paparazzi like a barrier, keeping them away and lead us to the car parked in the parking lot. After the press release, the news that Dr Sanches was holding a small dinner party tonight and all the big shots of Italy were invited including Lorenz Magliolo had quickly become the most talked about on the internet. Everyone was understandably curious, it hadn't even been a month since we got back and we were already holding an event.

“Miss Sanchez, at least tell us who will be attending the party??” Ignoring all of them, I gave the shopping bags to Ivan and jumped in the backseat of my car. Gia jumped in after me and pulled the door close just as Ivan slammed the trunk door shut before jogging around it to get in the driver's seat. He reversed out of the parking spot and drove to Gia's place first to drop her off before taking me home.

♧

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!

Smacking my lips together, I got up from my vanity table and made my way to the door. Wrapping my fingers around the doorknob, I gave it a little twist and pulled the door open. Dr Sanchez stood in the hallway, looking handsome in his maroon three piece suite and his hair pushed all the way back with a styling gel.

“It's time to go, are you ready??” He asked, I nodded.

“Let me grab my purse” I told him and went to get my purse from my bed along with my phone before leaving the room.

“Where's Gia??” I asked as we made our way down the empty hallway toward the elevator.

“She's already at the party ” he informed, leaning forward to push the button on the wall next to the closed metal doors and call the elevator down. We were already at the hotel, we had arrived an hour early to make sure everything was prepped and ready before the guests started arriving.

A few minutes passed and the elevator door finally opened but I hesitated to go inside. Noticing this, Dr Sanchez held out his hand and said “I'm here with you, you'll be okay” I took a deep breath in, giving his words a second to sink in before placing my hand in his open palm and slowly stepped inside the elevator. Dr Sanchez squeezed my hand reassuringly and leaned forward to press the button to the rooftop floor where the dinner party was being held before stepping back to stand next to me.

Bringing my other hand up to wrap around his arm, I clung to him as the doors slammed back close locking us in and the elevator started its ascend. I held my breath and closed my eyes, feeling as though I had left my soul down at the floor we were in.

DING!!

“We're here dear??” Dr Sanchez said. I slowly opened my eyes and raised my head from his shoulder. Loosening my grip on his arm, I lifted the front of my dress with my fingers and stepped out of the elevator. I let out a breath I had been holding and continued toward the glass doors leading outside to the rooftop.

The hotel staff pushed the doors open when they noticed us approaching and nodded their heads in greeting as we walked past the threshold. Stepping outside, a cool breeze brushed my skin and blew through my hair… sending shivers through my body. The Mc announced our presence as we made our way down the aisle toward the stage, causing everyone to stop and turn to su before giving the Mike to Dr Sanchez. Mumbling a small thank you, Dr Sanchez turned to the crowd and welcomed them to dinner while my eyes roamed across the room.

Everyone we had invited was present, starting from the media personnels from every television station, magazine and newspaper publications and a few people from each organisation that already specialises with cancer patients but I was yet to find my best friend. My eyes narrowed when they stopped on the Magliolo's family and to my surprise Dino wasn't with them. I looked around the room one more time, searching for him as the worry I felt earlier returned ten folds. Had I overdone it?? had I said more than I should have and he took offence??

“Eva??” I jumped startled by the sound of Dr Sanchez's voice and turned to him “...are you okay??” He asked, concerned. I nodded and gave him a small reassuring smile before walking down the stage with him to mingle with everyone before the big announcement. Dr Sanchez introduced me to some of the business men and organisation managers and we were busy talking to Dr Suarez about the renovations being done on her psychiatric hospital when Lorenz and his wife decided to cut in.

“Ah Mr Magliolo, I was just about to come talk to you… I would like you to meet Dr Marianne Suarez co-founder of the OUR ORGANISATION” Dr Sanchez introduced her to the couple with a smile. Dr Suarez shook hands with them before excusing herself.

“I apologise on behalf of my sons, Dino has the flu so he couldn't make it and as for his brother just doesn't like crowded places or parties” Mrs Magliolo quickly made up an excuse for her sons’ absence before we even asked, making some of my worry disappear and my shoulders to relax a little.

“I understand,” Dr Sanchez said and immediately changed the topic to business. I continued my search for Gia and sighed when I saw her standing alone at the far end of the roof, staring in the distance. I also excused myself and approached her, grabbing two glasses of wine from a server on my way.

“A penny for your thoughts??” I said, stopping next to her.

She turned to me and smiled, shaking her head before saying “I'm just admiring mother nature's work of art, the view is beautiful from up here” I nodded, gave her one of the glasses and leaned against the railing. We passed the time talking about everything and anything until we're disturbed by the Mc.

“Miss Sanchez, your father is looking for you” I nodded and turned to Gia

“You coming??” I asked. She shook her head and I sighed, having kinda expected the response. She doesn't like these kinds of gatherings full of rich people. She only came because she wanted to help me organise everything and to support me and Dr Sanchez.

“...I won't take long” I promised, gently squeezing her hand before going to find Dr Sanchez.

“Dad, you asked for me??” I asked when I found him standing near the stage.

“Yes, it's time for the announcement” he said and took my hand in his. We both made our way back to the stage with our glasses and faced the crowd already looking at us, curiosity in the eyes.

Dr Sanchez cleared his throat and began with his speech that took longer than I anticipated. The air filled with a chorus of applause when he was done and one by one, people approached the stage to congratulate and wish us luck. We all then sat down for dinner, the Magliolo's of course sharing our table along with Gia.