Chapter 26: SO MUCH FOR…
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Alex’s POV;
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I settled down on the side of my building’s stairs, trying not to ruin my too-fancy-for-just-a-night dress gown I was forced into. The aquamarine sleeveless body hugging dress was perfectly crease-less even after solitary confinement of almost a year and I had no idea how.
The simple, neat pulled up hair bun was uncomfortable but I decided to endure it for one night.
After giving me a bunch of instructions Kate left promising that she would come with her brother to pick me up right on time. I wasn’t comfortable showing up alone and so we decided to go together. So far they were 30 minutes late. I sighed. I should just take my own car.
So much for being ‘right on time’.
The night hadn’t even begun but I was already drained, all I could do was take off my high heels and wiggle my toes to allow blood flow back into my feet.
“Where the heck are these idiots?” I muttered as I pulled out my phone from a very impractical hand purse and prepared to speed dial Kate when suddenly a car came to a screeching halt right in front of the gates with flashing headlights.
I was met with 2 pairs of almost identical apologetic faces of Kate and Matthew Winters through the rolled down windows, although Kate’s apology didn’t last long and soon her face morphed into that of a horrified art connoisseur whose masterpiece was being used as toilet paper.
I quickly pulled my heels back on and approached them casually as they both stepped out of the car.
“Were you really in all seriousness sitting at the stairs with that dress on?” Kate bellowed and I flinched internally.
“Obviously I wasn’t.” I lied and quickly changed the topic. “Hey Matty! So long… Nice of you to crawl out of your black hole of a basement, how’s life down there? Made another one of your globally trending masterpieces yet?” I smiled at him.
“Cut it out.” He mumbled, rolling his eyes and pulled me into a warm hug while Kate busied herself with checking the wellbeing of my dress. Matt was wearing a tux and came to think of it, this was the first time I’ve seen him so put together.
“Three years and no special changes huh?” He placed his hands on my shoulders, holding me at an arm’s length surveying me before flashing his earnest smile.
“I would love to say the same but the Times magazine list of ‘top 20 youngest millionaires’ says otherwise.” I countered, because despite it being a compliment I knew he would be embarrassed.
“Don’t make me fight you, we’re pretending to be adults tonight.” He broodingly frowned, and opened the back door to his luxuriously expensive car for me.
“Oooh fancy!” I whispered, referring to his riches despite his reaction. Matt ignored me and we all settled in before he started driving.
Kate turned in her seat and frowned at my lack of effort to look good for the night. What? I was wearing my diamond earrings, wasn’t I? That counts!
“Alex there’s gonna be a swarm of paparazzi, you at least wanna put your best foot forward don’t you?” She said like she was talking to an idiot.
“You don’t need to worry about paparazzi and my foot, they might have already packed up and left hours ago.” I retorted.
Her frown intensified, “C’mon we’re not that late. Besides, it was all Matt’s fault, don’t blame me.”
“Woah…” Matt glanced at me through the rare-view mirror with wide eyes.
“What ‘woah?!'” Kate glowered from the passenger seat.
“Woah, as in… do you really want me to remind you who made us late among the two of us?” He narrowed his eyes at his sister, trying to intimidate.
That look would have worked on anyone else, but Kate was never one to back down.
“What do you mean ‘really’ can’t you remember it took you precisely 43 minutes to pick a tux out of your grand total of 5, that you call a ‘collection’, Mr. I-rock-hoodie-everywhere, what happened to your usual lack of fashion sense?” She fumed.
“Yeah well I just had to put on this tux, but how could it take you two hours minus the awful singing and stuffing your face, you cow.” Matt threw back.
I chuckled and gasped when he called her a ‘cow’ and Kate glared at me then scoffed at her brother.
“You’re the one to say….and who raids my fridge everyday? Casper the friendly ghost?” She scowled and then turned to look at me. “I skipped lunch because I was picking a dress for you!” She told me. “I’ve been looking forward to this evening, don’t ruin it, both of you!” She warned us.
“What did I do?” I protested meekly from the back while Matthew chose his words very unwisely.
“No one told you to, besides the paparazzi are there for me and Alex, I don’t see why you’re making a fuss.” Matt is sweet and all but sometimes he’s just dumb.
“You douche-bag!” Kate punched him hard, straight in the ribs and tossed the box of tissues in his face.
He simply laughed, proud at his salvage comeback while saying “Don’t harm the driver you psycho!”
I could only roll my eyes at the decade old ritual the Winters siblings have maintained and sank back into the plush comfort of the leather seats of Matt’s car.
I just hoped we wouldn’t crash.
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The encounter with the media wasn’t so bad even if they blinded me with all the flashes and asked some personal questions that genuinely made me uncomfortable. But thankfully we were not late.
They asked us if I was dating Matt since we showed up together. We both instinctively glanced at each other and erupted into peals of laughter before denying. Matt was a great brother figure to me. We hardly ever met since he was older and very busy with his businesses and art work, but our feelings were absolutely platonic.
The interviews and exchange of pleasantries went by quickly. Matt was a genius at answering questions without giving any personal details but still keeping it interesting. I needed to learn that skill.
We were soon finding our seats to settle down for the performance while Kate managed to spot all sorts of celebrities and influential people in the audience.
The auditorium was filled with whispered chatter and I settled myself between my two companions for the night since I wanted to stop their bickering.
The performance started and the whole room fell into silence and darkness as music took over.
The stage was the only place lit up, it looked enthralling and demanded all our attention.
It was amazingly whimsical, the backdrop created with artistic detail was beautiful. All the dancers were graceful, perfectly in sync and wonderfully agile. They were light on their feet and skilled enough to make the intricately complex moves look effortlessly fluid.
The opening act was followed by others performances and soon I lost count, the one I loved the most was about the tragic loss of a lover, it moved me and almost brought me to tears. It seemed to me like a combination of contemporary and ballet and I loved not only the blue glimmering costumes, the synchronised movements but the music in itself was beautifully melancholic, when everything came together on the stage, it was absolutely phenomenal.
Every performance was followed by a thunder of clapping, the auditorium echoed with the audience’s appreciation.
After the final performance all the dancers, and the choreographer himself came for the final bow. Instead of clapping and cheering like a member of this respectful art community, I stood up and hooted with excitement. “Woohoo go Sam!”
Sam instantly looked up and found me and so did half the audience. Kate hid her face to her best capabilities while Matt just sat there crossing his arms, amused at my antics.
Sam grinned at me as I continued to smile, clap and hoot. He looked surprised to see me, as I gave him a much deserved standing ovation before they stepped off.
“Stop her!” Kate hissed.
“She’s your friend.” Matt shrugged.
“She’s your friend too!” She glared.
“Yeah, well… but I don’t want to.” He smirked.
She scoffed, and was about to retort when I cut her off. “Shut up you two, I’m going backstage, anyone interested?”
“Me” Kate said and then she simply smacked the back of Matt’s head and ran away towards the backstage entry way.
Matt reflexively jumped up to chase her. So much for pretending to be adults tonight.
As I found the corridor that led towards the green room, I soon came across Sam who was being an encouraging director for his team.
He looked like a proud leader, as he talked to his team with slight affection and a smile on his face. He was telling them how proud he was and how great tonight’s performance was.
Everyone had smiles on their faces and I could also see some pretty ballerinas crushing pretty hard on him, I almost wanted to laugh, but I stood there in the door frame waiting for him to be done.
Sam accidentally glanced past me once, quickly did a double take and then wrapped up his words, said goodbye before dismissing everyone. He eagerly walked towards me and I did the same.
“You came!” He exclaimed with a bright smile that sparked in his blue eyes and enveloped me in a warm, surprising hug, it seemed like he was feeling affectionate.
He lifted me off the ground making me yelp, spun me around before placing me back on my feet while I held on to his shoulders and laughed at the funny feeling. “Stop doing ballet offstage.” I scolded.
“There’s no such rule.” He winked.
“The performance was amazing Sam, I’m so glad I came. I’m proud of you.” I told him and he finally let me go after placing a gentle kiss on my forehead that made me blush despite myself.
“I can’t believe you actually came.” He said softly.
“You thought I wouldn’t? Why?” I frowned.
“I had my doubts…. you didn’t come the last time I invited you.” He said, as if to justify that his doubts weren’t unfounded.
“You know I wanted to.” I told him with a fake scowl, but he just smiled. My schedule was very unfortunate the last time.
“You look beautiful.” He said with an endearing intensity in his eyes that was so uncharacteristic of him I was a little taken aback.
“You aren’t too bad yourself.” I tried to joke to diffuse the sudden awkwardness I felt.
Sam chuckled, shook his head and looked at the scene behind me, I followed his gaze, Kate and Matt were still ‘inconspicuously’ hitting each other as they were busy winning the sibling war of ‘who-gives-up-first.’
I turned back to face Sam, and asked him, “Tell me honestly, do you think Kyle and I are that bad?”
“Are you kidding me?” He laughed, “you both are far worse. Especially you.” He told me.
I punched his bicep and he cradled his arm after muttering a curse, glaring at me playfully he said “so much for honesty.” He brought up a memory to justify his claim “Remember at prom, you both basically bickered the whole night, and I was caught in the middle because he was my best friend and you were my date.”
“Yeah, I remember that but can you blame me? I wouldn’t have been your date if Kyle didn’t tell you to bring me as your date… as his weird way of looking out for me” I scoffed but chuckled at the end. “I was so mad at him that entire night.”
Sam just looked at me, his face was serious and eyes penetrated deep into me…..after a pause he asked “Is that what you think?”
“About what?” I voiced my confusion.
“You have no idea how nervous I was…. I wanted to ask you to the prom and it had nothing to do with Kyle.” Sam admitted, his eyes were honest and open as he looked at me.
I was surprised to say the least, he what? Does that mean he used to….? No way!
Before I could get too deep into my own head, Kate and Matthew joined us and soon we were deciding about where to hang out.
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We all soon left to find food and drinks as apparently, Matthew’s stomach was “eating itself”. Sam offered me a ride and so I left the siblings to their banter, as they followed.
We ended up at a Resto-Bar nearby. It was a cosy place with mellow lighting and jazz music that wasn’t too loud for conversations.
We were seated at a table arranged semi-circularly around the dance floor and I glanced at the shiny piano being played next to the dance floor while a few couples danced and swayed to the rhythm.
When the song ended, I turned back assuming the musicians were taking a break. “What are we talking about?”
“We were talking about what to order while you were ogling the cute pianist.” Kate replied.
I turned back around to cross-check, he seemed like he was in his late twenties, with broad shoulders and strong jaw, I couldn’t see much more from where I was sitting. “He is pretty cute though.” I admitted.
“Why don’t you go talk to him?” Matt suggested, reminding us all that he was a total sadist.
“Yeah, you should.. ” Kate probably for the first time tonight agreed with her brother, fully aware of my tendency to make a fool of myself.
Sam opened his mouth to hopefully defend me only to get interrupted by the waiter.
After we all placed our orders, we didn’t return to the topic at hand and I was thankful they had forgotten all about it.
“Oh yeah, before I forget…. our company,” I said referring to Kate and I “has organised a cancer charity event and considering how influential you guys are, you both have to come, I mailed you the invites a week ago… I’m just reminding you.”
“Wow, and here I thought us being your friends would be the prime reason for that invitation.” Sam pretended to be hurt.
“Nah, it’s just cause you are rich.” I shrugged. “Also, I’ve planned this event, so keep all your criticism to yourself.”
“I’ll have to dress up again?” Matt asked, hoping for a casual dress code entry.
Kate scoffed, “It’s not like you can show up in your sweatshirt.”
“What if I donate more?” He tried to negotiate with me.
“Don’t ask me anything about dress code, she’s in charge.” I gestured at Kate, who smiled like an unreasonable teacher after implementing silly rules.
Matt glanced at his sister weirdly, “why would she be there?” Translation: She is not famous. Lock her away!
“Because I work there, you ignorant buffoon.” Kate grumbled.
“What?! You guys work together?” The revelation shocked Matt to the core.
Sam just continued to laugh at Matt’s mind blowing ability to block out his sister’s words, “Matt should hangout with us more often.” He said between laughs.
When food arrived, we all dug in, barely talking because everything was absolutely delicious and we were famished.
We only listened to background music and clicking of cutlery until Sam spoke to me, “Is Kyle attending this charity?”
“He can’t, said he’s got some prior commitment with his agency, He’s just gonna make a donation.” I answered.
“That’s a shame, I was interested to know who’s gonna be his plus one.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me, silently communicating about Kyle’s mystery date.
“Are you bringing someone?” I asked.
“You, if you’re interested.” He winked, making me roll my eyes.
“Alex has got some prior commitments.” Kate smirked at me, making me wanna smack her.
“What about you Matt, any girl we should know of?” I asked, to get the attention off of me.
“I’m just gonna go stag.” He replied calmly, with a subtext of ‘my type of girls are hard to find and I’m lazy.’ And then he casually added, as he turned to Sam “speaking of girls, that one has been glancing at you all evening.” Matt tipped his head subtly. “How clueless can you be? Cut her some slack.”
Kate whipped her brainless skull in a not so subtle manner and scared the girl, making Sam chuckle.
“Thanks Kate.” I said sarcastically, while Sam thanked her with genuine gratitude.
“Aww… don’t tell me, you’re afraid?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to egg him on.
“Ahh classic, striking my male ego, only if I was that shallow.” Sam placed his hands on his chest right above his heart.
“Come on Sam, she’s cute.” Kate encouraged.
He simply smiled, “So am I.” Being his true narcissistic self.
“That’s not the point here, or have you got no game anymore.” Inserted Kate.
“Yet again Kate, I haven’t converted into a shallow git since the last 2 minutes.” He rolled his eyes “If she’s interested she’ll come” Sam shrugged and went back to eating. Matt only watched with a devious smile, enjoying inflicting agony over others.
“She won’t. Trust me she wants you to go to her.” Matt said, being the observant one.
“I could make her, but I won’t.” Sam smirked smugly.
Kate’s inner matchmaking goddess awoke and she jumped up saying, “not even for a good cause?”
“What good cause?” He asked, confused.
Kate explained. “If you make her come talk to you, Matt will donate to the charity five times as much as you would.”
Matt sputtered and choked on his drink. “Why am I being dragged into this?”
“Because you started it.” Kate shut him up.
Sam now looked at Matt, “You sure? You might go broke and sell your car, you might even need to receive charity.”
Matt laughed at that, “you are seriously underestimating my wealth.” Making Sam frown.
Sam looked at me unsurely, and I smirked, “It’s for a good cause.” I was definitely curious to see what he would do.
Sam’s frown morphed into a devilish smirk, and then with much confidence he shot out of his chair, “you’re gonna regret making this bet” He said as he walked away.
“We’ll see…. ” Matt said, amusement dancing in his eyes, as we all watched him needle his way through the half-full dance floor towards the musicians to make a song request.
“Dance! His ultimate weapon.” I laughed, already seeing what was to come. Kate facepalmed.
Matt gulped, recognising defeat. “Glad you’re enjoying this. ” He said to me.
A moment later “Oh what a night” by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons started playing. and Sam moon-walked his way to the middle of the dance floor. Show off!
A lively cheer boomed across the club as he started dancing and gliding and people made more space for him. He was performing and showing off his dance skills and he definitely knew how to do that.
He asked an old lady to dance with him and everyone cheered more while the lady was totally caught up in his charm.
“Urgh… He doesn’t play fair.” Matt complained.
“You’re just being a sore loser. ” Kate said.
Sam yelled out the chorus along with the crowd as more people joined him on the dance floor. He called us all to join in as Matt sulked. Kate and I decided to comply.
Sam came towards me as the old lady left to dance with her husband, offering me his hand, making me chuckle as I accepted.
“This is cheating.” I smiled as I danced with him. We had danced to this song countless times, he was the reason I knew a little bit of dancing.
“For a good cause… ” He smiled, and then he began singing along with the song “hypnotizing mesmerizing me, She was ev’rything I dreamed she’d be, Sweet surrender, what a night…” Suavely he turned around and directed a wink at the girl from before who was speechless and evidently impressed as he continued to sing the song comically.
We returned to our table after a wave of applause accompanied with cheers from everyone in the restaurant.
The night ended as we all went back to our usual bickering. And also, guess who came to talk to Sam?
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