"Nice to meet you, I'm Melek McKenzie, a friend of mine," I say, raising my hand in greeting.
Her father smiles and shakes my hand.
" I'm Chris Evans, Max's father, although you'll have to forgive me but my son didn't tell us anything but go ahead with confidence," says Mr. Evans, looking at Max, uncomfortably.
We head to the lounge it is beautiful, it is as if it were a luxury hotel, everything shines and is new to my eyes, what a difference from my home .
There are several guests, it's not a simple dinner party in my view and I can't see Noah, where has he gone.
Max's father introduces me to a very beautiful and slender Asian woman.
" Honey, this is Melek, a friend of Max's," exclaims Mr. Evans.
" Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Noemi," she smiled and extended her hand to me.
Max, clicks his tongue and rolls his eyes in annoyance.
He must not get along well with his family, his behavior is very rude, he makes me feel uncomfortable and I am his guest, I return the greeting to Noemi then I turn to see Max, he has an indifferent look, I don't know what's wrong with him.
Naomi begins to introduce me to the guests, there are the parents of the girl in the bleachers, she is playing the violin and she is really talented.
Noah, however, is not here and I have no point in being here if he is not.
" Where is Noah " I whisper to Max.
" No, I dont know," exclaims Max, annoyed.
" Son, allow me a moment," exclaims Mr. Evans, interrupting our conversation.
They both walk away, I can't make out their conversation.
When Noah shows up out of the blue, turning my world upside down, he looks so perfect in a suit he's more attractive than a soap opera actor.
My heart is racing and melting at the same time.
" Hello Melek, I didn't know you would be here," Noah says when he sees me, drawing a beautiful smile on his lips.
"Max invited me, that's why I'm here," I answer nervously, my voice trembling.
Damn lump in my throat and my hands are sweating, I'm so nervous I have to calm down.
" That's nice, I'm glad you and Max are close," Noah replies.
" Yes, we are friends," I say quickly to clarify that point.
"Let's go to the dining room," announces Noemi.
Already at the table, I am sitting next to Max and Noah is in front of me, I see the food being served and during dinner Max's father asks me.
" My son never tells us anything, maybe thanks to you we will find out something important.
" I would love to, but we haven't known each other very long," I say awkwardly.
" And what do your parents do for a living? asks Mr. Evans.
" My mother is a book illustrator and my father has his own mechanical business.
" That sounds interesting," exclaims Chloe in a mocking tone.
While taking a bite of the beef steak .
I am not ashamed my parents are not wealthy but their work is honest.
" And what are you studying? asks Mr. Evans.
" I am enrolled in the Arts," I answer proudly.
"You must be talented, if you're at Harvard University and tell me where you're from," he asks.
"I'm from Boston, sir," I say shyly.
I feel like a criminal being interrogated right now.
" Enough questions dad, she's a guest," says Noah.
" I just want to get to know my son's friends better," replied Mr. Evans.
"Will you stop!" Max raises his voice in annoyance.
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense.
I cleared my throat trying to disguise and smiled to calm the moment, I think about changing the topic of conversation to lessen tensions.
" Mr. Evans, don't worry, it doesn't bother me at all," I exclaimed, tapping Max with my foot.
He turns to me with a frown as he eats.
"I must say that your house is very beautiful and elegant and your food is exquisite," I say kindly.
" Thank you very much, the credit goes to Naomi as she made the dinner," says Mr. Evans holding Naomi's hand and blowing her a kiss.
" You'll have to give me the recipe for the sauce, it's a delight," I exclaimed.
" Noemi says with a wink and a smile.
Mr. Evans raises his wine glass and taps his fork to get our attention.
" I wish to make a toast and announce my engagement to Naomi," says Mr. Evans happily.
" I lost my appetite," Max immediately replied, abruptly getting up from the table.
What the fuck is wrong with him, he's rude and immature.
We finish dinner and I decide to go to the powder room Naomi points me in the direction the house is pretty big I could easily get lost.
I look at myself in front of the mirror and touch up my makeup while I think that apparently Noemi is Max and Noah's stepmother, although she is jovial, maybe because her parents are divorced, then Chloe enters, looking like a catfish.
His gaze looks like spears in my body.
"How did you end up being friends with Max? He's nicknamed Mr. Ice because he's not close to anyone," says Chloe, looking at me intensely and crossing her arms.
" We just cross paths, we are not that close," I answer.
"I hope so because I don't want you to get your hopes up, he's only mine," says Chloe approaching me with a look of contempt.
" Believe me, I'm not the least bit interested," I reply, rolling my eyes.
" You're not pretty or thin and you were probably the ugliest girl in your school so you better know your place," exclaims Chloe nudging my shoulder with a finger.
Damn snake, you can tell it's poisonous by acting so neat and innocent in front of everyone, here it shows its true colors.
"I'm so scared of you Chloe," I say sarcastically and pretending to shake with my hands.
" Shut up, you've been warned," says Chloe with an arrogant attitude, leaving the bathroom quickly.
Assshhh, what a nasty broad why do I have to go through this because of Max, don't think about that cretin and better concentrate on Noah the evening will be over and I haven't invited him to the book fair yet.
I am practicing in front of the mirror what words I should use, I feel so nervous but I will be brave, I go out determined.
When I open the door, I step out into the hallway is Max just a few steps away from me.
" You're fine, you've been on the defensive all night," I say.
" That you're my psychologist or what ." says Max angrily, biting his jaw.
" I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but you should calm down, you idiot," I reply annoyed, and I pass by his side, tapping him on the shoulder.
Arrived in the living room, and I ask Noemi for Noah, he is on the balcony, I do not hesitate to go to where he is, Max's bipolarity will not ruin my goal for tonight.
I see Noah standing there, the moonlight reflecting on his face is so perfect.
"Why are you alone here?" she asked curiously.
He smiles at me and thoughtfully says.
" I needed to clear my mind," Noah says.
"What's going on?
" I'm worried about Max, he must not be happy about this news, since our mother passed away two years ago my relationship with my father has fallen apart," Noah replied worriedly.
" I... had no idea," he exclaimed.
I didn't know he had suffered a loss, I think I was a little rude to him, maybe I should apologize.
" You know how he is, at first glance he looks childish but in reality he is a great guy with a big heart, too bad I can't bring my family back together again nor with me he wants to spend time together . " Noah says with a smile and longing in his words.
You can tell he has a great brotherly love for Max.
" In fact, I think if you could invite Max to a book fair in Boston you should come too, I'm sure it will be a good time together," I reply happily.
His words touched me in the end, Noah is so noble, he just wants to improve his relationship with his brother.
He heard a tray fall in the living room, there's a big commotion we go over to see and it's Max just punched his father in the face.
Oh my God, what has happened I don't understand and now he walks away angrily pushing anyone in his way, leaves the building takes his motorcycle and rides away.
I was left behind, Noah tells me if I can take a cab that he will look for Max and go after him.
Naomi will take Mr. Evans to the hospital because he broke her dad's nose, I never thought he would be so violent.
I take a cab, lean my head against the car window and watch the city pass before my eyes.
Although I can see a black motorcycle parked in front of a discotheque, I recognize it as Max's or it could be a similar one.
I can't get Noah's worried face out of my mind, I decide to get out of the cab and enter the club.
The place is full, finding it won't be easy, it's like a needle in a haystack.
At that moment I see a couple of girls carrying drinks to the second floor of the discotheque, it occurs to me to go upstairs to have a better view of the place and look for it from a higher area.
I'm looking for him, the music is loud and the flashing lights don't allow me to recognize anyone well, when suddenly I hear someone's voice in my ear.
" You're following me, what are you doing here," Max says, watching me intently.
" I, well it's just that your brother... was there and I," I say nervously.
That just unsettled me to death made my skin crawl, his voice in my ear is definitely a weapon.
" I don't know how you found me but stop babbling and go away, if you're here why did Noah ask you to," Max exclaims annoyed.
" You're wrong, I'm here for you," I reply.
Max looks at me in surprise as if my words will change anything.
The truth is it's true that I'm here for you, but otherwise it's not, I still need your support to get closer to Noah I can't antagonize you plus I stupidly mentioned you for the book event in Boston, that's what I get for wanting to improve your relationship, I'm a fool.
" What do you mean," says Max.
" I don't understand why you're so upset, but I'm a very good listener is what friends do, you can talk to me," I say honestly.