s*cide trigger warning
When we arrived at the company's party, you could already tell that this party was a large business, fifty years in business. My father introduces us to all of his colleagues. Emily slips to go get herself a glass of champagne, she never is one for gatherings, and neither am I. "Is she adopted?" An older man asks my dad. My dad gives him a shrug, "No this my biological daughter. Lucy." He says awkwardly.
I take it as a cue to slip away as well, I have a strong desire to get myself a drink, but I don't bother. Not worth the trouble, I conclude. I settle with a decorative cracker that has way too many types of cheeses stacked on top of it. I try to eat elegantly but with this thing, it is near to impossible. I turn with a mouth full of this dry cracker full of cheese and then I see him. Jace.
He sees me, then quickly walks off, he might as well have stabbed me in the heart. It pains just the same. I think about Andrews's words, 'he needs you.'
It is evident he doesn't. I reluctantly go over to my dad, making myself small. "Lulu." He takes me by the shoulder and squeezes it before he lets go. He talks about boring conversations with equally boring people, this party is insatiably boring. Todd and Tyler cackle to themself, although Tyler has been distant towards me, siding with Max. Oliver stands over by the catering table, filled with appetizers, and orderves. He pulls a face and meets up with his mother who is talking to another woman with red hair. She seems important, Emily seems more friendly than usual, so I suspect she most probably is. I wanted to take out my phone, but my dad said no phones. Icing on the cake, I have no clue what to do with myself.
The speech starts and Jace joins his grandmother and grandfather to the center. "Fifty years this company has gotten stronger; my father passed the Harrison Hotel's down to me. I grew it, building this company to expand my resources and knowledge. It started at a small hotel in Cape Town and now that hotel soon became profitable. I saw the need for my expertise. And that is what this company does, we help people to not go bankrupt in their dire times. Although this is a family business. This company couldn't have done it without all of you." The crowd claps and shortly stops and Jack Harrison continues, "I know this can be not just one of the biggest hospitality companies but the biggest. My grandson Jace Harrison, you may know him as some-actor thanks to his encouraging grandmother, my wife. Soon that will all come to an end, and he will take over for me, no doubt my smart grandson will be an asset and grow this company accordingly." Jack Harrison says confidently, Jace forces a smile as Mr. Harrison looks at him. "It was intended for my son, unfortunately, he isn't here today. That is why family matters." Harrison smiles at Jace and pats him on the back. "He will be attending Harvard Business as he got an early acceptance; so, you all will be in great hands after he concludes his studies. As you know I am not getting younger, this is a perfect time to announce that young Jae Hyung will be inheriting the company." Harrison hands the mic to Jace. Mr. Harrison mouths something to Jace and he nods.
"Thank you, Grandfather." Jace says in a dull tone, Jace shrugs and sighs, "My father and mother- would have been proud." Mr. Harrison frowns, he says something to Jace, he then looks at me causing my heart to skip, and he chooses to continue. "They died five years ago on this day, coming back from the company's party. So, apologies if I don't seem in the best of mood tonight. I would just like to honour their memory, many of you knew my father, he was charismatic and the best man I ever knew. Every day, I am inspired to be more like him." He takes a long breath, looks down breaks away from our eye contact, and then looks at the crowd. "I plan to follow in his footsteps and do good work here. Thank you." Jace hands the mic back to his grandfather and walks away.
I watch Jace walk away, my heart goes out to him. His grandfather holds a sour look on his face then changes it for the crowd like a chameleon, "You all will be in good hands." He hands the mic to the staff then walks in my direction. I grow nervous he then shifts his gaze from me to my dad.
"Stone, a word." Mr. Harrison says cooly.
"Of course." My dad says cheerfully, my dad has probably no choice, rhetorical question.
I have half the mind to follow Jace, but I don't. I end up playing eye-spy with Oliver sitting down at our table. "I give up," I say exasperated,
"Vent." He smiles winning once again.
"Vent?" I turn around looking for it. "No, I'm done playing." I shake my head being a sore loser.
"Fine, you're anyway bad at this game." He remarks.
I squint at him. "I won't drive you to soccer practice anymore." I fold my arms.
He lets out a laugh, "Mom and Dad make you." He pulls a face and I open my mouth in shock.
"Clever but mean," I say making a face at him.
"You started it," he says contently. "Is Jace your friend?" He asks out of nowhere.
This question takes me off guard. "Sometimes." I lie. How do I explain Jace's complicated relationship with me to a ten-year-old when I don't even understand it myself?
"I think you should comfort him." He says to himself, then looks at his food. "Do they have peanut and jelly sandwiches; this food is bad." He states nonchalantly.
"Wait- Oliver, why would I comfort him?" I ask.
"When I was bored, I was wandering the offices and- Mr. Harrison was yelling at him. When mom yells at me I always feel bad after." He says looking to the left recalling that moment then shakes his head. "Never spill juice on her white carpet, Lucy, she turns into crazy." Oliver declares as if he is older than his age.
I get up from the table, "where was this?"
I searched the whole floor and nothing. He probably went home. But something tells me he didn't. I have a sense of dread lingering. I go to the elevator and press for the roof. I have an unexplained knot in my stomach that I can't shake.
When the elevator dings, I go out of the building onto the roof. The wind breezes passed me, and a shudder runs down my spine, I hold my arms together feeling cold, my body becomes stiff and my heartbeat quickens as I see Jace standing on top of the the ledge.