Abi's eyes shifted from her parents to Raymond.
" I don't want to bother you; I will just take a cab " Abi said with an awkward smile.
" you're not bothering me" Ray responded in a low voice while drinking the orange juice and giving Abi a side look.
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Abi and Ray were on their way to Talia's grandparents' house. Talia called Abi few minutes ago and told her that Liam arrived two days before the actual dew date, and she completely forgot to inform Abi.
But also informed her that a party would be held for him today and of course she was invited, and she could invite one more person as the number of people who were invited was not that much.
After trying to convince her mother to let go of the idea of Ray accompanying her to the party Abi finally gave in and here, they were in Ray's car. After some minutes of drive, Abi got tired of the unbearable silence between them and when she decided to start a conversation, Ray beat her to it.
" Do you perhaps still dislike me after all these years" Ray said with a straight face not even sparing her a glance.
Abi was kind of taken back by what he said. When Ray used to come to their home for holidays, they rarely interacted because for Abi he was quite cold or mood swinger. One time he was sweet and the next time cold or mad for no reason and it usually happened when she talked about her friends, but she did not actually dislike him.
" I never disliked you " Abi responded, eyes on the road.
" Is that so" this is when he averted his gaze from the road for a few seconds to look at her and he added " Can i ask you a question?"
Curious to what he would ask, Abi responded" yes what is it?".
" Do you still like that guy…. I mean your best friend's brother?" Ray questioned with an expressionless face, eyes on the road while driving at high speed.
If Abi had a drink at that time, she will have probably chocked on it. Abi stared at his side profil for like twenty seconds.
"W-who Liam, yes I like him …he's like my elder brother" Abi feigned ignorance. Ray gave her a look indirectly telling her that she knows what he meant by that.
" I never liked him that way if it's what you mean" Abi said in a low voice looking at all but not him. Ray did not respond and then they just continued their drive-in complete silence, they just happened to speak when Abi had to indicate the way.
Abi and Ray finally arrived, welcomed by Talia and her grandparents. Few people were present when they arrived, and all of them were surely Liam friends or Ex classmate as back then he was quite popular in school.
" Abi...Abigail is that you?" Ray and Abi turned to face the owner of the voice they just heard.
" Oh lia...Liam, how are yo..." Abi couldn't finish as Liam had already catch her in his arms." wow it has been so long" Liam said while hugging Abi, when a hand pulled Abigail away from his embrace.
" You must be the reason for this party " Ray said while reaching for his hand with a smile while the other hand was busy on Abi's shoulder, encircling her with his arm. Liam was looking back and forth from Abi to Ray, but Abi looked even more confuse and surprise than him.
" Yes... i think so". Liam responded with a displeased face while reaching for Ray's hand. " And you are?" Liam added judging from what just happen.
" He is" Abi finally spoke just to be cut by Talia. " Liam, grandma is looking for you. I think she wants to introduce you to her invites who just arrive " Talia said while rolling her eyes at the last sentence she said.
" Don't be jealous sis your time will arrive, being a celebrity is not that easy" Liam said in a joking tone. " Celebrity my ass" Talia was quick to respond causing both Liam and Abi to laugh.
" I will be right back, Abi." Liam said and was ready to leave when Talia holds his arm and said" Abi you look particularly beautiful today. " With a smirk she added " Liam what do you think?".
" She looks beautiful like she always used to" Liam responded with a smile. Talia's smirks transform into a wide smile. Meanwhile Abi was kind of embarrassed by what her best friend did and the fact that Talia knew what happened between them, Abi even felt like spanking her best friend.
" Yes, she looks beautiful just like every morning when she wakes up." Ray who has being silent till now, finally spoke with a smirk on his lips shifting his gaze from Abi to the siblings.
Everybody went silent for a minute and as time goes by, Ray smirk became wider. Then they all heard grandma voice calling for Liam and this is when Liam finally broke the silence
" Now I'll be leaving because i don't want to be beaten by grandma Infront of my invitees." Liam said once more before leaving and cause a series of laugh between Talia and Abi
Then Talia averted her gaze and was now looking at something else and this is when Abi realised that Ray was still holding her, squeezing her from the side to him. Abi gave him a side look, but he didn't seem to care.
Abi then slightly pushed Ray with her elbow. " S..so I think I once told you about Jefrey's son, Ray." Abi said, assuming that if Ray was capable of remembering Liam just because she used to talk about Talia and her brother. Talia could also remember him.
" Oh yes, Ray nice to meet you". Talia greeted Ray with one kind of a smile. Abi knew too well that smile, that smile her best friend will have when she was interested in someone.
" Nice to meet you too, Talia" Ray responded with a smile and for some reason Abi didn't like it.
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The party continued; Liam gave a speech; people were already showing their best moves on the dance floor while other were busy eating their food like Abi. Around 6pm Liam's grandparents and their friends left saying that they should leave the new generation enjoy themselves but as soon as they left, couples were made out of the blue, people kissing everywhere, in fact the party became more interesting for some people.
Abi was vibing to the song with a plastic cup containing a drink she found herself liking without even knowing what it's, then Liam came to her and asked for a dance. Liam was actually the first guy to ask for a dance to Abi. Abi was that type of girl who people will just call a natural beauty. Abi inherited her father tallness, the 4a hairs, cat eyes and full lips of her mother, her beautiful brown skin colour and a small face enhancing her skinny body with curves who will be very visibles if she didn't pass her time wearing clothes twice her size. When Abi used to go to a party at least three boys will try to flirt with her but this time for a reason she didn't know, no one to make her feel awkward was spotted but she quite enjoyed the fact of being left alone, enjoying the party without any disturbances even if she could sense eyes on her.
Abi and Liam were enjoying themselves on the dance floor when Abi felt a sudden pressure, she couldn't quite explain it, but she felt a menacing aura from somewhere far but at the same time so close. She stopped dancing and as if sensing it, her eyes caught the person with whom she came with to the party looking at her direction but not at her but at Liam with a cold face.
When the party really started that is, after Liam's grandparents left. Abi lost sight of Ray and with the thought that he surely went to enjoy the party, Abi didn't look for him and instead enjoyed herself.
Abi was making her way to where Ray was when she saw something that for some unknown reason, she came to dislike.