The morning flew by, and so did the afternoon which I had spent with Laira. Her choice of entertainment was a couple of hours in the arcade room, playing bowling. It was more fun than I had thought it would be. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard, it showed four in the afternoon. Up until that point, had been a good day for me, since I focused all my energy on keeping a tight leash on my ever-intrusive thoughts.
Slowing down at the traffic light, I caught a glimpse of Ava, at the arm of a young man, taking a stroll down a promenade. As always, smiling, buoyant. Deep down, I felt a little jealous of her and her ability to be so at ease with men.
When the traffic light turned green that feeling dissipated just as fast as it was born. I briefly wondered what Mason had told her to make her keep her distance but I was relieved that would have to hear her bitter remarks any longer.
Pulling in front of the house, I took another peek at the clock. and jumped out of the car. I had less than an hour to get ready for the said party. Although, I was curious why he had chosen to take myself and Enid along.
I sighed, pushed the bedroom door open, and froze when my eyes fell on the cocktail gown laying on the bed. It wasn't as luxurious as the previous one, much simpler. The silver sandals, paired with the silver clutch, to complement the black gown on the bed.
" Louis brought it for you earlier," I jumped out of my skin when Enid spoke from behind me.
" It turns out that he doesn't want us to turn up wearing pyjamas," Enid amusedly added as she made her way to the bed wearing a long deep blue dress.
" I must admit that he has good taste in women's clothes," Enis sighed, " You should get ready, Adam will be here shortly, " Enid added as she made her way towards the french doors, pensive.
" What's on your mind?" I asked and moved my feet towards the bathroom. I didn't have much time, as Enid pointed out, but still, enough time to have a quick shower.
" Nothing much," She pensively said from the threshold of the bathroom door," I just find it rather odd that he has chosen to take us along with him," My thoughts exactly, " These things tend to be rather boring," Enid chuckled," Mind numbingly boring and it's mostly them speaking about enterprises and ways of how to make more money," She sighed," Usually the wives get drunk just to cope with the nonsense, and the boredom," Enid added, as I stepped out of the shower.
" Maybe he doesn't want to go alone. Everyone will be bringing their better half," I actually don't know why he'd made that choice. It was just a wild guess.
Enid sighed," Let's get this done and over with," She amusedly said, following me around the room as I walked to the bed in my birthday suit.
" How was your check-up?" I asked as I slipped into my hosery as fast as I could.
" It was alright. He wasn't very pleased that I don't keep on top of my medication. Adam told on me, and Mason told Dr Button. I felt fifteen again the entire time he was berating me for being reckless, " Enid amusedly said and leaned back in the chair.
" He isn't wrong, though. You've given me palpitations quite a few times, " I pulled out the chart that I had been working on for some time but didn't quite know how to bring it up.
" Here, this should help you keep track of it a little better. I made one for each month of the year. All you have to do is, mark it when you take your medicine. I'll put it in the kitchen, and one of us will notice if you have missed a day," I proudly said handing her the chart.
" Dear, I'm old but not that old, " She chuckled when I shook my head in disapproval," But fine, will do it your way," She added, and since she didn't put up any resistance like she usually did, I was happy that I didn't have to hold a sermon on how she shouldn't use her age as an excuse.
" I'm done," I beamed and walked into the bathroom to splatter some makeup on, which consisted of poorly applied mascara, and some lipstick.
I threw a glance in the mirror at myself, and the results were somewhat satisfying. I didn't put too much effort into it since it wasn't anything formal.
And with that Enid and I, were finally ready to deal with a mind-numbingly boring evening, among the Morston creme de la creme.
As expected, Adam was waiting for us outside leaning against the car, smoking a cigarette.
I didn't check the time, but since he was already waiting, I assumed that we were late. Some things never change, I thought to myself.
" Good evening, ladies," Adam crooned blowing out the smoke and throwing his cigarette sway.
" Evening Adam," Enid casually said as we halted when Adam opened the car door. I had seen him do it for Enid, and I was a beneficiary by extension of that courtesy.
" Can we skip the pleasantries, and get on with," Enid added the moment we were all in the car. Clearly, she wasn't pleased at all with the fact that she had to attend.
" As you wish," Adam hummed, putting the car in drive," But you should know that attitude will drive away all the housewives present at the party," Adam added in mirth, looking at Enid in the rearview mirror, with a knowing smile.
" Oh, please," Enid snorted," Spare me the lecture. They are nothing more than an overpriced piece of china. They are catties with an over-inflated ego," Someone didn't like the Morston upities. At this point my curiosity soared through the roof, but also my angst. I puffed my cheeks at that thought, trying to keep my unease at bay.
When I glanced out the window we were already pulling in front of a red-bricked sumptuous mansion, with impressive woodwork. It looked just about as old as Northenhay.
" Good evening, Miss Abernathy," A man wearing a tailcoat with a heavy accent greeted me as he opened the car door, for me to step out.
" Good evening," I meekly greeted back taking the proffered gloved hand, to step out of the car. I briefly wondered how did he know who I was.
" Good evening, Miss Pinslow. A pleasure to be graced by your presence. It has been a very long time since we saw each other last," The lengthy greeting made me frown and question my initial assessment. Who was Enid to Mason?
" Oh, cut the crap, Aidan. I know what you're trying to do," Enid wasn't taking the little outing to heart, since her mood had plunged greatly on the drive there.
Aidan inwardly chuckled," I see that not much had changed since I last saw you," He amusedly added waving for us to go before him.
" Why on earth would it change? Have the people coming to these gatherings changed?" Enid retorted with quirked-up brows, lightly grimacing.
" No, I'm starting to think that the rich never get old but most certainly they are getting richer," He replied as he walked beside Enid with his hands clasped behind his back.
" She looks innocent," He quietly said," Why feed her to the wolves?" Aidan whispered but I heard him loud and clear. Needless to say, I was worried about that little question.
Enid shrugged, " We are here just fill the gaps, as requested," That didn't make any sense to me but I didn't ponder very much on it.
When I took my eye off Enid and Aidan, I realised that we were already inside the decadently decorated house. Crystal chandelier, expensive artwork hanging off the walls, the marbled floor so pristine that I could see my reflection in it. In spite of all that luxury, it lacked a personal touch, the white walls gave it a very hospitalesque air.