As we walked among businesses men and women, I realized that indeed Mason and I were from different worlds. The breathtaking decadent luxury was blinding. They weren't wealthy, they were filthy rich. The heavy fish odor wafting in the room made me a little queasy, and I halted my steps to get my bearings. The smell was strong, too strong. Briefly, I glanced to see if there was any fish in my vicinity but no food was being served.
" Lily, you don't look too well," Enid whispered as we approached a large white double door.
" I'm fine," I swallowed," Can you smell the fish?" I curiously asked and my question was met with a confused expression.
" We are serving poached salmon for the main course," Viviene chimed in, with furrowed brows.
I hummed, feeling my lunch and breakfast coming up." May I use the washroom?" I stammered, mostly because I was trying hard to keep the content of my stomach where it belonged.
" Sure, of course," Enid was the one to jump to my rescue and nudged me towards a corridor.
My dislike for the aquatic creatures had never driven me to the point where I needed the vomit what I had eaten a week prior.
With my head in the toilet, for a brief moment, I felt my soul leaving my body. And that cemented my decision to never touch alcohol again. Fortunately, I felt much better. Pushing myself off the floor, with Enid's help, I stood up on shaky legs.
" We should go home, Lily. You're not feeling well. You should be in bed, not here," Enid reasoned as I made my way to the sink.
" No, I'm fine," I cleared my throat and took a swig of water to soothe my burning throat and rid myself of the horrendous taste in my mouth.
" I'm feeling better," I straightened myself, forcing a smile. I did feel better, but my knees were still weak. I couldn't walk very far. I wasn't sure if I would make it past the bathroom door.
" Just give me a minute," I sighed, leaning against the expensive bathroom sink. Just like the rest of the house, despite the expensive decorations, and tiling, it lacked personality.
" Alright, dear. Do you want a minute to yourself?" Enid asked with furrowed brows, studying me with an inquisitive gaze.
" If you don't mind. I'll be out in a minute or two," I quietly said and closed my eyes. I was burning up. I needed to cool down.
Nodding, Enid stepped out of the bathroom, and the instant she did I lay on the cold hard bathroom floor. I felt much better just after a few seconds. Relieved, I closed my eyes and waited for my body to settle down.
" Lily," The whisper made me open my eyes, only to find Mason looming over me," What happened? And why are you on the floor?" He shot the questions, while I was still trying to get a hold of myself.
" I felt sick, and the cold floor is helping, " I said as I pushed myself to sit on the floor.
" I'm sorry," He groaned and sat on the floor next to me," I dragged you here tonight," He sighed, leaning his head against the wall.
" Why?" I asked, hoping that my question would garner answers for more than one question.
" I don't know," He exhaled, and deflated. Well, that didn't produce the result I was hoping for.
I hummed and leaned against the wall. I wasn't in a talkative mood, and nor was he. We sat in silence for what seemed an eternity. Pushing aside what I felt for him, and burying it as deeply as I possibly could, had been one of the most painful experiences I had lived through. And yet, for some reason, we were sitting next to each other on a bathroom floor.
" I should head back," He broke the silence as he pushed himself off the floor.
" Take all the time you need," He shoved his hands in his pockets and locked eyes with me. I wasn't going to rush out of there anytime soon. Bathrooms had become a new favorite at that type of event.
Humming, I closed my eyes and heard his footsteps echo in the room, and shortly after the door opened and closed. He had extinguished the hope and the dream of us that I had crafted over the years. At that moment I realized, which part of me died when he ended our affair.
Stumbling, I pushed myself off the floor, to have a quick look at myself in the mirror. I looked presentable, and that was the best I could do, considering the circumstances.
Feeling refreshed, I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way down the corridor following the light chatter.
When Enid caught sight of me she met me halfway, holding a glass of water, and some food.
" I don't think I can eat anything, right now" I meekly said taking the glass of water out of her hand, and thanked her.
" It's alright dear. You don't have to eat now. You can have it later if you're feeling peckish," She replied as she nudged me toward the room we didn't quite make it into the first time around.
The moment we stepped in, Viviene jumped up from her seat, and the room went silent. Slightly uncomfortable, I mustered a meek smile, while Viviene cleared her throat in preparation for the introduction.
" Everyone this is Mason's ward," And my smile fell at her words. Out of all words available in the dictionary, and the millions of wording combinations, she'd chosen that one. It was true, but I had never in my life felt smaller, more insignificant in my entire life.
" Mason's ward has a name," Enid hissed through gritted teeth, watching Viviene with a spiteful eye.
Viviene giggled," Oh, yes, of course, silly me. Her name is Lily. Isn't she adorable?" She added a little hysteric. I swallowed my following words, trying not to let her get the best of me. And it made sense how Enid could remain calm, and collected when Ava spewed nothing but nonsense.
" Have a seat," Viviene added when she recovered, pointing at one of the chairs in the corner. Concomitantly, I frowned, while Enid scoffed.
" I don't think so. Have a seat, Lily," Enid pointed to one of the armchairs, while she took a seat on one of the lavish sofas that decorated the room.
I didn't quite understand why she was asking me to sit in a chair in the corner of the room, but once again that added to the feeling of unease. Awkwardly, I took a seat in the armchair, feeling their eyes on me. I felt a little like an exotic animal on display at the zoo.