I felt a jolt in me when I made contact with him. I was walking around since we were told to mingle. Different gatherings had different conversations. I moved away from that gossip gathering.
The next group of people were talking about how they heard he had other criteria like intelligence, wittiness, and the like.
"Really?" someone asked.
"I know his ex-girlfriend." A woman said
"She told me this herself." Another spoke.
My ears perked; what else did they say?
"He doesn't have long-term relationships with anyone. That means that he is emotionally unavailable. That's why they are doing this. No woman would want to stay with a man who cannot commit." The first woman said it with confidence.
"So it's not because there's something else wrong with him?" A woman asked.
"Nope, just that." The first woman repeated.
"Now I am relieved." A woman spoke.
Me too, I chorused inwardly. "Mason had planted a stupid idea in my head that I only wished to God wasn't true.
I continued perusing around. Now I know that, despite his preferences, he was emotionally unavailable. Which was good because a lot of times contracts get breached when one party starts becoming attached to the other.
The music was a little loud; this was to drown out the noise, I guess. The women had alcohol in their systems, and we're talking loudly.
"Do you have anything to say?" Someone called out to me, and I moved away with my untouched glass of whatever.
Immediately I collided into someone. I looked up and it was Vincenzo. I expected him to shout at me because, just by staring at that suit, one could see that it was really expensive.
I apologized immediately. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"Hey, are you alright?" He asked rather politely. His voice was how they described it. Polite.
Luckily, someone called him, and I took that opportunity to turn away. For fear that he would accidentally kick me out or order that I get him a new suit.
"How did he look up close?" A lady asked me. I ignored her.
They were acting like teenagers fawning over their crush. Could they not afford to show some decency?
I also liked what I saw, but they didn't see me broadcasting my affection all over the place.
"Really, you want to keep it to yourself?" She asked, and I shook my head at their display of stupidity.
"It is time to have dinner." The M.C. announced, and we were led to the dining hall.
The table was served with a variety of food. It had been a long time since I ate this kind of food.
We were all seated as we were served chicken potpourri and spaghetti.
"Enjoy your meal." The chef said that and bowed.
It tasted really nice. Once I get this money, I'll change our lives for good.
The dinner was nice while it lasted, and another man came out of a large door.
"If you care for desert, please proceed this way." He said.
I had stuffed myself so much that I couldn't stomach any sweets. I needed to get back to my room and lie down.
My phone rang immediately as I entered my room.
We were instructed not to bring phones to the ball because of those who would want to take pictures and alert the whole media about their presence.
I was very happy because it meant that my father wouldn't find out where I was.
"Hi, mom." I spoke into the receiver.
"Hi, darling. I called you several times." She said.
"Oh, I just came in from the summit." I told her.
God forgive me for lying.
"I hope it was good." She asked.
"Yeah, sure."
"How's dad doing?" I asked, and she sighed.
"He's refused to eat again today." She said that, and I groaned. This man was going to die before his time.
"Please give him the phone." I said.
There was shuffling in the background before my father's gruff voice came on.
"Hi, darling." He said.
"Dad, why aren't you eating?" I asked him.
"I have lost my appetite." He told me simply:
"That's not good. I promised you that everything would soon be alright." I told him.
"When the bank chases us out?" He asked.
I understood how he felt; nevertheless, he shouldn't give up.
"Dad, I promise you that everything will soon be okay."
"I believe you, daughter." He said that, and I smiled.
"Please get something to eat." I advised.
"Give the phone to mom."
" Mom?"
"Yes, darling?" She said.
"He will eat now; I will talk to you later." I told her.
"That's fine." She said.
*******
I called Mason. "Hi, Brown. What's up?" I asked him.
"I've been good; how's the stuff you went for?" He inquired.
"What is that?" I asked.
"You said you were going to something, not stupid. So how is it?" He asked, and I laughed.
I was afraid that he knew what I was up to.
"I am great; I am fine at something, not stupid." I said.
"Really, are you okay?" He asked. I trusted him to always check on me to know how I really felt.
"I'm fine. What about you?" I asked.
"Same old, same old." He said he was great at making others feel safe and okay. He didn't like talking about himself.
"And that entails going to work and returning from work.
"How's that, your shitty boss?" I asked, and he laughed.
"Don't let her hear you say that, or I might get fired." He joked, which was true.
"I wouldn't want you to get fired, my dear Brown. As you know, I can't feed you." I joked back.
"Just so you know, I might be quitting very soon." He informed me.
I let out a squeal, "Finally!"
He laughed over the phone, saying, "I think I should take your advice." He said.
"You're making me so proud, Brown." I told him, and he laughed.
"We'll be alright, Brown." I assured him.