When I got back inside, I check the articles on Jacksons case again and send his phone another message. I know he can't respond but I just let him know that I've seen the news and I know he's innocent. I also add I miss him before I press send. I then go upstairs and work on the drawing. I add in the shading and some faint lines in the background to give it some more depth. I play with the lines and turn them into a window and make sure I put the lighting in just right. I made it look like a classic Parisian impressionist painting since it was not the focal point. On the other side I drew a mirror on the wall and in the reflection I drew Jackson, a little clearer in his facial features but not overwhelmingly so.
Every half an hour I checked my phone, checked to see if the news outlets were saying anything new, checked for anything. My concern grew with nothing new being mentioned, so I put my pencil down and went to bed. It was past midnight so I knew I needed to sleep anyways. My dreams were plagued with visions of Jackson being on trial and being sentenced to death. My cries were useless in my dream and I could never stretch my arm out far enough to touch him, to pull him to safety.
I woke up at three am, sweating and shaking at the same time. I drank some water and went back to sleep only to be thrown back into bad dreams. Only in these dreams, Jackson was with Sybil, laughing and having dinner, flirting the whole time. I went for Sybil, ready to claw her eyes out and strangle her to death but was pulled back by Ethan. He pulled me away from them, but I kept trying to get back to Jackson. Jackson wouldn't even look at me. Suddenly, Ethan is waiting for me as I walk down the aisle and I'm in a white dress. Everyone is happy and smiling at me as I take Ethan's hand and a faceless priest starts doing the ceremony. Ethan is smiling at me with so much love. It makes me smile back. Then I spot Jackson in the crowd and everything feels wrong. Ethan is still holding my hand smiling with love but I don't want Ethan. I want Jackson. I turn looking for Jackson who's now walking away in the crowd. I pull on my hand to go after him, but Ethan keeps pulling me towards him. He's telling me to stay with him, that he will make me happy, that he loves me. I shake my head no, telling him I want Jackson. Ethan tells me to stay with him and doesn't let me go, asking me if I still love him. I turn to try and run after Jackson again, but Jackson is there with Sybil, who wraps her arms around his neck and he leans in to kiss her.
"NO!" I shoot up out of bed, freaking out, looking around, finding no one and nothing at six in the morning. I break down. I sob gripping my chest from the pain that was pulled out of me with those dreams. I must have cried myself back to sleep. It was eight in the morning when I fluttered my eyes open again.
I move myself out of bed and head downstairs to get some tea and eat some yogurt. I finish them both before I drag myself back upstairs and wash my face. I look like shit. My face is horrible with my eyes red, puffy, dark circles, uneven skin tone, like I've had a rough night. I end up laying back in bed with a cold cloth over my face with my alarm set on my phone for ten in case I catch some more sleep.
My alarm does wake me and when I look in the mirror, I look better than I did earlier. I take the time to get ready for lunch with Sarina and them. I feel like I should be happier than I am, I guess I would be if I could just hear Jacksons voice and know it's going to be ok. Since it's casual for lunch I pick out a black pant and pair it with a burgundy high necked blouse, with a long gold chain necklace. Simple and comfortable was what I wanted and this outfit paired with my black Chelsea boots completed my look. I lazily pulled my up into an clip, applied some mascara and a slightly pinkish nude lipstick. I was pleasantly shocked at how I felt like I looked good right now. I took a couple of pictures with my phone, because knowing my luck, it wouldn't last long.
I got an Uher to take me and arrived about fifteen minutes before noon. The host asked me if I wanted to sit at the bar before I informed them I was waiting on the rest of my party.
"The Huller party?"
"Correct."
"Follow me." The host took me to the outdoor area where tables were being set up and pushed together to accommodate up to twenty people. I'm directed to the outside bar where Ethan, Amanda, her girlfriend Dass, Simon and Scott sat already.
"Mel!" Simon exclaims, standing with arms wide open for a hug. "Girl you are looking better each time I see you! You're starting to make me doubt my sexuality." He says stepping back, looking me up and down.
Scott rolls his eyes, "Hey Mel, you can smack him for talking nonsense. He doesn't doubt anything about that. He's just thinking trying new things is fun."
Simon scoffs, "What!? When you travel to new places you're supposed to enjoy the scenery and local cuisine!"
Snorts of laughter escape Amanda and Dass before they start laughing at Simons analogy.
I blush but roll my eyes at these two. "I swear you two, don't ever change." I laugh and give Amanda and Dass a wave and sit next to Ethan who's on the end by Dass.
"Have you guys introduced yourself to Ethan yet?" I ask.
Simon pauses looking Ethan over, "Oh... this is a friend of yours?"
Ethan speaks up, "Yes, we knew each other back in college."
"Well, I'm Simon, this is Scott." Simon introduces themselves.
"Dass." Dass gives Ethan a bright smile as Amanda wraps her arm around her waist.
"I'm Amanda."
"Nice to meet you all. So how do you all know Mel?" Ethan asks.
Amanda is first to answer, "We know her through my sister Alyssa, Sarina and Lirael."
Simon pops in, "Same, but I was there the night we all met. We met at the.."
I make the motion to shut up behind Ethan, making Simon change his words, "store. We were on our way to the club and asked her to join us."
I let out the breath I was holding just as Ethan turns to me, "The club? You've never been one to drink much and go clubbing."
Chuckling awkwardly, "Well we didn't drink that night actually. Plus the place we went had a show going on, so it wasn't like a normal club night." I motion to the bartender who steps forward and asks what I would like to drink.
Simon quickly tells him, "Make her one of those pomegranate margarita martini's! She'll love it!"
The bartender glances my way and I narrow my eyes at Simon before turning to the bartender, "Whatever he said, but I'd like a glass of water too, please."
The bartender nods and begins making the drink.
Ethan leans closer to me, "The more I hang out with you, the more I'm surprised at how you've changed. In a good way." He winks at me and sits back normally in his chair.
The bartender places the drink in front of me and I take a sip. My eyes widen and I look at Simon.
"It's good isn't it?!" He exclaims happily as I grin and take another sip.
A tall and well built, middle-aged black man with the kindest eyes I've ever seen, comes in with a good looking man of middle eastern or Indian heritage that appears to be around my age. Simon, Scott and the girls all get up and give them hugs and say hello, before we're introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Aman, Big Daddy." I happily shake Aman's hand but Big daddy pulls me in for a hug.
"Sorry, Mel. He's just a big teddy bear, he can't help but hug." Aman apologizes to me. He must have caught my startled expression as I was pulled against Big Daddy's chest.
Big Daddy scoffs at Aman before turning to Ethan. Ethan looks uncomfortable but gives the big man a one armed hug. As soon as they part, Lirael, Lance and Richard come through the doors followed by Alyssa and her twins.
"Brian and Sarina are coming. Sarina is just waddling slowly." Lirael informs us with a smile as takes Richard over to the table and sets him in a high chair. Alyssa sets the twins into their high chairs as I move to go give a quick hug in hello to Lirael, Lance and Alyssa. Everyone starts moving towards the table, Ethan coming to my side so I can introduce him to them. Even though Lirael had already been introduced via the phone.
"Hey everyone!" Sarina beams happily as she slowly makes her way to the table, sounding a little out of breath. I pull Ethan over to her so she wouldn't get up to come meet him and introduce him to Brian as well.
Brian gives a strained smile as he shakes Ethan's hand, "Ethan. Nice to meet you." He turns his attention to me, "Anything new from Jackson by chance?"
I shake my head, "Not that I'm aware of." I finish my martini and motion to the bartender for another.
Brian shakes his head as the bartender comes over and starts taking the drink orders. Ethan and I take a seat, Lirael on one side of me, then Ethan and on the other side of him was Alyssa and the twins. We were sitting across from Aman and Big daddy, Simon and Scott across from Alyssa, with Amanda and Dass across from Lance and Lirael. Brian and Sarina were sitting on the end between Brian and Amanda. After everyone's drink orders were made and appetizers were ordered, we all had a look at the menu.
Ethan and I discussed what looked or sounded good as the others made similar chit chat or began chatting about some club. Ethan leaned closer and asked quietly, "That club they took you to when you first met, is the club they're talking about the same one?"
At his question, I paid closer attention to the conversation that Simon and Scott were having with Dass and Lance.
Alyssa leaned closer to Ethan and informed him, "No, they're talking about Lance's private club, not the strip club we went to."
Ethan's eyes widen, turning to me with a smile and goes, "Strip club? I wonder what kind of show you enjoyed so much?" He teased as I flushed in embarrassment.
Alyssa's eyes widen realizing she may have said something she shouldn't have and she mouths 'sorry' at me.
"It was to support Simons ex boyfriend, he was dancing that night." I said quietly, not wanting to admit the real reason as that was Sarina and Brian's business.
Ethan's eyes dart to Simon and Scott, "So that's his new partner?"
Alyssa scoffs, "No." she says with amusement, "They're roommates, friends, and they work at Lance's club together." She pats Ethan's arm, "Don't worry, you'll catch on to everything soon enough."
Ethan nods looking at everyone as the waiter and bartender comes over with drinks and appetizers. Our orders are taken and once that's done, Ethan leans forward to look more clearly at Lance who's three spots down from us.
"Lance, I heard you own a club? What's the name of it? I might check it out sometime."
A strangled cough escapes Alyssa as everyone grows quiet, paying attention to the conversation.
Lance smirks but informs him casually, "Well it's a private club, that does business under the name The Obsidian Chamber. However, I'm not sure yet if it's your style of club." Almost everyone gives a soft chuckle at that.
I blush, knowing it's a BDSM club, even though I'm not a member.
"So is everyone here a member?" Ethan asks sweeping the table with his gaze.
"No, I'm not and neither is Melita." Alyssa pipes in. Ethan turns his gaze to her.
"What kind of club is it then? I missing something here." He looks confused.
I down my second martini and stand, "I need a refill, anyone else need one?" I ask hoping for a change in conversation that's not so... revealing and of a private nature.
Simon hops up, "I do, come on." he motions for me to follow him as we head to the bar.
I pay attention to Ethan as he's informed about the club. His eyes widen and he shakes his head chuckling about they're right, it's not his kind of club.
The table says in unison, "Vanilla." Making everyone chuckle.
Simon nudges me with his shoulder, whispering, "So why is Ethan here when I haven't even got to meet Jackson yet?"
"Because Jackson is in the UK for the time being."
Simon nods, "IS Ethan a rival or just a friend?"
"Friend, ex, but still a friend."
"Ex? Ohhh girlll!" Simon draws out like I'm in trouble.