'I'm entering the new year in another country.'
'I'm entering the new year without my best friend.'
'I'm entering the new year feeling completely conflicted.'
Six months ago, I would have never imagined this. Being in a new country, making new friends and enemies. And crazily, falling for a big handsome jerk.
Yes, I've finally accepted my feelings for Shawn. Although I have no idea of what I'm going to do about them. Shawn and I are still not on good terms.
Yes, it's very immature of the both of us. Especially me. I should just apologise. But will that be enough to rekindle our friendship? Will it be enough to get us closer?
And by closer I mean as friends of course. Shawn couldn't see me in that perspective. Why would he? I mean, he already has Stephanie.
I've never been the jealous type, at least I don't think I am. But I just couldn't help the feeling. I've only seen them together twice after the first time at the parking lot. It made me wonder if they really had a relationship, or was it just a fling?
"Emily, get your head out of the clouds and help with this." I heard Tasha complain. I snapped back to reality, realising that I was not focusing on my job.
"Sorry, sorry." I jumped up and started working on the decorations. This year's theme was in the form of a winter wonderland. Apparently, this was the first time they were having this theme.
Karla said that the previous theme's were more wilder and outrageous. So she decided to go for something cooler this time. Which was an amazing idea!
Her house was turning out nicely. Shiny blue lights brightening up the house. Hundreds of balloons at every corner of the mansion's ceilings, a huge chandelier in the middle and of course fake snow splattered everywhere.
A huge banquet table was set and opposite it was a mini bar. Just for you to know, Karla's house has always had this bar, which wasn't too strange.
The best part of this party was the backyard, which included the pool. It was decorated to the fullest! I know that's where most of the fun will be. Unfortunately, I won't be able to partake in all of the activities involving the pool party. But it'll still be fun.
We started decorating since the day before yesterday, and today is new year's eve. It's still early in the afternoon, so we have a few hours before the party commences.
Everything could have been ready if Karla didn't have to make a bet with Kevin.
Kevin bragged about how cool the party he threw two years ago was. He literally thrashed Karla's idea. That made Karla really upset, so she placed a bet. And that included her setting up the entire decor, without help from professionals.
And that's how we got here, struggling to meet up. We couldn't abandon our friend in her time of need.
But we had a little help with the lighting from professionals. Kevin is never finding out about this.
"We're actually pulling this off. This place looks amazing!" Kat commented. She dropped a bottle of blue glitter on a table and collapsed onto a sofa. I fell next to her.
"But we still have a few things to do. And the caterers will be arriving in one hour."
"Again, why didn't we just order normal food?" Tasha asked.
"Because that's what Kevin did, and I need to do something fancy and cool to show that jackass who's boss." She ranted.
"Let's just finish this. It's past one, and the party begins by six. We're almost done, we can't just give up."
"Sadly, you're right. We should be done within an hour. And after, we clean up quickly. Come on, guys." After those little words of encouragement, we continued with our work.
*Four hours later*
"Alright, the trays should be over there..…be careful with those vases!" Kat shrieked at one of the waiters.
I ordered another waiter to carry the bucket of ice to the bar. I glanced at Karla who seemed to be unfocused.
"Champagne....check....snacks....check…..Please tell me shrimps isn't part of the menu." Karla asked the man who was dressed in white and black. The man had a confused look on his face.
"Y-yes there are shrimps…"
"I'm sure I made that clear to your managers! Seafood.…God! whatever, just head back to the kitchen." The waiter immediately scampered away. Karla looked really mad. I went over to her with a glass of champagne. She gave me a forced smile.
"You look tense."
"I am tense! Everything is falling apart!" I raised an eyebrow at her. This was the direct opposite of falling apart.
"Karla, things are going smoothly. You're just being paranoid. We are throwing an amazing party." I told her assuringly. She sighed tiredly.
"I just don't want to lose to Kevin. I can't join the mathsters. They're crazy geeks!"
"They might not be so bad."
"You haven't met them that's why you say that. The guys will be here any minute."
"Doesn't Carl live here? I haven't seen him since I got here." Karla started a steady walk, heading away from the bustling catering team.
"Of course he won't be here. Kevin wouldn't want him to help."
"What about us?"
"We're girls, so apparently, we won't get it done." I scoffed.
"Oh, he's going down." We shared a laugh. I stopped to look at my reflection in a wall mirror. I was wearing a pink off-shoulder cocktail dress that held my body, bringing out my curves. I didn't buy it by choice, it was Karla who chose it for me. I've never worn a dress like this before. It was way different than what I would I've worn. But I actually liked it. Karla helped with my hair and makeup and I was actually jealous. I wish I had her talent of taste. She made me look more beautiful than I've ever looked.
"Admiring my handiwork?"
"Yeah, you're a true artist." She chuckled.
"Yeah, let's go check on the caterers. I cannot afford any messes."
Within fifteen minutes, people started arriving. Fortunately, there was nothing else to prepare, so we actually pulled this party off.
"Everything is turning out well!" Kat squealed in delight. Tasha nodded.
"Yeah, now I believe someone has a bet to win." She took a glance at the entrance, where Kevin walked in with Mike and Carl. And wow they looked great. Kevin wore a blue suit and Mike wore a green suit. Although, both had no tie or inner jacket on. Carl wore something more like a turtleneck with a jacket on. Overall, they looked good! No wonder girls swoon over them.
"Ok, today I am definitely shooting my shot." Kat murmured. Karla elbowed her in the stomach. She groaned slightly.
"What? Come on, you can't start criticising me. Look at them!" I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips. And soon, we were all laughing.
"Do whatever you like. Just don't come crying to me. Especially if you go after my stupid brother."
"Carl, hell no. I'm going for Mike." Kat said with a shrug. Karla's eyes widened slightly and a frown formed on her face. But she immediately swept away. Kat then broke into a fit of laughter.
"Chill Karla, I was joking. But you should at least shoot your shot." Tasha then pushed her towards the trio.
"Go on, also try to rub in our success in Kevin's face." Her eyes shone with delight and her confidence spiked.
"Yes, I'll go do that." She strode towards them, swaying her hips like she intended to break them. This should be fun.
'I wonder where Shawn is? Isn't he coming? Or is he going to be late, like during Kevin's birthday.'
"Come on, let's go give her some backup." Tasha suggested. Having no other choice, I went along.
"Senorita! Wow, you look great! It's suddenly getting hot." He started to fan himself with his hand. I smiled cheekily. He loves to exaggerate.
"Thanks Carl. You look great too."
"I always do." A bunch of people commented on our decorations, showing how much they loved it. Kevin then admitted that we did an awesome job with the decor. He even started praising us, which was strange.
"This party looks nice and all, but it needs to be cranked up a little." He then walked towards the DJ, and immediately the song changed into something faster.
"Of course he would do that." I felt someone tap my shoulder.
"Miss, we're expecting a delivery of drinks. I was wondering if there is anything in particular you wouldn't like?" A waiter asked.
"Umm…" I collected the list from him and read through it. Everything seemed alright, at least to me.
"They're alright, when will they be here?"
"At most in thirty minutes."
"Good, because they're are still more people coming." He nodded and headed back to the kitchen, I suppose. I roamed through the party. I saw some familiar faces. But one face gave me a creepy feeling. Of course it was Stephanie. She sent me a wicked glare from the place she stood.
'What did I ever do to the girl?' I wondered. I didn't bother going to greet her. Karla and I tried to make sure things run smoothly, but it couldn't work fully because we were running out of champagne and other drinks. And the delivery company hadn't arrived.
"Emily, everything is ruined!" She exclaimed.
"Just relax. I'll call the company. It's more than thirty minutes." I went out of the mansion to call and wait for the company.
"The delivery is over an hour late! We need them right now!" I ordered through the phone. I was prancing up and about like a crazy woman on the street. I knew that a few people who went along the street would think I was going insane. But I didn't care. I couldn't allow our hard work to go to waste.
"How long will it take?" I groaned when I heard the female voice respond to my question.
"An hour is too much! Can't you make it in thirty minutes?"
"Emily?" I froze when I heard a very familiar voice. A voice that I haven't heard say my name for over a month.
There he was, the guy who made my heart flutter just at the sound of his voice. To say that he looked great was an understatement, he looked fucking perfect!
'When did I start cursing?' He was dressed in black clothes. A black suit jacket that showed off his biceps and a black buttoned shirt that had half of its buttons undone, showing his muscled chest. His hair was combed neatly and his eyes never left my face.
'How can a guy look so good in black?' I wondered. To me, no guy could look as good as he did right now. I fought hard to keep my mouth closed.
"Why are you prancing around the street?" He asked. I still had my phone against my ear, the line was still connected to the delivery company.
"I need them here in thirty minutes, no more, no less." I ended the call and faced the guy who I haven't looked in the eye for so long, I'd almost forgotten how they looked. How much they pulled me closer to him.
"I'm waiting for some items to be delivered." I said.
"And that's why you're mad?"
"It's an hour late." I said. We were not too far away from each other. Probably just two feet, or less. Why is he talking to me?
"You look great." He said, his eyes raking my body, taking in my atire. His compliment made my heart stutter, a bubbling feeling rose in my chest. I suddenly realised that it was freezing out here.
"Thanks."
"Emily, they haven't arrived…hey Shawn." She greeted. He gave her a brief nod. I noticed her glance between me and Shawn. Whatever she thought was happening between us wasn't happening.
"They better arrive soon. Our hard work can't go to waste." She complained while heading inside.
"So did Karla win the bet?"
"Of course she did. She had our help." Shawn's lips curled up a little. Something I haven't seen for so long, it felt almost surreal.
"Of course, with you nothing can go wrong." I swallowed a hard lump. What does he mean by that?
"Hope you'll have fun." He concluded and headed inside with a confident pose, as always. I heaved a sigh of relief.
'I guess this is a good sign.'