Scott eagerly waited at the parking lot. Many expensive cars drove past the gate, but he was waiting for a taxi. Not for him, but River had sent him a text telling him that she was on her way there. He was a bit taken aback because the last conversation they had almost caused a huge fight, but there she was, saying yes to his invitation.
He looked amazing in his suit since it was his big day. River didn't know that. When the taxi arrived and she got off, she realized that she picked the wrong outfit. So, my girl was wearing a black pantsuit, jewelry to the minimum and an unnoticed makeup. Her hair was tied in a tight bun, and with her she carried a small purse.
Every other woman she saw was wearing an evening or cocktail dress, expensive jewelries dripping like lava.
"You look different.", said Scott, his way of saying she looked beautiful. But he couldn't speak his mind since many ears were around them. Last thing he wanted was his soon-to-be fiance hearing that he'd complimented another girl.
"I thought it was just a dinner party", said River, "but this is a PARTY party.",
Scott chuckled nervously, "You know my parents. They don't know that the word simple actually exists.",
"Right.",
She had to force a smile all the way to the venue. There was something about the energy of that place that made River feel so awful. The guests were dancing to some very weird music. She'd never heard of any of it before, but it sounded horrible in her ears.
"Can you be a vegetarian for a day?", asked Scott,
"Why?", River asked over his question,
"Nothing. Just don't eat any meat. Stick to the veggies and the drinks.",
"Why?",
"Because … My dad and his friends made it. He's not a great cook.",
"I see.",
No, she didn't. She wasn't convinced by his answer but trusted his explanation. Surely, there was something unexplainable going on in that place.
When it came to dinner, only a few were chosen to dine in the same room with Scott's family. And River was one of the picks. The dining table was huge and decorated with a contrast of flowers which complimented each other.
Scott's father, Mr. Ivan and his wife, Cindy, looked like they never aged. Whatever skincare they used, it was working miracles. River could recognize some faces, only a few. There was a very pretty girl seated next to her elegant family. She quickly knew who she could be.
"Everyone, welcome.", said Mr. Ivan, "This is, undoubtedly, the best day for me this year. I've received a very big award from the president. But most importantly, my family is about to join hands with the Herman family through the marriage of our kids.",
They all seemed to be in a very good mood, except River and Scott. But she wasn't paying attention to him.
"The whole world will know our name. This alliance is going to make us unstoppable. And to celebrate, I've booked our next vacation; A cruise ship to Bali.",
Loud cheers and claps filled the room. But River couldn't understand something. The orphanage was having a situation. Why were the owners talking about a cruise ship while a child just died.
"Excuse me.", she clicked the champagne glass, grasping their attention. Her inner anger had given her an odd confidence, "We're all aware of what's going on at the orphanage, right?",
"River", Scott uttered her name like a warning, but she was already a ticking bomb.
"A child just died.", she announced.
Instead, they all stared at her like she spoke gibberish.
"Can we at least act like we give a shit?",
"Who are you and what have you done to River?", Mr. Ivan joked, causing everyone to laugh. But that was just his way of diverging the subject.
"Aren't you an orphan?", asked Ilham, the soon-to-be fiance, out of nowhere.
She was slender, hair black as ebony, eyes big and brown like honey. How she dressed proved that she was too mature for her age. She was well-educated, spoke 7 languages and managed 3 out of the 5 companies her family owned. Her young age and the need to prove to people that she can do anything made her grow a very bold personality. She wasn't scared to speak up. She bathed in her employees' fear. Her idea of fun was always watching people on edge, walking on eggshells around her.
Her question brought attention back to River. She craved to crack her confidence, even if it meant humiliating her in front of everybody.
"I am.", River replied,
"I hear Scott's family raised you and promoted you to a rank you don't deserve.", Ilham proceeded.
River eyed her, "What?",
"Why should we act like we give a shit about one kid's death? It's just natural. Part of life. The rest of the kids are fine, right? They're well dressed, well fed, well educated. So, instead of asking us to give a shit, how about you just be grateful for the blessings this family pours on you?",
You know, some people cry when their anger overpowers them. But River laughs. She laughed so loud that it began to bother everyone at the table. She clapped her hands, eyes directly fixated on Ilham, the philosopher. It was a mockery, and she managed to make her totally pissed. Fear? She'd run out of it.
Maids started serving dinner. First was the appetizer, carrot soup. River had lost all her appetite and just ate a single bite. Next was the first course; Roasted duck. That; she didn't take a single bite. The second course was a filet mignon. She never touched it. While others devoured their plates, she only observed.
She did eat a couple of bites when dessert was served. And that's because she loved anything with coconut in it.
Before they went back to join the rest of the guests, and proceed with the next part of the party, that was, the engagement, River went to the ladies room. She just needed to pee and leave. She'd seen enough to grease her motors.
As she was washing her hands, someone else walked in. From the mirror, she saw that it was Ilham, her promoted enemy. Ilham stood behind her, glaring at her with disgust.
"I still don't know why they treat you like family.", she began, "You're not one of us.",
River now dried her hands quietly, purposely ignoring her.
"I refuse to believe you came all the way here just to make us feel guilty about the death of one child. Is it our fault she died? What's even her name?",
Praxeda; A name very special to River, meaning not everyone had the right to just say it.
She threw the paper towel in the bin and fully faced Ilham. "You keep saying 'us' and 'our' as if you're already part of the Hareek family.",
"Technically I am.", Ilham sassily responded,
"Oh, because of that stupid ring he's gonna put on your finger?",
"Because I'm going to marry him.",
River took a step closer to her, boldly, "I'll make you a promise, Ilham; The day Scott gets married, you won't be the bride.",
"What _",
"And thank you for being exactly the way you are. You've made this so much easier.",
River walked past her and exited the ladies room. As she headed outside, she took one last look at all those people everywhere. Her greatest wish; For their smiles to turn upside down.
***