Kamari Ese Avena
"You said dinner, not a party!"
I am very sure I would have passed out once the cab man dropped me off at the alleged destination for my dinner with Seven, only to realise it was actually a party and Yusei had just tricked me into being his plus one.
"We get to eat here, it's still considered a dinner," he shrugs it off.
I plant my heels on the floor stubbornly, not willing to take one more step into the big hall. "What exactly are we doing here, Yusei?" I question, frowning at him even though I am drooling inside at how cute he looks in a simple Versace t-shirt and joggers while I can swear I am paling beside him in my choice of clothing which is a short white flare gown and customised Crocs on my legs. Where Seven looks like he belongs on the runway, I look like the girl who touches up his makeup behind the scenes.
His expression falls visibly at my question and I am taken aback. "Is something wrong?" I inquire.
"It is my Father's party," he confesses. "One to celebrate him acquiring a new company under his corporation, and my mother insisted I come, with a plus one. I am sorry if I took you off guard by bringing you here, I just could not bring anyone else."
He looks sorry and despite my annoyance and the little voice in my head telling me it would have been Elle he would bring if she was here, I decide to let it go, for now.
"You could have told me and I would have worn something proper," I answer him with a complaint.
Seven smiles at me, eyes twinkling under the moonlight. "You look perfect," He assured me. "You always do."
His words echo in my ears as we make our way in and I wonder if I heard him wrong or that he complimented me. Either way, I try not to put my mind to it because it is Seven Yusei and from the little I know of him, he can easily switch on me at any time.
Getting inside the hall, the party looks more like a sophisticated private gathering than a celebration of any sort. I am so nervous even with a live opera performing soothing music and everyone minding their business. I wonder again why Seven chose me of all to bring me here.
As if on cue, I feel his hands on me and then gently he begins to lead me to the table closest to us.
I see Seven Yusei's mother even before he does an introduction because he is a spitting image of his mother and it is hard not to tell that she birthed him. She is wearing a long black dress that fits her perfectly and when she smiles, it is like the whole room sparkles. I would say he gets his charming facials from his mother.
"Rai, you made it," She exclaims as if shocked that he is here. Then she looks at me and gasps again. "And you came with a date. Oh mi amor, your father would be so happy."
Seven's grip tightens on my hand. "Mama, you insisted I come so I did. I would not deny you what you want from me," He says plainly, with no affection or even as little as a smile. "And you know Father would not care less that I am here."
His mother's face falls at his words and I want nothing more than to sink into the ground because it feels like I am intruding on a private moment. She shakes off her sad expression in a bit and back on is her smile. It must run in the Yusei blood, the ability to switch expressions as fast as the speed of light.
"Won't you introduce me to your friend? Hello, pretty girl," She says to me.
I start to speak, but my mouth clamps shut when Seven cuts me off. "Mama, this is Mari, my girlfriend."
One.
Two.
And the world stopped.
"Oh really?" She exclaims. "That's amazing! Hola Mari, I am Gabrielle, Seven's mother. You can call me Gabi, I don't mind."
I am still processing what Seven introduces me as. Did he say his girlfriend? I sure didn't hear right perhaps? "It's good to meet you ma'am," I managed to stutter out a reply to Gabi.
Seven says nothing to me as his mother leads us to the table while I want to scream at him and ask him what in heaven's name he just did. I mean, you don't just take a girl to your family dinner unannounced and then name her your girlfriend especially when you have only known her for a week.
"And the prodigal son shows his face, and with a girl at that. How perfect is it not?"
The sarcastic words come from behind so I turn to see who it is and I see two men standing behind Seven, one of them looked old and was staring at Seven with a cryptic look and the other whom I assumed had spoken had a smirk on his face that screamed mischievous.
"Father." Seven stands to greet the old man and then he regards the younger one with a frown. "Zac. You have aged, you look older than the last time I saw you," he snides.
Uncomfortable will be an understatement for what I am feeling now, because I feel the tension so thick between the three men.
"It is your first time to show up at a gathering like this in two years and yet you still find it easy to talk to your brother in that manner, Rai? You should know I do not tolerate rudeness in this family so you had better give respect to whom respect is due."
With every word Seven's Father says, he walks inches closer to the latter with a menacing stare on his face while the brother whose name I know now as Zac has a satisfied smirk on his face.
I don't think I want to be here.
"Pardon my manners, Father," Seven replies and I catch a glimpse of his fists clenching beneath the table.
"Oh come on boys, let's eat. We can't be here arguing all night, it really won't speak good of us," Gabi speaks up.
"Perhaps you should tell your son about that, Gabrielle."
Mr Yusei hisses as he sits beside his wife directly opposite me while Zac takes his space beside Seven.
The orchestra playing has changed to one of a more fierce sound and I subtly look around marvelling at how sophisticated everyone looks at their different tables. I have attended events like this, being an Avena's daughter but Elle was always the one in the spotlight, of course, it was mainly because she was the perfect daughter of my Father while I was the one sitting behind wraps and watching with hooded eyes. I never complained because I liked behind less of the centre of attraction.
Our meal arrives, a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with a glass of clear wine each. My throat feels dry so the first thing I do is throw the whole wine content of my glass into my mouth. A girl has to have some nerves in this tense table.
"You should not down a wine in one gulp like that Miss Avena, you are a lady."
I do not know if it is the fact Mr Yusei just spoke to me that made me start coughing or maybe it is because he called my name like he knows me, but I find myself coughing hitting my chest as Seven suddenly reaches to hand me a bottle of water.
"I'm sorry for my—" I start to speak after taking a sip of the water Seven handed to me, but Mr Yusei cuts me off with a wave of his hands. I can feel that everyone is tensed as does that, even Zac who seems like he is closer is watching me with hooded eyes from the side of the table.
I really want to cuss out Seven for bringing me here but then again I know he needed someone here, and friends help each other and so I am here because I am a friend, is it not?
"I don't fancy the formalities, Miss Avena," Mr Yusei starts to say. "So you can just call me Ben."
I blink at his words, still trying to process him calling me by my name. "I… I'm sorry for the Formalities, uhm Mr… I mean Ben," I stutter out.
He smiles, one that looks even scarier than his frown. I gulp. "You must be wondering how I know who you are," he begins. "Perhaps my son never did tell you that he has brought your late sister, bless her soul to our home. You do not look alike, but you have the Avena face shape. My son often seems quite taken by the Avenas, doesn't he? I find it relaxing though that he is in the company of like-minded people, I know your Father enough to tell how well he raised you.."
My blood began to boil in rage as I glanced at the son in question. Seven's face is blank like his Father has not just confessed to him bringing Elle to their home when he told me that they were never friends.
For the first time, I do not care about the people around me as I open my mouth to speak my mind. "So this is why you brought me here is it not? And not all that crap about not having a friend you could trust?" I stand, almost hitting my leg on the table. I need to be out of here, I cannot be here.
My eyes are becoming teary by the second and I know if I stay longer here I would combust. I just need to leave.
My legs wobble as I find my way outside, I cannot seem to hear anything. I wonder again why it is always her because frankly, it has always been her.
"Kamari!"
I whip around to face him once I am outside, everything feels blurry. "Don't you dare call me Kamari ever again! It is Mari to you!" I snap at him and with that, I find my way out just as the sky chooses that moment to cry upon me.
I hate myself.