We were all gathered at our table. Adrian made me sit at the table with them. Now I don't know why he is doing all of this. Why is he making me stay behind? What is the use of this? I'm just his secretary, so why does he want me to be there with his family? He is trying to create meaning out of something that doesn't require any.
"Why is she here, and who is she?" his father asked when he took note of me.
"She is my PA," Adrian answered. All eyes turned on me.
"Why is she wearing a mask?" his dad asked again.
"She has a cold and didn't want to infect anyone," Adrian answered again.
"Okay."
Dad and his wife were all present too. Dad looked so old and frail. I hope he is doing fine. While his wife looked lavish, just as she always did. She loves to be the center of attention, and she was getting that.
Emma, on the other hand, couldn't take her hand off Adrian. She kept touching his hand or shoulder every two seconds. I was already tired of sitting in the midst of these people. They all screamed fake. I didn't want to be around them.
The host did his thing, and there were lots of jokes being told. Then the couples were told to come out for a dance. Adrian offered Emma a hand like a gentleman, and together they went to the center of the dance floor to dance. It was just the two of them, and I was so jealous. I need to stop this jealousy I was feeling right now. It's not nice.
He held her by her waist. Emma was smiling sheepishly. One could tell that she was smitten by him. As for Adrian, I don't know what he thought about her. He is just there. He is hiding his emotions. He does that a lot. It's hard to read what he is thinking about. It's really hard.
As if he knew I was just thinking about him, he turned his head to our table, and his eyes caught mine. I know I should break eye contact, but I couldn't. I stared at him as much as he was staring at me. I don't know if anyone noticed, but who cares? It felt like I was in my own world with him in it.
Emma whispered something to him, and that was what made him break eye contact. I felt bad. I was feeling pressed, so I excused myself to the restroom.
****
I washed my hands while I was done. I got out and was surprised to see my stepmom outside. She didn't look like she was about to enter the restroom. It was more like she was waiting for someone.
"Finally, you came out. I thought you were going to use forever in the restroom," she said rudely.
I rolled my eyes and folded my arms. I don't want to say something. If I should speak, she would know that I was the one, and that will blow up my cover.
"I followed you here to warn you," she said, and I cocked a brow.
"I saw what happened in there, but I'll pretend like I don't. I saw the two of you staring at each other. I know you are his whore, and I wonder why he is protecting you."
"I need you to stop seeing him. He is my daughter's man now. Back off and don't take what doesn't belong to you," she snarled at me.
"If I find out that my daughter is heartbroken because of some whore like you, I promise you I'll haunt you down. I'll haunt you down myself."
"This is just a warning. Don't push it," she warned and hit me with her shoulder while she was leaving.
I don't know what to say. This is all Adrian's fault. If only he allowed me to leave, then none of this would be happening. Now I have to go back to the room. Adrian and his bride-to-be are also seated. I acted like nothing happened. They don't have to know what happened in that room. They don't have to know. Why should they know?
"Where did you go?" Adrian's deep voice almost scared me.
"I went to use the restroom," I said, and he nodded.
The rest of the dinner went on smoothly. I was busy with my food while they chatted about things that didn't even matter.
"I heard you have another daughter. I wasn't sure if the rumors were true, but I thought to ask myself just to clear my doubt," Adrian's mom finally spoke up. She had been too quiet for my liking. She looked like someone who didn't want to be here at all. Now I see where Adrian got that from. His mom is a beauty to behold. She doesn't interact much. She only speaks when she's been asked anything.
Dad nodded at her question. "There's no point hiding anything from you since we'll be in-laws soon."
"Yes, I have a daughter, and she is out of town," Dad said. I mentally rolled my eyes. He should tell them the truth. Why didn't he say what actually happened? This is the lie he must have been telling people, that I wasn't in town. I really want to say my mind out. I want to tell him a piece of my mind.
"It would have been lovely if you invited her. Don't you think it's a nice idea to bring the family together?" she asked, and I could see Emma and her mother getting uncomfortable with the conversation. I was so interested in their reply.
"I'll consider that next time. She was supposed to come, but she has too many things to do and couldn't make it," Dad lied. He didn't even give me a call. Not once. He didn't call me at all to even check up. I regret ever knowing him.