We were in the limo, plagued by an uncomfortable silence. I was still feeling guilty and thinking of how best to explain this whole big misunderstanding to Bryan, but Derrick started lip singing to I made you look by Meghan Trainor, distracting my thought process.
"I could get my Gucci on, I could get my Louis voulton, but even with my hoodie on I made you look, I made you look "
He was singing, and his voice was really terrible by the way, he sounded like a dying bird, and I could no longer hold in my laughter, "what the heck are you doing" I said really amused forgetting about Bryan for a minute
"Singing duur", he replied
And I laughed really hard again," I guess this is something you aren't good at, and I thought this song was too girly and not for a mancho man like you", I stated with my eyebrow curved up
"Well that missy is a damn stereotype, I think Megan is totally amazing and this song make me feel powerful, and music has a soul and should never be gender based, and should be enjoyed irrespective of one's gender". He said
"True", I replied, we were silent again for a second, then I asked the million dollar question that's been on my mind, "Derrick, why did you pick me as your plus one for this event, you are Millionaire and you're obviously cute, and have a lot of ladies, so why me"
"You think I'm cute", he said with a smirk
"Is that all you heard", I replied, shaking my head.
"It's simply Carol, you don't like me, and you will never get attached, and you're intelligent, and I find your presence quite refreshing so why not".
I wanted to say something, but Derricks Chauffeur interrupted me, "We are here Mr witson", He said pulling up at a Victoria era styled mansion, it was beautiful actually, infact beauty wasn't the right word for it, it was breathtaking,
"Well, I should warn you, we are about to enter into a den of wolves ready to eat you, you are my date, so you are obviously going to be the center of attention tonight, stay by side and you will be okay" he said and I was really nervous, but I tried my best to hide it, and put on my game face we came out of the limo hand in hand and we were accosted by a swam of paparazzi, and I felt I was going to go blind any moment from now, "Who are you, you look lovely, Are you the new flavour for the month, are you Mr witson mistress, that dress how much did it cost", these were the questions been thrown at me but I only smiled awkwardly in response.
Derrick give my hands a reassuring squeeze and whispered into my ear, "They are a bunch of freeging idiots, and you are definitely too awesome and cool to be my mistress", and I smiled at that, He held my hands and led me inside, if I thought the outside of this house was pretty, you really need to see the interior, it was so gorgeous, that it felt like I was in a dream,
"You like it", Derrick asked,
"It's beautiful" I replied, awestruck
"Then you need to see mine", he said
"Showoff" I said with a scoff, and he just laughed. I noticed I was getting a lot of stares as we passed, especially from the ladies, some were filled with curiosity, envy and others just plain hatred, like I stole something precious from them. I looked at my dress and noticed I was the only lady in red, the others were dressed in black dresses, and I know this was Derrick's fault. A pretty blonde lady dressed in a stunning v cut black gown showing a lot of cleavage walked towards us with a charming smile, I got to admit that she was really good looking.
"Hey darling,it's so lovely you could make it ", she said as she hugged derrick and gave him a peck on his cheek. totally ignoring me, and It was obvious she was trying to make me jealous and get a reaction out of me, but sorry darling this ship can never sail. I wanted to say these words to her, but I just smirked at her stupidity.
"Rose, how are you doing"? Derrick said detaching himself from her quickly, like she had some kind of contagious disease. I noticed how uncomfortable he was.
"I'm fine, but who is this she said scrutinizing me", her voice sounding really offended
"Oh meet my girlfriend,in fact she's going to be my wife in the next two months, I haven't proposed but I plan on doing that soon, she's expecting and I don't want our child to be born out of wedlock", He said placing his hands on my flat stomach looking at me with what look like affection and my eyes widen, I was too shocked at his blatant lie.
"Yes, I'm expecting, 2 weeks gone, there's a life growing in there can you imagine", I said cooperating
"Fuck you Derrick", she said angrily and left us alone.
"What the heck, I said hitting him, You are crazy".
And he laughed really hard. "That was hilarious. Did you see her face? It was comical".
His laugh sounded like music to my ears, and seeing him laugh like that did something weird to my stomach again, but I chose to ignore it. "Who was that?" I demanded an explanation for what just happened.
"So long story short, she was the wife of one of my business associate and partner, he died some months ago, amazing old man, too bad he settled for a bitch like her after he lost his wife, she was only after his money, but I heard he willed everything to his only daughter in Africa and we met when her husband was still alive, and she wanted us to hook up. Now she just wants a new wealthy guy to sink her fangs on"
"And you slept with her right", I said stating the obvious
And he gaps dramatically placing his hands on his chest, "what do you think of me, doctor carol, I have taste, okay and she's way below my scale of preference" He explained bringing his hands lower.
A man and a woman approached us and it was obvious there were a couple and there appear to be in their mid fifties but still look amazing for their age "Derrick darling" the lady said, giving him a peck, why the man hugged him, "my boy, I'm so happy you could make it", he said really happy.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Uncle Ed, and Aunty clarie. Happy birthday you look gorgeous in that dress and you never get old, and she blushed and laughed lightly, oh stop it Derrick you and your sweet mouth", she said.
"Stay away from my wife boy, she's mine", Uncle Ed said playfully, "And who is this pretty thing by your side", he asked looking at me curiously.
"This is Doctor Caroline, she currently runs a child care foundation that takes care of kids who might not have the funds to receive proper health care"
"Nice meeting you sir", I said politely
"Oh come on stop calling me sir it makes me sound old,you can call me Uncle Ed and this is Aunt Clarissa okay, and it's nice to see such a young lady doing something this noble and I would like to make my donation to help out".
"Thank you very much sir," I mean Uncle Ed I said really grateful,
"It's alright," and his focus went back on Derrick and there were discussing about business,
"You really look good together", Aunt Clarissa said,
"No no no no, I said quickly , it's not like that, He did something for me, so I owe him, it's really nothing like that". I explianed
"It's okay sweetheart", she said mischievously with a look that screamed I don't believe you
I was looking at the band and the keyboardist got my attention, been a doctor wasn't always what I aspired to be, It might come as a shock but when I was much younger I wanted to play the piano so much and I was really good at it I was a natural and it was a gift, but it was my love for the instrument that brought me so much pain, and took away the people I loved the most. Now I don't want to have anything to do with it, seeing it reminds me of the pain. I was lost in thought when Aunt clarrisa's voice broke into my thoughts.
"I see you looking at the pianist, do you know how to play?" She asked
"Yeah, but it's been such a long time, I haven't played in years", I said
"Well, would you do me the honor and play something for me,it would be a lovely birthday gift I would never forget in a hurry" she asked and her eyes shine with excitement.
"Hum, I really don't play anymore" I said but I saw the disappointed look on her face and I knew I couldn't say no, "Alright I'll do it for you* I said softly
"Thanks dear", she said clapping excitedly, like I was about to give her the best birthday present
I walked towards the pianist and whispered into his ear and he stood up and I immediately sat down, I looked up to see lot of eyes on me and I felt tensed, I looked at the keyboard and everything was coming back to me, the pain, guilt I have carried for all these years suddenly hit, and I froze, I couldn't even lift a finger all I did was stare at the keyboard lost in my head, when I felt someone sit beside me, I looked up to see Derrick giving me a reassuring smile
"So we are going to play river falls by splenoza, you good" he whispered into my ears and surprisingly he started playing perfectly and I was held spellbound by how good he was, he looked at me and gave me an encouraging smile, I look at the keys and finally gathered the courage, and placed my hands on the keyboard and we played together, and for a second, I actually felt like me again without all the pain, guilt, I felt like I was 9 and still at my piano lessons and we were done, we stood up and receive applause from the crowd, Aunt Clarissa was cleaning the tears from her eyes, "bravo" she said
I looked at Derrick and mouth "thank you",and he whispered back "you are welcome". And at that moment I realize tthere was so much more to Derrick Wintson than what he actually lets on
****
I was in the hospital, on Monday morning
and it was obvious Bryan was giving me the cold shoulder and it was killing me, he was someone have gotten really used to talking to all the time, and him not talking to me at all was really painful.
I went straight to him, since he was definitely not going to talk to me, "Hi" I said waving at him, but he glanced at me and ignored me, outch, Good morning Bryan, I said standing in front of him, He was really tall and towered over me,
Doctor Johnson, what can I do for you, He replied in a strange tune, what's with the formality.
Bryan, I said softly, moving closer to him, but he moved away, like he couldn't stand the sight of me. " I can explain just give me a chance it's not really what it seems, I said with a pleeding look.
He took a deep breathe "You got 5 minutes" He said and followed me to my office. He refused to take a sit, and was looking at me intensely,
Okay, I'm going to go straight to the point, So the reason why we weren't shut down by the property regulating agency was because of Derrick and i had a deal that I'm going to do anything he ask no question asked and that's why I had to be his date, I was so busy that I forgot about our own friendly plans trust me when I say I didn't mean to hurt you or anything like that I rambled.
Wait a minute, You mean you aren't with Derrick because of his stupid looks and money, he said smiling, I thought you liked him because of his money and I wasn't good enough for you.
Wait, what, You've know me for how many year Bryan and you think I'll do that, and what do you mean by you aren't good enough for me, what does that even mean, I asked this time pissed
I'm sorry Carl, I didn't mean to say that , I was just hurt, even I as a guy noticed how handsome and wealthy he is and I thought you like him that's all. Wait, You mean that bastard has been blackmailing you, He said his emotions taking a quick switch from been sorry to furious in a couple of seconds.
Its really not like that, I was trying to explain when my phone ringed and it was weirdo calling shit, why is he calling now I picked up, this is not a good time I said.
I need you Caroline, He said sounding really hurt and for the first time there was no hint of sarcasm or joke in his tune and I knew something was definitely wrong.
I'll send a car to pick you up he said and hanged up,
Was thats him, Bryan asked furiously, but I was too worried about Derrick to care about what he was saying
I'll be back in ten minutes, cover for me I said and left not looking back at him. I ran out and I stopped a taxi and in the next 30 minutes I arrived at Derrick's penthouse. I stood at the gate and immediately I was allowed in by the security system, I ran into the house and I saw the middle aged lady I saw last time, His upstairs she said pointing towards the direction of Derricks room.
I went towards the room and I knocked on the door, but heard no response, so I opened it, His room smelt like him, it was Grey and white themed, I closed the door softly and saw Derrick sitting on the floor, He looked broken, I was worried but I remained calm, there were paper wraps of sweets everywhere. I walked in and sat down close to him.
We were silent, untill he offered me sweets You wants some, he asked?
Yeah, I said taking the sweet from him, opened it and placed it in my mouth
I don't drink alcohol, so when I feel shitty I take sweets, I know I'm weird right, He said
Nah, everyone has their own coping mechanism, Mel eats like a wild animal when she's sad, she says the food helps numb the pain, I say with a smile
So what's your "Coping mechanism" He asked
I don't know, have never really found an outlet for my emotions yet, i replied thoughtfully
We were silent again, when he started talking, I'm sorry for dragging you out of work at this time, but I really did not want to be alone today.
It's fine, I said softly and collected another sweet from the bag, opened it and place it in my mouth
He took a deep breathe, You want to know why I was so furious the other day at beggings when you stepped in front of the gun like that.
I didn't reply, but I looked at him
He continued and it seem like he was in a lot of pain
You don't have to say anything you aren't comfortable with I said popping a sweet in my mouth, I pray we don't die from diabetes today
my mum died when I was seven,she took the bullet for my dad right before my eyes even through he did not deserve it, she died in my hands Caroline, and I watch as life left her, felt her cold blood on my hands, He said with a look of deep grief and pain , my dad was the scum of the earth, yet she loved him more than she loved her own soul, He never really appreciated her and he was never really there for either of us always came home late smelling of alcohol and cheap perfume and was always looking for faults, I guess he engaged in some shady business, burrowed money from some thugs and couldn't pay back, And there came looking for him, gave him the beating of his life and wanted to finish him off, He was suppose to be the one who died and what good radiance that would have been, He said with a broken smile, but my mum took his place because of something as unrealistic as love, He said with a sad smile and opened another wrap
The cops came , I guess the neighbour suspected something was wrong and called but as usual there were too late and obviously useless my mum had already passed there arrested the thugs but it meant nothing to me. And after that day my dad left no explanation, no apologies, he just left and I haven't heard from him for 20 years untill today, I saw the bastard today apparently he has been following me, seeing him today brought back all the bad memories have been bottling in and I wanted to just shoot his damn brain off, but he was still my dad, He said with a smile filled with pain
I was too shocked to speak, I wasn't really good at comforting people, but I began anyway Listen to me Derrick, because I'm never saying these words again, You're the bravest person I know, you are a real fighter because you obviously don't look like what you've been through, You walk around with a big ass grin on your face and I wish I could learn to smile like that, look at what you've achieved all by yourself and I'm sure your mum wherever she is would be so proud of you. I was still talking when he pulled me close and hugged me tightly, He was crying on my shoulder and I responded by patting his back softly.