Whimsical Perfection

14. Dinner

"Dispute not with her,
She is lunatic."
          —Dorset, Richard III

~♤ ▪︎ ♤ ▪︎ ♤~

Time flew by like a wind, and before I knew, it was Saturday. There hadn't been any more practices this week since the theater was fully booked, and that kept getting on my nerves. After pulling all the strings I could, and nearly ripping my hair apart in the process, I managed to book it fully for two weeks from the next Saturday, so that we could practice to the best of our abilities.

After working so hard for the whole week, I was just not thrilled for this family gathering. Aaliyah's parents had invariably been the extremely social type, who couldn't do without a party or get-together at least once a month. It also didn't help that they were loaded, and had no worries in this world.

My parents, on the other hand, were as private and cozy as they came. Since I was their only daughter, our dinners never consisted of more than four people – since Aaliyah was welcome anytime. She was the only other person they could tolerate, and spend time with comfortably.

But unfortunately, their private streak colored me too, and I often found it tiring when Aaliyah dragged me to parties every weekend, or any get-together she could find in university. It was the same routine every time – Aaliyah would get all the invites, and the attention, while I was discarded in the background like a piece of trash.

It took her a while to understand my social anxiety and inability to converse with anyone other than her, but I was thankful when one day, she stopped dragging me around. If anything she ever was, it was considerate. Even if she didn't understand things quickly, she would at least do her best to look out for me. That intention enough, was my life-saver.

'And to think I was a shy, socially inept fat girl in my teens, is so ridiculous now,' I thought as I looked at myself in the mirror. The glow-up was unbelievably real, and I felt proud of myself. Even after the few moments when I lose confidence, I was mostly confident in my skin. I have worked my ass off to get where I am today, shedding blood, sweat and tears as I built a personality that was unimaginable to find in me.

'That's right, Scar. You're the real deal, the most confident and gorgeous out there. Bitches like her who only know how to insult people have nothing on you. You're the best.'

Clad in a skin tight plum dress with full sleeves and a deep neckline, I gave a finishing touch of my matching plum lipstick, and picked up the black clutch that I had paired with it. Matching the clutch with black stilettos, I picked up my car keys and walked out of my apartment. I hope all goes well tonight.

Shortly, I reached the Williams' residence. It was a gigantic mansion surrounded by large land filled with all sorts of trees and plants, and it's beauty was unmatched. Although, it seemed to be way too huge for just three people, the magnificence and grandeur of the place was so addicting that even I wouldn't want to leave a home like this.

Tonight, it looked extra grand, as they had decorated it thoroughly with fairy lights and flowers. Was it an important day today? I looked at the huge bouquet of flowers in my hand and hoped it would suffice, because no matter how hard I think, I couldn't come up with any occasion.

As I entered the inside, I was stunned yet again by its elegant decor and the countless chandeliers it housed. Soon, I was greeted by the host herself, who launched straight into my arms without a fucking warning.

"Oh my God girl, you actually came! And look at you, you didn't come to play, huh?" She said, being obviously more excited than me for this night.

"Why? Did you want me to be my usual revolting self?" I joked back, to which she laughed heartily.

"Alright whatever. Just know that you have to wish my parents, alright? Then we can do whatever we want until it's time for dinner." She told me, making me furrow my brows for a second.

"Wait, what exactly am I here for?" I asked her, still having no clue about it, and she gasped loudly.

"Scar, it's my parents anniversary! What is the matter with you?"

My eyes rounded in astonishment. "You should have told me so then! How am I supposed to know? But, will this bouquet work?"

She looked at the flowers in my hand, then at me, and smiled. "They're perfect! Hand it over to my mother, and you're safe."

"Thank God."

As I entered the gigantic living room, it was already bustling with guests. I could easily spot Mrs. Williams though, she was the person who shone the most out of them all. And not just because she was naturally beautiful, but because she had an equally beautiful soul. I might have the best parents too, but sometimes I was too envious of Aaliyah for having a mother like her.

"Mom, Dad, look who's here!" Aaliyah announced as soon as she spotted them, making me cringe. This wasn't any way of making an entry.

"Oh my God, Scarlett dear! How many months has it been?" She came running to me as soon as she saw me, making me smile.

I hugged her instantly, inhaling her sweet vanilla scent that reminded me too much of my mom's. "I've been doing brilliantly, Mrs. Williams, just been a tad bit too busy. By the way, heartiest congratulations on your anniversary!!"

"Oh thank you sweetie! But don't take too much pressure, alright? It's okay to take a break at times."

"And who might this be?"

I suddenly heard a foreign yet vaguely familiar voice, demanding to be noticed. As I turned around to look at her, I was shocked. The girl who had spoken was a young girl in her early twenties, clad in a gorgeous dress. But the little details about her, her slim body, long legs, and afro cut hair were still embedded deeply in my head. It hadn't been too long, and now that I had seen her face, I could connect her voice too.

She was the same girl who had insulted me for a merely dropping coffee over her in a way nobody would like.

But why was she here? Who was she exactly?

"Oh, you're here? Scarlett dear, you might have not seen her before. She's Naomi Taylor, daughter of my dear friend, Penelope." I was told, and I nodded wordlessly.

"Oh, and," The girl continued to drawl as she lazily made her way towards us. "I'm also Isaac Williams' girlfriend. You might not know him, but he will enter soon. You will know, then."

Fuck my life.

~♤ ▪︎ ♤ ▪︎ ♤~