"Ah Alamgeer, thank you for inviting us." Her father hugged the man.
"Of course we would invite you! You have done a lot for my family Suleman." He waved it off.
"This is your daughter?" Alamgeer's wife, Lyana a famous designer motioned towards her, continuing with a gentle softness, "you look amazing beta. Come on eat something. Let's leave the talking to the men."
"Of course! I'll see you later dad."
Placing a soft kiss on her father's cheek she followed the woman. Her eyes had been trained on the long, curving tables. Plentiful desserts and finger foods were laid out in thick glass dishes, the aroma of spices and the scent of vanilla had her stomach rumbling. The weather that was a big part of the British way of life, had forced them to fly out last minute and as soon as they landed in Rome they were rushed to the birthday celebrations.
"I need to go check on something, you enjoy alright?"
"Of course," Alayna replied.
Power walking through the large crowds, she fought her way to the head of the table. Her bony shoulders hit more than one people and a string of whispered apologizes were thrown around the air. Glares fell in her directions, the lips turned into dead straight lines or frowns at the sight of her. She scratched the back of her head, confused about her own feelings. The birthday girl, Lilah, was being doted on by her mother as she led her towards the tables direction. Her heart sunk to her stomach, a tightness gripped her throat — tears pinched her eyes. Why did her mother not love her enough to stay? Why that was the reality of her life. The questions were all based on her mere existence.
"Hi Lilah!" Alayna walked towards her, waving in her direction.
"Urm—hi?" She shrugged nervously.
"I'm Alayna Suleman, my father is a close partner of your father's," she forwarded her hand.
"Uh." Lilah nervously breathed.
Alayna sensed the awkwardness from the woman in front of her. The way she fiddled with her hands and looked at anyone but her made it plenty obvious. Shaking her head, she took a step behind — her entire purpose was to let the woman know how much she admired her and not to make her feel afraid.
"Um ok—ay, anyways Lilah I love your work and I decided I should come praise you for it, not to mention the power you have as an autistic person to stand in front of a crowd is awe inspiring. You're an inspiration for neuro-typical people like myself." Alayna grinned.
"Oh— thank you so much." Lilah replied, moved to tears.
"I'll see you around then, for now my dad and those pretty looking donuts are calling my name. Don't forget to invite me to the wedding," she winked and ran off to the side of her father.
Alayna broke off from her father's arm soon after. The conversation about a security program that would be sold to one of the governments allowing to manipulate decisions, manipulate co-ordinates and locations without anyone else finding out. Turning around she found her way back to the table with food. Her eyes shone with a wild brightness as she caught sight of something that looked like long, cylindrical donuts. Gasping she whisper yelled — her voice catching the attention of another man.
