London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 63. Alex

I'm pleasantly surprised that Daniel agreed so quickly. Even in spite of his terms, which I find quite acceptable.

- Can I have some more wine? - I ask Daniel, and he fills my glass.

- Don't get carried away. We both know what kind of sub-personality wakes up in you after alcohol, - he chuckles.

- Why do I hear a call to action in your voice now? - I ask him reasonably.

- Because you want to hear it, - Daniel replies playfully.

- Can we go dancing already? - Stella whines. We've really been sitting here too long.

- You look like you could dance in that dress,- Liam retorts. He keeps his eyes on Stella in the mini-dress and adds with a chuckle, - Don't bend over too much, or you'll get cold panties.

- Go to hell, Hale, - she replies and gives him the finger. But after we caught them at the wedding, these altercations are more like strange foreplay than mutual dislike. There's obviously something between them.

The girls and I go to the dance floor. I close my eyes and move to the beat of the music. Just the way I like it. I know Daniel is watching me. But it's not just Daniel. An uncomfortable chill runs down my spine from the sensation of someone else's presence.

The music continues to play, the lights flickering across the dance floor. I stop in the midst of the dancing crowd and carefully examine the people in a circle. Where did that unpleasant feeling come from?

I look at one face after another until I finally meet her gaze. The same girl who crashed the car is standing in front of me, glaring. Is her hair lighter, blond? Has she decided to look like me?

I glance over at Daniel, he is chatting enthusiastically with friends about something. Janine and Stella are passionate about dancing and don't notice how I am heading towards this fan groupie.

- What the hell are you doing here? - I yell, towering over her. I'm shaking all over inside. She smiles slowly and looks up at me with her crazy eyes:

- I came to a nightclub, don't you see? - She answers and stares in Dany's direction.

- What do you want from us? - I ask sharply.

- You know what. It's not what I want, it's who. Him, - she points to my boyfriend, who would have doubted it. - Didn't I warn you, Alex? You need to get out of the way before it's too late.

- You're going to jail, I swear, you're going to jail! - My voice trembles. I'm annoyed and scared at the same time. I don't know what trick she'll pull this time.

- And who is this nice boy? Isn't that your son? - She remarks, pointing to Max.

- Are you trying to threaten my son? You! - I'm ready to hit her, but I stop myself at the last moment. That's exactly what she wants, to piss me off, so that the guards would take me out of the club.

- Don't worry, I just came by to say hello and to remind you that time is not in your favour. Life is a dangerous thing, you know.

She turns around on the spot, throws back a blond strand and walks toward the exit. I practically run to our table, grab my glass and drink it down in one breath. What am I supposed to do? How do I make her disappear? What if she really gets to Max?

- What's wrong with you? - Janine sits down next to me,- You look like you've seen a ghost.

- That's right, - I answer. I suddenly decide that I'm not going to tell her the story about the car and the stalking and everything, so as not to worry the mommy-to-be. - But it's okay. The last few weeks have been pretty emotional, so I'm kind of overreacting to everything.

- Well you only have one trial to get through, right? - Says Janine. What is she talking about? What's a trial that I don't know anything about.

- What kind of trial? What are you talking about? - I ask.

- Aren't you going to Daniel's parents' house for dinner? It's kind of a tradition. Mrs. Pierce organises a big dinner where all of us, our parents, and their mutual friends are invited.We usually can't stand it there for a long time, but it's still fun. She always tries so hard, coming up with a new theme, decorating the house. It's the most important event of the year for her, I think.

- Is their house that big? - I ask.

- No, it's not. It's just a fancy one. Didn't Daniel tell you anything? - I shook my head in the negative, - Oh, that's not very nice. I'm sure he will.

The only thing Janine didn't consider was that I was finishing my fourth glass of wine. So I'm not going to wait until my boyfriend decides whether or not to tell me about an important event in his family, his life.

I walk over to Daniel and ask him to step aside for a minute.

- Baby, you seem to be getting a little carried away, don't you? - He looks into my eyes, - how quickly you get drunk. I can't get used to it.

- Why didn't you tell me about dinner? - I blurt out.

- What dinner? - He is sincerely surprised.

- Dinner at your parents' house, of course! Why does everyone know about it, but not me? We practically live together, - I get angry. I throw the words in his face with a force, a fury that he doesn't deserve. I know all my anger at this damn groupie is coming down on him.

Daniel takes my elbows and leans slightly forward, looking me straight in the eyes. He's angry, I can see that clearly.

- It's no big deal. I'd tell you a little later. It's only dinner. Besides, you and my mother don't really get along, and I wasn't sure you'd agree, - he assures me.

- I'd rather have a choice, though, - I say, a little calmer. - Is this event important to you?

- I can't say I like it much, but it's kind of a long-standing tradition, so...

- Okay, I'll go with you, - I say. And what did I just sign up for at this point?

Daniel pulls me closer to him and kisses me.

- I told you not to drink too much champagne, - he smiles smugly, - What am I supposed to do with you now?

- What do you want to do? - I ask, studying the movements of his lips.

- Oh, I know that look. Control yourself, girl, by the way, your son hangs out here. And our friends. - Daniel leans close to me and adds: - A couple of hours, Alex, and I promise you won't be able to get out of bed tomorrow.

The heat of his words reverberates through my body. I suddenly want to go home so badly.