A Mate's Betrayal

Part 6 (The Past)

"Mum I don't want to go to this party. They don't even like me", I complained but she was not even listening to me. I wouldn't either because Dad walked in and started complimenting her then they were all focused on each other.

"Eeewww! Get a room... Why aren't you ready yet?", my sister asked making Dad pull away from Mum, finally! "Pauline, you look amazing my dear, please make your sister see reason. This is a family event and we are all expected to go with our FAMILIES", Dad emphasised making us all laugh at his weird facial expression of emphasis. "Baby, don't do that again please, you're scaring us. Let's go... Pauline, put makeup on her please", Mum told my sister as they left our room. 

This was the second annual event that we had to dress up to. I wouldn't say that our parents were rich but they were important in Anthropoid Pharmaceuticals. They were manufacturers of various medical supplements that helped strengthen human immunity. That was all I got from Dad's explanation. Our Mum was the head scientist while our Dad was the leading technician. They were all very busy but never stopped being parents, they never missed anything from school, like never. They were amazing and I loved them with all my heart, and my sister too. She was the most beautiful girl in the whole college which didn't come as a surprise when she told me she was selected as the head cheerleader of the college's football team. I confess to using her to get away with countless situations at college especially when I joined. She found out and scolded me but my puppy dog eyes got me out of punishment. She graduated last year and got a job at Anthropoid as one of the receptionists, thanks to Mum.

"There you go. You look so pretty, I bet Killian won't be able to look away from you", she said while helping me with my zipper and I did the same. Killian was the boy from my class. I was obsessed with him but he was obsessed with Pauline. It broke my heart when I found out but there was no way I was going to stand in their way. If I am to put them both on a scale from 1 to 10, they were both 11 so it only made sense if they ended up together. I liked him... a lot but there was no way he was going to notice me when my sister was around. 

Being black and a size eighteen was a deep no no in Killian's dating book, I was only friends with him because I was helping him with homework and we were study partners. When he came home to study and saw Pauline, he lost it. He has been hooked ever since but my sister does not date boys who are younger than her. I don't think Killian will ever get the memo.

"We're just friends Pauline. He will never go for a girl like me, remember?", I said putting on my shoes just in time to hear Mum calling us. "Crap! Let's go kiddo", she said pulling me downstairs where we found Dad trying to kiss Mum and her complaining that he will ruin her makeup. "Don't you guys get tired of being all lovey-dovey?", Pauline asked with a smile. "Me? Getting tired of this bombshell? Never", Dad said wiggling his brows at Mum, we all ended up laughing while heading to the garage. 

"Dad, are you finally going to give us a tour?", I asked with excitement. "No honey, you know they don't allow unauthorised personnel in the labs, right?", he said with a sad voice making disappointment spread in me. I hoped that this time around he would let me but the answer was the same as always. I felt a hand covering mine and when I turned, I saw Pauline smiling at me.

"Erinna, you know we would give you a tour if we could, right?", Mum asked looking back at me. I nod my head and then turned to the window. We reached the gala and as usual, there were paparazzi everywhere and on the red carpet. We walked on it and posed for a couple of pictures. Mum answered a few questions from the reporters then we walked into the hall. 

It was decorated beautifully. Pauline went to sit with her co-workers leaving me alone at the table that was reserved for us. "Look who decided to show up. I have been waiting for you for hours", Killian whined as usual making me roll my eyes at him. "I just got here, not all of us have the privilege of being the son of the founder of Anthropoid Pharmaceuticals you know", I said making him smirk while sitting next to me.

"You know, I would be careful if I were you", he teased making me curious. "Why is that?", I asked. "One day I will be the owner of this company and you know what that means right?", he said wiggling his brows. "No", I said honestly. "You're so lame. I will be one of the richest bachelors and trust me when I am, you will need to be next to me because you will finally get the six packs models you dream of dating", he said making me laugh. "Did you just declare yourself as a future PIMP?", I asked making him laugh so hard and I joined him. I wanted to tell him that I didn't need anyone else but I was not willing to lose our friendship. 

My family joined me when the event officially started and like the year before, Killian's dad who was the owner of Anthropoid presented the success and awards to the high-performing workers... my Mum and Dad, people danced and drank and at midnight the event was over.

"Hi Pauline, am a year older now, can I have your number?", Killian asked my sister as we were about to leave. Pauline rolled her eyes and before she could answer, Mr. Xavier intervened. "Hold your horses young man, stop harassing my employees and find someone your own size will ya!", he said smacking Killian in the back of his head. "Dad! You're embarrassing me", he whined making me giggle. "Thank you, Mr. Knight,", Pauline said walking away quickly.