London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 82. Alex

Three months later

- I still can't get used to going to all these events with you, - I say as Dany and I stand up to pose for the photographers.

- Get used to it, honey, it's part of your life now too, - he smiles back at me. The photographers take a few shots in front of a big billboard and we go inside.

The high ceilings of the old building, intricate reliefs on the walls and huge crystal chandeliers. The room drowns in flowers and shimmers playfully under the rays of multi-coloured light. We sit down at our table next to Daniel's film colleagues.

Tonight is a special event, with all proceeds going to charity. The guests include film personalities, musicians, and media personalities. So many familiar faces. And here they are at arm's length. All so dressed up, including my divinely handsome husband and me. I have learned how to pick outfits for such events and feel comfortable at them. To be honest, it didn't come right away.

I look around the hall. The floodlights illuminate the audience, moving from one place to another. And then I notice a painfully familiar face. Kaitlin. She's sitting at the other end of the hall, next to some strange guy who's been drinking way too much alcohol. His face looks familiar, like I'd seen him on a TV show.

I can feel my blood boiling slowly. Kaitlin is nervous, as if she can feel my gaze on her. At some point our eyes meet. She stretches out like a string, but hastily averts her eyes. Not so fast, bitch.

I take a sip of champagne, Daniel holding my hand.

- Are you okay? - He asks.

- Never better, - I smile.

The presenter says something into the microphone, but I don't really listen to him. I keep glancing at her. At some point Kaitlin gets up from the table and walks towards us. I keep my eyes on her, watching her every move. Without a shadow of doubt on her face, she walks over to us and runs her hand down my husband's back. Daniel turns around and jumps up briskly.

- What the hell do you want? - He barks in a half-whisper.

- Dany, it's good to see you, too, - she says, grabbing the lapels of his jacket, - did you miss me?

Daniel pulls her hands away sharply.

- Fuck you, Kaitlin. I'd stay away if I were you.

- Come on, what happened is what happened. Don't be angry. We both know you can't stay angry for long, - she won't let up.

Now I'm getting up.

- Don't you think it's time to get away from my husband and stick to somebody else? - I ask sharply. Kaitlin looks down at me in silence, hums "well, well," and walks away towards the bathroom.

- I'll be right there, - I say, heading after her. Daniel wraps his arm around my wrist and stops me.

- Alex, don't get turned on, for God's sake, - he says.

- What are you, dear, I am the very calm. I just need to go to the toilet. Really hard, - I whimper. Daniel looks at me suspiciously, but lets go of my hand.

When I walk into the bathroom, Kaitlin is standing at the sink, and paints her lips. I stand beside her, leaning against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest and staring at her in silence.

- You do realise it's all a matter of time, don't you? - She says as she continues to paint her lips.

- What is? - I answer, stepping closer to her. I open the water in the sink and wash my hands, keeping my eyes on her reflection. The dim light of the restroom makes it so small and unsightly. Or is it not the light?

- Daniel isn't the type to get serious. And even the ring you've got him wrapped around won't tie him to you.

I'm laughing.

- Of course, he'll always remember slutty Kaitlin, yeah? - I'm starting to get turned on.

- Feeling like you're the coolest, huh? You think because Daniel married you, you're the best? Who are you, anyway? He'll soon be disappointed in you, he will get himself a mistress of his own age and will fuck her until loses pulse.

God knows I didn't mean to. But a white veil just fell over my eyes. With one tug, I grab into her hair and slam her face against the tabletop. There's a quiet crunch. Ouch.

Kaitlin grabs her nose, which is bleeding.

- Are you out of your mind? You broke my nose! I'm supposed to be filming! - She yells.

Serenity flows through my veins. There's my vendetta! Yeah, violence isn't an option, but she asked for it. And she got it. I fix my hair, wash my hands and return to the hall.

- Baby, what did you do? - A worried Daniel asks as I sit back down at the table.

I shrug and take another sip of champagne.

- It's okay, honey. Don't worry. What did I miss?

Daniel strokes my back, turning towards the bathroom. Kaitlin runs out of there, covering her nose with a tissue, and hurries towards the exit, hiding her face.

- Did you do this? - He asks, either having fun, or being surprised.

- The light in the bathroom is bad. Kaitlin probably just didn't fit in the door jamb, - I stare intently at the announcer, smiling slightly.

- You're the craziest woman I know, - he replies.