Hate You Not

CHAPTER FOUR

Malvina:

Big mistake. Saying yes to Mrs. Linda’s request.

Now that I  sit in front of a dressing table in the staff room of the Runaway, I realise how nervous I am. Firstly, I do play piano and sing, but occasionally.

Second, by the way this place has been fussed upon by Mrs Linda, I doubt it would be some normal, random people. Rather some big hotshot who I need to perform for.

           I grip the soft baby-blue fabric of my dress that I, along with Ronan bought yesterday. After spending nearly the entire day, we both settled on this dress. As much as it seems weird, but I don’t really have many friends, so it's always been me and Ro. Besides, he has better taste in fashion than me.

    I nervously glance at the mirror in front of me, my hair flowing in waves to my lower back and my hair in a half updo, secured with a bow at the back. I look like a doll that Mrs Linda decorated. I feel overwhelmed. 

                 I glance at the beige bandage around my ankle, as expected, I sprained it that day. Three days ago to be exact. Honestly, it doesn’t bother me much, apart from the fact that it reminds me of a embarrassing moment in my life.

           The entire restaurant is closed off for today for the special guests that will be arriving. It just makes my entire’nervous’ situation worse. Why do they need to close off the entire restaurant and not just book the special hall at the back where they usually hold such meetings.

          I take a deep breath and nod at myself in the mirror and rise from my seat. I winch from the sudden movement of my leg, but proceed to move out anyways. If I sit here one more moment, I will probably rip out my hair.
      
        The entire restaurant is quiet, even the soft music that usually keeps on playing is turned off.

         The door to the VIP section of the restaurant was closed, the guests are probably here. I glance outside through the huge window facing the streets. There were two cars lined outside.
I don't know much about cars but they looked expensive and beautiful, all in black. Do rich people only buy black cars? Why prejudice against the color of a car? You can be rich and roam around in a pink car, or yet a green one, especially if it’s in soft sage. Wait, I know, there is this vintage brand that has cars in pastels. Why are you even thinking about that? Boredom can be lethal.

      "Oh Malvina, daring you are here, and I thought you ran away from being nervous." I am pulled out of my in-depth monologue about the colour of cars. I turn around to address Mrs. Linda.

“Why would I do that?” I chuckle softly. “Though I am a little nervous, but I wouldn’t bail on you. Don’t you trust me, Aunt Lin?”

        Mrs. Linda laughed. "The guests are here, they are having a meeting. They will be joining us in the hall room in an hour at most, are you ready? Is your leg hurting, why don't you sit down?" Mrs. Linda asks in a concerned voice.

     I nod and smile, "Aunt Lin, don't worry, I am prepared.” I answer honestly. “ My leg doesn't hurt at all.” I throw a glance towards the closed door over my shoulder. “Can I go out in the garden for the time being, I need some fresh air. I will be back in a few minutes." She nods.

        The scent of fresh flowers and herbs invades my senses the moment I step into the garden. It is like a small hide-out, hidden behind the restaurant, a few come here.

Fresh basil and mints along with several herbs grown in small pots, are kept neatly over a bench. A few shrubs of white roses on one side, and a few bushes of hydrangea here and there. A few different flower plants grow in pots and green vines and the blue, bell-shaped flowers twines around the metal canopy over the swing in one corner of the garden.