Awakening Memories

4. Fascinated

A/N: I present to you, the male main character. Hope you enjoy his POV.😃

"I'm so glad you made it Amir," squealed Maya. I handed her the gift box I had brought along. Unexpectedly, she wrapped me in an embrace before welcoming me in. This made me cringe internally.

The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with flashing lights. Upbeat music boomed from the speakers. The crowd of people, well dressed, were mingling and networking with each other.

It was unexpected for my workmates to set up this party; how were they not worn out from the big function held days ago. Plus, it'd compensate for Maya's late eighteenth birthday party. All I wanted to do was fly home and indulge in another imaginary universe. Imaginary universes that never failed to entice me. Lately I hadn't had time to get back to my reading, and it was killing me.

But of course, I had to pretend I was enjoying the moment. No one really expresses what they actually feel inside, right?

I threw myself on a leather recliner next to Gael. I couldn't say we were exactly friends; close acquaintances were the correct term for it. He's been a great mentor to me on this journey, but still not anywhere close to the friendship zone.

"She likes you man. She's in love with you." He slurred his words, displaying a wide grin on his face.

"Who's this she you speak of?" I took a sip of my cold Coca Cola drink. For real, I had no clue of what he was speaking of. Secondly, I wanted to go with the flow. Drunk people always tell the truth.

The exact reason is I kept away from anything containing alcohol, I guess.

"Maya Laurier, a good friend of mine and hostess of this party. She talks about you all the time. You and her school together yeah?" He rambled on and on about her until the ring of my phone interrupted. Who could possibly call me this late?

Stephanie was calling. "Hello Steph, what's up?"

Her voice was filled with sadness. "Are you still in Scarsdale?"

"Yes, I am, actually. Is everything ok?"

I entered the building where the interior was white. Steph sat next to her seven-year-old son, Tyler. My step-bro. He patted her on the shoulder to inform her of my arrival. She raised her head, turning her eyes to the direction where Tyler pointed.

"For safety purposes." I started, knowing she was intrigued by my appearance. "What happened to Dad?"

Steph took Tyler to the nearby playroom so that we could converse personally. Tears welled up in her already glossy eyes as she narrated the ordeal to me. "We were having a fun movie night. He wasn't drinking as usual, which was a good sign. But then, he excused himself, so obviously we had to pause the movie to wait for him. Five minutes passed and he still wasn't back. I went to check what was wrong then I found him lying on our bathroom floor with his hand on his chest."

Her bottom lip curled as tears streamed down her face. My throat tightened, as all I did to comfort her was pat the back of her palm. "It's going to be okay," I assured in a low tone. It's not okay.

Even though Dad completely ghosted us in the past, he still didn't deserve what he was undergoing. Part of me felt sorry for him and his family. Another part of me was like, 'hell yeah you deserve it.' I didn't know which one was dominant. All I wanted though was for Stephanie and Tyler to not lose their sunshine. I just imagined how his demise would mess them up, especially Tyler.

What of me? Would it take a toll on me?

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Mom left Farah and I, with the excuse of going to finish some work at the medical center. I oversaw taking care of that brat. Anyone who meets my sister will think she's an angel, all cute and adorable, but once you've gotten to know her...