The Promise

63) Aurora

Everything is perfect.

I never thought I'd say that, but yeah everything is incredible; the avenue, music, food, even the dresses and suits of my guests today are amazing.

I pass by the tables to greet people and friends I made from the other firms too. Everybody has been complimenting me or my attire. The dress boosted my confidence and I'm walking the power walk around the whole avenue, strutting my way through tables.

My hair today is down as he requested because beside the dress, he got me a tiny ruby hair clip and a necklace with a wing and a tiny ruby on it and its earrings as well.

"Can I tell you how gorgeous you look tonight, sweetie?" Dionne says wrapping her arms around me kissing my cheek. I hug her back giving her a gentle squeeze, she's been a great help to me. We grew inseparable and also, she never let me sit without having food in my system and made sure I was caffeinated, fed and happy.

"I can't thank you enough, Di. How would I survive this year without you?" she beams at me, "it's me who should ask this question!" then her face falls. "What is it, Di?" "Did you make up your mind? Will you stay?"

I purse my lips, yes, I have made my decision, but I will not tell anybody. It's my thing and I want to do it without any other opinions.

"Let us go through the event and tests then we can talk it out." I tell her and she nods, but grips my arms. "You won't forget about me, right?" I smile, "Of course not, Di! How could I?" I hug her again as another pair of arms wrap around us and we know it's Zaira. "Guys you shouldn't hug without me, this is rude." We all laugh as we stand with each other looking like the flag belongs to the French republic; me red, Dionne white and Zaira blue dresses.

I glance at a secluded corner of the avenue to where he's standing and catch his eyes. He gives me a smile, it's not a sultry one tonight; it's one of his real ones this time. His eyes soft which makes his face look younger today. He's wearing one of his black designer tuxes looking like he walked straight out of a movie with his hair in place and jaw shaven begging for being touched. I smile back at him letting my emotions flow into my smile.

It's time for the speech of the hostess, which is me. So, I ascend the steps that lead to the podium and hold the mic as everyone looks my way in silence to listen.

I clear my throat and speak up with my head high, "Months ago, if anyone told me I'll be standing here as a hostess to give a speech with this number of eyes and attention on me, I'd probably ask what drug are they on." This earns me laughs and giggles, I go on "But here I am doing it after achieving the five-level goal in NV Valley, on my way towards the final tests with my fellow interns." I gesture for them and they wave back, "This speech I'm giving tonight isn't about talking about the preparations of the avenue or my year in London, - I look up- but about my mentor."

Now all attention turns to Omer, but I look at him to find him standing giving me his full attention ignoring the eyes on him. A small smile playing on his lips, I ignore the tears prickling at my eyes and go on. "I want to thank him for how far he pushed me and the help and safety he provided me to be the top version of myself. I wish one day I can make you proud- I pause then add- because you deserve everything good,

- I pause again looking at him and he nods as if he knows well what I'm questioning myself about. He gave me the permission to say it in front of everyone here, tonight. I finish saying, -

", Omer."

Applause and whistling fill the whole place, but I'm still standing there unmoving as I lock eyes with him as tears start to flow. He's applauding with the others with a smile on his face that crinkles his eyes. My tears are flowing because now he isn't my love; he is everything I've got.

I feel like I'm in one of these moments in my shows at school when the performance ends, where I was yearning for my parents to give me attention or be proud of me, except that he is doing that now, standing like a proud parent.

I descend the podium and head his way, he looks down at me and I whisper, "Can we go somewhere else, I want to hug you so bad, but- I look around gesturing for the crowd around us. He wipes the tear on my face, "You do not get to hide while hugging me, my dove." He murmurs as he wraps his arms around me and I breathe him in closing my eyes with my hands around his neck.

We stand there not caring about anyone as the song of today's dance starts and we pull apart as couples gather to dance. Today's song is 'un-break my heart' by Toni Braxton. I chose this one because it fits the aesthetic of my theme, but I feel like I'm talking the lyrics to him as he guides me around the other dancing couples.

He glides me as he smiles playfully leaning in to touch my nose with the tip of his and carries me in his arms then spins me around, I giggle as he lowers me when applause fills the room again. He leans in to talk in my ear, "Come with me, I have something important to tell you."