Only You

Chapter 22

At that moment, I wanted to lift my dress up, throw my heels away and run back to my loft and hide under the sheets. I made sure that my face had a stoic expression and gave no sign of being shocked and nervous. Hell, I didn't know what to feel. The romantic side of me was happy and ecstatic. The moody bitch was ready for battle. But the real me was feeling everything.

"I'll be fine. We're all here tonight uniting together because of the work we have done and the people share the same goal which is to help the less fortunate. I'm happy to receive the award from anyone." without waiting for her response, I casuall walked to the end of the carpet slowly, but not too fast ensuring that no one else could ask me more questions. 

There was no sign of Mark anywhere and that little romantic side of me was side, the real me was sort of relieved AND sad? I was going mental that's for sure. The girls were already seated in the immense hall, unfortunately, the same table as my parents. My mother to be exact.

"Gurrll!! You look gorgeous!!!" Leah hugged me.

"Mark is here. He's giving me the award." I said quietly into her ear.

The squeeling stopped and she pulled away from the tight hug she was giving me. Signalling to the other two to come along, I told them what the reporter had told me.

"Ok so let's just calm down. I mean Iziie, you calm down. How are you feeling?" Allie asked.

"I don't know what to feel or how." I said honestly.

"It's like a part of me is happy to see him again, but worried because I don't know what he's feeling. He probably hates me because I slapped him and--" Beth shook me gently.

"Honey, you have no time for a break down right now. Just be calm. Take a deep breath. OK?" I huffed out the deep breath.

"Good, now just go meet your parents. Be civil with your mother. Tell her who is giving the award then just leave. We will control her bitch tantrums. Got it?" she explained.

"I love you guys." I opened my arms and we had a little mini hug before all of us realised that we were causing people to stare at us. I walked up to my parents. My father was smiling all the way but my mother just sat down.

"Cara! We are so happy to be here." he hugged me and kissed my cheek.

"At least you are papa." I said loudly so she could hear.

She finally stood up and looked at me " I am happy also." she said.

"Great. Just so you know, the person you threatened, is presenting me the award. Are you going to throw fits again? If you are, you can leave." I kissed my dad's cheek and left to find the usherer to escort me to my table.

I was placed at the table with the other doctors who wer being awarded and their... wives. So I was the only female and the only one without a date. We started getting to know each other. These men were very seasoned. There were doing this for a while now.

"We've been coming to these awards every year for the past 5 years. Jared and I have been honored many times and you're the first person to break it. To be honest, it's nice for someone else to ge it. Shows that there is slowly but sure growth in the field." he explained.

"Yes, making speeches so many years in a row at these events became such a bore especially when everyone knows you already. You're setting the example for the younger generation." John said.

I was happy they gave me the encouragement. I really needed it seeing that I didn't prepare any material for the speech, thinking that I could do it freestyle. That was until I was informed that the most handsome man I've ever met in my life will be up on the stage behind me.