We Meet Again (Sequel to Without You)

Hotel

"Darcy, I've checked us in." I say, leaning against the sofa that Darcy is sitting on. "Here's your key." I hand her a card, and she takes it.
"Thanks. Shall we go and get our luggage?" Darcy asks me, getting up. She motions for me to take a seat, and I oblige.
"Here are the car keys. Get my luggage with yours, please." Getting up, I take out my phone from my pocket. "Oh, and Darcy?" Darcy turns around, and raises her eyebrow questioningly. "Don't get everything. Please just get the important items."
"Don't worry, I know what to do." Darcy says, rolling her eyes at the amount of concern that I show her. I nod my head, and Darcy runs off towards the elevator. I keep forgetting that she's growing up, and she's fully capable of handling herself, and me. I'm so tired due to the events of the day. I think it's best if I hit the sack early. I grab the card, and head towards the lift. I've got four missed calls and five messages, all from Josh. He's just asking if we're okay, and if we reached the hotel safely. I'll message him once I'm in the room.
"Ma'am!" Someone yells from behind me. I turn around to the find the receptionist rushing towards me. He's out of breath. The receptionist raises his finger, telling me to wait, while he catches his breath.
"I'm so sorry for holding you up." He apologizes.
"Oh, no, don't worry. What's the matter?" I ask him, concerned as to why he's chasing me.
"I had to do give you this," the man hands me an envelope. "It's an invitation for a ball that's taking place here, tomorrow. Our manager randomly chose a few guests, and you're one of them. He thinks you'll be a wonderful addition to the party." The receptionist smiles, and turns around to return to his job. The manage thought I'd be a wonderful addition to the party? That's new. Envelope in hand, I enter the elevator. Our room is on the tenth floor. My lucky number. I take out the invitation and read it. This ball seems pretty fancy. The hotel is throwing it due to their fiftieth year. Guests who often visit them, and highly esteemed business men are invited. A few names are listed down and I've heard of these men and women. It would be fun to go. However, I'm not in the mood to party. Things are rough, and I need to them to settle down before I start enjoying myself. Even if I go, my mind will be clouded with worry. There's no point. I unlock the room door, and enter. Once the card is inserted in it's rightful slot, and the lights are on, I head towards a bed. I booked a room that has two single beds. Darcy wouldn't mind sharing a room with me for a few days, till I find us an apartment or a house. Preferably, an apartment because there are far too many lizards in Singapore. The higher you are, the lesser chances you have of finding a lizard in your house. I'm not really scared of lizards. However, I don't like them because of the way they walk and look. They're creepy. I hear the room door open. However, I don't have the energy to turn around and see if it's Darcy or somebody else.
"Pretty tired, huh?" Darcy says, and I feel the bed dip from behind me.
"Very," I murmur.
"Shall I take out your night clothes so that you can change?" Darcy asks me, moving my hair away from my eyes.
"No, I'm good. Honestly, I don't have the energy to change. Please just switch off the lights." I say, pulling the pillow underneath my head.
"Okay, but I'm hungry." Darcy says, getting off the bed.
"Order some room service. I'm sorry, I'm not helping you. I'm very tired."
"It's okay. I understand. Goodnight!" Darcy says, and I shut my eyes.
********
"I got your omelet." I say, placing the plate on the table.
"Thank you." Darcy says, cutting the omelet in half with a butter knife. She places half of it on my plate, and takes the other half for herself.
"So, I was having dinner last night, and I saw an envelope." Darcy begins, after a while. "I didn't know you have such important connections."
"Trust me, I don't. I just got that invitation because the manager of this hotel has taken a certain liking towards me. I think." I say, taking a bite of my pancake.
"Nobody can resist your charm, huh?" Darcy wiggles her eyebrows, grinning. Playfully, I poke her in the side, and she giggles. "Are you going?"
"No," I murmur. My focus in mainly on the newspaper that is in my hand. I need to find an apartment.
"Why?" Darcy says, shocked. "Mamma, you have to go."
"I don't want to. You can go." I say, skimming the newspaper for a good apartment ad.
"Fine!" Darcy huffs. I look up to find her frowning, with her arms crossed over her chest. "You never listen to me." Sighing, I fold the newspaper and place it on the table.
"I'm listening." Darcy doesn't look up at me. "Darcy, I'm just a bit busy, that's all. We need to find an apartment."
"Then, I'll do the scouting and you go to the ball." Darcy says, excitedly. "It'll be like a fairy-tale. Cinderella." Darcy has a cloudy expression on her face.
"When are you going to come back to earth?" I ask her, chuckling. Darcy pouts, and stabs her omelet with her fork. "I'll see, okay? Plus, I don't even have anything to wear."
"While I was unpacking, I found a white dress in your suitcase. You can wear that. It's classy, and elegant." Darcy says, smirking. She's satisfied that she hasn't left any loopholes for me to get out from.
"Okay, ma'am!" I say, and Darcy laughs. I have one heck of a daughter!
*******
"Are you ready!?" Darcy yells from outside the bathroom door.
"Almost!" I say, slipping my earring into my ear. Finally, after a lot of persuasion, Darcy persuaded me to go to the ball. I'll just go for a while to make her happy, and then I'll come back.
"Make it quick! You need to leave." Darcy whines from the other side. Huffing, I unlock the door, and she enters. Her eyes widen the minute she takes in my appearance.
"Do I look that bad?" I ask her, turning around to stare at myself in the mirror.
"No, on the contrary, you look amazing. You're Cinderella!" Darcy squeals, jumping up and down.
"Okay, okay, calm down." Laughing, I head out of the bathroom. I grab my phone from the bed, and the room key. "I'll see you in an hour."
"Take two!" Darcy yells from the bathroom.
"Goodnight, love you." I say, as the door click shuts behind me. I pass my right hand through my hair, praying to God it looks fine. I haven't worked on my appearance because I really don't care how I look. Plus, I don't want to give the manager any wrong ideas. I don't want to lead him on for no reason. As I stare at the numbers on the elevator screen decrease, I tap my foot impatiently against the linoleum. Finally the elevator dings, and the doors open onto the first floor. Here goes nothing! It's pretty obvious as to where the ball is taking place. Lavishly dressed men and women are heading towards two double doors that are decorated with fake gold flowers, and gold ribbons. There's a red carpet near the door's entrance. All in all, it's a beautiful sight.
"Good evening, madam." The doorman greets me. I smile at him.
"Good evening." I say, entering the hall. My eyes widen at the size and decor of it. The hotel management must have spent a fortune putting all of this together. There's a huge, crystal fountain right in the center of the room. The water that is flowing out of the statue's mouth is multi-colored. Mostly everything is covered in gold. My eyes follow the guests that are moving around, gracefully. Their fingers, hair, face, and clothes are adorned with all kinds of jewels. This is breathtaking. I have struggled for years to raise Darcy with a small income, due to which I couldn't even buy myself a new pair of jeans. Yet, here these men and women are so rich. I bet they won't wear these same suits or dresses to another ball.
"Good evening!" The manager greets me, smiling. He's holding two champagne flutes in his hands.
"Good evening." I say, smiling. He hands me one of the flutes. "Thank you for this," I lift the drink, "And for inviting me. This is quite a function."
"Ah, this?" He waves his hand around the hall. "Is nothing. You should have seen the party that we threw for our owner's birthday." I hope my expression shows that I'm interested, even though I'm anything, but interested.
"I'm so sorry for my lack of manners. I haven't even properly introduced myself. I'm Ely." The manages stretches his right hand, and I take it in mine.
"Mus."
"You have a lovely name." Cliche.
"Thank you." I plaster a fake smile on my face, praying to God that someone will come and take this man's attention.
"Ely!" A woman yells, waving at him. Thankfully, my prayer has been answered.
"Please excuse me." Ely says, rushing towards the woman.
"No problem," I murmur. Deciding to take a seat, I head towards a round table. Once I'm seated, subtly I take off my heel shoes. I hate wearing heels that aren't comfortable.
"This ball is so boring." A woman complains, taking a seat next to me.
"Tell me about it." I murmur, rolling my eyes. Apparently, she heard me because she turns her body toward me, and extends her hand.
"I'm Paige." The woman introduces herself. Smiling, I shake her hand.
"Mus," I say.
"I haven't seen you around before."
"This is the first time I've been invited to such a function." I wave my hand at our surroundings.
"This is my third ball. Boring as before." Paige rolls her eyes, and places her head on the table.
"Why do you come if you find these functions to be so boring?" I ask her, taking a sip of champagne.
"It's not like I have a choice," Paige murmurs. "My boyfriend has to come to these events because he's an important man, and I guess, I have to tag along."
"I know what you mean." It is - was - the same with Josh and I. If he had an important function, I'd be dragged along. However, I never dragged him to any important function of mine. If he would say no, I'd let him off the hook, and go with Darcy.
"Are you here with a date?" Paige questions, inquisitively.
"No, I'm flying solo." I say, smiling. Paige scrunches up her eyebrows.
"You have a wedding ring." I look down to my left hand, and sure enough, the ring that Josh gave me is on it. Shit! I forgot to return it.
"It's just a jewelry piece. It's not a wedding ring." I shrug my shoulders, nonchalantly.
"It's beautiful." Paige says, admiring the ring.
"Thank you." Someone comes and takes a seat next to me. I can't see his face, though because he's bent over and his back is facing me.
"Asshole, he stepped on my shoes, and then he says they're open. Bloody bastard." The man grumbles. I cannot forget that voice.
"Louis?" I say, shifting in my seat so that I can see his face. Louis straightens up, and turns around. His eyes widen in shock the minute he sees me.
"Mus!" Louis exclaims, excitedly. He wraps his arms around me, and gives me a tight hug. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Neither did I." I say, grinning.
"We stay in this hotel often. Not particularly this branch, but we do." Louis explains. He looks at me, expectantly.
"The manager has taken a certain liking towards me." I say, realizing he wants to know the reason as to why I'm here.
"Who wouldn't?" Louis murmurs, taking in my appearance. "You look lovely."
"Louis, stop flattering me." I say, taking a sip of champagne. Before I can take another, Louis grabs the glass from my hand, and gulps the whole drink.
"Just what I needed." Louis says, relieved. "We're here to make a business deal as well, so Harry and Liam have banned me from drinking."
"They're here?" I say, glancing around the room.
"Yeah. Where's Josh, and Darcy?"
"Josh and I broke up. Darcy's upstairs in the room."
"Thank God, and I want to meet her." I look at him, confused. "Thank God, you both broke up. That relationship wasn't meant to be." Louis explains, and I nod. "I'll get Liam, and Niall. You can meet them."
"Okay," I say. I'm going to get a lot of told-you-sos.