The Horan Boy (Sequel to The Whitlock Girl)

Dinner Party (Part One)

My mother looked at me, uncertainty stitched in her eyebrows, "Oh him? Just an old friend." I could tell she didn't want to talk about him, but I couldn't help it; I needed to know more. No, I had to know.

"Whats his name?" My eyes studying the picture. I can't believe I didn't notice it before. Not only does my mother have one photo, but she actually has two! Watching her bite her bottom lip, I couldn't help but instinctively do the same. Something about her seemed hesitant, as if she was deciding the brush it off, or spurt the truth.

"His name is.. ," She paused, taking in a deep breath, and I was literally on the edge of my seat, gripping the edge of the counter, "N-Niall." Her eyes looked downward at the picture in my hand, and slowly, ever so slowly, she reached out and took the photo from me.

"He was a good friend of mine when I was only a year or two older than you are now." She smiled lightly, her eyes glazing over, as if an old memory has resurfaced. I was dying to know more about the man, and I prayed silently that she would share more information. But my mother stayed quiet, just staring at the pictures for a very long time.

"Well," She finally spoke, putting the picture back down on the counter, " Him and I haven't talked in a very long time anyways. Last time I checked he married some girl named Melanie and they live in Ireland." I knew this already, but I didn't tell her. I wanted something that I couldn't read online, but I didn't want to pry. 

I did anyways, "Oh cool. Got any more cool stories?"

She smiled smally, and I could tell stories were rushing through her head. My mother seemed to be picking the right one, as if not to give her secret away, "Yeah, I do. But don'tcha think it's a little late, son? We both need to go back to bed, we've got a very busy day tomorrow." Inwardly, I groaned. I forgot, we were having some big dinner party to toast Blake on winning his re-election tomorrow night. Great, a night of schmoozing Blake and my mother's friends, getting pinched on the cheek and being told 'how much I've grown up.' Ugh, this was going to be awful.

"Yeah, you're right mother," I sighed, reaching across the counter to help her pick up the pictures and put them back in their box. When we were done, mom kissed my forehead, and wished me goodnight. I told her I was gonna grab a drink before I headed back upstairs. 

When she was gone, I pulled out the picture from under the counter, where I stuck it between the drawers. Studying it, I couldn't help but smile at my mother's smile...it was so genuine. I'd never seen her smile that realistically in any photos with Blake, like ever. 

Sighing, I grabbed a bottle from the fridge and me and the photo went up stairs to bed. All I could think while I fell asleep was, 'I'm gonna get her to smile like that again... she deserves happiness.'

Tightening the tie, I looked at my reflection; not bad, not bad at all. I looked good in the swankiness of this wonderfully tailored Gucci suit my mother specifically ordered for this stupid night. Big whoop, he won, again. 

"Hey you," Onya spoke as she came into my room, looking stunning in a tight, form-fitting, black dress that went to the floor, a slit up her left leg. Her hair tumbled around her shoulders in soft curls, and she had the perfect amount of makeup on to highlight her natural beauty.  Turning around, I smiled, "Hey gorgeous."

Onya blushed and punched me in the arm, rather hard. It took all in me not to wince. "Shut up, I'm only suffering through this so you're not suffering alone." Chuckling, I wrapped my arm around her, "Yeah, and you're parents are on the invite list, so you're obligated."

She rolled her eyes, pulling herself away from me, "C'mon, everyone is asking where you're at. Your mother asked me to come get you. You ready, pretty boy?"

Spritzing one last squirt of cologne, I nodded and followed her out of my room, down the hall, and to the staircase. Before we got there, I stopped Onya, "Hey, do you want to make an appearance, and skip out and head down to the beach?" Onya looked at me skeptically, and finally grinned, "Hell to the yes. I hate these parties anyways."

I grinned back, "Yeah, me too." Laughing, we walked down the staircase, and the party came into view.

It was grand, really. Servers mingled through the crowd of diamonds, gowns, and tuxes. They had either alcohol or mini whatevers they made. The cheek pinching started once I hit the bottom of the stairs, and I swear I wanted to slap more than one old lady in the face, in the nicest way possible...not.

By the time I reached my mother, who stood next to Blake, being gorgeous in a simple teal gown, and simple diamond earrings, my cheek had to have been bruised. 

"Hello Onya, you look fabulous. Who's the gown by? Vera Wang?" My mother asked as she gave me a kiss on the cheek, leaving a faint lipstick impression. I watched as Onya blushed, nodding. Onya loved my mother, and was always in awe of her presence. She always told me my mother inspired her, being such a strong woman, running her own company, keeping her poise no matter what happened. 

"Yes, my mother flew her in as a present last week. The woman can work wonders, can't she?" Onya replied cooly, a smile on her face.

My mother looked over Onya one more time, her own smile faltering,  "You know, you really do look gorgeous, I wish I had the body still that I had at your age." I questioned my mother's words with my eyebrows. She looked much like she did when she was my age, just maybe a few more wrinkles.. and wow. I never had noticed how old and tired she looked before. Although the next words I heard come out of anyone's mouth pissed me off the most. But they weren't coming out like babbling as my mother and Onya chatted about dresses. It was almost a whisper and it came from the bastard I was beginning to hate more and more with each passing hour. Onya didn't hear it, but I knew my mother heard those words slip from his mouth. Even though she kept her eyes trained on my friend, her smile completely disappeared once he whispered, "So do I."

AUTHOR'S NOTE;

UGH. UGH. UGH. UGH. UGGGGGHHH. I KNOW. I'M HORRIBLE. but here I am with an update for my lovelies, does anyone wanna give a guess as to what is happening next?;D

Im getting updates out more frequently, I promisseeee. 

Love you lovelies,

Shelby.