The Deal

Chapter 40

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This engagement party would have really been a horrible night for me. But then Mellisa showed up and Christian was gone from my mind for a while.

Mellisa had shown up in a silk lavender dress with some black heels to match it. She looked amazing per usual even in a dress I knew she probably picked up for under $20.

She got to the bar convincing the cute bartender to give us some drinks. He tried flirting with her the whole time and she, of course, lead him on in order to get us both a martini that I wanted since the moment I stepped foot into the venue.

"Ah, how I wish I could throw an engagement party like this- even if my marriage would be a sham." Mellisa murmured while taking a sip of her drink.

I roll my eyes at her, though an amused smile played at my lips.

"Can I ask you a question?" I turn towards her. She arches her eyebrow at me questionably but nods her head.

"Christian and I- do you think it's realistic?" I question.

"There's no reason for it not to be. If he wants you he'd fix everything to have you, right? Though I don't understand why we're here today. If he does want a relationship with you shouldn't he have ended things with your mom at this point?" I was asking myself the same thing.

But her saying so just proved my point, it was a relevant question and one I wanted to be answered.

"Say if he goes along with all this... should I really allow myself in this position I'm in right now?" I ask.

She gives me a sad smile. "Zaina you're an adult. You can't just act on feelings anymore. You have to do what is best for you and if Christian is, or isn't the best for you... you'll know it." She pats my shoulder, giving me a smile.

She was right, of course, like always. I fought back the urge to protest because I had nothing to protest about. Everything she was saying was true. I needed to figure out what Christians plan was because wasn't going to stand idly by while he literally married my mother!

"Plus not to mention you need to find a school to transfer to. Have you started looking?" She asks.

I nod my head in response, taking a gulp of my martini.

I had been looking and I had found a couple of schools I wanted to attend. There was one in Washington, one in Oregon, and one here in the state. I had applied for all 3 and had my fingers crossed that fate would fall into place and that I'd end up at the school I'm meant to be at.

"Good. You have to focus on Zaina and what's best."

"Now enough serious talk! We must dance the night away and show this old folk a great time." I watch as she finishes off her drink, placing the empty glass on a nearby table before making her way towards the middle of the room to dance.

~~~

The night seemed to drag on but finally, it had ended. I had found my own ride home around 1 am. Christian and my mother had taken the limo and I took a cab, not really wanting to be alone with them.

I had taken a lot of what Mellisa said to mind. She was so right. I needed to focus on myself before anything. If Christian wanted to still marry my mother after everything with us well that's his choice and I'm not about to be dragged along.

The thought hurt but Mellisa was utterly right. I needed to focus on myself and my future. Christian... well maybe he was just a pit stop. Maybe I should allow this deal between Christian and my mother to go on and when the time comes for me to transfer into a university, I'll do so and never really turn back.