Not My Fairytale

Chapter 3 - The Dinner Party

I look at myself in the mirror. My long dark hair elegantly done up behind my head, allowing my long silver earrings to dangle freely on display. Donned in a black dress which accentuates my waist, there is little trace of the eighteen-year-old girl who left Chippenham years ago. Looking mature, dressed smartly I search for the girl who used to alternate between joggers and mom jeans. My hand finds its way to the silver necklace strung round my neck, a gift from Noah, my fingers wrap round the chain, allowing me to look closely at the diamond pendant. The cubicle behind me swings open.

"Admiring the gift I see."
Dropping the pendant quickly I smile at the woman in the reflection of the mirror. Standing tall and refined, she strolls up to the sink beside me. Her angular features such as her paper cut inducing cheekbones make her a formidable beauty. Golden waves fall down her back, her perfectly shaped brows a few shades darker. From her clutch, she pulls out her red lipstick and carefully applies it, finishing with a quick pout to the mirror. Topping my own up, I force the corners of my mouth up.
"He's always been one to be a sweetheart," My company says as she throws her hands under the ornate golden taps, washing them thoroughly. Her emerald eyes flick to me in the mirror, "My brother, the perfect gentleman." 
From her side she picks up a cream hand towel from the pile carefully stacked folded, slowly rubbing the moister from  her hands. Discarding the used fabric into the basket provided she proceeds to finish her routine by applying the free hand cream on offer. I am still in awe by the luxury provided by these high end restaurants. Picking her clutch up off the side, she begins to make her way out of the bathroom with myself following dutifully behind.

My heels click against the hard floor as we weave our way through a maze of tables. My eyes wander upwards, taking in the huge chandeliers hanging down from the ceiling. The rich teal walls accentuated with gold accessories gives the restaurant an expensive feeling. A long table stretches out in front of us, framed by elegantly dressed people. Noah grins and beckons me over as we arrive, gesturing to my chair, empty beside him. Slowly, I slip into it, his arm weaving round me, resting on the back of the seat. I reach out for my glass on wine, taking a small sip before placing it back on the table - knowing to take my time drinking it with this company. 

"You got here just in time it would appear," Noah says nodding towards smartly dressed waiters coming up to us. They carefully balance a multitude of places on their arms with skill, trained to remember who ordered what so that they don't have to ask which dish belongs to who. In front of me a clean plate of Crab pappardelle arrabbiata is put down. Since knowing Noah I have been thrust into this new world of fine dining, somewhat missing the days of eating cheap greasy burgers from petrol stations. Waiting until the rest of the party also had their main course in front of themselves I carefully begin to twirl my fork in the dish, wrapping the pasta around it before spooning it into my mouth. Those draped around me in finery begin to make small talk over work and various people's success.

"Of course we can forget baby brother Noah's promotion," my bathroom company starts up. I look up from my food, this being the first I have heard of a promotion.
"Emmie," He scolds lightly, "It isn't set in stone."
Swirling her wine in her glass, her perfectly pedicured nails wrapped round its step, "Don't be silly, as soon as you say yes it's yours." Noah sends his sister a look to drop it as congratulations begin to pour in. 
Underneath the sound of commendations and praise I whisper under my breath to him, "What promotion?" 
Accepting the praise with a smile, Noah barely moves his lips as he replies ensuring his happy demeanour is kept up.
"We can talk about it later, it's not important."
I look down into my lap, my hands clasped tightly and my brows beginning to furrow. 
"Why not? It's great news. I am happy for you Noah." 
He turns to face me, his mouth still in the same position but his eyes not shining with the same energy, "Because I haven't accepted it yet."

"To Noah, the next big time lawyer of Manchester," Emmie says raising her glass. Copying her, the rest of the table does the same, my own glass in the air. I focus back onto my meal, forcing a smile on my face and nodding when required to do so I feel numb, not quite a part of the gathering. Pushing the food around my plate absent mindlessly the conversation fades into a blur. I politely decline the offer of a cheese course and before long the bill is being asked for. I dig into my clutch ready to increase my overdraft when Noah places his hand of my hand shaking his head. He doesn't say it out loud but I know he feels that as he's the reason i'm here in this restaurant he should be the one to pick up the extortionate bill. 

I pull my long sweeping pea coat over my shoulders, buttoning it up in preparation to enter the cold November night temperatures. A scarf wrapped round my neck and hands wedged into leather gloves Noah and I make our goodbyes, him doing the talking and myself standing beside him silently nodding and waving. His phone attached to his ear calling upon a taxi, he holds the door open for me as we exit. Though the sky is dark the streets are lit by the never ending lights of the city. Wrapping my arms around me, I wait by the side of the road for our transport. Noah informs me that the car will be arriving shortly, wrapping his arms around my body, protecting me from the cold. 

When the taxi arrives we slip in quickly. 
"How come you didn't tell me about the promotion?" I ask once buckled in. 
Noah sighs running his fingers through his blonde locks, "Because I haven't accepted it, I want time to think about whether I want it or not."
"Why wouldn't you want it?" I question turning to face him.
"It's more hours," He begins, "More trips to London," He takes my hands into his, "Less time to spend with you. I want to be here to support you, I don't want to be hours ago when you get the green light on a novel, I want to be right there with you to celebrate." 
My hand goes up to his cheek and I stroke it softly, "I am not going to have you give up an opportunity for me," he begins to protest before I cut him off, "You wouldn't let me.

Admitting defeat, he sits back, "I love you Rowan Steele."
I let my head fall onto his shoulder as I stare out of the window. The dark canvas of sky stares down back at me, the urban pollution having stolen the stars from its grasp. The taxi turns onto my road and Noah passes money into the hand of the driver before we leave. I lead the way slotting my key into the ground floor door before beginning to ascend the stairs.

I think back to the moment the three of us, Liam, Hannah and I secured the flat. The screaming in excitement, flowing bubbles of champagne and warmth spreads into my heart. Quietly, so not to disturb my housemates we enter the apartment, the door shutting behind us with the lock clicking into place. We make our way into my room where I begin to dismantle the construction of pins holding my hair together. Letting the locks fall over my shoulders I pull out a makeup wipe and begin to scrub at the mask on my face. From the confines of the bed having only needing to strip to his boxers Noah watches me as I undress.
"You are so beautiful Rowan, you know that right?"
I roll my eyes pulling one of his tops I had stolen over my head, the fabric drowning my tiny body. Still unable to take a compliment my cheeks heat up, tingeing with rose.

With Noah holding the covers up for me, I slide under the blankets, my body fitting into his.
"I can't wait until we have a place of our own," He mumbles sleepily squeezing me tight. I let out a small chuckle and let my eyes close, heavy with fatigue.
"Goodnight Noah," I say softly.
"Goodnight Rowan."