The way you should be loved

Chapter Nineteen

It was the new year's eve party. This time I am happy to go. I was Jon's date for the night. We were going to see how things go with the two of us. We are taking it slow.

So here I am getting ready for the evening. Our first unofficial date. I was checking which dress to wear. Being a CEO's daughter I have to go all the functions. My mom's friend who is a hairdresser put my hair up into an upside-down French plait. I pick a very nice elegant burgundy dress which goes down to my ankles with a slit down the left side showing my left leg. Mom comes in as I was touching up my make up.

"Jon is here downstairs waiting for you. He was with your dad in the family room. I am glad he's taking you. I want you there happy not like the Christmas party".

" Thanks, mom, I will be there in a minute".

"OK take your time. No rush".

Once really I came down to the family room. I can hear them talking always business. Jon was never into sports like his brother. I wonder how he is spending New Year's.

" You look beautiful, Bethan," Jon says to me as I walk in the door.

"Thank you Jon" I reply "You look handsome in your tux".

" Shall we go " he holds out his hand. We walk together to the town car we are taking to the party. We get in one and my parents get in the other car. We get to the grand hall of the fanciest 5-star hotel. Everyone from the company was there all sat at the tables waiting for the CEO, my dad to arrive.

"Feeling better than at the Christmas party Bethan," asks Jon pulling a chair out for me to sit down on.

"Yes thank you".

" I'm so glad you offered to be her date, Jon" replied my mom "She was so withdrawn at Christmas".

Jon smiles and nods while sitting next to me. My dad looks over at us with a smile. Now did my parents prefer Jon to Jordan? Or am I overthinking things? I look away and look at the room. There was a band again like Christmas with a dance floor. Jon's family were sitting at a table nearby to us. Jon has a big family compared to me. I try not to look over too much as I will see Jordan there sitting with his family. I wonder if they have heard anything from him yet.

"Hey Jon, have you heard from Jordan?".

" No," he says sadly " Not for a while not since last time".

The party was a big fancy dinner then a band and dancing later. The dinner was a three-course meal and lots of wine. How are you supposed to dance with a full stomach? My dad, Jon and Jon's dad were spending their time eating, drinking and talking business. Can they talk about anything else besides business, sport maybe. Even though the whole meal its been all about business. I am so bored. I sip my wine looking like I was interested. But I am not. I excuse myself to go to the restroom. A few minutes on my own will be enough just to get away from the business talk. I used the facilities and touch up my makeup. I take my phone out of my burgundy clutch bag. I have a message.

Unknown number: HAPPY NEW YEAR.

I wonder if it is from Jordan again like the Christmas message. Why won't he call? We are still friends. I risk it by calling the number but it just rings and rings. I guess it's not who I think it is then. I put my phone back into my bag and walk back to Jon and my parent's table to finish our dinner. Dessert was served at 10 pm. There were boring speeches to go through before we all took to the dancefloor at 11.15 pm. My dad did his normal annual speech about how well the company has been doing and its goals for the new year. There will be some new changes in a year or so. I wonder what can they be? I know my dad is 51 now and Mr Knight senior is 9 years older and nearly at retirement age or what they call slowing downtime and plenty of golf.

"Enough about me yapping on about business. Get out on that dancefloor and enjoy yourselves. It's forty-five minutes until the bell strikes midnight".

" Shall we dance" I replied to Jon.

"Aren't I supposed to ask?".

" OK".

"Would you do the honour of having this dance".

" I thought you'd never ask. Come on".

We had a few songs to dance too before I was stolen by my dad for one. My dad likes his traditions as I am always to have one dance with him at functions like this. Then I was back with Jon. I was having so much fun for once. Then Jon's dad wanted a dance with me. Then we were back together but it wasn't long for the band to stop playing and my dad was up on stage again.

"Ready to cheer the New Year in" replies my dad.

Jon looks down at me and places his hands on my waist to hold me towards him. I look up at him into his hazel brown eyes.

10...

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

Then Jon kisses me and I kiss him to welcome the new year. He pulls me in and I wrap my arms around his neck. It feels so special now. He pulls away.

"Can I take you out sometime?".

" You have tonight".

"No on a proper date".

" Yes I would like that" I replied "But first can you help me to the restroom as I'm going to be sick".

" You couldn't hold your drink at the Christmas party".

"You got me. I'm a light drinker. I always don't drink this much" I put my hands up in the air.

"Let's get you to your room, shall we?".

" You would love that, wouldn't you Jon?".

"You're tipsy, Bethan".

Jon helped me to my room as we were all staying at the hotel tonight. Before I passed out and blackness took me. I remember Jon helping me to the toilet and change into something more comfortable to sleep in. Then I crashed...