Chase and Company

Chapter Twenty Two: A Birthday Bash

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                I wanted to cry as soon as Landon led me into the hotel’s banquet hall.

               “Baby girl, there’s no turning back,” he whispered to me.

               “Yes, but you guys forgot to mention that this party is for your brother’s eighteenth birthday,” I hissed, my mouth turning dry. I wanted to bang my head against the wall. A party on Aiden’s birthday, hosted by none other than his mom. I couldn’t believe I was stupid enough not to put two and two together.

               The room was lavish. People laden with fine clothes milled around and the middle of the room was clear for the dance floor, the grand crystal chandelier overseeing it all. Servers weaved through the crowd with platters laden with delicacies and music softly played from an unknown source.

               “We were afraid you wouldn’t come if we told you,” Landon said, leading me to where his mom was entertaining a few adults, equally as glitzy as her. “We didn’t even know if you remembered that it’s Aiden’s birthday.”

               Keeping my gaze forward, I said softly, “I did.”

               By the time we reached Ms. Evelina, she had finished chatting to her colleagues. She turned to us, smiling brilliantly, her glittering black gown sweeping at the movement. “Well don’t you two look absolutely stunning together? A perfect match.”

               While Landon dressed himself in a simple black suit with a champagne tie and swept his shaggy blonde hair semi-neatly to the side, he decided to go full-out with me. He practically forced me into my dress and had Camille fix my hair and makeup.

               “You’re my date, and that means you’re held at high standards,” he had told me. I rolled my eyes at the time. “Plus, if Aiden is to see you, then you better make him regret leaving you.” That was what made me give in.

               And that was how I was dressed in an airy, champagne gown that trailed on the floor, its silhouette really did reminding me of an upside-down flute of champagne. The neckline sliced low, but not nearly as deep as the back of the dress. The top layer of the gown was a golden sheer, silky material that overlaid the thin fabric of the cream bodice and its skirt.

               I smiled politely at Ms. Evelina, widening my lips, colored to a soft pink. “Thank you.”

               “Shay, you look absolutely breathtaking,” Ms. Evelina continued. “Your hair and makeup perfectly complete your whole look.”

                “Compliment Camille for my look,” I told her. Camille swept my hair up to show off the back of my dress. A curl or two softly framed my face as the rest were loosely pinned up, accentuated by the hair comb that resembled a wreath of sparkling leaves and pearl flowers. My makeup was just as sparkly as the rest of me, a similar champagne color on my eyelids and a dark wine staining my lips, while my eyelashes were as dark and as fluttery as can be.

                “She does look perfect, doesn’t she?” Landon agreed with his mother. “I’m lucky to have such a beautiful date on my arm.”

                I blushed. “It’s an amazing party, Ms. Evelina,” I said, trying to deviate some of the spotlight off myself. “To be honest, I’m surprised that your son agreed to this.”