Partial Royalty

CHAPTER 7

Time sure flies fast as my 15th birthday had come. My mother insisted I throw a party when I didn't want to but I had no choice. I was wearing Ermenegildo Zegna's, black satin-wool suit and might I say, I looked like a million bucks. Figuratively and Literally. My mother superintended the motif and everything else. I wore a matte black mask on over my face.
Bored out of my face, I decided to explore the hall more and maybe I could find something interesting to deal with. It wasn't until a woman about my height came into view. I was under the impression that it was another of my mother's friends but when I went a little closer my jaw almost dropped. Backless, fitted black gown, bouncing cascades of curls, golden stilettos, minimalistic golden jewelry and a black mask embellished with small golden beads and glitter. I never thought someone could be this beautiful, this truly gave me a whole new definition of it. I notice a small smile working its ways to her plump lips. I hurried towards her and she throws herself to me. I caught her, and we both lose our balance and fell. Amelia laughed loudly still hovering above me and those who had witnessed it grimaced, and little didn't mind. Like I care about them.

"Happy Birthday, Jasper!" Amelia squealed.

"Thank you."

"Boy you clean up well." She gapes.

"You don't look too bad yourself, Amelia." I replied sheepishly.

"We both look good." Amelia proclaimed rolling to her side and together we lay on the floor. She grabbed my hand and gave it a little squeeze. So I look at her and notice a tear rolling down her cheek. My instincts kick in.

"What's the matter?" I ask worriedly and I help her up to her feet.

"I must've gotten glitter in my eye." She sniffled, wiping the tear away with the back of her hand.

"Are you alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I'm just so happy for you! My Jasper is now 15 years of age!" She hugged me once more even tighter this time.

"Are you sure you're fine? You can tell me anything really." I said as I rub her back soothingly and stroke her hair while I was at it.

"Yes, of course I am." She releases me from her grasp and clasps her hand with mine instead. I lead her to our respective tables. It kept bothering me how she had hugged me earlier, it's as if there had an underlying reason to it and the way that she had held my hand so tightly, like she feared I might let go or...leave? Or perhaps I'm reading too much into it. Amelia was always very cryptic and unpredictable, I'm afraid of what would come to light.

"Are you hungry?" I asked her.

"I'm famished." She says, ruby her stomach in a circular motion.

"Didn't you eat before you left?"

"I haven't eaten anything since this morning. I had to otherwise the dress wouldn't fit." Do women necessarily dress pretty but at the cost of their health?

"You didn't need to do that, your health is far more important."

"Well, it's done now. At least I could eat now." She replied with a reassuring smile.

"Stay here, I'll fetch you some." I insisted. I stood from my seat, but before I could turn away to leave, I felt her pull at my sleeve and I immediately reverted my gaze.

"Don't forget the strawberry everything." She lets go and I proceeded. I made sure there were strawberries on the menu. When I reached the desert table, the thought of her kept prying on my mind. It was beginning to become bothersome. Yes, there's something wrong, I can tell from that sad smile she always showed me. Maybe her mother crossed the line this time. There must be something I can do. Maybe I can ask her to stay the night so we could talk things through. I took a plate and began filling it with all the deserts she requested. When I headed back, I place the platter in front of her and she jumps at the sight of me. Her hands shuffle to the edge of the round table and snatched a handful of strawberries and ate them.