The Date Planner

2. 7. Fuck You, Clinton

To say, I was in a phase for a while would be an understatement.

I blinked at the cameras, the flashing lights, blinding smiles send my way and the people I didn't remember much, now seemed blurry to my memory.

But I nodded their way, smiled at their mentions, answered what I thought was polite enough for them and the only one holding me throughout it was Olivia.

Bless her soul, she was really into this.

When I asked her about it, she only said, 'I always give everything my best'.

And that was it. She matched my vibe, complimented me the way she should've as my date. Light hearted jokes and all smiles despite her playfulness.

An aristocrat American indeed.

But she wasn't Justine.

Who I still hadn't spotted in the party. Nor Ben.

Liza and Camilla by the bar, donned in beautiful gowns.

Liza even dared to raise a champagne glass towards me when she caught my gaze. Not hiding her stealthy look towards Olivia which only surprised me a little.

Halfway through, I caught upto mom. To say she was delighted to see me with Olivia would be an understatement.

Even gushed about Olivia's dress. Apparently, it was one of my mom's design, a Faux gifted by my mom to Olivia for today's special event itself.

That is until her date caught upto her.

"What in God's name..." I start but stop short at the sight of Ben.

Ben was my mom's date for the night?

Seeing my flabbergasted face, mom decided to fill me in on the situation.

"Oh honey, he's just giving me company tonight, nothing serious. I know how much you hate seeing me with those old looney's I bring. So, I thought I might go for something young this time. Unfortunately, only Ben was available at the time. He had no issues with accompanying me so I took him up on his offer", she waves a nonchalant hand in the air like it's nothing.

I glare at Ben, silently. He has the nerve to smirk at me after that.

Mom who's completely oblivious to my glaring whispers to Olivia further, not low enough that it escapes my ears though.

"If rumors are to be believed tonight, I'm the hottest woman amongst that gang", she chuckles, pointing to a group of former business owners who have passed down their legacies forward.

Hearing that, I'm probably the incarnation of - 'Kill me now'.

This is way worse than she used to bring those old looney's with her. I don't understand how this is supposed to make me feel better.

And suddenly, I'm reminded of Cole.

Isn't this exactly what it would be like for him to see Justine without Clinton? Not now because he's too young to understand but maybe in the future. Maybe that is why he was cold towards me before.

That turns my blood cold. No kid deserves that.

And that's when I grow quiet without anyone's notice again. Silently, pledging myself that I won't let it happen to him. Not under my watch.

My smiles turn wary and it shows in my eyes, my demeanor probably.

Which is probably why Olivia pulls me towards the bar after a while.

She orders up something for us but I'm too busy in my head, gazing into the endless crowd who have come to celebrate me. Except for me. I don't feel it. All of it only makes me feel even more hollow inside.