Once the day of the party came, Timothy was brought to Grian’s house so he’ll be safe there. A helper is going to take care of him as Fatima and Philippe are away. Nikki was helping Fatima get ready, while Grian was helping Philippe in the other room. Since the party is at night, they have a lot of time to get ready.
“Oh, come on! You’ll look so good, just let me do what I want,” Nikki pushed her idea and Fatima frowned. She looked at her face in the mirror and sighed. “The makeup is going to be so heavy!” she exclaimed but Nikki shook her head and grabbed a brush.
“Trust me,” she whispered, making Fatima a little afraid of what she’ll do to her face.
While she sat there, Nikki started to do her magic. She stayed as still as possible while Nikki was applying the eyeshadow and eyeliner on her eyelids. The theme that Nikki chose is red to match the color of her dress. After both eyes were done, she moved on to her nose to define its shape. “You’re going to make me sneeze,” she said and snorted. Nikki almost laughed but stopped herself.
WHILE THEY WERE GETTING ready, Christopher arrived at the house and saw Timothy watching cartoons in the living room. He approached the little guy and sat next to him. “Ice cream man!” he explained and Christopher raised his eyebrows and realized what he meant. Timothy remembers the time he bought ice cream for him.
“Do you like the show?” Tim nodded.
“Where’s your sister?” he asked and the kid pointed at the door across the room and he nodded. He leaned back on the couch as he also watched the television.
His phone started ringing and saw it was from his mother. He stood up from his seat and walked away from Tim before answering the call. “Why are you not picking up Hannah?!” His mother’s voice was very high, hurting his ears.
He wrinkled his nose before answering, “I already told you, I’m going alone,” he said and you can hear the furiousness in his mother’s voice.
“Why are you being so stubborn? Is this because of that woman again?” He sighed and didn’t answer her.
“She’s been gone for like- a decade or something! You’re with Hannah now and you’re going to pick her up or else-“
“Or what?” he challenged and his mother paused.
The door of the room where Fatima was in opened, followed by her footsteps coming out. He turned around and saw her wearing the gorgeous dress that suits her body shape. The night makeup done by Nikki complemented the dress as the color matches.
He slowly lowered his phone, ignoring whatever his mother was telling him next. He clicked the end call button before walking to Fatima. “You look.. lovely,” he complimented and their eyes met.
Her mouth agape before looking away and clearing her throat. “Thanks, I guess..” she answered and he smiled. Nikki clapped happily because of her work of art.
“Isn’t she so pretty!” Chris chuckled lightly and his eyes didn’t leave Fatima. Her face matured but was still beautiful as ever. The makeup even enhanced her facial features even more.
Fatima was shyly looking away. All of the things that happened are starting to feel like a dream now. She’s slowly realizing that her old lover, friend, and the street she grew up in are all coming back to her. It all feels surreal yet amazing.
She looked over at Chris who’s still looking at her and she shyly smiled. Her heart started beating fast which confused her. It’s been so long, he shouldn’t have an effect on her anymore. (He does look hot though,) she thought to herself before throwing the idea away.
The other door opened and both Grian and Philippe went out of the room wearing their formal outfit. The three turned around and looked at them. “Would you look at that,” Fatima said as she looked at her brother who chuckled. Nikki was left speechless and her cheeks turned red.
“Looking good, Grian,” Chris said and Grian smirked.
“As always,” he cockily answered and Chris rolled his eyes. “I still look better,” Christopher said before smirking as well.
“Uhm, what shoes am I going to wear?” Fatima asked in a low tone, completely forgetting about this part. They all went silent as they realized it one by one.
“Oh no, we need to get her shoes!” Nikki said in panic and urged her brother.
“Uhm, can I just wear these slippers? The dress isn’t showing my feet anyways,” she suggested but Nikki shook her head profusely and held her hand. “You are not going to a fancy gathering wearing slippers, I won’t allow it!” she exclaimed like an older sister before holding Christopher on the arm.
“Drive me to our house, now!”
Philippe, Grian, and Fatima were left in the house waiting for the two. Grian looked at Fatima in amusement and admiration. “Are you actually my date? You look too pretty to be my date,” he slyly asked and she giggled and rolled her eyes.
“Shut up, Grian.” (Stop making my heart flutter,) she thought to herself.
She looked at him up and down. It’s strange to see him in formal wear but the suit looks good on him. His usual messy hair now looks slick. And his face, still handsome as ever. “Checking me out, I see?” She looked away and rolled her eyes before shaking her head.
“I’m still here,” Philippe said in annoyance and he looked at Grian with squinted eyes. He laughed before shrugging and Phil shook his head.
After a while, the siblings arrived with high heels in paper bags. “Why- there’s so many,” Grian confusedly said. Nikki put her arms on her waist as she looked at the heels. “You wouldn’t understand, this is important to a girl,” she said before grabbing black high heels and handing them to Fatima.
“Are you sure you want her to wear that?” Chris asked, skeptical about the height of the heels.
“Yes!” she immediately answered.
Fatima wore the heels with hesitancy in her mind. Once she put it on, she stood up from her seat, trying to get used to the arc and height. She took a deep breath and started walking. She was doing well till she lost her balance. “Shit.” She was about to fall but someone caught her.
She waited to hit the concrete floor but she didn’t. She opened her eyes and saw Christopher looking down on her. “Be careful, sweetheart,” he said with a smirk before helping her stand up. Her heart started beating fast and she took a deep breath. “Hmm, okay. Maybe not that one,” Nikki said and continued looking through the shoes like nothing happened. Fatima sat down as Christopher looked at her and Grian looked at Christopher.
When the night came, Nikki and Philippe were brought to the party first by Christopher who refused to go with Hannah, his supposed date tonight. Grian and Fatima stayed behind for a bit before going to the party because of Timothy. “Don’t give your babysitter too much trouble, okay?” she reminded him and he nodded happily before looking at the screen again. She patted his head before turning to Grian.
“Let’s go,” she said and he nodded.
He helped her walk outside since she’s not so used to what she’s wearing but she’s getting more used to it. The heels aren’t as tall as the other one but it’s still tall. Grian opened the car door for her and she entered the car and put on her seatbelt before he entered the driver’s seat. “Thanks for considering Tim as well,” she said and he smiled.
“Of course. If he was my kid I’d be extremely worried if I just left him alone,” he expressed his thoughts and she laughed and looked at him while her head was slightly slanted to the left. “I guess you’ll be a good dad?” she said and he chuckled and nodded.
“Of course,” he said.
[Flashback Start]
“Stay in there you pathetic kid till I say so,” Grian’s father commanded with authority as he closed the closet and tied the doors of it with a rope so he couldn't get out. He cried in agony as his father and mother fought.
“This is excessive! He’s a kid, he makes mistakes!” His mother struggled to untie the rope around the door and she was pulled away making her scream.
Grian tried pushing the closet open to help his mom but failed. He cried harder as he heard his mother shouting at his father to stop. “Don’t you question me!” he screamed and hit her in the face. She fell to the ground as she held her cheeks. A tear fell from her eyes as she looked up to her husband.
Grian looked between the crack of the closet and watched his parents. His mother hit him in the head with a vase and he fell down on the ground, unconscious. His mother rushed to the tied closet and removed the rope and opened the door. She sighed in relief once she saw her child again and hugged him before carrying him out of the house.
[Flashback End]
Memories of his father came back to him but he brushed them off. Ever since he was a kid, he swore to the Gods to never be like his father. “You’d be a great mother too. Considering how good of a sister you are,” he said with a wide smile and she shrugged.
“I just want the best for them. Give them what our mother couldn’t give,” she said and the two stayed silent while reminiscing. Two people with scars from their terrible parents. One with his father, one with her mother. Both share the same trauma.
Once they arrived at the party, Grian opened the door for her again and offered his hand. “My lady,” he said and bowed a little, making her giggle.
She held his arm as they walked inside the party. Upon going inside, they were greeted by servers while the other guests looked at them with different emotions on each individual’s face. She looked down, a little embarrassed by the people while Grian walked with confidence. “This is uncomfortable, why are they looking?” She whispered to Grian and he grinned.
“Probably admiring how gorgeous you are,” he answered with a smirk and she felt flustered.
From a distance, they saw Nikki waving at them while she’s next to Philippe. They approached the pair and Nikki pulled out her camera. “Let’s all take a picture!” Excitement is evident in her voice and expression.
“Take a picture of me and Fatima,” Grian asked Nikki and she rolled her eyes before turning the camera on. She led the pair to a spot where it looks good to take a picture from before taking pictures of them. “Don’t make me look awkward!” Fatima joked and started to enjoy hanging out with them.
“Just act natural, girl!” Nikki said and continued taking pictures as Fatima and Grian chuckled.
“Take a picture of Phil and me too,” she said and handed the camera to Fatima before dragging Philippe.
Fatima knows how to use a camera since she owned one before but sold it. The pictures are stored in an SD card she saved though. “Hold on..” she mumbled as the camera wouldn't click. Grian looked at her before helping her out by putting his arm around her to hold the left side of the camera while his other arm was at the right.
“You have to turn that on first,” Grian said in a low voice and she can feel his breath since they’re so close together. She cleared her throat, trying not to get distracted by him as she looked through the camera and took pictures of the couple. She took deep breaths, trying to calm her heart down.
“Let me see!” Nikki exclaimed before taking the camera and looking through the photos. “We look so cute,” she told Philippe and he wrinkled his nose.
“C-can you move a little?” Fatima whispered and Grian scratched his head and moved away.
“Hey!” They turned to look to the left and saw Christopher walking towards them acting like an almighty king. “Missed me?” he asked them with a smirk.
“Where have you been?” Nikki asked and he shrugged, not answering her question. He turned to Fatima and offered his hand. “I’d like to take a picture with the pretty lady,” he confidently said and she looked away. She blinked a couple of times before looking at him.
“Go on,” Nikki urged the two and Fatima smiled awkwardly before following Christopher. They took pictures as well as Grian watched with his arms crossed. Once they were finished taking pictures, Christopher was about to ask her something but they were interrupted.
“Chris! Why’d you leave me!” A high-pitched voice was heard from a distance. They turned to the right side and saw a woman wearing a yellow dress before running to Chris and pushing Fatima away. She almost fell but she caught herself.
“Watch it,” Fatima said and the woman turned to her. The girl raised her eyebrow and looked at her up and down. “Who are you? Why are you even taking pictures with my fiance, gosh!” The woman said, irritated. Fatima confusedly looked at Christopher who seemed to be rethinking his life decisions.
“Are you cheating on me!?” Some guests turned to look at them and Chris sighed before prying her off.
“We’re not together, Hannah. I told you, leave me alone,” Chris said before cleaning his suit. Now his night is ruined. “Chris!” she shouted. Fatima tried walking away but Chris held her hand and Hannah’s eyes widened.
“What’s going on here?” An older woman asked and Fatima’s eyes widened when she recognized her as Christopher’s mother. She froze in place as the woman closed in. Both her and his mother were stunned to see one another. “You?” she asked in shock.
“Is this the reason, Christopher?!” His mother was causing a scene and the others didn't know what to do and the guests were looking at them as well. “Mom-“ Nikki tried to butt in but their mother glared at her, making her shut up.
“Explain this to me!” Christopher looked at her and Hannah before turning to Fatima and smiling. She confusedly looked at them and he held her shoulder. “Meet Fatima Mendez, my girlfriend,” he said casually and her eyes widened in disbelief together with Hannah and his mother.
“What the fuck, Chris?” Grian asked in annoyance before taking Fatima away from him but he didn’t let go of her hand.
“Don’t tell me you’re fighting over her? You’re not teens anymore, my god!” His mother held her head and Fatima removed both the men’s hold on her and ran out of the place.
“Fatima!” Christopher ran after her and Grian followed behind. Nikki and Philippe were left there, speechless to what just happened. She dragged Philippe away before her mother started scolding her because of him.
Once Fatima was outside, Chris was fast enough to catch her. “Why did you tell that to your mother!” she exclaimed as her breathing became ragged. “Fatima, listen-“ He was interrupted.
“Do you even remember how fucked the things she did to me before?! Now you go introduce me like that again? Do you want my life to be a living hell again?”
“Fatima-“ Grian was behind the two, watching the things unfold. He stopped midway as he didn't know how to defuse the situation.
“Leave me alone,” she commanded.
“But-“
“Go, Christopher. I don’t want to talk to you right now.” He had no choice but to leave hesitantly. Once he was gone, Grian approached her. “Leave me alone,” she told him.
“Fatima…” he mumbled and she looked at him with frustration in her eyes. “Please, Grian. Just let me be for a while. I’ll go back inside later,” she said with an affirmative smile and he sighed. He held his waist before nodding.