CHAPTER 3

(Laya P.O.V)

I look at his big brown eyes uttering no word. He is able -bodied person in his thirties, maybe, wearing a black suit and pink shirt without tie. The first bottom of his shirt is opened; he seems relaxed with his body. He is good looking. “No, thanks.” I feel that I saw him somewhere but I couldn't remember, he is familiar.

 “Please!” He insists.

 Oh, God! It is not your time man. “I say thank you. I hope you are not deaf, aren’t you?”

  He gives me a wide smile and says: "Sorry, but I couldn't stop myself from hearing your voice and I'm sure it's not just me who heard you."

    Well that's totally a lie. 

    As I turn my heels I find her, Selly. She looks so beautiful. “Hi, where have you been? You’re late Fifteen minutes, it is not you at all. Are you okay?” She says hugging me.

  “Yeah. I’m alright, here I am. And sorry for being late.” I apologize. The fifteen minutes you' re talking about were wasted with that stupid guy behind me

   She leans back scanning me, I think, for what? I don’t know, is there anything wrong with me? “Wow. You look gorgeous, Lyly.” And hugs me again, what is here problem? “Oh, Adam! We are so delighted to be here with us.” Woah! He is Morrison Adam that one? And which kind of guests! I thought …  oh what ashame. Should I apologize? What for? No, I don’t. he deserves. I heard about him from Peter but never meet him or see his face.

  “Thanks Selena, it is my pleasure.” They shake hands. He looks at both of us and I know this look very well, he wants her to introduce me to him. Selena looks at me questioning what I am doing here with that guy.

  “Mr. Morrison, Peter’s friend. Laya My friend.” She introduces us to each other.

  “This is you then! Nice to meet you… Laya.” He holds his hand to me, so I have to take it.

  “Do you know me? I'm not that famous.”

   He nods. As I shake his hand, his hand is big and so strong; he must be an army man, bodyguard or.... wait why am I thinking about him? It is none of my business at all. 

  "Actully, Peter told me about you a lot. You are his friend too right?"

  "I see." All what I say.

  The salon is big, it is in white and as I can see, there are more than one hundred guests. As Selena leading me, I scan the big crowded salon. Peter, my friend too, is sitting there, in grey, and he is a talented person in his domain, Architecture. I met him by Selena; they are friends but…. too close. Mr. Lewis Peterson, the successful businessman known ever in his years, accompanied with his wife and his daughter, Selly’s sister’s friend, Claire. Mr. James, Doctor’s Family, and other people I can’t remember their names among them the folks.

  “En fin! You came.” I return to see Margaret, mother of Selly with her beautiful smile. “We were worried, are you OK honey?” she said as she hugs me tightly. Damn, what’s wrong with Hanna’s family!

  “Yeah, it is problem of traffic. Sorry for making you worry.” I lies.

  “Don’t be Lyly, you are my daughter too, and I love you.”

  “Thank you, happy wedding anniversary” I love her too, she really cares about me, just like a mother toward her daughter. She has a beautiful face and soul, unlike her husband. “Umm… this is for you, I hope you will like it.” I give her the painting.

  “Oh, darling. Thank you so much.”

  “By the way, Nana salutes all of you and she wishes you a happy married life. She couldn’t come.”

  “I know she phoned me. All my greetings to her.”

  “Mom, laters.” Selly snaps at her mother.

   Selly takes my hand and we head to her bedroom, it is big, I like its color, it is pink, girlish color. Despite of five years of friendship, I have never been here, in her house, it is strange but it's a fact.

  “Are you ready?” She says with her big eyes on me.

  “For what?” I ask. She raises my cello.

  “Eeee….” I stutter, checking for a response. Do I?

  “Look, take it easy Lyly…”

  “Ok, I get it enough...” I don’t want her to repeat the same lecture. I close my eyes then open them again and say, “I get enough lectures today… Yeah, I am.” 

  “Then, lets go. All the guests must be here.”

  Selly shows me my sit, it is in the corner of the room, and thus, no one can see me, GOOD POSITION. I take my cello, holding it in a perfect position. I didn’t decide which peace I should play, but the first peace comes to my mind at that moment is my favorite one. I close my eyes seeing mom there… dancing while start playing.

  When I finish and open my eyes, I see the guests looking directly at me. “OMG, no way!” It is the only I can say. I am choked, I am freezing, can’t help myself. All of them! No, I hate being a center of attention.

  Selly claps her hand together and smiles with glee, she takes me by surprise and hugs me tighter as she says, “Well done honey, you did it.” Then Ma’am Margaret acts the same as Selly. I try to process all what happened and I blink.

  “Please, can I get a glass of sparkling mineral water?” I say to the one of the waiters who wearing black and red uniform.

  “Sure.” He replies.

  Mr. Hannah John is here, finally. “Hello.” He says it as if he is obliged to do so. It would be better if he doesn’t, I hate the tone he uses and the aggressive face he gives me. I know he doesn’t like me being here, or being in his family life, I can understand that because of my past, my racism and my family. I don’t like him because of that, but because I find him imperious somehow, well I can understand why Selly is so close to her mother than to him, no room to compare. How bizarre that a woman like Margaret got married with that guy.

  “Hello, Mr. Hannah.” I reply.

  Then, he left. He comes only to say “Hello” to me?

  “Wow. I am a big fun of yours ma’am, can I have your orthography, please?” Claire says distracting me. She hugs me; she is herself, a victim of fashion.

  “Sure. What is your name and to whom?” I reply and she giggles.

  The waiter gives me the glass interrupting us “Ma’am.” I am not Ma’am.

  “Thanks.”

  “Long time! I miss you.”

  “Yeah. Me too, how are you doing?” I take a sip and looking to her and the guy beside her.

  “Well. Umm…this Luke my boyfriend.”

  “Hi” He says, and I give him a smile. Claire is a girl of nineteen, so young. I think if my sister came to life, she would be in her age. I see my sister in her, she is.

  “It is a magical piece, you are such a gifted person.” He says.

  “Thank you.”

  “You see, not only me.” Claire said.

  “Hi everybody.” Peter utters with his big smile.

  "Hi" We say it all at once.

 He looks at me puzzled, I take another sip waiting him to talk, but he doesn’t.

  “What?” I say.

  “Where were you all the time?”

  “It is not your time Peter, I’m begging you. Please.” I’m not in a mood of joking.

  "Hmm, I am sur Selly did the job, but you look stunning." He adds.

  "Thanks."

  “Are you ok?” He says.

  “Yeah!”

  "Sure?" He insists.

  "Do you doubt that?" I think that Peter is so nervous, but why? Before I ask him Adam comes.

  “Adam, my friend, Mr. Morrison, and Ms Khalifa Laya." Peter says.We stare at each other.

  "Have you met before?" Peter asks and we nod. 

  "See you around" Claire says and leaves with the guy as Selly come.

  "Here you are. I was looking for you." Peter utters.

  "Lyly, Adam, enjoy the party, we'll be right back." Selly and Peter say then leaving us alone.

  “No doubt, a beautiful cello under a skillful fingers making a wonderful peace.” Adam articulates. Well, besides his beautiful appearance, he has a smart mouth. All men are from the same planet. I give him a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. "are you still playing?" he asks.

  "Sorry?"

  "I didn't see you in the orchestra, the last time I did was about 5 years ago. I'm fond of your music." He continues.

  "I don't play any more." I say.

  "But you were the most talented one…"

  "For personal reasons." I cut him off.

  “What do you do, Lyly?” He says. Here we go, before I was Laya then I become Lyly. How a quick change he made!

  “A lawyer.”

  “Interesting job, isn' it?.” Never taking his eyes off me.

  “Sorry.” Selly and Peter join us with another guy.

  “Good evening everybody.” The guy says.

  "Hello, Mr. Jasper! How are you doing?" Adam says.

  "Doing well, how is your father, Mr. Marcus?" Mr. Jasper asks.

  "Didn't see him but I guess he is well." 

   What the hell! I feel my face is pale, the blood leaves my whole body. My heart beats so fast as if I’m running a Marathon of five hundred miters. I barely take a breath. It is hard to take breath, really hard. He is his father! Why I didn't know that? They have the same name?  I feel my head is running but Selly take my arm and asks me: "Are you alright?” She takes a step closer to me so no one can hear us. I shake my head, even me I don’t know.

  “How is the gorgeous lady with you?" Jasper asks. I take a moment to know that he looks at me.

  "Fine, thank you." I reply.

  "No wonder that you take his heart, how lucky are you Mr. Morrison!" He says his eyes never leaving me.

  "I am..." Adam interrupts me "Yes, I am". what the hell is going on. I give him a look What are you saying bustard. God! How annoying he is. Adam quickly changes the subject talking about their business, Selly turns her attention to me, “Lyly, can I talk to you?” I stare at her. “Five minutes, please?” She continues. 

   "Ok" I say to her then turn my attention to Mr. Jasper, "Mr. Jasper, nice to meet you. Before leaving I want to clarify something whatever you are thinking about me, I don't know Mr. Morrison and I don't have any relation with him."

   Selly takes my hand leading me to the kitchen, I can feel that she is nervous.

   “Ladies and gentlemen, please your attention.” Mr. Hanna calls. All the attention is dressed to him. “Thank you for being here, for me and for my beautiful, beloved and lovely wife. Thank you for sharing this happiness of twenty-eight years of marriage, of love and of trust. I personally want to thank my wife and my partner as well for her support…”

  “Your father is giving…” I say

   “I can hear him. I am not deaf.” She interrupts me. 

  “You didn’t tell me about him before? I can’t believe this. You and Adam together!” She says.    

   “Tell you what? Don't be silly.” She looks at me and I know she refers to what. It is not the way she thinks. “Look, I just know him. I thought he is so... he is not my type at all." She stares at me not believing me " Well, tell me what is the surprise?” trying to distract her.

  “It is not my point, tell me.” She is curious as ever.

  “Why don't you tell me what you and Peter hide from me?”

  “Damn you are such....”

   Peter enters the kitchen interrupting us. It's strange, he doesn’t leave her a minute, I wonder what is going on between them? Does he know about the surprise? Is it about them too? " You are the bravest woman I've never met Lyly, you are the first one who did that to him." He says smiling at me “It is time honey.” He says. They turn to me before leaving the kitchen.

    I sit in the kitchen for moments; I take three big glasses of water as if I’m in desert in the midday. Keep calm.

   “…For this special night, I am honored to spread the latest news here, in this moment and in front of you all, wanting to share it with you that” she stops and looks at Selly with a smile “My daughter, Selly and the handsome Peter are declare to be a wife and husband and you are the first who know. Thank you.”

   What? Wedding? She doesn’t know what is she doing… Selly…God please help her. She has no idea what she is getting herself into. 

  “Are you leaving?” Oh, no!

  “Actually… Yeah…”

  “You can congratulate me… At least…It is what the real friends do. Am I wrong?” She says and tears in her eyes.

  “No. Please, don’t…”

  “It is the happy moment in my life, and I… You too…” 

  “Me too?” I question her.

  “Mr. Hannah is totally against this marriage, and you… I need you, you are the only one I trust and I need your support. You are my friend the only one I have, not just friend, you 're more than sister to me.”

  “Please, I am by your side, and always I'll be.” I word as I hug her.

  We head outside from the crowd. “Sorry, Selly but you know my opinion about marriage. I can’t…” I try to find the words.  

   “Lyly. I love him, and he loves me. I want to have a family with him, small family; husband and children around me. I want to be with Peter for the rest of my life. Believe me it is not the way you think.”

   “It has nothing to do with my thinking it is a fact, Selly.”

   “No! It doesn’t. You believe it in that way so it is easy to find it like that. When you'll fall in love one day, you’ll remember my words.”

   “I’ll do it. Only for you.”

   “Fall in love?”

   “Stop. Don’t start.” And she laughs whipping her tears and her nose.

   “Peter is alone, you should go. It is your night.”

   “This weekend, we should talk, I need to.”

   “Look for it.”

   “I love you Lyly.” She says and leaves.

   I sit on the stairs, watching the stars and the moon. It is a little cold, so I hug myself. I need moments with myself, far from this world. God! I feel boring, I send a message to Nana to take me home. How could be my life if they were alive, if we were a family, one happy family together, so many things would be changed in a better way. Not sure, but better than it is, it wouldn’t be a shitty life, my shitty life. Yes, Life is not for everyone... Not for me.

   Sometimes I want to be a thing, anything that to feel nothing. Suicide is not a solution ever. We need supports from our folks because it nourishes our confidence, rekindled our hope and strength to keep going. It is so true say ‘Sometimes even to live is an ACT OF COURAGE’. Thus, life is based on two things; confidence and strength and I doubt to have them both.

  I take a deep steady breath, once, twice, and here he is, Mr. Morrison on the phone with somebody, but He doesn’t see me.

  “Yep…. What? ….. NO, don’t…. Leave it as soon as possible…” God. He is so pissed "Listen Edward leave the f**k now. It is an Order…You may be killed… Ok, call me when you leave.” When he hangs up his phone he saw me. He sits besides me on the stairs. “Can I?” He asks.

  “I think you are , you don’t need my permission.”

  “Are you angry?”

 "Who is asking."

 "Business matter."

 "So, you are."

 "Not now." He says but no respond from me, I try to figure out this person in front of me.

 "Are you cold?"

Yes, I am but I didn’t answer him. He takes off his jacket and puts it on me. “No need” I try to pull it off, but he puts his hand on my shoulders. I am neither his girlfriend nor his wife to do this act. I should stop him.

 “You’ll get cold.” His hands don’t leave me.

 "None of your business, and I’m not. Thanks.” I insist, so I give it back to him.

 "Are you always like that?"

 "What?"

 "Having a bad temper?"

 "Only with strangers and arrogant people." As I say these words he smiles.