Brimming

Anne

I tried once again to draw my brows but ended up drawing a map to the treasure island. At least that’s what I thought it looked like.

“It’s no use, I’ve messed up my face,” I sighed, looking up at my two stunning, gorgeously dressed roomies.

They both gasped on seeing my face.

“Anny! What have you done? You just couldn’t wait, could you?” That was Jane, the make-up artist.

The party was today at 7 pm and It was 5 pm already.

“Yikes, Jenny! Come on, it’s already five!” I wailed.

Jane laughed at my nervousness and came over to do my hair and makeup.

Andrew had invited Jane and Pamela to his dad’s party and they were so psyched about it. I was happier because I would be seeing more familiar faces other than that of Andrew and Vincent. With my friends, real fun was assured.

They had both returned to school for the party and we went shopping a week prior for dresses and shoes to match. There, they helped me pick out a dress.

Jane had on a strapless peach gown that hugged her slender waist, cascading down to her ankle with a front side slit ending mid-thigh. She added an extension to her brown hair and packed it in a bun.

Pamela, on the other hand, was wearing a blue, embroidered off-shoulder gown with a plunging backline showing off her smooth tanned skin, and curvy waist. Her hair was held up in a bun too.

As Jane came over to do my makeup, we heard a knock at the door. Pamela went to answer it. After a short while, she returned, carrying a box in her hand and a surprised look on her face. Just then, my phone began ringing.

“Hey big head, what’s up?” I teased Andrew.

I heard a deep throaty laugh.

“Did you get the dress I sent you? He asked casually, “Sorry it’s coming late. I was supposed to send it yesterday but I drove mum around to run some errands.”

“Drew, what are you talking about?”

“You didn’t get it?” he asked in alarm.

“Mmm…Pam just brought in a large box.”

“That’s it, it’s for you,” he said excitedly.

“Aww…Drew you didn’t have to.” I cooed.

“I want to. I know you might already have a dress, I still got it.” He said calmly.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“Anytime. Gotta go, duty calls, see you soon!”

“Yea.”

He hung up.

I stared from my phone to my roommates who were already pounced on the box, gasping as they brought out its contents.

“Ooh la la, this dress is stunning!” Jane squealed, placing it on her body.

It was a shiny silver dress with tiny straps and a plunging backline like that of Pamela’s.

“Babe, it’s settled. He's definitely into you,” Pamela stated, holding up the transparent glass heels.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I puffed. “We’re close but nothing romantic.”

“Fact, he spends almost all his free time with you. You’re the other person he calls asides his brother to listen to his songs. Including the one he recently wrote for his dad!” Pamela stated again.

She kept on talking while Jane kept nodding in agreement.

“Guys, enough! We’ll be late. Let’s talk about this later, okay?”

I had thought Andrew fancied Pamela, with the way he played with her and everything. Oh, yea! He played with me like that too.

‘He played with everyone like that, dummy.’

We might have stopped talking about it and had gone ahead to prepare, but what they said lingered. It all seemed true. Andrew and I have grown incredibly close in the past weeks.

Oftentimes, he’d take me and my roomies out for food, drinks, movies, and games. It was like he imprinted his presence in our lives. But, all these outings were with Jane, Pamela, and I, and most times, he was either talking animatedly with Jane or pranking Pam.

The only time we spent together where when he’d want me to listen to his tracks. We’d stay cooped up in his room listening, critiquing, and making adjustments.

I had taken that as what close friends do and nothing more.

I guess I’d been so engrossed in my crush on Vincent that I couldn’t see what was right in front of me. Or maybe, my roomies and I were reading too much meaning into the whole thing.

Andrew’s a jovial guy so these things should be expected, right?

These thoughts plagued me as I slid into my new silver dress. It was not till my roommates gasped loudly in unison did I realized how the dress fitted perfectly. My eyes shone as I stared at my beautiful reflection in the full-length mirror.

The dress was all shiny and rough to the touch but soft on the inside. The neckline stopped on my collarbone with the plunging backline ending at my waist. It hugged my body from the top to my knee where it flowed like the lower part of a mermaid’s tail.

I wore the silver earrings that came with it, then slid into my glass shoes.

I couldn’t believe I was the one staring back at myself. It didn’t seem real. I gushed at my image, smiling like an idiot on crack.

“This is way better than the dress we bought, phew! Drew has outdone himself this time.” This was coming from Jane who was packing my hair into matching buns with theirs.

“Your beautiful Anny,” Pamela exclaimed dreamily, pinching my cheeks. “I’m a proud mother,” she fawned dramatically, holding her chest and wiping at her nonexistent tears. Jane and I burst out laughing at her ridiculous acting.

The party had barely begun when we arrived. Drew had surprised us again by sending a limo to pick us up, making us feel like princesses. We kept squealing right from the house to the party, earning ourselves curious stares from the driver, which after a while turned to irritation because we didn’t stop chirping loudly.

At the party, things intensified. As soon as we came down one after the other, with the help of the driver who had a fake smile on his face, everyone began staring. Some stares were not as pleasant as the rest. I don’t know about my friends but I was determined to walk on those heels without tripping and falling on my butt due to all the gawking. I was even surprised my clothes didn’t catch fire from the burning holes all those saucer eyes gave it.

I had seen ladies in beautiful dresses arriving at the party, but I couldn’t look much because then I’d see them looking at me, and I’d look away.

The ushers greeted us with the same smile as that of the driver and led us to one of the round, beautifully designed tables arranged in the large exquisite room. Each table had names written on golden cardboard paper. Ours had our names written in bold, each facing a seat. Two other male names were on our table, making it a table of five.

I couldn’t believe this was Andrew and Vincent’s parents’ house. It was far bigger than the one they were staying in.

The house was a forty minutes drive from our hostel. I guess that’s why the brothers got a house closer to Andrew’s school and Vincent’s workplace.

A small stage was erected at the corner of the hall where a band played soft music. It brought my thoughts back to Andrew. I wondered whether he was going to sing the song he wrote for his dad. This was a great opportunity to make his dad realize the potential of his music.

Before the party, I had begged and begged him to sing his song here but he blatantly refused. Even Vincent threatened to sell his songs if he failed to sing it today, yet stubborn Andrew vehemently said no.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Richard Sawyer and his beautiful family,” the MC announced through the microphone.

This kicked me out of my thoughts and back to the room filled with tuxedos and elegantly dressed ladies who were all standing, applauding the arrival of the hosts.

I shuffled to my feet, darting my eyes to see if someone saw my unladylike movements. No one did. They were all engrossed in the scene in front of them, oohing and aahing in awe.

When I looked up, my breath hitched. I was sure my face mirrored that of others as I stared stupefied.

Coming down the wide stairs where the Sawyer family. The three men were putting on tuxedos while the beautiful lady on the arm of her husband was dressed elegantly in a white long-sleeved gown with shiny silver stones and a long tail attached to her hip. The dress looked like nothing I’ve ever seen. Not that I know much about ball gowns, but her dress looked like it was designed, cut, and stitched just for her.

She shone brighter than everyone else in the room. Why won’t she, she was one of the hosts of the party.

On both sides of the couple were their sons looking breathtakingly handsome in their black tuxes.

I looked at Andrew and saw him staring at me with a huge grin on his lips. His hands were clasped together in front of him, portraying the good son look. His infectious smile had me smiling back, and I felt like announcing to the entire room that he was my bestie. I felt so proud at that very moment.

‘Seriously Anne, bestie? Really? Oh, get a grip.’

My eyes moved over to Vincent and suddenly came to a screeching stop.

‘Where did she come from.’

Perched on his arms was a petite girl looking all Barbie-like and smiling at everyone with her tiny pink lips. She must’ve been feeling like she owned the place. Her facial expressions said it all.

My roomies and I shared a look amongst us. I guess we were thinking the same thing. We snickered, covering our mouths to avoid being spotted.

My eyes finally left her to Vincent who, to my surprise, was staring at me. His eyes slowly roamed my body and finally landed on my face with an expression I couldn’t decipher.

My knees wobbled beneath my feet and I inconspicuously held on to the table to avoid falling.

‘That was quite erotic if you ask me.’

I sighed with delight when we were told to be seated. I didn’t know how long I could have endured that sensual stare.

Dr. Richard walked to the stage with an air of authority and dominance in every gait. He stood tall, looking all mighty and in control as he read out his opening speech.

I could see where Vincent got his looks from. They had the same physique, from the edged face to the tall height and square shoulders. Dr. Henry, however, was the older and meaner version, with a stoic face and robotic smile.

Andrew had a softer look like their mum but with broader shoulders. He wasn’t as tall as the other men but was tall all the same.

After the speech, Dr. Richard and his wife were called out to have the first dance. Dr. Richard held his wife gently and led her to the dance space that was created in the middle of the hall. The band started a piece of soft music which the couple moved slowly to.

From the way they held each other, I knew they were very much in love. Even as he danced like someone with years of experience, all his attention was focused on his wife.

Everyone clapped when the music ended. Shortly after, the floor was opened to the guests who trooped in with their partners.

Andrew walked over to our table with a goofy smile on his face. He was tired of being a good son. I’m guessing he was glad he didn’t have to stand like a soldier, having both men and women exact their judgmental opinions with their eyes.

He gave us all pecks on our cheeks then held out his hands for me.

“Andrew, I don’t do ball dance,” I whispered.

“Same. Come on, let’s just go out there and move to the beat, eh?” he said, imitating a Canadian accent. I smiled sheepishly and took his outstretched hand. He closed his eyes and inhaled sharply when our hands touched. I had thought he was going to pass out or something, but I relaxed when he opened his eyes and gently pulled me off my seat, then led me to the dance floor.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see the Barbie girl perched on Vincent’s arm staring, or would I say glaring at me.

‘What’s her deal?’

Andrew held my waist and drew me close to his warm body. I held on to his neck and we moved slowly to the music.

“You look ravishing,” Andrew whispered softly in my ears, sending shivers down my spine.

“You’re not bad yourself,” I whispered back. From the way he closed his eyes as if savoring the taste of delicious food, I knew he felt the shivers too.

This brought back the thought I was having in the hostel. It made me look towards the table I shared with my roomies to see if they were looking and found no one there. I subtly searched around and found them dancing with the men we shared our table with.

I turned and looked at Andrew who still had his eyes on me, a perfervid look in them. I don’t know if it were my imagination, but I visibly saw his pupils grow a darker shade of brown.

He moved his hands lower to the edge of my bum, pulling me closer to him. We were standing so close now, almost grinding into each other.

Heat rose from the back of my skull to my neck, rushing down my entire body. Then I began feeling a pleasant yet disturbing sensation in-between my legs.

I wondered if Andrew and I were really becoming something else other than close friends. The way he was looking at me erupted Pamela’s words, which kept twirling in my head, ‘He’s definitely into you! He’s definitely into you!”

His eyes moved slowly from my eyes to my lips, then back to my eyes as if seeking permission.

“Anny," he whispered.

"Huh?" I whispered back.

"Your beautiful,” he whispered.

I was trying to process the compliment and conjur up a reply in my already wheeling mind, but then, he made my entirety freeze when he suddenly leaned in.