chapter eighteen

An amazing sight almost knocked my breathe out when l walked out the hospital entrance. In the front open space were two gorgeous ladies in their gorgeous dresses.

They were absorbed in a conversation in front of two sparkling brand new sport cars. A yellow Lamborghini with dark rims and opened flap gull wing doors raised high, waiting behind Prisca. It's interior was charcoal grey. It's aggressive headlights were projecting a modern neon white light. Behind Keisty was a red Ferrari with its doors scissoring up. The interior was red and black.

The cars were awesome but what really took my breathe away was the two ladies standing before them. I was starting to feel inferior and unworthy of even claiming to have brushed my shoulders with any of them.

Prisca was in a regal silk white dress overlaid by an elegant silver lace. The dress was very long and she was looking taller. I couldn't see her feet because of the lengthy dress but her height could tell that she was wearing very high heels. Her blond hair was shining, going down her back. She was looking so unrealistic pretty, almost like a picture of those nymphs from Greek mythology, who lured marinas to their death.

My legs felt numb when l laid my eyes on Keisty. All saliva dried in my mouth. I turned to see auntie Yolei's reaction from seeing her daughter. Auntie Yolei's face was showing a bit of disapproval but her eyes shone with subtle pride. Maybe she will disapprove it when we get back home after the party but not now.

Keisty was an enchantress, a seductress, a temptress. Everything about her was scream red hot.

She had her lips deep cherry red, a sexy long red satin dress with an open middle exposing the valley of her breasts. It's open back left her smooth glistening back naked. For the first time l realized how one can be bedded only by exposing her back.

The dress was long, almost sweeping over the ground, but oh the slit was sinfully seductive. It almost gave a full length view of her smooth, milky pale, toned leg. Her red heels had straps climbing around her lower leg like a grape vine. It made me realize how much Keisty has sexually matured into full womanhood, despite her young age.

Keisty drove us to the school after she had taken me home to change first. Prisca had already taken the lead so we were to meet her at school.

As l sat in the car beside Keisty, l couldn't help occasionally glancing at her long pale leg that was peeping out of the long slit. I was just hoping that she won't notice me. A little smirk on her red lips was making me feel like Keisty was doing it deliberately.

As for me, l was the least sophisticated dressed but it was still adorable. It almost looked like bridal dresses except it was a very dark blue satin dress with twinkling glitters. It did not cover the shoulders but started just above the cleavage. It was tight upwards but very wide from hip downward. It went with a pair of matching sleeves.

Keisty said that the dress was designed by a famous Italian designer. It was inspired by the reflection of a clear night sky full of stars on the sea. I dared not to ask how it cost because l knew the answer would shock me.

We drove up the school driveway. I noticed that we were not the only ones with fancy cars, almost everyone. So many sport cars and very luxurious cars were driving towards the main hall. l spotted a few limousines among them.

We stopped at the entrance of the hall. Keisty pressed a button on the sporty steering and the car roared before it's doors scissored up.

Two gentleman in black suits and bowties walked from the entrance to offer a hand, you know, almost every girl would be wearing heels on such an occasion. I accepted noticing a few stairs leading to the glass entrance. Not that the stairs were many or steep but it was just part of courtesy.

One went beside my door and offered a hand, l gently placed mine in his then he pulled me out with a wide smile. The other guy ran around to offer Keisty a hand but in vain because Keisty was already out. However she tossed him her keys and the guy just grinned at his luck.

The event was more sophisticated than l had expected. The guy who was holding my hand led me and Keisty carefully along the wide red carpet that overlay the stairs to the entrance. Clicks and flashes coming from the cameras of people standing at both sides of the carpet.

"Wow, l didn't know it was this important", l said to Keisty.

"Yep but you know, not everyone is using this entrance. This is only for a few guest, the stuff and the nominees. The rest are using the back entrance", Keisty informed me.

Once we were at the entrance, the guy who was holding my hand stopped. I took the cue and withdrew my hand from his. He bowed with a smile then gestured his hand for us to proceed.

We walked in the wide, well lit hall full of extravagantly dressed ladies and gentlemen. Despite the sea of people, it wasn't crowded at all. There was enough spacing to move without stepping over the hem of each other's gowns. An orchestra band was playing soft classical music at the stage. Almost everyone was holding a glass of wine.

"Amazing right", Keisty said. I hadn't realized that I had been rooted on one spot staring.

"Yes, this is great", l said.

"Now let's go mingle", she said taking my hand. Just then l heard a male voice of someone clearing his throat from behind. We turned and looked. The principal was standing behind us smiling.

"If it isn't Miss Charleston and Miss Loire, an honor to have you here", he said with a bow. "Congratulations on your nominations".

"Thank you Mr Greyson, we are honored", Keisty replied with a small courtesy.

"Is Mrs Charleston here?, l would have to credit her for raising young beautiful girls", he said with a chuckle.

"No, she is busy today, but she had like to come if it wasn't for her schedule", Keisty answered.

"Oh, she is such a busy woman, too bad she won't be seeing her girls shining tonight", he said looking genuinely concerned.

Right at the moment, Whitney walked to us. I wondered how was it possible that everyone was looking very beautiful. She was in an amazing royal bronze dress. It was going along with her sparkling brown eyes, wavy brown hair and olive skin.

Her eyes were glazed and twinkling as always. Her wide smile never faltered. Today she was looking even more charming, like her skin was glowing.

She came and greeted the principal then looked at me and Keisty. She bite her bottom lip for a second taking in our full appearance. Compliments were passed between us. I was thankful that today Keisty was a bit accommodative, unlike the first time l met with Whitney, Keisty was being over protective.

"Keisty l feel like we need to talk. We seem to have started knowing each other on a cloudy day", Whitney said metaphorically looking into Keisty's eyes. "Can we please go grab a drink and talk at the balcony there is really cool air out there". Keisty turned back to look at me. I gave her a shrug telling her that it's fine.

"I'm sorry but can Arielle come too?, l can't leave her alone here", Keisty said considerately. I was about to tell her that l will be fine when Mr Greyson cut in.

"Your cousin sister will be fine, you can go on, it would be a pleasure to have a moment with her", he said, l had almost forgotten that he was there.

Whitney extended her arm to Keisty. Keisty hesitantly took it then they started to walk away. Whitney gave a quick glance back at me then winked. Whitney had played her part well for the night.

"Shall we?", Mr Greyson said offering his arm. I hooked mine in his and we started walking further into the sea of people. Many cleared way for us as we walked into the crowd.

"So you didn't give me the answer on my offer", he said.

I looked at him, his eyes were searching for someone in the crowd. I knew who it was.

"I hadn't decided yet", l said.

"Is it so hard to decide?, l heard that the two of you are going along together. Some even say you are fond of each other", his words made me look at him.

"Don't believe everything that people say", l said looking away.

He laughed heartily then shook his head smiling. "I hope one day you will stop being in denial of fate".

He turned and looked in a distance, l turned to look too. His son was talking to an old couple, one of the guests. Their dressing told that they were wealthy.

"Let me introduce you to the Greysons", he said walking us in the direction of Stewart and the old couple. When we were getting nearer l started to see that it was almost the entire Greyson family. There were many other young couples and also children around the area, chatting and laughing enjoying their wine.

They all turned their heads looking at us when we were approaching them. Mr Greyson first walked me to where Stewart was talking with the old couple. By this time, they were now looking at me.

"If it isn't, Patrick my boy", the old lady walked to meet us half way with her arms extended wide. She hugged Mr Greyson then kissed his cheek. Mr Greyson smiled a bit embarrassed. The old lady turned to look at me.

"And who is this beautiful lass you are walking with?", she said squinting her eyes to have a better look at my face.

"Her name is Arielle, she is my son's suitor for the night", Mr Greyson said shocking me. I considered shouting at him but l didn't want to embarrass him. Why are all the people here so forward. First l was considered Whitney's girlfriend now Stewart's suitor.

"Oh is that so", the old lady looked amused. "Patrick how come you didn't tell us all the while, are you still angry at us. You don't want us to know our future daughter in-law".

"Come here young girl", the old lady said extending her hand to me. l took it and she led me to where the whole family was.

"Come and meet with my future daughter in-law", she said shouting to her whole family. My face blushed red with embarrassment. One thing l knew was that at this moment I couldn't back out of this situation.

The whole family gathered around us with merriment in their voices. They all looked excited with goofy grins on their faces. I realized that Stewart has many aunties and uncles, some young but many middle aged. They all looked expensively dressed. They surrounded us excited making me feel like l wanted to pass out with nervousness. I spotted Stewart still standing where l had seen him talking with his grand parents. He was looking equally surprised.

"Dear girl, what did you say was your name again?", the old lady asked again mostly for the others to hear.

I swallowed the knot in my throat then softly spoke.

"Arielle, Arielle Loire", l answered.

A loud grasp came from them. They all seemed taken aback even the old woman who was holding my hand seemed like she wanted to faint. They started murmuring excitedly among themselves.

"Am l hearing right?", the old lady said gripping my arm more securely like she was afraid l might just disappear. "Did you say Loire,  you are a Loire."

"Yes ma'am", l said.

The crowd around me went into excited squeals and joyful shrieks. I was still confused. The old lady turned to Mr Greyson.

"Now Patrick my son, forgive me where l have said you are a disgrace to our family. What you have done for our family today is something none of us could have done. Forgive me, forgive me", she said wiping tears from her eyes.

She looked around searching for someone. "Now where is my grandson", she asked the crowd. They all looked around and parted way in the direction of Stewart.

"Oh grandson, why are you stupidly staring at us", she said humorously. "Come take our future daughter in-law before she gets bored. Do you want her to think we are a lousy family". Everyone laughed.

Stewart nervously walked to me as the family parted way for him. They were all looking proud at him. I noticed some even looked a bit jealous at him. He was looking into my eyes pleading with me to play along and not embarrass him. I just rolled my eyes in a way that only he could see.

He came to me and extended his arm like a gentleman asking for a dance in those classic movies. I gently placed my small hand into his palm. A loud cheer erupted reminding me that we had a watching audience.

Stewart smiled then leaned to my ear, " you are looking enchanting tonight".

I unwillingly blushed. A purr of adoration came from the audience watching. It almost made me gag. This was starting to look real. Stewart tried to hide it but he was enjoying the act too.

"Can l ask you for a dance please?", he said looking at me.

"Yes, please", l answered trying to make it more believable.

The crowd kept watching adoringly. Stewart smiled again then he led me out of the family circle and into the crowd.

"I have to admit that in all the preparation l had made, nothing had prepared me for this", l said looking at Stewart. He laughed and l also laughed.

We made our way on to the ballroom dance floor. The others made room for us. Stewart took my right hand in his and his other hand went to the small of my back. l put my left hand on his shoulder. We started to twirled around in synchronization with the soft music.

"I need to tell you something but l fear that they might see", l said looking into Stewart's eyes.

He took the cue then drew me closer to him. It caught me off guard but l quickly understood what he was trying to do. I rested my head on his shoulder then got my arms lightly around his neck.

"So how are we going to do this, with them watching us like hawks?", l asked.

"Don't worry, as soon as this song dies down, we pretend to go out for some air then we continue with the plan."