Dinner party 2

Tonight is going to be soo fun."

"Yep, fun." I gulped.

*******

*******

"Wow Sir, you look so ravishing."

"Okay that's enough from you Andrew." I glared at him. "Don't make this weird for me."

"Sorry Sir."

It was past ten. According to the news i received, the guests had started arriving. The party was well on the way. I observed myself in the mirror, the person staring back at me. He looked caged.

"Sir, most of the guests have arrived and the media outlets have started interviewing some of the guests. Everyone's having a good time and are awaiting your presence."

"Mm." Andrew took his time buttoning my suit and tying my shoe laces. He made me look good with minimal contribution from me. "And Maria?" He paused for a while before continuing to straighten out my suit.

"She's getting ready Sir." He coughed. Why was he trying so hard to hide his feelings from me. It made it all the more obvious.

"You should go pick her up."

"Huh?" The roller fell from his hands. His mouth was left open for a while. I had to close it myself.

"Did you not hear me?"

"I- I- I did Sir. I just..." He shook his head. "She has her own escort and, and besides if anyone should pick her up it's you. I mean it- it's your official engagement party." He stuttered before picking up the roller and continuing his work. "All done Sir."

"Thank you Andrew."

"My pleasure Sir." He bowed respectfully before leaving me alone in my room. After Andrew had gone the room was silent for some moments. I was lost in thought for some time. Then suddenly, i got an urge i couldn't resist. I headed straight for the secret compartment behind the portrait in my room. However, when i opened it up all i brought out was a note.

I HAD A FEELING YOU'D ATTEMPT TO DO THIS SIR. I KNOW MY JOB MIGHT BE ON THE LINE FOR DOING THIS SIR.BUT I BEG YOU TO UNDERSTAND, THIS WAS FOR THE BEST.

~Andrew.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘥... i laughed.

******

******

My breathing was erratic. To ease tension, i rolled down the window of the Limo and stared at the world as everything passed by quickly. There were bright lights everywhere. The city was alive.

The cold wind hitting my face was refreshing. Suddenly, I got a familiar tingling sensation like déjà Vu. However this was the first time i could remember venturing this deep into the city or even riding in a limo. My emotions acted up again. Depression hit me for the first time in three months; it brought with it realization. I remembered the fact that i had no memories, no past life, no educational qualifications, no real family, friend, unforgettable experiences or even heart tugging moments. I felt like a piece of discarded paper drifting in the wind; no anchor, no support.

My cheeks felt cold as my tears dried on them. I should have just taken the damn pills. I cursed within myself.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" I heard Annie whisper behind me. Apparently she as well was staring out the window. "It's times like this that take you back. Makes you wanna forget and just make new memories." She grabbed my hand, her gaze still fixed outside of the window. "Tonight we'll make new memories. Ones that'll last a lifetime."

"Yea." I smiled. What was i thinking? Whether i remembered who i was or not did not matter. There was no use holding unto the past. What mattered was my here, my now and what i did with the time i had. I was indulging in my own depression rather that waking up to reality and moving on. I may not have noticed before, but at that moment; i knew i had an anchor.

"We're here the Driver announced after about thirty minutes of driving. Wow! Was the first thing that hit me. The hotel was huge!

We approached the gates and i noticed a large swarm of people outside it. They all had cameras and were busy taking pictures of the different cars that stopped by the gate.

"Roll up Roxi!" Annie ordered and i obeyed. Thankfully i rolled up right before we stopped.

"We don't want the paparazzi to get us. Who knows what kind of scandal they can cook up just by having your picture. That's why all the cars you see going in are tinted." Annie explained. She sounded so smart.

"Your invitations and ID." Two huge security guards pulled up on the two sides of the limo. They took i and Annie's Invitation cards then the driver's ID. They also searched the boot and underneath the car using some fancy high-tech metal detectors.

After five minutes of search and confirmation, they gave us our property back before letting us through the gate. The view of the hotel was even more dazzling from the inside. I was so anxious to get down from the car. When the car finally stopped at the entrance of the hotel. I and Annie had a last minute pep talk on conduct and etiquette. We took alternating rounds of beep breaths, fixed up our hair and makeup, resprayed our perfume and adjusted our outfits before giving the driver the go ahead to open the door. With a beaming smile, he did.

Annie was the first to walk out. She did so with confident strides. Holding unto Carl's hand, she made her way up the stairs that led to the grand entrance way. She stood there like a goddess, waiting for me to meet her. I was beyond nervous. My body trembled. To make matters worse, at that moment, the car of a famous actress pulled up behind ours. I marveled at the way she carried herself with so much pride and elegance. When the actress reached the entrance, she exchanged a fleeting gaze with Annie, who responded back with the same energy. Wow! She really fitted in well with this crowd. I sulked as depression hit me again.

"You can do this miss." I heard Carl urge me on. Then I lifted my gaze to Annie, she was staring at me with a smile. She mouthed 'come on' and signaled with her hands for me to take some steps. I was beyond nervous, but at that point i was confident not in myself; but in the faith of those around me. I cleared my throat then adjusted my shoulders. I lifted my chin and with Carl's support, i stepped out and never looked back.

******

******

"How long until we arrive?

"Fifteen minutes Sir."

I turned to Andrew, "Any news yet?"

"I'm sorry Sir. None."

"Fine." I stared out the window. My hand scratching on the door handle and my foot tapping the foot mat. 'Curse you Hernández.'

******

******

"This way Miladies." A man at the door escorted us to an elevator. Infront of this elevator, we were required to show our invitations once more and an even more thorough and now personal search was conducted. After we were found clean, the lady who searched us pressed the elevator button and we stepped inside. The moment the doors closed we simultaneously let out sighs of relief.

"Oh my goodness. That was hard!"

"Yep. I can't believe i actually came out of the car."

"I know, i wonder what you were so afraid of. You walked those steps with so much confidence, it looked like you were used to it."

"Yea," i paused. "I- I don't know what came over me it was like i was just doing something i always did. Weird right?"

"Hm. Maybe you're memories are coming back. You know, certain situations can trigger them. I'm so excited that means the drugs are finally working."

"Yep, it was definitely the drugs." I gulped nervously.

"Ok ok, we're almost at the rooftop. Remember we stick together at all times, Okay?"

"Yea yea sure."

"This is were the real story begins. We..."

"Strut it till we make it!" Annie and i chanted simultaneously.

"Here goes nothing."

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'Tick tock.'