Chapter 8: Chapter 8
Building steel cages around her heart and emotions, she turned to her friend Alex, who in turn went on ahead to pull her to their seat. She had worn one of her designs, and if she was honest with herself, the black dress did more than justice to her now wider hips. Giving birth and taking care of a child had led to an increase in her size, something she had come to fall in love with. She loved the way the dress hugged her derriere and womanly bits while still covering her modestly. The high slit that came to stop at the top of her knee showcasing the silver heels that she had worn to match her bracelet and clutch.
However, she was filled with trepidation being in the high society again. This was where she had fallen from and even now, she could still see a few people turning to look at her and then whisper ring to their friends. Telling herself that it did not matter what they thought of her, she fought the claustrophobic feeling that threatened to envelope her. these were the same people that had let her down in her time of need. One of her socialite friends Tasha, had actually gone on to sleep with Omar, and had not been afraid to tell it to her face.
It was indeed true that when you were down, you would never lack someone to push you even further. The glamorous life being presented in the hall and in the room, brought a bitter taste in her mouth. While money was good, the vices it developed in people was far from good. People turned into greedy chameleons at the mention of money.
Steeling her shoulders, she sat at their table with Alex, as the event was called to a start. The mc started off the event with a short speech that had everyone in laughter after a few minutes. Then the guest of honor, Mr. Marcus joined them, gave a little speech before welcoming Lilian, the new fiancée in a flourish. Lilian walked down the stairs slowly as everyone within the room turned their focus towards her. people clapped as she drew closer and then everything or everyone was amazed at how she looked.
Her tiny little legs were encased in black heels that showcased her painted toenails. Up, the legs were never ending up to a point just above the knee where the dress she wore stopped. It was a white dress that had layers billowed together to draped softly against her generous curves. Her waist was indented by a gathering of the dress with a shiny metal holding the front, while separating the bust area from the rest of the dress. Here, the dress tightened around her boobs, showcasing their firm mound while the modest v of the dress showed a mature woman. Further, she had puffy sleeves that made her fun and interesting at the same time.
For Lisa, it was as though the time had come to a standstill. Those red lips that smiled in a lopsided smile. How could she forget it? They were the eyes of the very person she had yearned to see since she was small. In as much as she still looked young and Fabolous, no doubt the work of Botox, she was standing there in person, being announced as the fiancé, although with a different name.
She felt claustrophobic, the room closing in on her as everything seemed to be moving in a fast rush that she could not comprehend. Mom? She was the fiancé to Mr. Marcus how come. The room started spinning and before she could know it, she was in someone’s arms, holding her tightly by his side. Omar, she felt his cologne as she was suddenly transported back to reality. Why would Omar be holding her. struggling to bring breath past her nose, she disengaged herself from him and instead took a chair as the shock of seeing her mom in person sunk.
With shaky hands, she turned to Alex who at that time came around her, while throwing a dirty look towards Omar.” What is this bastard doing here Lisa?” Alex asked in a fit of anger then immediately turned to Omar. In a steely voice she had never imagined Alex containing, she stood up to Omar. “Omar or whatever you call yourself, stay away from Lisa, you have done more than enough damage. I really hope that you have not done anything to hurt her, because regardless of how much money you might have, I will bring you down.”
After her fire ranting, she turned to Lisa and one look at her eyes she knew there was trouble. Hugging her, she held her as the event still proceeded. Her mom, after abandoning them was now getting married again. She felt the bitter taste of betrayal running through her mouth and the feelings of insufficiency raised through her. “I am over this”, she said over and over until she got some semblance of normalcy. Throughout the night, she managed to survive by sheer desire.
The wary look that 0mar spotted as he looked at her. the way he had held her when she had not even realized she needed to be held sending mixed signs to her brain. The part that showed her how good he was. On the other hand, her mom had gone on with the engagement ceremony well, and somehow, she had not even recognized her, something that no matter how much she told herself did not hurt, hurt her very much. By the time, the party was coming to a close, Lisa desired the comfort of her home, and her baby. She wanted to be off the dress and the shoes and the makeup that was now beginning to feel restrictive. She wanted to go far away and lick her wounds slowly.