Chapter 9 Leave Me Alone #2
With those final words, they walked out and slammed the door. The frames on my wall shook. My heart pounded as I stood there shaking with a mix of anger and sadness.
Deep down I must have still been a child at heart, wanting her parents' approval, because my big plan was to bring them to the Amoré Nights launch party tonight, even though I knew it was bound to go badly.
Whenever my padre and I shared a room, tempers flared.
Yet, foolishly, I had tried to brush aside my doubts this time.
I'd refused my trust fund plenty of times, but when I finally came to my senses, I thanked God I still had access to the account. I wasn't about to let it go.
But still, this blowup between us hurt more than normal.
Typically, I had skin thick enough to take it, but after sleeping with Bruno and finally talking things through, my defenses were a little lower.
Getting disinvited from my father's funeral and my mother telling me I'll be alone took the celebratory mood out of me.
Snow streaked across the car windows as we crawled through traffic, the city dull and gray from where I sat, with a hollow feeling inside my chest. When the car stopped in front of the venue, I took a deep breath.
"You can do this. Yesterday, you didn't need parents by your side.
You were fine alone. Nothing has changed. "
After some reassurance, I opened the door and was greeted by photographers.
The blinding light stung a little, or maybe it was the tears that prickled my eyes. Briefly, I worried my pep talk didn't work and froze as the idea of retreating to the car to give myself another one came to me. Suddenly, I felt an arm pull me.
"Bitch, you're late." The light that shined into my eyes blurred my vision, but I smiled immediately. Only three people would call me that.
"You look gorgeous," Demetria added, and she kissed me on the cheek.
Olivia released my arm and stepped back. "That's why I sent that dress over. I knew it would fit you well."
"Thanks for the dress," I said, blinking to fight the tears.
Mei stood at the other side. "Let's go. I've been hearing about the app since college. Let's kick it off so we can start celebrating."
With the girls at my side, we snapped photos on the red carpet, then made our way inside the venue. Every Amoré Nights employee gathered with their friends or family. We were all in this together. We'd done our part. Now, it was in the hands of the customers.
"Let's make a toast," someone said when the tray of champagne came toward us.
We all reached for a glass, and Olivia spoke first. "I have a way of predicting these things, and I definitely see a winner in your future."
We all shared a smile when Mei winked, and we yanked our heads around to investigate. "New friend?" Demetria asked.
Mei nodded.
"We walked in together. How did you meet him?" I asked.
"I arrived early," Mei explained. They say the early bird gets the worm, but with my girls, you got a man.
We laughed, and I scanned the room, pleased.
It was a real celebration, and despite my parents' absence, I managed to find a group willing to celebrate with me.
I let myself breathe. On the far end of the room, I spotted Bruno, with his meticulously styled black hair, expensive suit, and eyes that carried a mysterious expression.
When he headed in our direction, my body wanted to react, but Olivia leaned in and whispered, "Oh great.
This trash just keeps recycling itself."
I chuckled, grateful she could always be counted on for a laugh.
"Stop. He's almost here," Mei warned.
"Hi. Ladies, it's been a long time."
"Not long enough," Olivia said without bothering to smile.
Bruno chuckled. "Your loyalty was what I liked the most about you."
I shook my head because he just accidentally gave her an opening.
"Maybe you can take a few lessons on loyalty the next time a slut like Monique walks into your life."
"Olivia, this isn't the place. It's Alex's big night, don't ruin it," Demetria said, then turned back to Bruno. "Staying in New York or running back to California?"
Bruno looked at me, then back to her. "Don't worry, I'm leaving."
The whole time he'd been over here, Mei's gaze burned into me.
I shifted, suddenly too aware of every inch of myself under her silent scrutiny.
Frustrated, I faced her, and she shrugged.
Mei was always like that. While the other two argued their sides, she usually waited to see what you wanted and backed you. I honestly loved that about her.
"Well, it was nice you came to the launch party before going," I said as all three women watched.
He nodded slowly. "You deserve the best, Alex. Congratulations."
"Thank you," I said, then returned to the three spectators.
Bruno took his leave, and I quickly turned to Demetria. "Don't say it. I made my decision, that is it."
She stared at me for a long while before nodding.
"OK. Fuck Bruno, what happened to your parents?" Olivia asked, and it made me wish we'd stuck to Bruno. Somehow, I felt more alone than I'd ever been. Yet, technically no one was leaving willingly. I was the one pushing.
I had such good reasons, or so I thought.
Mei wrapped an arm around me. "I'm here."
"Bitch. Am I not also standing here?" Olivia asked.
Demetria chuckled. "We're all here for you."
There was a time I thought this was all I needed.
My girlfriends. Now that it might be all I had, I wasn't so sure anymore.
At that moment I was swimming in thoughts, as the music thumped around me, as my best friends embraced me to celebrate my accomplishments.
I hugged them back, or at least my body did.
My eyes locked on Bruno at the far end of the venue as he walked out.
He did not look back. Not once.
Olivia squeezed tighter, shouting something about success and profits, but it all muffled in my ears.
He was gone.
And I shouldn't care.
I was the one who told him to go.
A single tear slid down my cheek.