11. The Party
I stepinto the grand ballroom, instantly swept away by the sensory whirlwind of the company party.
Spectrum has gone all in on this, wow.
The air buzzes with energy, a heady mix of laughter, lively chatter, and the rhythmic pulse of the music that thrums through my body. Twinkling lights glow warmly on the festive surroundings, reflecting off the intricate golden details that adorn the walls and the glittering chandeliers that hang like crystallized stars from the high ceiling. The scent of expensive perfumes and alcoholic beverages hangs in the air.
I smooth down the fabric of my emerald green dress, its silky texture cool against my skin. The dress fits me perfectly; it was my mother’s, we’re the same size. My shoulders sag for a moment at the thought of my mother. Would she be disappointed seeing me like this?
I feel like I’m falling apart.
Sarah, by my side, clinks her champagne flute against mine, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.
“I’m so glad you came out tonight,”she says. “You need this. To clear your mind.”
“Yes, because nothing says ‘clear mind’like a room full of drunk coworkers and loud music,”I say, shaking my head.
“Exactly! We’ll drown out those pesky thoughts with laughter, bad dancing, and enough champagne to fill a hot tub. Trust me, it’s the best therapy.”
“Therapy that involves sequins and questionable dance moves? I’m sold. Let’s do this.”
I think I need more than champagne to clear this mess,but it’s a good start.
I nod, sipping the bubbly champagne, its effervescence tickling my nose. She’s right. I’ve been so consumed by thoughts of Alexander that I’d almost allowed fear to dictate my actions. But tonight, I’m determined to let go, to let the music pulse through me and lose myself in the company of my colleagues. For one night, I just want to forget about everything.
“This place is buzzing,”Sarah remarks, her gaze sweeping across the crowded ballroom. “They don’t throw parties like this in the tech world, hun. It’s all protein bars and awkward small talk. This is just fabulous.”
“Really?”I chuckle, surprised. “I always pictured them diving into pools of money like Scrooge McDuck.”
“Oh, they are,”she replies with a knowing smile. “But most of them wouldn’t know a decent suit from a potato sack. None of the nerds I work with would ever be able to pull off a party with this kind of style and elegance.”
“So true. I guess you’ll have to settle for dazzling us mere mortals with your presence tonight.”
“Well, someone has to bring the glamour.”
I laugh, my gaze sweeping across the room, taking in the familiar faces of colleagues, acquaintances, and a few friends. The company has spared no expense, from the renowned DJ spinning pulsating beats to the lavish spread of food and the elegant venue. These events are always a highlight of the year, a chance to connect with people outside of the usual work environment and forge new bonds. But tonight, all I want is to disappear into the crowd, to escape my own world and forget about everything.
As we navigate through the crowd, a song from our teenage years blasts through the speakers, transporting me back to a simpler time, a time before Alexander. Sarah grabs my hand, her smile infectious, and pulls me onto the dance floor. We twirl and laugh, our bodies moving in sync with the rhythm, the worries and anxieties momentarily fading into the background. Maybe I can pretend, just for a little while, that everything is okay, I think.
But as the night wears on and the champagne loosens inhibitions, I can’t help my thoughts. What if I never see him again? The thought pierces through me, a sharp shard of ice against my heart.
Excusing myself from the dance floor, I make my way to the balcony. I need air.
As I lean against the railing, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, the city lights twinkle below. I miss him, I admit to myself, tears stinging my eyes. I miss him more than I ever thought possible.
A sudden prickling sensation at the back of my neck makes me turn around, my heart skipping a beat as I see a man emerge from the shadows, his face familiar yet distant. It takes me a moment to place him, but then it hits me – he’s the man I’d seen in Alexander’s car, the man with the cold, assessing gaze and the broad shoulders.
“Who are you?”I ask, stepping back. “Why are you following me?”
He remains silent, his expression unreadable, his body language radiating a quiet stoicness. Tears sting my eyes, damn it.
“Tell me what’s going on?”I say, my voice cracking.
He lets out a sigh, his shoulders slumping. “I am Alexander’s bodyguard and driver,”he finally says. I was sent here to watch you, to protect you.”
“Protect me?”I repeat. “From what?”
“He didn’t specify,”he replies, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Who sent you?”I press.
“Alexander,” he says simply.
Of course.
“What’s your name?”I ask.
“You can call me Mendel,”he replies, his voice flat and emotionless, his eyes giving away nothing of the thoughts that swirl beneath the surface.
My heart hammers against my ribs. What is Alexander trying to protect me from? The question echoes in the silence of my own thoughts. Kovacs is the obvious answer, but the uncertainty, the not knowing, is the worst.
We stand there for a few moments, the cool night air refreshing from the warmth of the crowded ballroom behind us.
“Mr. Thompson is drinking far too much tonight,”Mendel comments, his voice flat, his gaze fixed on a point beyond the glass doors leading back into the ballroom. “He’ll be regretting that in the morning.”His words startle me. How can he possibly know that from here? Just as I’m about to ask another question, a familiar voice, slurred and boisterous, cuts through the quiet.
Sarah, her face flushed and her eyes bright with a mixture of alcohol and excitement, stumbles towards us, her gait unsteady on her high heels.
“Ava, come on!”she exclaims, grabbing my hand with surprising strength. “You have to come inside! I have a surprise for you!”
She tugs me towards the door, her enthusiasm almost dragging me off my feet. Then, she stops abruptly, her gaze fixed on Mendel. “Oh my God, you’re so hot,”she slurs, reaching out to touch his arm with a boldness that would have shocked me had she been sober.
Mendel gently but firmly removes her hand, his expression remaining impassive. “Who is that?”Sarah asks louder than normal.
“Let’s just go inside,”I say, feeling a pang of sympathy for Mendel, who offers me a grateful nod before disappearing through a nearby door.
The ballroom is still a whirlwind of color and sound, the music throbbing through the air and the scent of alcohol and perfume thick enough to taste. The party has escalated since I’d last been inside, the dance floor a writhing mass of bodies, and the conversations louder, more uninhibited.
I roll my eyes as I try to steer Sarah away from a group of men who look like they’ve had one too many drinks. But she’s on a mission, her drunken state fueling a boldness that is both amusing and concerning.
I have no choice but to follow her, my mind a jumble of conflicting thoughts. What if Kovacs was telling the truth? What if Alexander is in danger because of me? Because I got involved?
As we make our way to the bar, Sarah leans in close, her voice a conspiratorial whisper against the backdrop of the music. “So, Ava,”she asks, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “What’s the deal with you and Alexander?”
I take a sip of my champagne, the bubbles tickling my throat, as I try to find the right words. “We’re done,”I say, the truth tasting bittersweet on my tongue. “It just wasn’t working out.”
Her grin widens, and she gives me a playful nudge. “Good,”she says. “Because I have a surprise for you.”
With that, she grabs my hand and leads me across the room toward a group of men gathered near the bar. My heart races as I recognize Tyler’s broad shoulders and sun-bleached hair. Shit, I think. I didn’t tell Sarah that I broke it off with Tyler.
“Tyler!”Sarah’s voice cuts through the party noise like a siren, her arms flailing as if signaling a ship in distress.
Tyler approaches, his usual relaxed demeanor replaced by a tense stiffness. His eyes are bloodshot, and while he attempts a smile, there’s a tight, almost desperate edge to it. The scent of alcohol, stronger than usual, clings to him like a shroud.
Not what I need right now: a drunk Tyler.
“Ava, babe, there you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”He places a hand on her back, his grip a little too tight, a little too possessive.
“Babe?” I stiffen.
“Friends,”he corrects himself, his voice booming slightly too loudly. “Sorry, friends! Yeah, you’re my buddy.”
Sarah’s eyebrows shoot up, her expression a mix of confusion and amusement.
“I am, aren’t I? It being my work and all,”I reply with a forced smile, hoping to deflect her curiosity.
“Right, right,”Tyler chuckles, swaying on his feet. “You’re so funny.”
“How many drinks have you had?”I ask, a hint of concern creeping into my voice.
“Only the three Long Island Iced Teas Dexter brought me,”he shrugs. “That’s it, I swear.”I glance at Dexter, who smiles and shrugs in response as if to say, “Boys will be boys.”
Dexter looks sober, at least that.
Sarah giggles, her eyes sparkling as she twirls in her dress. “Surprise, Ava!”she exclaims, oblivious to the awkward tension that has descended upon the group. Think, Ava, think, I urge myself, searching for a way to salvage the situation. Maybe we can just enjoy the night as friends after all.
“Come on, let’s dance, Ava!”Tyler slurs, reaching for my hand, his grip surprisingly tight.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,”I say, trying to pull away, my gaze searching for an escape route.
“Nonsense,”he insists, pulling me closer.
A wave of nausea hits me, the taste of champagne turning sour on my tongue. Tyler’s hand, warm and expectant, waits for mine. Don’t hurt him, a voice whispers in my head. But how can I dance with him, pretend everything’s okay when my heart feels like a shattered mirror reflecting a thousand fractured images of Alexander? My gaze darts around the room; the pulsating music, the swirling lights, andthe press of bodies leave me trapped.
I feel Mendel’s gaze on me from the balcony above.
The DJ switches to a fast-paced song, the rhythm pulsating through the room, and Tyler, despite his inebriated state, moves with surprising grace, his body swaying in time with the music.
“Fine, one dance,”I say.
“Yes, buddy!”He says, placing an awkward fist on my shoulder.
Okay—
As we dance, I involuntarily admire his natural charm, his boyish grin, and the way his eyes, even when clouded with alcohol, hold a spark of genuine affection.
For a fleeting moment, my worries that have been plaguing me fade into the background, replaced by the simple pleasure of movement. The tension in my shoulders eases, and the throbbing headache that had been building since my encounter with Kovacs subsides, allowing me to simply be, to exist in the moment.
But the respite is short-lived. As I twirl in Tyler’s arms, I see his body tense, his gaze fixed on something behind me. I follow his line of sight, my heart sinking as I see a gray-haired man bump into him, his arms flailing wildly, causing Tyler to stumble.
“What the hell, man?”Tyler growls, his words slurred. He moves to confront the stranger, his fists clenched.
“Tyler, calm down. It’san old man,”I plead, grabbing his arm, trying to pull him back from the edge of a confrontation. But it’s no use. The alcohol has fueled his temper, turning the gentle, easygoing man into a volatile force.
“You better watch it, you son of a bitch,”he snarls, his face flushed, his eyes blazing with fury.
Just then, I see Mendel out of the corner of my eye. He’s moved closer, subtly positioning himself between Tyler and the old man, his hand casually adjusting the lapel of his jacket. I catch a glimpse of something solid, metallic, beneath the fabric. His expression is unreadable, a mask that hides his intentions.
I shake my head. My lips pursed into a ‘No.’
Dexter, seeing the escalating situation, steps in and places a calming hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “Come on, m-man,”he says. Let’s go and cool down.”
With a muttered curse, Tyler storms off, followed by Dexter. From the corner of my eye, I glimpse Dexter’s face as he watches Tyler go – no trace of concern in those usually gentle eyes, just a cold, calculating assessment. It’s as if he’s observing an experiment unfold. I follow them, my heart pounding in my chest, the adrenaline of the near-confrontation leaving me shaky and on edge.
As soon as we’re out of the ballroom, I turn on Tyler, my lips pressed into a thin line. “What is wrong with you?”I snap, my voice echoing in the empty hallway. “You can’t just go around picking fights with people!”
“I can do whatever the hell I want,”he retorts, his words slurring. “I’m the man of the room, the commander of the dancefloor. And we broke up, remember? So you don’t command me - not at all.”
I roll my eyes, my patience wearing thin. His lawyer friends, with their sharp minds and eloquent speeches, would be appalled by his current state. Deep breaths, Ava, deep breaths, I remind myself, trying to quell my feelings.
“You’re drunk, Tyler,”I say, my voice tight. “You’re not making any sense. Just go home, please.”
“I’m making plenty of sense,”he says, his voice rising, his words becoming more incoherent with every passing moment. “You’re just not listening.”
I shake my head. This isn’t the Tyler I know, the kind, compassionate man who had been my anchor during some of the most difficult moments of my life. This is a stranger fueled by alcohol and misplaced anger.
“I’ve had enough, Tyler,”I state, my voice firm. “I’m leaving.”
I turn to go, but I realize my purse is missing. I must have left it in the ballroom, a casualty of the chaos. As I start to head back, Tyler’s voice stops me, his words like a slap across the face.
“You’re just going to run away like you always do?”he sneers, his eyes narrowing.
I spin around, pointing a finger at him. “I’m not running away,”I retort. “I’m leaving you because you’re drunk and acting like a fool. I’m your friend, but I need a sober friend, not this— this mess.”
With that, I storm off, my eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Sarah. I need to escape this situation and put as much distance between myself and Tyler as possible. I push open the heavy oak door leading to the restroom, seeking refuge in its cool-lit interior. The party’s opulent décor spills over even here, with marble countertops, gold-plated fixtures, and a faint scent of expensive floral arrangements.
I splash cold water on my face, letting the icy water cascade over my face, a shock that jolts me out of the fiery haze. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I see a woman on the verge of unraveling, her carefully applied makeup smudged.
Get a grip, Ava, I think, my inner voice a harsh echo of the reprimands I’ve received throughout my life. You can’t fall apart.
Taking a deep breath, I run my fingers through my hair, trying to tame my wild strands. As I step out of the bathroom, I nearly collide with Mendel, his figure blocking the doorway. He leans against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression as stoic and unreadable as ever.
A sigh escapes my lips. “You gotta stop doing that,”I say, forcing a lighthearted tone.
He offers a rare smile, the corners of his lips twitching upwards briefly. “Can I drive you home?”he asks, his voice deep.
“No, thank you,”I decline, my tone firm. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine.”
He stops for a moment, furrowing his brows. “Alexander insists that I drive you home,”he says. “He is quite concerned for your safety.”
I shake my head, resisting the urge to give in to Alexander’s overprotectiveness. “No, I’ll find my way home,”I say, my voice defiant.
At that moment, Tyler appears, his face flushed, his eyes blazing with a fury that makes my heart sink. He holds out my purse and blinking phone, his hand shaking.
Does he have my phone?
“What the hell is this?”he growls, pointing an accusatory finger in my face. “Were you ever going to tell me that you were fucking goddamn Alexander?”
My mind races, searching for the right words, but they seem to evaporate before they can reach my lips.
“You’re a liar and a cheater,”he spits out. Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I know he has every right to be angry, but the venom in his words stings more than I could have imagined.
“I broke up with Alexander,”I try to explain. “We weren’t exclusive back then,”I add, a feeble attempt to justify my actions.
“I can’t believe you’re with that criminal,”he continues, his voice rising with every word. “Do you even know who he is?”
I know,I think to myself. I know all too well who he is.
In the end, I do the only thing I can. I turn and walk away, leaving Tyler behind me. As I make my way through the crowded ballroom, I can feel the stares of my colleagues, their whispers like a chorus of judgment. Reaching the hallway, I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Can I take you home, Miss Parker?”Mendel asks.
“If you stop calling me Miss Parker, then yes, please,”I choke out. My eyes are wet, the taste of my tears salty against my lips.
He nods silently, and within minutes, his sleek black car is waiting for me at the curb. Sliding into the back seat, I feel Sarah’s hand on my arm, her warmth radiating through my dress.
“Tyler’s just drunk and hurt,”she whispers. “Give him some time to cool off.”
I nod at Sarah’s words, but I’m not sure. Tyler’s outburst has been so out of character. It’s as if the alcohol had stripped away the layers of civility and restraint, revealing his true self. “Yes, I know,”I mumble. “It’s just—-he’s right. I did keep Alexander a secret from him.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Ava,”Sarah insists, her voice gentle but firm. “You just had feelings for two men. Tyler will cool down, and you can talk about it tomorrow.”
“Fine,”I concede, though the knot of unease in my stomach refuses to loosen. “Will you be okay?”I ask, concern for my friend overriding my own thoughts.
“Yes,”she replies with a smile. “Gilbert is taking me home.”
I can’t help but raise an eyebrow at that. Gilbert, the mild-mannered accountant, seems an unlikely protector for my fiery, outspoken friend. But then again, maybe his quiet demeanor and his unwavering adherence to rules are exactly what Sarah needs after a night of chaos.
As Mendel starts the engine, I close my eyes and lean my head against the cool leather seat. My thoughts are a tangled mess, a whirlwind of confusion. I’ve broken up with two men in less than twenty-four hours, and I feel weak, broken, shattered.
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I brush them away, not wanting Mendel to witness my vulnerability again. He remains silent, his stoic expression offering a sense of stability and quiet strength that I need. I just need to get through this night, I tell myself, taking a deep breath.
“Mendel,”I say as I tap on the partition that separates us. Can you please take me to the pier?”
“Are you sure?”he asks, his tone serious. His gaze meets mine in the rearview mirror.
“Yes,”I reply. “I need to clear my head.”
“Alright, Miss Ava,”he says, his voice betraying a hint of concern beneath his usual stoicism. “I’ll take you to the water.”
“Just Ava,”I say, but I’m unsure he hears me.
Stepping out of the car at the pier, the cool night air hits my face, carrying the salty tang of the sea and the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore.
Ah, just what I need.
I begin to walk along the pier, the rhythmic creaking of the wooden planks beneath my feet a grounding rhythm against my never-ending thoughts. The expanse of the dark ocean stretches out before me. What am I going to do now?
My solitude is shattered by the approaching sound of a car engine. My heart beats faster as I realize it isn’t Mendel’s car. Chills run through my body as the vehicle speeds up, its headlights cutting through the darkness like a predator’s gaze.
I freeze in place, then take a deep breath.
Run, Ava, run!
Just as I’m about to turn and run, another car pulls up beside me, its familiar sleek silhouette and tinted windows. It’s Alexander’s car, with Mendel behind the wheel.
I let out a deep breath as I stumble towards the open door and slide into the back seat, the familiar scent of leather and Alexander’s cologne meeting me. “Thanks for staying,”I whisper, my voice shaky as I try to catch my breath.
Mendel nods silently as he puts the car in gear, and we speed away from the pier.
“I can’t take you home,”he says, his voice low and even. “Alexander has requested your presence.”
Of course, he has.Alexander, with his need for control, his desire to protect me, even from myself. At least he is okay.