Chapter 5 - Nora
I am standing towards the back of the room, talking with some of Liam’s cousins I had not seen since before high school. I thought this would be the safest space to be, far away from Tyson. It was hard to eat anything, my stomach still in knots after the basketball game earlier.
I knew that I probably pissed him off, but I couldn’t help myself. I was never able to stand up for myself back then, and now, something has started to change over the last few months. I can almost feel the fire deep down inside starting to kindle again.
“Excuse me miss, this drink is for you, from Mr. Hassan.” Our conversation is interrupted by a waitress offering me a drink. I take the drink from the waitress, hesitating briefly, and she walks away before I can even get out a ‘thank you’.
I have no intention of drinking alcohol tonight, I want to be able to keep a clear head for studying later. Saving the drinking for tomorrow, to help me get through the wedding festivities. I take a small sip, curious as to what it was, and am pleasantly surprised when the familiar taste of cherry cola hits my tongue. No alcohol. How'd he know?
I eagerly look around, searching for him, not sure if he is actually attending or not. Not even sure who exactly I am looking for, but I hoped I would find him in the crowd. It takes a moment of searching when my gaze reaches the opposite end of the room, landing on the perfectly tanned stranger from yesterday.
He raises his glass in acknowledgement, and his lips turn up to a slight smile. Oh my God, he's Sayid?! Zahir's obscenely rich Uncle? The same stranger I practically ran into yesterday coming off the elevator?!
Disbelief flows through me, and I break eye contact. I am slightly embarrassed I didn’t make the connection earlier. But good lord, I did not expect Sayid to be that handsome. Filthy rich I expected, but complete physical perfection, absolutely not. I guess I always pictured Sayid as being much older.
I look back up and meet his eyes again. I am immediately aware of the intensity of his gaze. “Thank you,” I mouth and raise my glass towards him in acknowledgement. His eyes linger on me, and I feel the same tingling sensation I felt when getting off the elevator.
I try hard to not keep returning my eyes in his direction as I sip my drink and mingle some more. And after a few minutes pass, I look again, and he is gone. When my drink is gone, I head back to my room so that I can study a bit before going to the lounge later.
I tried to study as much as possible, but ultimately decided to take my book with me when I returned for the party. I’m not quite sure what the dress code was for the lounge party, so I just kept on the same clothes I was already wearing. I did put my hair up into a bun, because it is easier for me to focus when I study that way.
Honestly, I don’t care what anyone else thinks about what I look like. The women in the bridal party, so called friends of Eliza, are going to talk behind my back no matter what I wear. Their comments at the basketball game meant nothing to me. I’ll never understand why women put so much effort into putting each other down.
I instinctively rolled my eyes thinking about the game earlier today. I am not sure what was worse, feeling Tyson touch me again, or hearing him call me “Tiny”. That nickname is reserved for only Liam to call me. He started calling me Tiny when we were around ten years old, and he grew much faster than I did.
When I played a sport, or any game, it was an instant confidence booster. It put me in the zone I needed to forget about any insecurities. But, nothing truly feels as good as when I play softball. I had always played infield because of my fast reflexes. But in high school, when I put the catcher's gear on, I knew that was it. It was that added armor that secured my confidence, even before things changed.
When I played catcher, I was able to help protect my team from getting scored on. I stopped runs from crossing the plate, and I called the shots, directing my team. I threw down runners trying to steal bases, my arm was my weapon. I threw with great speed and accuracy.
And when I put my armor on, I could protect myself from Tyson, even if it was for only seven innings. My ability to read the field as a catcher, also helped when I was on base. I still hold the record high for most stolen bases at both my alma maters.
When I enter the lounge, my eyes immediately drift over to the roped off VIP section. Sayid sits with an air of quiet authority, flanked by two bodyguards. He exudes confidence and power effortlessly. I can’t help being drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.
His eyes meet mine, and my body tingles as I walk past him and over to the end of the bar counter. The tingling sensation pulls even lower, and I feel warmth spreading between my thighs. As I sit, I can still barely see him when I turn over my shoulder. Even with my back to him, it's hard not to feel his presence.
I promised Liam and Zahir I would attend, but I didn't promise them I would socialize. Liam and Eliza quickly approach me. We only have a quick moment to talk, because they move on to greet more of their guests. But when Eliza hugs me, it actually feels genuine. Her eyes almost look as if she was trying to say sorry. For what, I am not quite sure. Maybe for Tyson, or maybe even the way her friends talked about me during the game earlier.
Feeling slightly more welcome, I pull my study materials out of my bag and get situated. The bartender places a steaming hot mug on the counter in front of me. I didn’t order anything, but from the smell I knew exactly what it is. Spiced chai tea. “Thank you,” I say, but the bartender is already walking away.
I take a small sip. It is absolutely perfect. Just the right amount of spice and cream. I don’t even have to turn around to know that this drink is also from Sayid. I flip through a couple of pages to find where I left off earlier. Zahir approaches the bar, giving me a big smile before ordering some drinks.
He comes closer to talk to me while he waits. “I'm glad you were able to make it after all. That basketball game would have been shit without you.” He winks, and then he gives me a friendly bump, rocking his body against my side.
I can’t help laughing, remembering the priceless look on his face after my antics. “You know I can’t say no to Liam.” It was true, he is the only guy that has never hurt me, well and Zahir of course. Something pulls inside of me, I still don’t know how much Liam knew. “Has he figured everything out by now?”
“Whether he has processed everything or not is the real question. He’s figured out enough to know that he can’t trust his brother to be near you. I know for a fact that if he wasn’t family, he wouldn’t have been invited. Beth pushed for him to be here.”
I figured Gary and Beth didn’t have a clue what was going on, they were probably confused by everything that happened during the basketball game. “Well after tonight, it’s just one more day, and I will be on my way far away from him again.”
Zahir gave me a comforting grasp on my shoulder. “We’re looking out for you, don’t worry.” Zahir smirks as the waitress brings the tray of drinks around to him, he picks up a glass and raises it to me. “Have fun studying,” he chides before following the waitress back to the table of groomsmen he is joining. I resist the urge to give him the finger, and instead give him a sarcastic half smile.
I dive right into my studies, blocking out the room around me. I start to lose track of time, but eventually pull out of my concentration at the sound of one of the bridesmaid’s hideous cackles.
I can't help but cringe at the sound. I turn slightly over my shoulder towards the table of obnoxious women, but instead of seeing them, I am captured by Sayid’s curious gaze. It sets another round of sensations coursing through my body. It is a bit unnerving at first, but I'm starting to like the way his gaze makes me feel.
Another eruption of laughter comes from the hen house.“What a loser, how lame would it be to be reading in a place like this.” I don't even have to look to know they are talking about me.
“Right? Always buried in her books, no wonder I've never seen her with a man.” Their voices don't even have to carry far, I can hear every one of their ignorant words.
“How pathetic it must be to watch your best friend get married to someone else.” I press my lips together, and keep my gaze down at my study materials. I will not let them get under my skin, but of course their words don't sting any less.