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CHAPTER 5
April showers in New York were a problem for some, but not for me. I loved the rain, in exception to the thunder, whose booming noise felt too close to the shouts I heard while growing up. Like other unpleasant noises, such as the flick of a lighter, I’d find myself flinching, or even avoiding a space all together. I tried to ignore this fact, reminding myself that rain often signaled the season of spring, along with the fashion that followed.
While others wore heavy coats, I wore a tight dress with gold poppies, their meaning a little confusing depending on the interpretation. To some it resembled peace earned through death, but to others it was the symbol of love between a new couple. Tonight, it was the latter, it’s former meaning something I ignored. Regardless, they were a nice touch, adorned with blooming petals I’d never cover up.
We pulled up to the curb of a massive building, its exterior made of glass and warm lights. It towered above, piercing the sky, halting the rain which fell just moments ago.
Parker offered his arm which I gladly accepted as we stepped out. “So, now that we’re getting closer, can you finally tell me what tonight is all about?” I asked, my hand filled with the size of his bicep.
“Not yet, but you’ll see once we get to the rooftop. You’ll be so excited. I promise.”
I snuggled close against his arm as we walked, “I cannot believe it! We’re actually dressed up for a dinner. You know we’ve never gone anywhere fancy, right? It’s always been pizza slices or breakfast.” I laughed.
“That’s not bad!” He tilted his head toward mine, combing the untamed wave of his hair. “I actually prefer that. It's so us, simple and comfortable.”
“Simple? Like, predictable?” I twisted my lips, questioning his choice of words. “Should I take that as a compliment?” I wasn’t sure if it was.
“Simple?” He asked. “Simple has a bad rep. Life is so complicated, so messy. There’s nothing wrong with simple, in fact it's a luxury in my eyes.” Parker nodded, “I suppose simple isn’t the right word, but in my heart, it makes sense. But I get it, sometimes we need to try new things, even if it makes us uncomfortable.”
“That’s true, I suppose it's how we grow.”
If Parker and I were supposed to be with each other, we would have to escape our comfort zone. Maybe I wasn't the sister anymore, I was the risk he was willing to take. My stomach twirled in anticipation.
For a moment, we faced each other, and I feared he could sense the nervousness in my eyes. The pumping in my neck was almost a dizzying dream. I felt both incredible and beautiful, just from the way he stared at me. I wasn’t just happy, I was loved by the man I’d dreamed of calling mine since the day we met.
He placed his hand gently on my shoulder. “Gemma…” He finally let out.
“Yes?” I answered immediately, consumed by the silence between us. I couldn’t take it, the tension in my body, the alignment of a grand reveal.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you something.” He sighed, a little excited, but a little unsure as well, “You’ll be happy to know something. Something you’ve been pestering me about.”
“Something I pestered you about?” I asked. All I could do was nod my head, urging him to continue. I was lost, ready for his words. This was the moment I’d been waiting for…
“Parker!” Someone shouted from across the lobby. A complete stranger caught my attention. “Over here, babe.” A beautiful petite woman dressed all in black approached. She appeared like a chiffon dream, her sashaying hips hugged in the skintight sequence of a black liquid dress. The hypnotizing toss of her hair was enough to make me twitch, it’s black waves as dark as her eyes, encompassing the glow that graced her honey-kissed skin.
Babe? Parker? Wait…
I couldn’t have imagined, I couldn’t have dreamed, the absolute worse alternative to everything I expected.
My blinking slowed as she fastened her manicured fingers around Parker’s arm, pulling herself closely as I let him go. Gently she reached up, her palm rested on his chest as she kissed his lips ever so softly.
What. The. Fuck.
She stared back with slow blinking eyes filled with joy and glamour. She kissed him as if they were lovers in the midst of a honeymoon, completely lost in their own world, with me, their lone spectator. Was this what Parker meant to tell me? Parker pulled away softly, his eyes a little more concerned.
“Gemma, this is Mila… my girlfriend.” He stared right into my eyes, searching for a reaction. His face mirrored mine, mild shock, mild uncertainty.
She stuck her hand out to shake mine, “Youcan call me Camilla. I can’t believe I finally get to meet the amazing Gemma.” She emphasized my name. The chirp in her voice appeared tamer, addressing me with a distance in her tone. “My Parker has told me so much about you,” she rolled her large chocolate eyes up at him, jabbing his side with her finger, warranting a nervous smirk. He looked at me, seeking some approval, some reaction to confirm my excitement, but all I could feel was the sudden chill that anchored into my core.
He laughed at one of Camilla’s precise pokes, displaying an intimate understanding of both the part of his body and the reaction it created. My skin instantly sweat, feeling the simultaneous sensation of hot and cold along my bones. I was sick. Parker just studied me, ignoring the fact I somehow couldn’t address her as Mila.
I shook her hand back, “It’s nice to meet you, Camilla.” My eyes squinted in pained pleasantries, “I wish Parker said something, I had no idea we were meeting you tonight.” I fidgeted with the butterfly ring on my finger, rotating it around inconspicuously with sudden embarrassment.
“I’ll make him remember next time.” She said confidently as her eyes fixated on mine.
“Ok,” Parker laughed, breaking the silence that lingered for a moment, “I’m sure we’re all hungry. I called ahead and reserved a special bottle of Cabernet, they should be letting it breath as we speak.” His hand reached for my back but quickly switched to help guide Camilla inside.
The elevator ride was silent and awkward with a strange, thick tension. Trying my best not to get caught, I glanced at Parker, whose observant gaze was set on me before darting away. What the hell was he thinking, what even possessed him to suspect this would be some pleasant surprise? Was my persistent nudging of living a normal life a total backfire? I frowned for a moment, hoping he’d catch my eyes again, but was met with Camilla’s. Of course she was in a black dress, she could pull it off. I had the choice too, but instead my vintage Valentino sat in the closet, unworn because of how I saw myself; the shy timid girl with St. La Vie magazine clippings on the wall.
