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“Fine, let me just let Alina know you’re coming.” He took his phone out of his pocket, but Dina stopped him.
“No,” she said, clinging to Dereck’s hand. “If she knows I’m coming, she might be resistant. I don’t want to spook her off before I have a chance to apologize.”
“Fine,” Dereck said, diverting to his room. “I’ll be leaving in one hour. Get ready.” Dereck didn’t wait for a response when he closed the door to his bedroom. Dina would stay in the guest bedroom. It was a room she was familiar with, so there was no need to help her get settled.
Dereck took a warm shower first before looking for clothes and eventually settling on dark blue quill pants with a black long-sleeve shirt. Paired with a white sneaker, this was his favorite look for a semi-formal occasion.
When Dereck reemerged from his bedroom, Dina was already waiting for him in a deep V-neck ruffle-sleeved dress. The dark green outfit had a side slit and stopped at her knees. Dina wore black stilettos and had a black bag with a gold strap hung over her shoulder and, though it was darkening, she had oversized sunglasses in her hand. Her long curly hair was allowed to flow on her back, a look Dereck rarely saw on her. Dina usually wore heavy makeup with flashy jewelry, but today she kept it simple with a pair of diamond studs and gold bangles. Her makeup was kept neutral except for the dark blue lipstick.
“Ready?” he asked his sister, who was reapplying her lipstick, though it was very pronounced.
“I was ready five minutes ago.” She turned to look at him. “What took you so long?”
“Habit, I guess.” He took his keys from where he rested them on the table. “I’m used to waiting on women.”
“Well brother, you must be hanging around the wrong kind of woman,” Dina said as she placed the lipstick in her bag. Dereck gave her an intense look but said nothing. This was simply Dina. She usually spoke her mind, but as long as she was civil towards Alina, he didn’t care what she said to him.
Alina arrived at the restaurant before Dereck and his sister did. She was halfway into a glass of Chardonnay when Dina’s presence caused her to splatter the drink on her blouse. Dusting the droplets with her hand, Alina rose from her seat.
“Dina,” she said with a slight fumble. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I asked Dereck not to let you know so that I can surprise you,” Dina said with a smile, lightly resting her hand on her brother’s shoulder before taking a seat. “Were you surprised?”
Alina held back a snarl. “Very much so.”
When they were all seated, Dina asked. “So, Alina. Dereck tells me you have an exhibition coming. How are the preparations going?”
Alina’s eyes darted towards Dereck, who gave her a slight nod, urging her to engage in conversation. Though uneasy, she answered Dinas who was openly against her relationship with Dereck. It was Dina who had questioned her worthiness for this man. She was to blame, now that Alina doubted herself. “It’s actually going well,” Alina said after clearing her throat. “I’ve completed all the pieces, so now it is to plan the big event. But I have others helping with that, so it’s pretty relaxed.”
Dina put the glass of wine to her lips as soon as the waiter served her. “Send me an invitation, will you? Maybe I can make it to New York to support you on your big day.”
Alina swore she misheard what Dina said. She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. “You want to come to my exhibition?” She hated the way her words came out, as if she was unsure of herself. That was not how she wanted to appear, especially in the presence of Dina.
Dereck remained silent with his hands folded at his chest as Dina grew a slight smile. She dropped the glass on the table. “Listen Alina. I know we got off on the wrong foot and I haven’t always been supportive of your relationship with my brother. But he is serious about you, and I don’t want my resistance to your relationship to cause a wedge between us.” She reached out her hand and touched Dereck’s shoulder. “You see, my brother and I are very close, and all I want for him is to be happy. So, if you make him happy, so be it.” Then she held Alina’s gaze. “I hope we can put aside our differences for his sake.”
Dereck was looking at Alina now with intense eyes as hers darted from one sibling to the other. They were both silent, obviously waiting for her positive response.
Alina’s smile was uncertain when she said, “We all want Dereck to be happy, so let’s just put the past behind us and start anew.”
Dina raised her glass to Alina. “To new friendship.”
Alina scrambled for her glass and quickly tapped it on Dina’s. Her force was more than she intended to use, and the glasses made a loud crackling sound. “To new friendship,” she said, but couldn’t shake the awkwardness in her voice and smile.
Dereck seemed to have dropped some tension. “Now that we are all friends, how about we order?” He raised his hand to get the waiter’s attention and when the man came over, they each ordered their dishes.
When they were alone again, Dina tossed some of her bountiful hair behind and said, “I just love that blouse. Where did you get it?”
Alina was wearing a two-piece outfit from the Versace 2018 collection. It was white and pink with gold seaside-themed patterns. The top was cropped with thin lacey straps and the skirt had a slight flare and was belted at the waist. Alina carried a small bag with a silk scarf dangling from it with a white bootie. Her hair was styled to the sides of her face with loose curls. Alina kept her makeup light, settling for only a pair of large gold hoops.
“Actually,” Alina looked down at herself. “This was given to a friend of mine. She works with a high-profile marketing agency.”
“How beneficial for you,” Dina said, “It’s always great having friends in high places.”
At that time, Dereck rose from his seat in a rush. “Excuse me for a bit, ladies. I see someone I really need to talk to.” He set his drink on the table and scampered away.
“My brother certainly smiles a lot when he is with you,” Dina said, increasing the pride in Alina’s heart. It felt great being acknowledged for Dereck’s happiness.
“I do my best to always make him smile,” Alina took a sip of her drink as she held her chin high.
