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Before leaving her hotel room that morning, Alina had a long shower, at which time she allowed some tears to blend into the sprays from the showerhead. Then she dressed in simple blue distressed jeans and a white tank top which revealed the jewelry on her navel. Alina left her hair loose around her face and applied neutral makeup once again, paying particular attention to the eyes. When she was through, she grabbed her sunglasses, her bag, and the heels from the previous night. Alina had a lot to do that day, but her first stop was in the room next door.
“Taylor,” she shouted when the knocks on the door remained unanswered. “Taylor, are you in there?”
Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried again to reach her friend, to no avail. Of all the years she had known Taylor, that was the first time Alina had seen her friend so angry, the first time she raised her voice in anger. Taylor was usually easygoing and ecstatic about life, and for her to explode like that meant that Alina’s accusation hurt her deeply.
Alina didn’t mean to take out her anger on her friend. She was just in too much pain to think clearly, but that was no excuse. Taylor was just trying to be a good friend, and she did not deserve the attack.
“I’m going out for a bit,” Alina spoke through the door. That seemed to become a habit. “I know you must be tired from yesterday so I’ll see you when I get back, okay?” The room remained silent when Alina walked away.
With her first attempt at apologizing a failure, Alina prepared herself for a second attempt, which led her to the restaurant where she completely botched her chances the night before. She had to wait two hours for a table inside.
Alina knew that Dereck’s family was desperate for him to take over the family business, but she did not know what it entailed or how successful it was. She took in a deep breath. “And this is just one of the many they owned.”
“What was that?”
Alina turned her head to find the waitress at her side.
“Oh nothing,” she told the woman.
“Are you ready to order, or would you like to wait for the rest of the people in your party?” The waitress asked.
Alina lowered her head before answering. “It’s just me, and I would like the ribs with the mashed potato and green beans. And a glass of red wine.”
“No problem,” the waitress said and left Alina alone as she went to bring in the order.
Alina’s strategy was simply to wait around long enough, and hopefully, she might get to see Dereck. But he still hadn’t shown up by the time she was finished with her meals. She even ordered dessert and another glass of wine to prolong the meal, but it was fruitless.
“Excuse me miss,” the server returned to the table thirty minutes after Alina was finished with her meal.
“Yes?” Alina asked, looking up at the young man with a raised eyebrow.
“I’ve noticed that you’re finished with your meal.” He swallowed hard. “We have others waiting to be seated at a table. Would you mind moving to the bar and accepting a complimentary glass of wine?”
Alina looked at the entryway of the restaurant, where several people gathered and then breathed out heavily. She wasn’t usually this inconsiderate, but in her attempt to get Dereck back, she lost sight of others.
“I’m sorry,” Alina said, grabbing her belongings. “The drink won’t be necessary. I’m leaving.”
The server’s eyes opened, and he looked panicked. “You don’t have to leave, miss. We’re happy to have you.”
“No, no. It’s not that.” Alina raised her hands in the air. “I really should be leaving.”
Then the server dropped his hand to the side. “Come again then.”
Alina smiled at the young man, trying to push away his fears that he chased away a customer. “I certainly will. The meal was delicious, and the atmosphere was simply majestic.” She stood, but before she walked away, she thanked the server again.
Alina strolled out of the restaurant with her chin lowered to her chest, her hands limp, and tears stinging at the back of her eyes. She was about to cross the street when a car blocked her path. She didn’t even raise her head immediately and when she did; it felt as if she was in a daze.
“Dereck?” she mumbled under her breath as he jumped out of the car and came to her side.
“Alina, are you okay?” Dereck’s eyes were wide and his eyebrows shot up to the sky. “Are you hurt?” His hand gripped Alina’s shoulders and suddenly Alina couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. It came rushing out, yet she still fought to speak between sobs.
“I’m so sorry,” she shook her head. “Yesterday… what you saw… it was nothing.” Alina was gasping for air, and most of her words were inaudible.
“Alina,” Dereck cut through her mumbles. “It’s okay. I already know. Taylor explained everything to me.” Dereck released Alina and turned towards the car, where Alina noticed his dark-haired passenger for the first time. “She came by the restaurant early this morning and refused to leave until I listened to what she had to say.”
Alina’s tears stopped flowing now as she stared wide-eyed at her friend, who had a pleasant smile on her face. After all the nasty things she had said to Taylor, Taylor still went out of her way to help Alina. She owed Taylor big time for this and from Taylor’s stride as she approached the couple Alina doubted that Taylor will let her forget it.
“Taylor, I’m…” Alina began as her best friend came to stand beside Dereck, but was cut short by an elderly woman dressed in a chic black-and-white checkered skirt suit with a belt at the waist. The woman had dark hair styled in an elegant bob with gray eyes resembling Dereck’s. She was shorter than everyone who stood around her, but she made up for it with stilettos.
