"Oh good. James gave me this brilliant idea. He said not everyone would like seafood so I have the chef cook some other food, so hopefully it should be done soon. Smart boy. I have never imagined someone not liking seafood," she said and I nodded vigorously.
Of course, he asked to change the menu. I could feel my nails digging into my skin.
"You ladies head back inside before you get sick. Off you go, both of you. Dinner should be soon, hopefully," she said, making gestures with her hands to shoo us back inside.
Alicia shrugged her shoulders and grabbed my arm, pulling me inside. Instead of taking me toward the table, she took me to an isolated parlour room. She closed the door behind us.
"Alright, girly, speak," she said, crossing her arms and waiting.
"About what?"
"You know exactly what. Trust me, I know that look," she snapped.
I collapsed on the couch behind me and placed my head in my hands.
I have to tell someone, and I might as well start with her.
"You should tell Darius."
I looked up at her, with a “was she serious”? look.
"I can't."
"Of course you can. It's simple. You go up to him and tell him everything, Ivory, or else-"
"No way," I said, shaking my head.
"You know that he'll find out sooner or later. It's better with you telling him than James filling his head up with stuff."
I sighed, not sure what to do. She was right. I need to tell him, but I don't want to.
What if he judged me for it? We were finally getting on good terms and I don't want to ruin it.
"I will, just not now."
"No. Do it now. Did you know that Darius just accepted him as a business partner?"
"What?" I asked, half-yelling as I looked up at her in utter surprise. She nodded, twirling one of her locks in her fingers.
"They're still talking about it. Darius hasn’t fully accepted him as a partner yet. And from what you have told me, James would bring the company down. I was surprised when Jake told me. I didn't quite believe it myself."
I tapped my foot impatiently on the ground. This wasn't good. Wasn't good at all, but how was I supposed to tell him?
"We should get back," I said, standing up.
Alicia stood up as well and went for the door. "Ivory, you need to tell him. He deserves to know," she said.
"I will," I said, leaving out the part when I would tell him. I mean I'll get to it, just not now.
By the time we went back, people were sitting back down for dinner. How long had we been away? I plastered a fake smile as we walked back and Alicia stared at me. James seemed to have disappeared and Jake and Darius were talking.
"There you both are. We were about to send out a search party," said Jake as we approached them.
Alicia laughed, waving a hand. "Please, we were admiring the garden," she said, the lie slipping out so easily.
"That reminds me,” Jake said, looking in my direction. “How is your garden going, Ivory?"
Darius looked at me, raising his eyebrows, and I could feel heat rushing to my cheeks. Jeez, Jake, did you have to blurt that out loud?
"Eh, it's fine," I said, shrugging as I sat down. The waiter came toward us pushing a tray.
"What would you like, chicken or seafood, ma'am," he said. I opened my mouth and saw James in the corner watching us.
"Seafood," I replied, frowning. The waiter nodded and placed a plate in front of me. I looked up to see the smirk wiped off James's face. If he still thought he knew me, he was wrong. Alicia raised her eyebrows at me in question. I ignored her, looking down at the prawns in front of me.
Here goes nothing.
I was the only one at our table who had ordered seafood and now, looking at them all eat their succulent chicken, I was annoyed. Damn it, Ivory, you should have just gotten the damn chicken. But of course, my pride was far too big for that. I looked up, my eyes roaming till I spotted him.
James was sitting a table away from us with his mother as he talked to people around him. He was always someone who had their way with words, always making a good impression.
Stop thinking about him! I placed a prawn in my mouth and chewed on it, trying not to let it rise back up. Just swallow, chew and swallow.
"Are you okay?"
I looked up to see Darius staring at me, his eyebrows knotted in confusion. I nodded, placing my fork on the plate.
"I'll be right back," I said. I got up quickly, ignoring Alicia's worried look as I rushed to the bathroom. I could feel everything around me crushing, my resolve breaking. God, why did he have to show up? Just when I have finally started putting my life back together, here he was again.
Alicia was right. I needed to tell Darius. But how will I tell him? I can't just simply walk up to him and say, ‘Oh by the way, your new business partner? He’s my ex.’ I can’t do it. Darius is moody as hell, not to mention bi polar. The second I tell him, all hell will break loose.
I splashed water on my face, washing all my makeup off. It was cold and refreshing. I stared at my somewhat pale reflection, my brown eyes looking scared. The only colour on my face was my cheeks that were slightly pink from the cold water.