“I knew it since yesterday actually.” Vi says as the smooth breeze touches our hair lightly. She’s wearing a nice knee-length black glittery dress, with a distinctive purple bow that wrap around her waist and she wears a nice purple high-heels that match the bow. It looks really pretty, especially with a glass of champagne to complete her perfect appearance
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask.
“I thought you’re still angry with me. About the whole ‘Sean knows it but I don’t’ thing.”
“How did you find out about our dad and Hayley’s sister?”
“He asked me what was my plan for today and I said I wanted to go to Heidy’s perfume launching. And when he asked where and when, he finally admitted that to me.” She states.
At first, it was hard. I thought of my dad and Hayley like ‘how could you?’ but then things don’t always fall to the place we wanted to. Dad was in a hard position as the owner of the company. He has to find a way to keep the business rolling. And one day, in a fashion show, he met Heidy, the fashion designer. Well, they talked and here they are today.” She sighs.
“Well…” I start, “Actually, I wanted to apologize about this to you….. It’s just not that easy you know, every time I want to call you, I was bothered by this feeling. I felt so small and….and not reliable enough…..”
“Ssssh!” Vi put her manicured index finger on my lips, “Don’t ever say that! You’re my best ever friend! Actually, I want to say sorry that I didn’t tell you about the guy in the picture.” She says. “It’s just that, I haven’t found the right timing to tell you.”
“That’s ok. I…I don’t really want to know about that guy either. If he is your ex-bf, that’s ok, I won’t ask.” I say, taking a gulp from my champagne glass
Then we’re both silent. I’m looking at the wide open city under us, we’re on the balcony of the hall, avoiding the crowd and cooling down our temper.
“Listen…” Vi starts.
“Hey ladies.” A voice makes us turn and it’s Sean. As handsome as ever, with a preppy brown coat and angelic smile. On his sides are Ian and Jeremy.
“Oh, yeah hi!” I say.
“Hey!” Vi greets.
“So, how you guys doing?” Sean asks.
“Well. I’m well.” I say.
“Me too!”
“It’s a nice surprise isn’t it? Having him here tonight. I haven’t seen him for ages!!” Jeremy rounds his arm on Sean’s neck and they do some “boys-friendly-gestures-but-its-more-like-a-fight-to-girls” things.
“Yeah! How do you do, bro?” Sean asks in a besties-to-besties voice.
“I’m great!” Jeremy brushes his coat to make it neat again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seat.” A voice suddenly echoes around the hall, stopping Vi in the middle.
“Come on.” I say, grabbing Vi’s hand and we walk inside, where more people have gathered and they’re taking their seats around the round tables.
Hayley is waving to us in a distant, she’s put us together on one table. Me, Vi, Ian, Jeremy, and her. And so, Jeremy, who knows nothing about the whole “bitch-and-betrayer” thing, eagerly hops to the table.
“Hi! Jeremy greets Hayley.
“Hi! Nice seeing you here. And who is this?” she points at Sean.
“I’m Sean. Jeremy’s best friend.” He extends his arm and shakes Hayley’s.
“Well, we need more chair!” Hayley calls one of the waiters and asks for additional chair. “There you go! Come on! Sit with us!” she taps on the chair.
“Thanks.” Sean says, taking his seat.
And so, the 6 of us, sit together awkwardly. Although, Hayley doesn’t feel like it.
Mr. Freyson climbs up the stairs to the stage and clears his throat, then he grabs the microphone and opens his mouth. “First of all , I’d like to thank you all to come and join us tonight in this highly celebrated launching of me and my new best friend’s perfume.” He pauses, “although she’s nowhere to be found..” he looks around the room, pretend to search for Heidy and it makes the guests laugh.
“What?” Jeremy pulls a face. “What joke is this? Mr. Freyson? and Heidy?” his voice raise.
“Yes! Great isn’t it? Vi’s dad and my sister!” Hayley says in a bright face.
Jeremy turns to see Vi, who forces a smile to Jeremy.
“Whoa! You guys knew about this and you didn’t tell me! How could you!” Jeremy’s voice turns into more excited.
I pray a silent prayer that he will shuts his mouth until the end of the presentation and dinner, and speak nothing about the “new owners” that he didn’t know about. Well, we all, didn’t know! Except that brunette-haired lady in a red dress.
“…..Well, well, well. I am very pleased to tell you that this..” Mr. Freyson points at a big symbol of old Freyson Company on the projector screen, “..has turned into this.” The picture changes to the new Hey Son symbol with swirly motives around the Hey Son swirly letters.
“This doesn’t mean that I will change the favorite scents every body likes, it’s just a matter of new name and addition of owner. And…” he suddenly points to the entrance door, “Ah! There she is!” and all heads are turning to the direction he’s referring. Heidy is standing there, shocked that every body’s looking at her, then she clasped her cell phone shut and professionally climb the small stairs to the stage.
“I think, she can form better words than I do. So, ladies and gentlemen, Heidy Manson.” Mr. Freyson says, followed by polite claps and little laughter.
“I’ll go to the rest room.” Vi suddenly stands up.
“Wait. I also want to go to the rest room.” I say, following Vi, who thumps her feet in anger all the way down to the rest room.
After we’re both inside, she walks to the glass-made sink and open the tap to let the water flows. She then take a handful of water and splash it on her face.
“Sugar…” she starts in a dready voice, “Please tell me now, how to survive in this situation? First, my dad and mum. And now, this!”
I think she must hate me to do such bad thing! She knew it! She knew it from the start that it’s her sister and my dad! And she knew so well that I suffered in a situation where my dad almost went bankrupt, and he had a big fight with mum. And she was all lightly said in such excited face that her sister is going to launch a new perfume line. I was happy for her! I had no idea it’s my dad! Why didn’t she just tell me that her sister….and I thought she is on my side, I took her shopping and I was so grateful about her and you and Ian and……” She doesn’t continue, her throat is strangled with tears.
I quickly walk towards her and hug her tight. Then she cries like a baby. All big and loud and with lots of tissues, and tear-stained face.
When we head back to the party, dinner time is over. And they all chat and laugh together, especially Jeremy and Sean, Hayley is nowhere to be found.
“Hey! You’re back! Where have you two been? I thought you were in the rest room….” Jeremy asks.
“We were.” I answer shortly. He, then drifts his eyes to Vi, whose eyes puffy and she’s looking down with tissue in her hand.
“What’s wrong?” Jeremy whispers to me in a puzzled face.
“Nothing.” I reply even shorter than before. I’m not in the mood to talk to anybody right now.
Guests have stood up from their seats and wander around to kiss others cheeks and have fun meeting new people and old friends. It’s almost 9 p.m. and slow music is playing in the background, while louder laughter are coming from many tables and we’re trapped in this round table with sad Vi and not-in-the-mood me. Why should we be the one who are sad? And moreover, Mr. Freyson hasn’t even once came down to our table and at least, visit us and talk. He, on the other hand, is talking and laughing with other unknown men.
“Having good time?” Mr. Freyson’s makes me jump. He’s standing behind Vi now, his face is all red due to glasses of champagne.
“Yes, we are. This is great.” I respond automatically.
“Where is Mum?” that’s Vi’s respond.
“I don’t know. I thought she would come later. The last time I saw her at home, she’s dressing up.” Mr. Freyson says. “You two go have fun,ok!” he taps Vi’s shoulder and saunter away.
“Care to tell me what had happened?” Jeremy asks after some pauses.
I exhale and finally says, “Ok, come on.” I stand up, followed by confuse Jeremy. I lead him to the balcony, where people are less crowded although, of course, there are people here.
“Ok, what is it?” he faces me in a bewildered expression.
“Vi and all of us, including you, also had no idea that it’s Hayley’s sister and Vi’s dad who built this new perfume line. We had no idea that Hayley knew all this since long. And even Vi, didn’t know what happened to his dad’s company, other than it’s almost gone ruin.” I say without taking a breath. Jeremy’s silent for few seconds, to digest all the information carefully and he opens his mouth, “So…what you’re trying to say…is that….Hayley knew what had happened between Vi’s parents and she didn’t tell us anything about this?”
“Yes, yes, yes…” I nod.
“Wow! So, is that the reason why Vi’s sad?”
“Of course! You moron!” I say impatiently.
“Wow,wow,wow! Cool down!” Jeremy says, “ok, but, I know Hayley since long. There’s no way she would do that!”
“Well, but she has!” I retort.
“But…” Jeremy’s going to reply but then he closes his mouth. “…but she was so happy and light and got excited every time her sister called her to tell her about the new progress…ok, maybe she’s just being happy and afraid that if she told us earlier about this, we might got angry at her, especially Vi.”
“But I thought she’s a good friend! I mean, how could she? She knew Vi is sad and his dad’s company was almost gone bankrupt and it’s her sister who made the joint company and….”
“Wait, wait.. Maybe her sister isn’t that evil, you know. Maybe she’s just trying to save Mr. Freyson’s company by making a joint-company so that Mr. Freyson’s company can still survive the hard times.”
“But she’s no one! Remember? Vi’s dad could easily pull up a contract with some cool celebs like
“So, you think her sister had tricked Vi’s dad?” Jeremy asks.
“Well…it’s just a guess. But it’s still weird.” I say. Then we’re both silent, trying to figure out what’s wrong and what had happened and what’s the wrong part and why? Why is it so bothering? Like something’s not right.
My brain tells me so. And my heart too.
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