Laughters echoes through every corner of the room. It was still early in the night, barely past 8pm. I look from watching the night scape outside to the room to watch everyone surrounding me.
It's Ivar's birthday and even though he had insisted on not throwing a party, someone had managed to throw one for him. Nevea.
My eyes wonder through the room until they landed on her.
Nevea stood by one of the many tables in the room, engaged in a conversation with two other women and a man. The way she smiled and seemed to be enjoying herself this evening, everything was contagious.
Her smile glistened through the room and even the glass of red wine between her palm seemed happy to be there. One would think that after everything that has happened in the past week, us separating and everything that I did, she would run back into depression and withdraw from the outside, from events like this. But there she was having the best night of her life. Without me.
I feel my chin harden and I look down on the glass in my hand. I cannot help it and my eyes are wondering off to Neavea again. I'd say the separation has taken a lot of toll on me than on her.
I can't get passed the beautiful blue evening gown she had on, accentuating her beautiful curves. And the way her blond hair is pulled back. She was perfect.
My eyes catches Ivar as he joins them, and they shared a drink. Nevea is always selfless, always putting other people first. Which was why she threw this party even when Ivar was nonchalant about getting one.
Right now ninety percent of the people here were from the society and specifically my company.
“Hey, Kai!” Claire called, pulling me from my thoughts. Her eyes are glistening in the soft light as they watch me hopefully.
“Could you please help me with these prawns and crabs? I can’t peel them with my arm like this.”
I hesitated for a moment because I thought of talking to Nevea. I glanced at her, and she was still talking to some of the workers. I would talk to her later. I couldn't leave Claire hanging.
“Sure," I said, moving to sit beside her.
“Thanks! You’re a lifesaver,” Claire responded with a bright smile.
I picked up one prawn and crab and began peeling them. This part of being a first society son sometimes could suck, but it was a good thing that I needed to do this with Claire. Other members sometimes could be demanding.
“You’re always so kind to me, sir, I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said, leaning against me.
“It’s nothing. Just doing what I should."
As I continued peeling, Ivar joined us, holding two drinks in his hands. He handed one to me and shot a knowing glance at Claire.
“You really know how to make a guy feel useful, huh? What a gentleman," he teased.
I chuckled and handed another peeled prawn to Claire.
"Hey I'm just being helpful to a worker who needs it." I respond.
"Um Kai I wanted to ask you something," Claire says "I'm sorry I don't mean to pry but is everything okay between you and Nevea? I've noticed you didn't come to the party together and also haven't spoken to each other. Is everything alright?"
Her question takes me aback but I chuckle and reply anyway "what? Nevea is fine, Claire. "
"So why does it feel like you two are fighting?" She presses.
"Nevea's just taking a break. She's fine.."
I hear Claire's gasp. "I hope I am not the cause of your fights?"
"Of course not. Nevea understands that I'm just helping you, don't worry about it okay?"
She nods uneasily and Ivar groans knowingly. Just as he moves out of the way and my eyes strained forward, I catch sight of nevea. She has now moved from the previous table and Is now standing directly opposite me, her arms folded and her eyes watching me. My heart skips a beat at the sight and a strange sense of unease sets inside of me.
As the main course was served, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off with Nevea. She had never been this angry this much. She behaved differently, and I couldn't understand why she made things difficult.
“Nevea, want some prawns?” I called out, trying to break the ice after a while.
Nevea turns an icy look at me before responding, "no I'm fine."
Before I could respond, Ivar chimed, “Come on, Nevea. You can’t just stand there! Join us. Kai’s practically the seafood king over here!”
Nevea smiled politely but shook her head.
“Really, I’m fine. I think I’m going to head home,” Nevea insisted.
“Already? It’s still early” I asked, surprised.
"Yeah I'm not feeling good. And happy birthday once again Ivar." She adds, adjusting her bag straps over her shoulder.
"I'll drive you home...." I started saying but she cuts me off.
"I can get home myself." And then she was out of the door
My chest churns and everything suddenly felt so heavy.
"Are you sure everything is alright, Kai?" Claire breaks the building silence. "I can't help but notice that I am the reason why she is so cold tonight. I'm sorry that I had to get injured yesterday, causing you to call off your engagement party. I would be hurt if I were her too."
"Don't worry about it, Claire. She's fine and she understands. "
"It doesn't look like it to me Kai. " She says as she pulls back her chair and stands up, picks up her plate and headed into the kitchen.
With my chest tight, I walk away and tried calling Nevea but to my surprise, the voice over informs me that I cannot call this number anymore.
My chest tightens as the realization hit me like a meteor.
Nevea has blocked my number.
