The Gala

She consistently talked, he leaned to the window and glared, the monkeys swayed on the hanging electricity lines on the city outskirts, Hoot! the sounds echoed as the night owls echoed their ecstasy in the night and the moon’s presence, his suit was still intact from his cologne, the collar to the laces, he was okay by the looks but looking closely the mistreated terrified boy was the being inside. They had driven some kilometers and they were outside the city by nightfall, Mary had taken the privilege to hire a driver to take the wheel and give her hubby her full support, she saw this night a success and even if it wouldn’t be… this was the nightmare she couldn’t courage herself enough to face. Mary had the feeling, that awkward unsettling feeling that this night would be over even before they were at the gala, “What’s wrong?”, she asked Ricky. Close enough over the years she was conscious enough to notice Ricky was unsettled, despite her encouragements and comfort that her parents would like him, that her father was likely to get along with him though the mother not as much, he realized this was not enough and she eventually realized.

“It’s not my parents, is it?”, she asked, her hands clocked his face to her and at that brief second, she saw the answer, those swelling eyes, that terrified boy in a corner somewhere shivering in the cold, immediately she wrapped herself around him. “They will be there.”, Ricky talked eventually tucking her thighs closer, “Who?”, she asked resting Ricky’s head on her chest, “The Masons.”, he spoke turning from the left to the right, her pointy sharp like thorns on the edge of her breast cups dress made him uncomfortable.

“Doesn’t matter.”, she comforted him curving the designs into a smooth lining to the dress skin making Ricky comfortable, “It does they always ruin everything for me.”, he broke the pain sensed a far. “So what if your brothers are attending? Tonight, you are mine! You are my man and no one will ruin this night for us. So the Masons can die in a car accident for all I care no one hurts my mechanic.”, she affirmed, her hands pulled him from her baggage and straight in his eyes she repeated, “Noone will ruin this night I don’t care who or what.”. this comfort made him secure again, he felt that boy man up and face his fears, she was his mental support and another reason Ricky would burn the world to keep her, he tightened the circle and the feeling faded. The feeling that made her uneasy was no longer around, all remained was the arrival whose timing neared, his fingers circled her waist and his head rested on the well filled breasts while she curled her fingers in his smooth well moisturized hair.

“We are here.”, the middle-aged well-dressed driver alerted, held close and deep in their affection the sudden stop gave them the heads up while the driver affirmed their thoughts. “Now look at me. We are together in this okay.”, she affirmed for the fifth time since they left the house, “Okay.”, Ricky confirmed shyly, rising herself she moved to the left of the door Ricky on the right for him to alight first. The clicking of cameras outside and constant news reporters to affirm the presence of the unknown guest, the bright lights and scribbling of pens to make headlines the following day were the one of many commotions that relit the nervousness and once again Mary noticed. “Huuuh!”, he sighed trying to battle the anxiety and nervousness that made the door feel like the weight of a tank, “Come here.”, she commanded and with no warning she pulled him back and planted a hefty passionate kiss, the confidence was shared from one body to another, as he rubbed his lips, stretched his suit to its wrists, a quick scan on his appearance he did his most courageous deed in his life, the door lock clicked, the edges smoothly glided open and first the light then the hurricane of clicks and chaos.

The red carpet was on the door entrance to the gala entrance, on the side guards barred the paparazzi and bloggers from going rampage on the guests, dressed in black with aggressive physique and gruesome strength there were no commotions for the guards, or not yet. Seconds after Ricky moved out of the car the camera lights blinded him slightly before he reached out his hand, and at that moment Mary climbed out and together the couple Ricky the taller gentleman on the left and Mary the date for the night walked glamorously on the royal carpet smiling for the consistent pictures. One of the news reporters, Abigail known amongst the public for her consistent relentless persuasions to get her answers and getting the juicy of all celebrity drama was in attendance and dreaming to walk on the red carpet one day she was ready to make that true whether the guards like it or not.

“We have the daughter of the Kang Family, CEO of The Kangs Enterprise, Mrs. Mary Kang.”, the news reporter addressed the camera in front of her, journalist Abigail of The Nation News Board, the nametag stuck to her plate on her chest signified. Abigail confident and in need of a raise glided past the guards that walled them from the red carpet and those walking on it, rushing to get the juice before she was banned for life, she ambushed the smiling couple placed the mic right on Mary’s lips and asked the question everyone was asking, “And who have you brought along?”. “This is my boyfriend and future to be husband.”, Mary proclaimed over the mic Abigail a witness to the confession, in need of the juice still she turned the mic from Mary to the alleged so-called boyfriend to affirm the remarks, “IS it true you are and if it is what is your name?”, she asked relentless despite the mic chord holding her back and two guards charging towards her. “My name is Ricky and yes I am her boyfriend and soon to be husband.”, he confronted the allegations, “You heard it folks Mary and her date Ricky are one of the many guests to this annual gala.”, Abigail addressed the camera once again the confessions and one of many headlines to come for the next week though it was evident from the threats b the guards that she was banned from the gala and further precautions taken if she insisted her presence within the vicinity.

In the inside it looked much bigger, the dome like ceiling was sky high, the walls were much wider and more octagon like shaped rather than the hexagon like it had on the outside, the gold plated chandeliers with 20 AMPH bottled bulbs in the vase like cups lit the room dimmed yellow, the venue was subdivided into various partitions which were confusing with no map on sale, but good enough every servant wearing a white shirt, black trousers with a dish moving serving drinks knew the place around. “Do you know where we can converse with my husband privately?”, Mary asked the waitress after a slight champagne, “Yes go straight down the hall and left you will see a sign labelled Silenciuex. Follow the sign there is a chamber for our guests.”, the waitress directed.

The couple giggled Mary’s arm wrapped on Ricky’s while his other arm in his pocket, “The champagne was expensive.”, Ricky opinioned on the drink they had, “You should have seen the cocktail.”, Mary added painting the surprising yet still weird look on Ricky. “Why was I even nervous.”, he wondered, from the moment they entered everything was good and getting better, some champagnes, some conversations with other guests on various subjects, so far so good he concluded. “Mary dear, come.”, Sam called out his daughter she spotted amongst the group of chatting guests, “That’s my dad let’s go.”, Mary whispered pulling Ricky from the group, suddenly the anxiety settled in but this time the champagne was strong enough to keep his sense in one state because this was the time he so much avoided, but it was inevitable it would come.

“Hi dad.”, she greeted hugging Sam and a childish peck on both his cheeks, she moved back to give his date a chance to introduce himself but then she saw it, she felt that feeling coming back and her fears were concreting she had to act first. “Dad this is my date.”, she claimed pulling Ricky closer from his rooted spot, joining the words in his mind he saw the glare in Sam’s eyes but the tightened grip from Mary gave him a painful piece of confidence. “My name is Ricky sir.”, he spoke nervousness evident, Sam the recipient was ironically gladdened by the anxiety his daughter’s date had, “I see you are the one my daughter has been talking about.”, he commented on the relationship of the two, “I also see you are afraid of me guess my daughter has told you about me then.”, he boasted. For a moment the joke seemingly calmed Ricky for him to act relaxed, “Yes she has.”, he chuckled slightly and turned to Mary who shyly avoided eye contact and turned away. Some champagne between the three, some topics erupted from market exchange, the technological work and some sports, and calm enough Ricky and Sam made quite a good communication duo, “I like you son. When will you come visit us at home?”, Sam asked already impressed by the lad and secure about her daughter’s future. “I have some work to handle but will plan to come over.” He responded pulling his suit closer to his chest, “What about dinner?”, Mary asked to both parties. “Yes, dinner can work don’t you agree sir?”, Ricky addressed Sam in agreement with Mary, “Yes and don’t call me sir call me Sam.”, he insisted taking the last of his champagne in the glass.

“And that is why you should invest before buying a car.”, the gentleman finished picking a champagne glass from one of the waiters, he had enlightened his fellow entrepreneurs on why investments are important and more so to invest in David enterprises. In a rather black coat with some gray lashes, black trousers with his official leather Crocodile leather shoes, he was more of a specs wearing guy when in formal occasions like this, “Excuse me gentlemen.”, he excused himself courteous enough to finish his champagne before taking his leave. He is like on the internet, handsome, tall, masculine wealthy, learned, time to make my move she counselled herself, after the Kangs had arrived later on after Mary had Sam had some catching up with his old golf friend back in the ranch while Elizabeth went on to search for his daughter’s soon to be husband. “Hello Mr. David.”, she greeted the gentleman on his phone, “Hello madam.”, David greeted back un-pocketing his hands and stashing the phone inside his inner coat pocket, “My name is Eliz…”, “Madam Elizabeth Kang, right?”, David interrupted her introduction, “Sorry for cutting you but its an honor meeting you Mrs. Kang.”, he humbly apologized.

“He has manners too.”, Elizabeth was impressed even further than she initially was by the man’s awareness of her, “How may I help you?”, David placed the request with no specifics or lines not to cross, “I have a daughter I would like you to meet.”, Elizabeth requested, David already aware of the outstanding beauty her daughter Mary is known for he non hesitantly agreed to the proposal ready to make a good impression. “I do have some investments in that too.”, Sam added, their topic was currently on the market fluctuations, stock exchange rates and just when to invest and where, by the looks Ricky had managed to showcase his learned ability and every word he uttered had sense though he had no idea what it meant, maybe his years of reading magazines and newspapers on business and economics actually paid off. “I have to leave excuse me a moment,”, Mary excused herself rushing to the restrooms her bowels threatened to give away, however as she rushed avoiding unnecessary greetings or catching up with childhood friends she walked right into mother with David by her side.

“Mary I was just talking to David about you. David this is my daughter Mary.”, she introduced each to the other, the sudden encounter froze her bladders functioning and the rush she had was paused till whatever circus she walked into was over. “A pleasure to meet you.”, David greeted the lady, grabbing her hand he planted a soft smooch on her fingers, “Pleasure to meet you too.” She said pulling back her hand. There she was angered by the audacity of her mother to deny her the right to choose her spouse, but since this occasion was one of joy, she buried all that under her smile and clicked, “It wouldn’t get worse, would it?”, she convinced herself.

“Honey meet Ricky, Mary’s date for her gala.”, Sam blabbered Ricky dragged behind him, close enough he reached out to his wife and caved her within his grasp, at that moment a void of emotions was created and infinitely, rage, confusion, and embarrassment whirled in.