Chapter 4 Dinner
[SIENNA'S HOUSE]
"What!" Sienna screamed, jaws slack. "Tell me you're joking?"
"I really wished it were the case here," Lalissa mumbled, scooting further into the bed. "I didn't know how the whole thing happened."
Sienna stood, clicking her tongue. "This is serious. Like you kissed Lance, and got hooked up with a stranger."
"Can you not say that out loud?"
"No, I'm finding it hard to wrap the whole thing around my head. I knew I wanted you to come out of your goody girl world, but this—Lance is our friend. He is fine. But the stranger, what if he's some old dude with grey hairs? What if he's—"
"He's not like that," Lalissa cut her off. "I remembered his face. No grey hair."
Sienna's butt landed on the bed. The bed bounced a bit, the bed sheet bunching together.
"One thing I don't understand is how you got into a stranger's room. You were with Lance. I might have been with Ace, but I had my eyes on you both."
"I swear I'm as confused as you. I remembered going to the bathroom, cause my head felt heavy. I did go there, did my stuff, and I came out and got confused. I saw him walking in. His back posture like that of Lance, and I followed him mistaking him for Lance," Lalissa muttered with a soft sigh, remembering the silly things she said to him.
"I know you're scared. Daddy."
"Does my word affect you, Daddy?"
"We shouldn't freak out." Sienna's voice cuts through her thoughts. "He's probably some dude you wouldn't see in your life again. So, no need to panic."
"It's so easy for you to say," Lalissa sighed. "I've always wanted my first time to be perfect. Dreamy. Have the perfect boyfriend. Get married. Then have a cozy wedding night. Not giving it out like that."
Sienna took Lalissa's hand into hers. "I know I won't understand you, cause only the bearer knows how the person is feeling, but I want you to be strong. Take it as one of the important moments in your life. Stop thinking about it, and soon, you'll see yourself forgetting about it."
Lalissa slowly withdrew her hand. "It's so easy for you to say."
"That's the only way for you to get over it."
Lalissa nodded in reply.
"Cheer up, okay?"
Lalissa forced a small smile, thinking Sienna might be right.
The best thing to do is to live her life. Pretend like it never happened. Soon, she'll forget about it all. Yes. It will work.
But, could she ever forget that night? Not when she could still remember the sinful words in her ears. The way he handled her. The way his touch ignited desires she didn't know they exist.
She can't blame the alcohol for it. She just can't. Seeing Ace and Sienna, then, kissing Lance all played a part in it, and now, she got that strong feeling that that night is only the beginning.
"Tell me something Lissa," Sienna said. "Your story sounds like one of those we see in the movies. Girl hooking up with a stranger. Was he hot like the guys in the movies?"
Lalissa gave her the 'really look'.
"What?" Sienna pretended to be nonchalant. "I'm just being curious. You said he doesn't have grey hairs, so he's probably handsome. If it were to happen according to the movies, your paths might cross again."
"Can you be serious?"
Sienna shrugged. "I'm only saying based on what I see in the movies."
Silence fell in the room, stretching a bit before Lalissa spoke up.
"I wonder how I'm going to face Lance. He was worried about me, and even dropped by."
"Nah. Lance is easy to get through. I'm sure he'll understand."
The gut feeling that something big is about to happen to her kept growing strong at the tick of the clock.
She admits she hasn’t been herself since morning, but the feelings grew worse since her mom mentioned about her soon-to-be-step-father.
--
“What!”
Lalissa spun.
The chair squeaked on the tile as Sara stood and walked to her.
“Yes, Lissa. I’m getting married again.”
“Tell me you're joking?”
“You think I’d joke with something like this?”
Lalissa’s mouth opened a bit as she stared at her mom with a pale face.
"...W...When did all these things happen? A new husband? Why do you need one? A step-dad? I’m fine living with you.”
“I know I should have told you this a long time ago,” Sara sighed. “Your dad passed away when you were just six. I have been living alone for the past seventeen years. I’ve drowned myself in the company, but now, I can’t do it again. I’m tired of being lonely.”
Lalissa sniffed. “Why mom? You think dad would be happy? We have been happy living like this.”
“Then maybe he shouldn’t have left me!” Sara yelled, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. “Do you know how hard it is attending events alone. Galas. Charity organizations. People going in with their dates, while I sit with colleagues. I didn’t remarry because I wanted you to come of age. I didn’t want anything that would distract your life, and I got what I wanted. You’ve graduated. You’ll soon take over the company, and what do I do? I sit at home all by myself.”
Lalissa dabbed her palm on her face. “It’s your life. Your choice. Do what you want.”
She left the house, wiping any tears that threatened to fall out.
--
“Lissa!”
Lalissa jerked back to reality.
“Where were you? I’ve been calling you for a while now.”
Lalissa opened her mouth, hesitating for a while before speaking.
“I’m going to have a step-dad.”
“What!” Sienna screamed out in shock. “Like your mom is going to get married again.”
“That’s what she says,” Lalissa exhaled softly. “You know I’ve always loved my dad. The thought of calling another man father is just...weird.”
“Honestly saying, your life is one complicated one. Still trying to get over the party saga, and now, this...”
“Exactly. I saw the signs. When she smiled more often with her phone. And now, she said we’re dining at his place.”
“I honestly don’t know what to say. One problem keeps on popping after the other,” Sienna said. “I think—”
A knock came on the door interrupting Sienna.
Both girls exchanged glances.
“I’ll get it.”
Sienna stood and went to the door.
She bolted the door open.
“Lance,” she said, eyes widening for a bit. “Lance! Come on in.”
Lance poked her forehead.
“Why are you being so dramatic?”
Sienna made faces, closing the door behind them.
Lalissa and Lance's eyes met.
“Lissa,” he said in a low voice as he came to her. “Where were you? I couldn’t find you at the party.”
Lalissa glanced at Sienna.
Sienna pressed her lips together and raised her hands in the air.
“Fine, I’m leaving. Need to go visit Ace anyway.”
She left the house.
“Lance I...I had something to attend to. It was urgent, so I left without telling you,” Lalissa said, slightly biting her tongue for lying. But, what could she do. Telling him what truly happened is impossible. “Sorry I couldn’t tell you.”
“It’s fine. I’m not mad. Just worried when I couldn’t find you. No need to apologize.” He gave her a small smile.
Lalissa smiled back—a fake one as she thought of how to talk about the kiss.
“Last night I...” she started. “The kiss. I didn’t mean to do it—”
“It was my fault,” Lance stared down at her face as he spoke. “I shouldn’t have convinced you to take the excessive amount of the drink. I should have stopped you.”
Lalissa flashed him a small smile. “Don’t take the blame. It was my choice to drink. Entirely mine.”
“And it was my duty to watch over you, and I failed in that part.”
“Okay,” Lalissa admitted. “We were both at fault. Let’s stop doing this blaming competition. It’s all in the past now, and—”
“The past should remain in the past.”
They said simultaneously, and burst into laughter.
“We still haven’t forgotten those weird phrases,” Lance said, amidst laughter.
“Don’t talk as if we last saw each other decades ago. We just graduated.”
“Right.”
Their soft laughter echoed around the room, filling the walls as Lance stopped, staring at Lalissa’s face.
Lalissa rolled the hem of her dress around her fingers as their car rode down the lively night street to her soon-to-be step-father’s house.
They've been on the road for over twenty minutes, and each time it feels as if they’re getting closer, her heart sank.
Sara and she were lucky to have discussed it through, and though she’s not fully in support, it makes her mom happy.
But she couldn’t shake off these feelings that something would happen. Good, or bad? She couldn’t tell. But she’s never felt this nervous before, neither has she gotten so paranoid about something.
The car screeched into a compound as it pulled up in front of a building.
Sara was the first to come out, while she followed, the cold breeze hitting her skin.
The first thing that caught her eyes was the lights.
The amount of lights could make one doubt it was night.
Then the house that stood tall in front of them.
Gigantic was an understatement to describe the house. She’s never seen a house like that before. A house that tens of generations couldn’t afford.
A wow formed on her mouth.
“Beautiful, right?” Sara asked, standing beside her.
Lalissa turned to her. “How did you find a man like that?”
Sara's hand went to Lalissa's hair, fixing some of the bangs that had rolled up.
“We should go in. He’s waiting for us,” she began leading the way.
Lalissa followed, steps slower than normal, shoes clicking softly on the ground, and the breeze sent a deep shiver down her spine.
Her heartbeat drummed against her ribcage.
“What’s with the slow pace? Hurry up,” Sara’s voice sounded in her ears.
Lalissa drew in three consecutive breaths.
In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.
“Here goes nothing,” she went into the house with Sara, both barely having the time to look around before the sound of someone coming down the stairs caught their attention.
Her mom smiled, but her... the room suddenly felt colder. Extremely cold, that she regretted wearing the short-sleeved spaghetti gown.
The man's steps kept echoing, his shoes and pants being the first to become visible.
Lalissa gulped as the man got closer.
Then his face came into view.
Lalissa’s eyes widened as she lost her balance.
Sara held her. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes refused to move from the man who was now standing before them, hands tucked into his pant pockets.
Her brain screamed two words—
It’s him.
“I... I’m fine,” Lalissa mumbled, not looking away from the man.
The very same man.
Sara cleared her throat, smiling again.
The man moved his gaze to Sara.
“Let me introduce you both,” Sara said, looking at Lalissa. “Lissa, meet Mr. Reid, your soon-to-be step-dad.”
The man took his gaze back to Lalissa, this time slowly withdrawing his hand from his pocket.
He stretched out his right hand to Lalissa.
“Cassian Reid.”
Lalissa's heart sank as she took out her right hand as well, trying hard to stop it from trembling.
She took his hand.
“L...Lalissa McKenzie.”
