Part 2: Smiles All Around

Everything was so expensive. The train ticket, the cab ride to the venue, even Rae’s new clothes. Well, it probably wasn’t expensive at all for the people attending, but to Rae, the whole event was half her paycheck. When Rae stepped out of the cab and looked up at what the staircase led to—she suddenly felt underdressed.

Large, sprawling floor-to-ceiling windows, warm lights, and ornate decor greeted her. Inside, Rae could see crystal chandeliers, glassware, holiday flowers, and lavish fabrics. The exterior reminded Rae of Greek architecture. The place screamed sophistication, elegance, and most importantly—wealth.

“Why are we here?” Rae huffed. “It is family … No. No. They don’t care about me. They never did.”

Rae took a step up the stairs. She mumbled, “Let’s just get through the night.”

An attendant took Rae’s coat and gave her a ticket. Rae folded it and put it in her pocket, feeling intimidated by the service. The entrance was already nice, but when Rae took a step inside the main venue, she immediately wanted to go back home.

“Whoa… This is so nice. Someone is showing off. Is he paying for all this alone?”

Rae glanced around. There were at least a dozen heavily decorated Christmas trees scattered around. There were tables upon tables of food: cold food, hot food, steaks, salmon, a table full of canapés, attendants with trays of hors d'oeuvres, wine and champagne. That was on top of the two open bars. A section off area for children with a massive ball pit and bouncy house. The plethora of tables all had a bushel of flowers, fine dishware, and silverware on them. Even the cloths used to cover the tables were heavy and expensive.

Rae couldn’t help but roll her eyes, but then she curled her hands closed to her chest. Surrounding her were only wealthy people. Men in fine suits or waistcoats. Women in silk dresses or cashmere tops and tailored trousers or skirts.

Panicked, Rae searched for the nearest open bar. “Nice place. Important people. I stick out like a sore thumb. I just want to go home and sleep.”

Before Rae could step in the direction of the bar, someone yelled out, “Amarae! You are presentable for once.”

Rae dropped her shoulders and turned around. “Hello to you too, Helena.”

A well-dressed woman with a half-full wineglass in her hand came up to Rae. She had straight, glossy black hair tied into a tight bun. Golden bracelets and a watch hung from her thin wrists. Her eyes were a deep dark brown and had a piercing, judgmental gaze to them. Her complexion was slightly redder than Rae’s, and her skin appeared soft and well-kept.

Helena examined Rae up and down. She pursed her lips. “Your hair looks nice when it is tied back.”

“It’s always tied back. Because, you know. I work.”

“You call your sales associate job work?” Helena took a sip of her red wine. “Try 12 hours shifts. Always on call. With people’s lives in your hands. That’s work.”

Rae’s heart pounded. She narrowed her eyes, both in pain and in anger. “I’m so glad we can catch up, big sis. Real nice talking to you.”

Helena finished her wine and crossed her arms. “Humph. I tell you because I care. You’re barely holding on. Why don’t you help yourself? It’s like you enjoy staying in your self-pity. Enjoy rotting away.”

“Thank you, Helena. For your concern. Enjoy the party.” Rae gave a false smile and walked away.

“Rae…” Helena huffed.

Rae didn’t turn back and continued to walk to the bar. “Remember what we talked about. Just walk away, Helena.”

Rae figured the bar was the only place where single people could hang out without being judged. She ordered a simple diet cola and sat down facing the extravagant room. Some tables remained empty due to people opting to hang out standing up in groups. Rae sipped her diet cola. Although the whole event intimidated her, she did enjoy just looking.

The lighting, the glow of crystals, the soft music. The men and women in their best clothes. Even the children were dressed to impress. Rae looked down at her outfit and felt ashamed. She did try; she did the best she could with what she could afford. Rae sighed; she could never afford the elegance in front of her.

Bored, Rae’s eyes wandered. “At least I’m not fighting with Helena.”

One particular group of individuals caught Rae’s eye. One person specifically. “That’s one handsome man.”

Rae felt herself blush. “Oh, no.”

He was tall, very tall. The man wore a crystal-blue silk waistcoat with lavish blue pants. Gold pieces and thread accented his clothes. His glossy, long, straight black hair reached his chest. His sun-kissed brown skin radiated. His thick dark lashes framed his dark emerald-green eyes. The man had striking features and a strong jawline. Yet, there was a softness to him that Rae couldn’t explain.

The man’s green eyes snapped towards Rae’s direction. Rae nearly jumped. Embarrassed, she looked to her side. There was no one to her immediate left or right side.

“What’s he staring at? Man, I stick out too much.” Rae blushed harder, trying to pay him no mind. “Hopefully, he is not staring at me.”.

In the corner of her eyes, Rae observed the man. He quickly went back to chatting with his group. Pretending to be entertained, but his eyes told a different story.

“Under that fake laughter … In his eyes … He looks like he wants to kill someone. I wonder what is bothering him?”

Rae forcefully finished her drink. “Let it go, Rae. Let it go. Apart from this party, we will never see that beautifully handsome man again.”

A joyous cheer cut through the soft music and chatter. “EEEVVVIIIEEEEEE”

“AUNTY HELENA!!!”

A lanky teenage girl ran across the venue and hugged Helena with such force, she knocked the wind out of her.

One could describe the teenage girl hugging Helena as “angelic.” Her thin but voluminous blonde hair reached her lower back. Her fair skin; the color of pearls. Her face; a cross between beautiful and cute. Not mature like an adult’s beauty, but not so child-like either. The teenager’s appearance oozed of being well-educated, and well-maintained.

Rae exhaled. “Oh, boy.”

Helena pulled away and lovingly examined the girl. “OH MY GOSH. Evie! You’re going to be taller than me!”

“She is taller than you,” Rae mumbled.

“She takes after her father.” A woman—clearly the girl’s mother—slowly crossed the room.

“Oh, Sarah. Bet she has a new perfume this time.” Rae watched the woman reach Helena.

Helena gave Sarah a kiss on the cheek and looked Evie up and down again. Then her eyes darted to Rae. “Amarae! Come say ‘hi’ to Evie and Sarah.”

Rae set her cup down, almost contemplating ordering a hard drink. In the end, she decided to force herself to walk over to her family.

“Hello, Sarah,” Rae uttered.

Sarah smiled. “Rae! So good to see you. You’re looking lovely tonight.”

Sarah leaned in for a hug. Rae very awkwardly patted Sarah’s back. Not even the strong perfume could hide the stench of alcohol on Sarah’s breath and clothes. After holding on for a second too long, Sarah let go.

Rae faced Evie and uncomfortably said, “Hello, Evie.”

Evie gave a confused look. Not cold, not mean. Confused. She uttered a bashful, “Uh, hi.”

“Don’t be rude. Give your aunt a hug,” Sarah insisted.

Rae instantly put her hands up, uneasily smiling, saying, “No, it’s okay.”

Rae’s smile faded. A chill went down her spine. She hated the feeling. She could feel him looking at her. It made the hair on her neck stand.

A tall, extravagant man came out of nowhere. His short black hair slicked to the side. His silk white suit almost covered every inch of his bronze skin. The man’s eyes were leaf-green, vibrant, and full of life. Yet there was something else behind those eyes. Something malicious, ambitious, and predatory. A hunger that could not be satisfied.

Very smoothly and confidently, the man said, “Hey, Rae.”

Rae couldn’t look into the man’s eyes. “Hi. Rhett.”

“Aren’t you going to give your big brother a hug?” Rhett held out his arms, waiting with anticipation.  

Rae flatly said, “Nope.”

Wanting to cut the tension, Helena stepped between them. “The food is great! Thanks for hosting, Everette.”

Rhett laughed, hugging his other sister. “The pleasure is mine. But really, I did it to treat myself.”

Sarah came over to Rhett, placed a hand on his chest and hung off his shoulder. “Oh, you know Rhett. He likes to show off.”

Rae mumbled, “I’ve noticed.”

 Rhett laughed. “This? This is nothing. Like I said, just an excuse to indulge myself.”

Evie’s face contorted as if she had something to say. However, she looked at the ground, almost embarrassed. Rhett’s sharp eyes flickered in her direction. His smile faded for just a moment, only to grow larger.

Rae stepped out of the circle the family had formed. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go indulge in a diet cola.”

“Rae, stay. Catch up with the family. We can have a nice time.” Helena pleaded.

“No, thank you, Helena,” Rae said while walking away.

Rhett placed a compassionate hand on Helena’s shoulder. “Let her cool down, Helena. No sense in talking to her when she’s in that mindset.”

Helena held his hand for a second. She turned her attention to Evie.

Rae returned to the bar. Waiting on the counter, there were trays of wine and champagne for the attendants to pass around. Rae asked for another diet cola with extra ice. She faced the room again, sipping on the fizzy drink while her mind wandered.

“I traveled three hours for this?” Rae grumbled into her cup. She sighed, drained. “Rhett couldn’t host this anywhere in Jersey or New York. Oh, no. He had to find the fanciest place in Phili for his party.

“He likes showing off. Right, right.” Rae exhaled. She looked around the room, spotting Rhett’s green eyes glancing at her. “He is looking.”

Rae chewed some ice, trying to shake off her unease. “It’s a party. He always stares at people.”

Sheepishly, she glanced back at Rhett. His eyes kept on her, sending a chill down Rae’s spine. Rae downed the rest of her ice.

“No. He is staring at me.” Rae looked up from her glass. “He’s coming this way,”

With a gentle walk, Rhett crossed the room and took a seat next to Rae. He grabbed a glass of red wine and swirled it. “Heard you’re having trouble making ends meet.”

Rae leaned back, trying not to show any fear. “Oh, Helena already dropped that nugget, did she?”

“I could help you with your finances. I have money to spare.” Rhett’s eyes shifted from the glass to Rae.

“Clearly,” Rae spat.

“Get to see you more often,” Rhett softly said.

“I’m sure you would like that.”

“Could give you a better-paying job at the company. Heart of the city. Meet people from around the world.” Rhett drank his wine.

Rae rolled her eyes. “How gracious of you. But hard pass.”

Rhett smoothly reasoned, “You’re being stubborn.”

“You’re being disingenuous.” Anger seeped into Rae’s tone.

“That is harsh. You’re being paranoid as usual.” Rhett carefully placed a hand on Rae’s left forearm.

“HANDS OFF.” Rae snatched her arm away.

Rhett’s wine spilled onto his white suit. Rhett quickly grabbed a few tissues to wipe the red away, only smearing it further.

Angry, Rhett raised his voice. “You’ve just gotten back in the good graces of the family. I’m just trying to help you out.”

Rae got up and stepped away. “I’m sure you would tell them that.”

Helena stormed over to Rae. “Amarae! What is your issue?”

“It’s all right, Helena. You know how sensitive and stubborn she is.” Rhett continued to get the red out of his clothes. The wine stained the tissues and his hands.

Sarah went over to her husband’s side. “Are you alright, honey?”

“Got a little wine on my shirt. Not a big issue.” Rhett tried to downplay his anger.

“Excuse me.” Rae began to walk away.

Helena snapped her attention to her baby sister again. “Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“Rae, wait!” Helena grabbed Rae’s forearm. “You’re being dramatic. Making a scene and then storming off. Always making things about you.” Helena let go of Rae. “Cool down, stay the night. Maybe you might enjoy the party.”

Injured Rae very quietly said, “Good seeing you again, Helena.”