Chapter 3 THE DINNER PARTY

He what?" Those words reverberated through the walls of the house Just then the door bell rang. Taylor's mother rose to answer the door, opening it to reveal a tall, handsome man with dark hair and a warm smile. "Steven!" Taylor's mother exclaimed "I never knew you would drop by so soon. Come on in, Taylor is home" Steven's smile widened as he stepped into the house, glancing towards the living room where Taylor sat frozen in place. He gave Taylor's mom a warm hug. I just got back to town and I wanted to pay you a visit he said turning his attention to Taylor. Taylor couldn't speak, her mind was racing with memories of the boy she once had a huge crush on. The boy who had stilen her heart , yet,never seemed to know she existed." "How have you been, Taylor?" Steven asked his voice soft but genuine Taylor's mother coughed slightly "I would make us some tea" she said as she made her way to the kitchen while giving Taylor a wink. Taylor found her voice, clearing her throat before answering " I have been .... well. It's good to see you again"  She stood up, and gestured for Steven to take a seat while smoothing down her dress nervously before she sat down. " It has. But some things never change eh ." He glanced around the living room, taking in the assortment of canvases and paints that adorned the space. " It seems you have kept up with your art " Taylor's mother replied Steven from the kitchen.  " Oh, you should see her  latest work! It's quite stunning,  too bad , she has nowhere to showcase them " Taylor smiled nervously and tried to change the subject  "Uhm...what brings you to town Steve" "Well it just happened that my brother is hosting a gala for his art gallery, and I just have to be present." " Really?" She asked with a brow raised  "Yes, and I could talk to him into getting you a space to showcase your work." "Oh , that would be wonderful ! Then she bit her lip " I don't know if I'm ready" she said looking down at her feet . I've never exhibited my art before ." Steven gave her a gentle smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.  " Don't sell yourself short ,Taylor. Your art is incredible. Besides, you won't be alone, I'll be there to support you, every step of the way. Taylor's mother coughed slightly to announce her presence . " Tea is ready" she said excitedly  Steven continued " After the exhibition, there will be a ball and a dinner party. We can catch up then, right?" "Right!" She said with a tentative smile on her lips. "I'll do it" Steven grinned, his enthusiasm infectious. "That's the spirit, I'll send over the details tommorow. We can work out the logistics together ". In no time, they were done with tea,. Steven helped Taylor clear the cups and saucers to take back to the kitchen. Once in the kitchen, she said with a low voice. "   I never imagined I'd be exhibiting my art at a gallery, let alone with your help." Steven grinned " well believe it or not it's happening and in a few days matter of factly. You are a talented artist Taylor. I  always admired your art work back in high school . Her eyes widened in shock " You did? I thought you never knew I existed" " I have always loved you Taylor, I was just scared to let my feelings known" Her jaw dropped at the revelation  The dinner party was in full swing, with the chatter if wealthy guests filling the air  Derrick was his usual polished self, mingling and making small talks, his mind kept trailing back to Taylor. He silently prayed to see her again . As time went by, he started to get bored, his thoughts kept straying back to Taylor, and he found the features that intrigued about Taylor in none of his mother's friends daughters. He was irritated by the sexual advances they shamelessly exhibited when he engaged in small talks with them. As he was about to slip away, his mother stepped up to his side and leaned in conspiratorially. "There she is" she whispered, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Lisa, the daughter of my friend, Helen. She's the perfect Candidate for you. Derrick eyes followed his mother's. He spotted Lisa, who was across the room . She was beautiful with porcelain skin and raven black hair , but there was something about her that seemed cold and calculating. "Mother, I don't...." "Oh, Derrick! You can't know she has the one for you  by just standing here". She stopped him from finishing his sentence." Lisa is intelligent, ambitious and what's more from a good family." "I suppose you  are right mother" Derrick conceded though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He watched as Leah moved through the crowd with a grace that remanded him of a predator on a hunt. Derrick made his way to Leah pasting on a disarming smile  As Leah saw Derrick crossing over the room to her, she flipped her  hair in a seductive way and pasted what seems to be a practiced smile on her face. "There you are!" Derrick, it's been a while since I last saw you" Leah, it is a pleasure to meet you again! Derrick said his voice  slightly betraying his emotions  "Yes it is, we last saw in Los Angeles right " "That's right, and you look dazzling  tonight. When did you get back to town  "Oh Derrick! I just got back last week and then I heard your mother was hosting a  dinner party in your name." "Right, I need to leave now...." " Uhm... How about Lunch some other time huh?" "That would be nice,  see you Lisa, he said as he turned to leave" Lisa watched him leave and then her face twisted with an evil smile. It was the same night mare that had woken  Derrick up. He turned to the other side of the bed and picked up his phone that was laying on a cupboard nearby. He had just slept two hours yet he felt like he had layed there for an eternity. He couldn't go back to sleep. He needed a distraction. He got up from his bed and slid open the curtains in his room to allow the gentle light the moon produced  fill his room and probably his mind. Somehow the soft light reminded him of Taylor. "Why her"  he muttered under his breath  He still had not been able to get her out of his mind. He barely knows her , yet , her face plays like an endless loop in his head every now and then. His mind drifted back to the letter he had received from his grandfather. He needed to act fast.