Chapter fifteen

Once we reached home ,I was so exhausted but mummy wasn't going to stop chasing me about going to aunty Hazel's welcome party !

"My dear ,are you not going to change your mind about going to the party ?

Hazel has woken up from her sleep after two decades and I think you should be there to celebrate her return !

Clinton will need you over there to comfort him and I know Hazel and Marcial will ask about you !"Corazon said with a persuading tone .

"Mummy ,there's no need to drag Clinton into this and I know he won't need me over there as well.

But you are right ,I will attend the party for the sake of my godparents and prove to Clinton that I can manage without him !

All I need is a nice gown and for you to adorn me with your beauty charms and I will be okay !

It's time I learnt to move on and cut off some people from my life !"Liza said to Corazon .

"Alright ! I will make all the arrangements .

Thanks for accepting to go ..!"Corazon pecked her before leaving for her room .

"Sweetheart ,how was office ?"Ben asked Liza while she stood in her balcony .

"It was great dad , and I enjoyed the party as well .

If you had a hand in it then thank you very much and always remember that I'm grateful for your efforts !"Liza pecked her dad before leaving .

After a while ,Corazon brought a blue gown to Liza which she wore to fit her curvy stature .

"You look beautiful in blue , my dear ..!"As soon as mummy said that ,I recalled Clinton telling me the same earlier today and that brought a smile on a face .

Anyways ,I needed to take off my mind from him in order to live my life with my family peacefully.

Too bad mum had to go on a trip and aunt is always busy .

I would now have to attend this party with mummy ,daddy and the party Queen , Jean !

"Wowww! You look great Liza .Who did you dress for ?"Jean teased .

"Don't start with that Jean , or else I will smash your beautiful face ...!"I jokingly said pulling her cheeks .

"It's great you decided to attend the party !"Jean shook my shoulders .

"Sweetheart ,this is for you ...!"Ben handed over a jewelry box to Liza .

Liza opened it and saw a necklace with her name on it .

"I know you are all trying your best to make me happy but trust me when I say that ,I'm really happy with you all ; with my family .

Thank you daddy , for your necklace .I will always have it on me just to remind you that I also care ."I said and hugged them all together .

When we arrived at the party , the place was decorated lavishly and I loved the way everyone looked .I could see it was an executive party and I got the chance to attend it only because my parents were wealthy and worthy .

All the attorneys at the firm were present in their numbers .I guessed tonight was really going to be cool .

"Where is Liza ?"Hazel asked Corazon after they exchanged pleasantries .

"I can't find her around ...!"Hazel said throwing her eyes about .

"There's no need to worry aunt ,because I'm right here .I'm happy to see you fit and sound .

By the way aunt ,mum sent these for you since she had to attend to an urgent call from work ...!"Liza said handing over Elisa's birthday present to her .

"I'm so happy to see you Liza and thank you for saving my life ...!"She said giving me her hug .

"The past is gone aunt , so we should focus on how to live our present . No tears or else your beauty will be lost ...!"Liza said with an ambivalent smile on her face .

"How sweet of you dear ..!"Corazon said facepalming Liza joyfully .

My parents had a lot to discuss with Clinton's parents so I gave them some space and headed to the bar for a drink .

"Hi ! I'm Melody Roses and I guess you are Liza .

Six months ago ,you were the star on all media platforms for attaining justice against the high commissioner's son and after six months ,you happen to be the daughter of Ben Carson .I guess you are really blessed with luck .

Two glasses of whiskeys with ice cubes ...!"She ordered ."See you later beautiful ...!"She said patting Liza's back .

At a distance ,I saw her hand over one glass of whisky to Clinton and I felt bad .

She was in my place and that too , so soon !

I guessed she was the girl Clinton was talking about .

No doubt she could attract the attention of any man with her stunning looks .

They were dancing happily and Clinton acted as if he had not even sensed my presence at the party .Was it on purpose or what ?

"Waiter ,another glass !"I ordered .

"Miss ! I think you have had enough already and looking at your condition ,I can even tell that you don't know how to drink !"The waiter said worriedly .

"What nonsense ! Are you paying with your money ? !" I asked the waiter as he starred at me with regret on his face . "Sorry miss ,it won't happen again !"He said apologetically.

"You better be !"I said taking a bottle of hard liquor away and dropping some notes on the table which was

more than his monthly salary .Jealousy was driving me nuts .

"Why is Liza in this state ?"Clinton muttered to himself .

"Hey Clinton ! Are you alright because you seem lost in your thoughts !"Melody asked with her croaky voice.

"Yes I am and there is no need to worry !" Clinton assured with a smile . Clinton kept thinking about Liza's condition and he really felt bad about it .

"Careful beautiful or else you may fall ! I think you have had enough to drink ..!"The fine gentleman who had tied his hair into a bun grabbed Liza by her waist before she could fall flat to the floor .

"No! I haven't drank too much and sorry for bumping into you !"Liza said standing upright .

"Excuse me !"Liza said , but before she could take a step forward ,she slipped and the fine gentleman once again caught her by her waist .

"Who gets angry over such a trivial issue and that too , with such a beautiful lady like you ,huh?"He said , still holding her by her waist .

"Who is that guy Liza is with and why is he holding her waist ?"Clinton watched them from a distance and sneered angrily .

"Clinton , are you sure everything is alright ?

You are not yourself today .You know you can tell me everything and trust me ,I will listen with attentiveness ..!"Melody said rubbing her palms on his cheeks .

"Melody ,I will be back soon so enjoy the party !"Clinton left her in dilemma .

"It's okay ,I can move by my own and thank you very much ...!"Liza released herself from his grip .

"Rowan Atkinson ; just call me Rowan !"He stretched out his hands for a handshake .

"Eliza Blaire Carson ; just call me Liza !"I returned his handshake .

For the first time ,I have mentioned my name in full .

Eliza was for school and certificates .

But I preferred to be called Liza since it was short and uncommon .

"I guess you are the daughter of Ben Carson ..!"He added .

"Yes I am...!"I added proudly .

"Can we have a chat ?..!"He asked walking me to the corridor .

"I would have loved to , but I have to attend to an issue !" I lied about that . The truth was , i needed some time alone .

I thought I had gotten completely over Clinton but I was wrong .

Seeing him with another lady was just unbearable .

"Nice meeting you Rowan ..!" I said with a smile .

"If destiny wishes , we'd meet again Liza !"He hugged me before leaving .

I continued to have some more whisky just to get over my pain.

"Are you going to keep on drinking like this and watch Melody snatch away your love ?"Klara asked taking a seat beside Liza .

"A glass of tequila ,waiter !

Liza ,I haven't seen you give up on anything like you have given up now .

You have given up your love and all you can do is drink ,huh?"

"What do you want me to do , Klara?

Do you want me to beg Clinton to love me or what ?

Come on Klara ,there is no use and I don't care about what Clinton does with his life !"I said taking my last shot of whiskey.

"Are you really sure of that ,Liza ? If you don't care then you wouldn't sit here and drink !"

"Klara , these circumstances don't determine my future .

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step .

I have faced disappointments and failure in my journey but that's not the end of it .

I will continue to take the rest of the steps ahead to reach my goal .

Indeed ,knowing that you are loved by someone is the best feeling you could have and I think I felt it in my life .

I know that you care for me Klara , but nothing can be done when the mind is already made up .

I wish your brother finds love and happiness with Melody or whoever he chooses in his life as his partner !

You know what ? Relationships are sometimes ironic , because they are a lot like yard scales when you look at a couple hundred feet away ,but you realize it's just a bunch of crap on you!

Klara , keep your cool , because I'm going to be okay !"

[Clinton listened to their conversation and felt bad that Liza was in that state because of him ].