Roxanne, p.40
Roxanne., page 40
“Look who we have here!” Dan exclaims, hugging me tightly. “You look smashing, Roxanne.”
“Thank you, Dan. How are you?”
“I'm fine.” He turns to the two guys beside him. “Meet Justin and Felix. Roxanne.”
I stretch out my hand for a handshake. “Nice to meet you.”
“Japanese? Korean?” Justin asks like he’s playing a game to figure out my nationality.
"No, half-Chinese, half-Dutch.” I cringe internally at his assumptions.
His mouth forms an O. “Wow. That's awesome.”
Two ladies walk up to us and pull Felix and Dan away. Dan mouths a sorry, before they follow the ladies away.
“So,” Justin proceeds. “Why are you here alone, it’s a party and you should be mingling," he says, moving to stand beside me. We are on the other side, close to the food table and the side entrance. Andries is moving around the guests, playing host and smiling brightly. It's his party after all.
“I'm just observing first.”
He gives me a disbelieving stare. “You've been alone since you came in an hour ago.”
I shoot him a quizzical look. “You've been looking at me for the past hour?”
He shrugs; the movement causes me to notice just how broad his shoulders are. “I had to; I couldn't stop.” He gives a humorless chuckle. “And everyone has been whispering about you.”
Fuck!
My heartbeat accelerates and my nails bit into my palm. What are they saying about me?
My face flushes in panic as I look around the room, searching for a familiar face.
“They're curious too, about the lady in a black dress with a slit so long it leaves the men wondering if you have underwear on?”
The last part sounds like a question, but I ignore it. I’d have smacked his face if it wasn’t my boyfriend’s party.
“I need a drink,” I say, giving him a rueful smile. “Thanks and maybe you should go back to being curious. That would surely save you from getting your lips busted tonight.” With that said, I stalk away and into the crowd.
I accept a glass from the server and take a long sip of the champagne. It's chill, just like the temperature outside the room.
"Heyyy, Roxie,” Elise shouts, coming over to me. “Are you having fun?” She sounds a bit tipsy.
“Of course, and you?” I drain the glass and drop it on the tray as a server walks by.
"Where's Andries?” she asks excitedly, looking around the room.
“Hmm…” I glance around, trying to help her out. “He’s over there on the… makeshift stage?”
What is he doing there?
“Holy shit!” Elise snaps, giggling. “Is he really gonna make a speech and tell everyone you are his girlfriend?” She snorts loud enough to make me wonder how many drinks she already got.
“Are you drunk, Elise?” I put my hand on her shoulder. “You should take it easy.”
She keeps giggling, paying no mind to my advice. “They're gonna play the waltz soon, and I need to find a partner!” she screeches, then treads toward the fountain and accepts a glass from a boy. I follow her over and snatch the glass from her hand, giving it back to the guy, before I grab her arm and drag her away. All of a sudden, though, Andries’ words echo through the room, stopping me in my tracks.
“Good evening, everyone,” he says in the microphone he’s holding in one hand, while holding a glass of champagne with the other. “I hope you’re all enjoying the party.”
The crowd cheers in response. Jeez! I had forgotten about his speech. For a moment, I wish he could forget to talk about me. All eyes are going to be on me and to be honest, I'm not even supposed to be here among this group.
“Tonight isn't just about me celebrating my birthday, it's about reconnecting with friends, old and new. And most importantly, it’s about Roxanne Feng, the woman that has proven over and again that life is more beautiful and meaningful when you have someone to share the good and bad moments with. She has been a star, guiding me in my darkest moments and my biggest inspiration. Here's to Roxie, my beautiful girlfriend. Here's to a love that will see the end of time and beyond. Here's to us!”
"Cheers!" Elise squeals.
Everyone raises their glasses and echo “cheers,” and the moment they drop their hands, the tears spill. The limelight comes on, and I'm both in bright light and a loud cheering sound from the guests erupt through the room. They're genuinely excited for me. For us.
“A love that will see the end of time.”
Andries walks toward me and wraps his muscular arms around me.
“Dance with me?” he asks as a new song comes on.
My eyes mist over, and I smile, trying to stave up tears. His lips twist in amusement as he tilts his head to take in my upper body, then drags his eyes down to the slit.
It's going to be so hard telling him the truth. My heart breaks into a million pieces as he kisses the exposed skin on my chest.
“You're tense. Everything alright?” he asks.
I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath, willing my heart to calm down. Not here, with these people around.
“Talk to me, babe,” he says, sounding overly worried.
I reopen my eyes, and smile as I meet his blue eyes on. “Let’s just dance.”
Just one last moment. Just this last one.
40
V.D.B. estate, December 27, 2021
Andries
Morning sunlight is piercing through the curtains, chasing the darkness out of my bedroom. My eyes are still heavy from last night, but I feel awake enough to stretch an arm slightly to the other side of the bed until it reaches something. Opening my eyes wide, they lay on Roxanne who seems to be still peacefully asleep. This simple moment right here feels just surreal. I’d have never imagined my parents would be chill enough to let my girlfriend sleep in my room. Jeez, seeing her here in my bedroom feels so great and maybe a bit awkward at the same time. It's like a piece of my private life that I brought from Amsterdam for my entire family to see. Not that I mind, but it feels a bit awkward, nevertheless. Everything about these two days has been perfect, and I couldn’t be prouder of her to have fitted in so easily. From the moment she stepped inside the estate, I knew everything would go well. I mean, I hoped so, but she already knew my dad and sister, and she’d already been here before, so it’s not like she was a total stranger either.
After checking the clock on the nightstand, I bring myself closer to her and start spooning her, then I lean in just enough to kiss her neck. “Good morning…”
She starts grinding her ass against me in response, making me laugh. “Good morning,” she mumbles feebly.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Mmm,” she answers, before she takes my arms in hers. “What time is it?”
“Eh, well, it’s twenty past ten.”
“Oh jeez!” In a brisk move, she releases me and leaps out of bed. “I have to go back to Amsterdam this morning. I promised my sister I’d help her out at the bookshop.”
“There’s no way I can persuade you to stay, huh?”
“I need to train her.” I follow her with my gaze as she opens her suitcase wide and hurries herself to pick her clothes and shoes that are lying on the floor, putting them back inside the luggage. “Once she gets into a routine, it’ll be fine.”
I sit on my bed, observing her with mild amusement as she wanders naked around the bedroom. “Hey, relax, one of the drivers will take you home after breakfast,” I say seeing how stressed she is.
Despite the messy hair and some trace of makeup left under her eyes, she’s still the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
I leave the warmth of my bed to go meet her, and taking her hand in mine, I lead her to the bathroom. “Let's shower, then I’ll help you with the luggage.”
After we are showered, dressed and luggage ready, we go down the stairs and head to the kitchen where Elise is on her own finishing breakfast.
“Hey, where's everyone else?” I ask her.
She just shrugs in return. “Everyone else had breakfast earlier.”
Before we can even sit at the table, Claudia walks in, her positive energy filling the air that surrounds us. “Good morning, Mr. Andries and Ms. Feng,” she greets, her melodic tone always so inspiring. “What would you like to have for breakfast?”
I notice Roxanne glances at the table, checking what Elise is eating, before saying, “I can have the spinach omelette Elise is having, and, um, what is she drinking?”
“It’s a green juice,” Elise replies on Claudia’s behalf.
“Okay, that’s fine too, and a cup of tea, please.”
Claudia gives a sharp nod of the head, before her attention switches to me. “Same as usual for you?”
“Same as usual,” I reply before we finally take a seat.
Elise is eating with droopy eyes and I can't help but wonder how many hours of sleep she got. “Are you okay?” I ask her, mildly amused.
“Yeah, I stayed up until late,” she answers vaguely.
“Really?” My lips twist into a smirk. “Doing what?”
She shoots me a glare in annoyance. “None of your damn business,” she chips.
“Oh, c’mon!”
“Nope,” she snaps while she forks one more bite of her omelet into her mouth.
Feeling humored at her annoyance, I continue teasing. “Wait—did you stay up late with someone in particular?”
“Ha-ha,” Elise replies with sarcasm, definitely not as amused as I am. “You’re funny, aren’t you?”
“Well, then why are you acting so secretive?”
She heaves a long sigh in frustration. “You’re so fucking annoying sometimes.” And my smile keeps growing. “I just stayed up late chatting with friends, that’s it.”
“Yeah, right,” I mutter, not convinced by her bullshit excuse. “If you have a boyfriend or something, you can tell me, you know.”
She rolls her eyes, huffing at me. Then she leaps off her chair, her meal not even finished.
“I’m gonna go,” she announces, before wiping her mouth and putting the napkin back on the table. Then looking at Roxanne, she says, “Enjoy your breakfast and, um, have a safe trip back home.”
Roxanne nods in response, a beautiful smile gracing her lips. “Thank you,” she replies, her tone way more polite than my sister’s. When Elise is annoyed she can’t fake it and it’s just too funny to watch.
Once she walks out of the kitchen, I feel like Roxanne is about to unleash some sort of comment, so I lean forward and lowering my voice, I talk first. “Sorry, I just wanted her to leave so we could have breakfast only the two of us.”
“Did you need to be so intrusive and rude?” she rebukes.
“Oh, that's fine, she doesn’t mind.” And seeing how Roxanne is still staring at me with judgement in her eyes, I add, “She’s done way worse, believe me.”
“Like what?”
I notice Claudia coming over with a big tray carrying the juices, tea and coffee, and omelets, so I decide to remain vague without telling her any story in particular.
“So many pranks, especially in high school. I swear, she really loved to make fun of me.”
“Fair enough,” she says, reclining slightly back when Claudia places her omelet in front of her.
Claudia then puts the rest of the breakfast on the table, and I'm already salivating at how delicious everything looks.
I start cutting a bite of my omelet, while Roxanne takes a sip of her juice. The corner of my lips curve up as I observe her. She's sporting a black turtle neck, which perfectly contrasts with the paleness of her skin, the blonde of her hair and her red lips. When she catches me staring, I avert my gaze and focus on my plate.
“And you and your sister?” I decide to ask as we start eating our food. “Did your relationship improve after you bought the bookshop?”
She remains quiet for a moment, focused on her omelet. “More or less,” she finally blurts out. “We try to get along.”
I want to ask more questions about her family, but I know this subject can weird her out, so instead I focus on something lighter and we simply speak about yesterday's party. The conversation is cheerful and flows effortlessly and about fifteen minutes later, Claudia is back to take our empty plates.
“Oh, by the way, the driver has arrived,” she announces.
The driver’s already here? I glance at my watch, and, wow! I'm surprised that it’s actually time for her to go.
“Do you need help with the luggage?” Claudia asks.
“Just to take it down and put it into the truck, apart from that, all is done,” I reply as we leave the table.
Then I take her hand in mine, and in silence, we walk out of the kitchen, cross the hallway, and head to the entrance. My heart’s already tightening at the idea I'm going to sleep alone for the next few days. I'm so used to having her around that it feels like a part of me is leaving. Once she retrieves her coat and purse, we stand by the front porch, while the driver is finishing loading the truck.
“Thank you for the wonderful hospitality,” she says, plunging me into a hug. I kiss the top of her head, inhaling the rose-scented smell of her hair, my arms wrapped around her. “It was lovely.”
We remain in each other’s embrace for a moment, and despite knowing she’s got to go, releasing her feels harder than I thought. Then I look down and bend just enough to reach her lips for a lingering kiss.
“Call me when you get home, okay?” I ask, my tone barely audible.
“I promise,” she whispers. “See you for New Year’s Eve.”
The driver opens her the rear door and it is with a heavy heart that I watch her getting inside the car.
Despite the freezing weather, I remain standing on the porch as I wave goodbye. She waves back at me from the car window, a big smile on her lips, and even when the car disappears on the horizon, I can't bring myself to move.
The porch now is quiet. Roxanne is gone, and all is left is the memory of her lips on mine and the traces of her perfume on my shirt.
“Mr. Andries?” Jeez! Claudia nearly startles me as she emerges from the front door. “Your mom would like to talk to you. May I escort you to her office?”
“Oh, she’s here?” I ask, quite surprised.
As I walk back inside and follow Claudia, I’m actually wondering why Mom didn’t bid farewell to my girlfriend. She’s usually so polite and well-mannered. That doesn’t seem like her.
Claudia opens the door for me, and I step inside, ready to confront her about her behavior.
“Good morning,” Mom greets me, as she stands right beside my dad in front of the desk.
Okay, both were here and didn't even bother to say goodbye to my girlfriend? What the heck?
“Ah, Andries, how are you?” Dad says right after.
“Hi Mom, Dad.” I glance quickly on my right side and find Elise also here but sitting on an armchair beside the couch. “And… sis.”
Now my curiosity is perked. “Claudia said you wanted to talk to me?”
“Yes, please.” Mom takes a few steps in my direction, giving me a quick peck on the cheek, and then invites me to take a seat on the couch.
The last time she did this, it was to announce the death of my dog Jojo and I was twelve.
“Is everything alright?” I ask as I sit, a few scenarios already running down my mind. And looking at Elise who's also present, I think I know exactly what this is all about! She most likely told our parents I’ve switched programs and I’m not doing business school. Yep, that’s it! Elise just fussed it out to them. It’s obvious.
“Did she leave already?” Elise asks.
“Yeah, she’s on her way home.” Looking at her and then at my parents, I ask, “Why did nobody go outside to tell her goodbye? I didn’t know you were all so rude.”
“Darling,” Mom begins, taking a seat beside me on the couch and basically ignoring my question. I can’t help but find this whole meeting very suspicious, and I even frown as I see Mom struggling to find the best words to begin with. Her silence is weirding me out, but she finally heaves a long sigh, looks me in the eye, and says, “Are you sure this woman is who she pretends to be?”
My jaw nearly drops at her question, and I blink twice, her words replaying in my head. “What do you mean?” My stomach immediately knots.
“Are you sure she works at a bookstore?” Dad interposes, his tone more serious than usual.
“Yeah, I'm sure, she took me there a few times,” I reply immediately. “Why are you guys asking?”
No one seems to want to answer me as they all glance at each other.
“Elise?” Dad says to my sister.
“Alright,” she utters, blowing out a breath, her expression thoughtful as if she’s mentally getting herself ready to share something difficult. She switches in her seat, moving forward, her arms resting on her knees. “Do you remember Patricia and Cassey? The girls I invited from college?”
“Um, barely,” I answer.
“Patricia sent me a voice message this morning,” she informs, her iPhone already in her hands. “I think you should listen to this.” She types something in it and then presses play and the voice message from Patricia begins, "Hey, girl! Thank you so much for yesterday evening. Cassey and I had such a great time.” I roll my eyes at her overly sweet and bubbly tone. Jeez, so damn fake. “Look, um, we didn’t know if we should share this with you or not, but Cassey has been working as an… well…an escort from time to time. Nothing too crazy, just a side hustle that she does over the weekend, you know. And, um, I’m not sure if your brother knows that or not, but his girlfriend is the owner and manager of the agency she works at. And as far as we know, she used to be an escort herself. Like no shaming here, she’s amazing and super professional. We just thought you should know about it. Anyway, thanks again for the party. We had a lot of fun! Talk soon, bye, bye.”
“What?” I scoff, head shaking at the absurdity of the whole thing. “This is a prank, right?”
Elise however doesn't even smile, laugh, or chuckle and remains disturbingly serious—just like my dad and mom.
