Reina Reigns
I sat next to Priyanka, who insisted that I sit next to her. On the other side of the table sat Cesaro, who glared at me every time I opened my mouth to answer questions Mister Mirza or his friends would ask; in return, I would give him a smile.
I abhor him for making me feel like gum underneath his shoe, and normally I would not even want to be in the same room with someone I abhor, but I enjoy seeing his reaction when I annoy him.
"What about your father?" One of Khan's, like he suggested I call him, male friends asked a follow-up on the one his wife had asked prior to the one about my family.
I took my time to answer his question. I use the fork to play with the shrimp on my plate. I notice Cesaro raising his head to look at me.
For the past five minutes everyone except him has been drilling me with questions as if they were from the US embassy. Of course I answered them as politely as one could, but this time I don't want to answer any more of their questions.
Looking up from the plate, I look at the man, giving him the same fake smile I have been giving Cesaro since the start of dinner.
"Oh, he died when I was just a child," I lie before lifting the fork to my lips and commenting on how delicious the food was. I could feel the eyes on me, but they remained silent.
Priyanka was the first to speak: "I'm sorry to hear that, Reina; it must have been hard growing up without a father."
"I survived." This was the truth.
Dinner ended around nine thirty-four. It could have ended earlier if they were not busy having long, sometimes trivial conversations. Currently the older people were lounging in the living room sipping on champagne while I snuck away to the courtyard to savor a second slice of chocolate cake. Chocolate was one of my weaknesses, and if I wasn't already feeling slightly bloated, then there would have been a third slice on this plate.
"I had a feeling I would find you here." A voice that I had become very familiar with says from behind me.
"Priya," I turn towards her, "I thought you already left."
"I was getting ready to leave. I was going to offer you a ride, but Mr. Mirza told me he will have Cesaro do it."
I raise my brows at the mention of Cesaro. There was no way I was going to sit alone with him in his car for thirty minutes. I suffered enough of his glares throughout dinner. Funny enough, it stopped when I mentioned a dead dad, but I did catch him a few times watching me like the creep he is.
Priyanka continued, "Would it be possible for us to hang out together sometime? I would love to have a friend with fashion taste like yours to go shopping with."
Another female wants to be my friend, and just like the last time, I am hesitant. Why do females feel so desperately in need of making friends? Priyanka was friendlier than I anticipated; perhaps she was different and deserves a chance. That brought Gemma to mind; tonight was the third time I turned her down on a get-together.
"That would be great if I can invite a friend."
Priyanka smiled before moving towards me; my eyes widened until I was pulled into a hug. This felt awkward; Priya was taking up too much of my personal space. Having people, especially females, hug me was something I wasn't quite used to either.
"Sure you can; that would be even better. I have to go now. I hope you don't mind, but I got your number from Mr. Mirza."
Forcing a smile, I lied to her, "That's alright."
Cesaro Mizra
I press my foot down on the accelerator, increasing the speed of the car. Hoping the speed would get to Reina, but she didn't even seem to notice as she absentmindedly tapped on the window.
"Is your father really dead?" I decide to ask out of curiosity.
Reina ceases her tapping and turns her head to look at me. I kept my neutral look while pretending I was unaware of how she stopped to stare at me.
"I don't see how that's any of your business," she mumbles loud enough for me to hear.
The atmosphere seemed to have changed, and I could tell it was a sore subject. The last thing I want to do is upset a crazy woman while driving. The only reason I asked was because of how bothered she had seemed earlier when the question was asked. I did not like my father's friends; they did not know how to stay in their place and mind their own business. The first time I met them, they had made a comment that pissed me off to the point where I stormed off instead of bashing their heads in.
I snort, "You're right. It's not like I give a damn about what goes on in your life."
I glance at her to see her roll her light brown eyes. "Now I see why your girlfriend cheated on you!"
I stop the car abruptly, turning my attention to her. Giving her a menacing glare that would have anyone cowering away, "Who told you that?"
From the proud smile Reina wore, she knew that once again she had managed to get under my skin. "I saw her at your birthday party; she was doing it against the wall with the sexiest man I've ever seen. At first I thought it was her boyfriend, but you proved me wrong when you so proudly introduced her as your girlfriend right after."
Reina paused while I was gripping the steering wheel and looking straight ahead.
Looking at her, I saw that she was wearing a smirk. "I see why she would go for him—" She glances at me to gauge my reaction. She might look like a decent woman, but she was far from it. Reina fed off people's pain.
"She's an imbecile; that motherfucker has nothing on me."
She grins, "Look at you getting all confident and girlfriend-fucker, you mean. I'm sorry to say, honey, but that man is everything you're not, and I bet even Priya would choose him over you."
I look at her, in disbelief. I shouldn't have been surprised or angry, but my anger grew as her words repeated in his head, "Get out."
Reina frowns before looking ahead. It was late in the night; outside was cold, and other creatures like herself lurked in the darkness out there. It was the perfect place for her.
"What?"
"I said get the fuck out of my car!"
Reina jumps a bit from my high tone; it was the first time I'm getting such a reaction from her. "Are you kidding me?"
Instead of looking at her, I stare straight ahead with my hands still gripping the steering wheel. "Do I look like someone who jokes around?"
"I am honest with you, and that's what I get," Reina says while opening the door and then slamming it shut behind her.
I sigh while looking at Reina walking ahead with her hands rubbing her arms for a bit of warmth. She was right. As much as I hate to admit it, that doctor probably showed Lydia more attention and kindness than I ever did. Yet that still did not give her the right to cheat on me or Reina the right to throw it in my face.
I curse myself for reacting the way I did; no one has ever made me feel so upset and weak before.
That little minx must have crawled from hell to make my life miserable. Grabbing the jacket from my suit that was thrown on the backseat, I then opened the door and went after her.
"Reina!" I called. She was not very far away, so I know she heard me clearly, but she continued walking instead.
"Get back in the car!"
Reina stops abruptly and turns to look at me. "I'd be a fool if I ever stepped foot in your car again. Leave me alone, Mirza."
She starts walking again, and I continue to follow her. "I know you're stubborn, but for your sake, take my jacket; it's cold out."
"Don't tell me you care," Reina says sarcastically. "Keep your damn jacket, Mirza; we both know it's guilt why you're here. Just go away."
I might not know her well, but I could tell that she was the kind of woman who never likes showing weakness. She was probably freezing in that dress, but she didn't show it, most likely because she could hear my footsteps getting closer.
"Stupid dress," I smile at the words she whispers.
Coming close enough, I pull my jacket over her shoulders and walk next to her. "Since you won't get back in the car, I'll walk you home, you obstinate she-devil."
Reina glances at me, then sighs. "Barbarian."