"You'll be the belle of the ball" Agatha gushed as she pushed a strand of hair out of Naomi's eyes. Naomi giggled as her cheeks flushed.
"Thank you Agatha" she grinned, her gap tooth on full display. Agatha returned the grin, placing her hand on Naomi's cheek
"You're welcome, my dear"
"Is she prep..." Anthony stopped in his tracks dumbfounded as his eyes met Naomi. His gaze trailed from the ribbon on her head down to the high heels on her feet. He raised his gaze back to her face, his eyes meeting hers. "You look beautiful" he murmured.
"Thank you." she whispered, rubbing against her arm. Anthony cleared his throat, raised his ringing phone up to his ears and spoke into it. All the while, his eyes still glued on Naomi
"Get the Porsche ready. We're about to leave" He dropped his cell and slipped it into his pocket. "Are you ready?" He asked her, staring into her orbs. Intimidated by his piercing eyes . She dropped her gaze to the floor and nodded softly, he looked at Agatha "We're leaving now, take care of the house" he stated, to which she nodded.
"Prends soin d'elle" (take care of her) Agatha whispered as she led Naomi to Anthony.
"Je vais" (I will) he nodded as he placed his palm against her back and led her out the door.
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Naomi's hands remained in her laps as she peered out the tinted windows. The sun had long set and in the distance she could hear the vivid sound of chirping crickets. She sat beside Anthony in the backseat while the chauffeur drove them to their destination.
It felt as if they'd been in the car for hours and Naomi stifled a yawn for what felt like the hundredth time. Anthony sat in a close proximity with her, with his fingers clicking away on his laptop that sat above his laps. He seemed in deep concentration as he paid her no heed.
She had expected an apology, but allowed her expectation fly out the window because it was obvious she wasn't getting one anytime soon.
She wanted to speak to him but didn't know how to start. She missed Helslip and wondered when she would be able to return back to her hometown. He didn't seem to be making any plans in helping her go back home. Was it a mistake for her to depend on him?
Naomi glanced at him, he seemed absorbed in his work and she didn't want to distract him. She groaned mentally, frustrated with her wandering thoughts. "Naomi are you ok?"
"Yes-yes I'm ok" she managed a little smile bringing her gaze back to the world beyond the glass window
"Why did you groan like that"
She closed her eyes, chuckling awkwardly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ears "I thought I had done that mentally. I'm sorry"
He hummed softly "Lots on your mind?" He inquired of her, his eyes still skimming through his laptop screen
She turned to him an unknown courage welling up in her chest "I-I wanted to talk to you"
His brow rose "Hmmm. What do you want to talk to me about?"
"It's ok. You're busy. We can speak another time"
He smiled, reassuringly "I can't be too busy for you my love. Tell me what's the matter?"
She smiled too, ignoring the discomfort that sparked in her chest at being called his love. "I wanted to speak to you about going back home. You hadn't said anything about me going back to Helslip" As soon as the words left her mouth Anthony's smile faded from his face "I miss my hometown and I..."
He cut her off "Why are you bringing this up right now?"
"You had said that you would help me get back home to Helslip and I thought maybe you forgot about it so I wanted to remind you"
"I know. I know but ..." His words were cut off as the car came to a halt.
"Sir, we've arrived" The chauffeurs rough, tired voice spoke.
Anthony sighed and nodded at the chauffeur. He readjusted his tie and while placing his laptop aside he looked at Naomi "We'll talk about this later. Let's go" He helped her out of the car and Naomi watched as the chauffeur nodded at his boss and drove away.
Anthony took a hold of her hand as he led the way into the restaurant. Naomi's eyes widened as they walked down the pathway leading to the entry door.
Lights glittered over the building like dancing tinkerbells, she watched mesmerized at the flowers and trees that scattered the entry of the building they seemed like a fantasy.
Too perfect to be real.
She found it hard to believe that it were a restaurant. The building was big enough to fit a country, it's windows larger than its doors patterns of gemstone scattered across the glass surface embellishing it's beauty.
It overlooked the mountains. As tall as the sky, its view nothing more than a dream. A soft melody was being played from the inside resonating and mellowing with the outside tranquility.
Naomi watched silently with keen eyes as men and woman dressed elegantly maneuvered their way in and out of the entrancing building. Their attires revealing their opulency.
The woman moved gracefully. Getting from point to point in a graceful manner. Naomi envied their confidence, there was no hesitance in their stride, no falter in every step they took.
Never once did they adjust nor readjust themselves. Not once did they look down to the ground in a silent moment of self-consciousness their heads remained raised. Their gaze never moving frantically but set in a firm gaze ahead.
However, she caught it, that swift and timely glance that was laid on Anthony; the man beside her. She observed as their eyes travelled up and down Anthony's frame in silent admiration, however, retreating in an instant making her question whether she had seen it at all.
Besides their silent reply to lust, Naomi considered them perfect.
And she knew that they knew that they were perfect.
Their demeanor said it all.
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Of their overwhelming charm. And of everything in between.
It seemed as if they were floating, never thinking twice of what move to make, their movements were precise, alluring, and demanding of attention.
The jewels on their necks, wrists and ears jingled and jangled, dancing in the cool night breeze. Sparkling in the moonlight and enhancing the beauty of those that wore them.
Their male counterparts strided conceitedly beside them. Their arms draped around the woman's waist. They seemed to be proud to have such ravishing ladies at their sides. The egoistic glint in their eyes a vivid testimony to this claim.
At an instance Naomi felt bad for Anthony, pitying him for his bad fortune. Couldn't his fate be better than this. His fellow males had admirable woman by their side but there he was with her; an ordinary girl from Helslip.
"You're ok? You seem tense" his voice snatched her from her trance. She looked at him to find his eyes already lingering on her.
For how long they had been there? She didn't know
She nodded with a smile "I'm ok" his eyes scanned her face before he nodded and looked away
They neared the entry and a man stood by the door. His face seemed to be answering the call of gravity. Naomi wondered whether he had been facing skin cancer. Circles embedded themselves on his face, varying in shape. "Sir. Welcome" Naomi snapped her gaze to the slim man dressed in uniform. He bowed before Anthony who's face broke out into a friendly smile.
"Jeff. I hope you're doing good, how is Juliana?" Anthony asked, his smile taking up all the space on his face
Jeff seemed to jump in joy as his wrinkled face glowed in ecstacy. "Sir. Juliana is doing good sir. All the thanks go to you sir" the words seemed to drawl out of his mouth as his smile widened "My family and I are so grateful, for what you've been doing for us. Thank you sir. Thank you really much" he beamed
Anthony nodded "That's good" He glanced at Naomi who stood by his side, her eyes squinted as they scanned Jeff from head to toe. Anthony turned his gaze back to Jeff "Have my visitors arrived yet?"
He nodded vigorously "Yes sir. They have arrived and have already been seeted"
"Good" Anthony granted him a firm nod as he pat Jeff on the shoulder. His idle hand finding its way to Naomi's waist, ignoring the way her body tensed up. "I hope everything is in place. I want everything to go as planned. No mishaps."
"Yes sir. Of course. No mishaps" Anthony granted him another nod as he led Naomi into the restaurant.
The place was filled with smooth chatter, tables placed in great patterns. It seemed like a maze to get through
But Anthony didn't seem to be in much trouble, he slithered around the table and ornaments and Naomi followed dumbfounded, and confused.
He maneuvered so effortlessly through the crowd, all the while, smiling and waving to the occupants. It seemed as if he'd been here thousands of times and knew this place very well.
"You come here a lot?" She questioned, her curiosity getting the best of her
He looked at her, a smile prominent on his face. He nodded. "Why do you ask?"
She shrugged her shoulder "You seem to know your way around this maze" she joked, her hands gesticulating to their surroundings of tables, tables and food.
He chuckled, a laugh that seemed to come from the depth of his belly. He stopped. Their eyes met. "I own this place" he stated. Pride dripping from his tongue.
Naomi froze she had no clue where the shock had come from, but it came like a blow to the stomach "What!?" Was all that managed to escape her lips.
He smiled sheepishly, unbothered by her state. "Welcome. I've been waiting" a sarcastic chuckle broke the silence between them. Breaking their intense gaze.
Naomi turned her gaze to the man that had greeted them, he was built, not too fat, not too small. Just right.
His golden brown locks dangled in his eyes, the rest of his head hidden by a white kufi. His Turquoise eyes glittered of mischief and uncovered anger.
The ocean blue eyes landed on her, scanning her from head to toe. As they reached to her face and interlocked with her orbs. They squinted, his face seemed to scrunch up in plain disgust. Slowly, intensely and so damn conceitedly his eyes followed the trail of Anthony's arms that had been so securely wrapped around Naomi's waist, and his face scrunched up even further like an orange liberated of all it's juices, it's liquids squeezed out and discarded for waste.
"And who might this damsel in distress be?" The man inquired. Walking back to his seat after passing her a dismissive glance
His name was Ishaan,Naomi recalled, the friend Anthony had spoken about.
"My girlfriend" Anthony stated simply.
"Ah Mon vieux" he sighed
"Is there a problem?"
Ishaan smiled, a disdainful smile, filled with built up animosity and resentment, causing Naomi to wonder what the relationship between him and Anthony really was. The man shook his head in plain denial "Not at all my brother. Just surprised that you've found a replacement so quick."
"A replacement?" Anthony inquired, his brow rising
A replacement? The words ringed in Naomi's ears. Was she the replacement they were speaking of? And who exactly was she replacing?
"If an object is broken and is of no more use will you not get another?" Anthony asked. A conniving smile erupting on his face.
Ishaan's fist balled up in silent fury as he slammed his hands against the table, Naomi swore she heard something crack, wondering whether it were his knuckles or the poor table. She hoped it be the former. The slamming of the table caught the attention of the people nearby. "I will not stand here and watch you disrespect Aganna in that manner" the words were breathed from his lips like a hiss.
Aganaa, the name sounded familiar to Naomi. She struggled to remember where she had heard it from.
The curious stares of the bystanders did not return his composure for he remained standing, his eyes flames of fire staring deviously into Anthony's orbs. Anthony remained oblivious to his glares, gazing casually at the convulsing man.
Naomi shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks starting to heat up. "And what are you gonna do if I disrespect her?" Anthony inquired deliberately instigating the already furious man
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Slowly his hands reached for his suit and raised it, revealing a peculiar looking leather belt. Ice cold fear, crept down Naomi's spine as she realised that it were not an ordinary belt but a holster. She watched silently, her jaw dropping to the floor as Ishaan gradually reached into his holster and when his hands came out there was a gun in his grasp.
His face stuck in cemented anger. "I'm going to kill you" He whispered.
The words seeped from his mouth with pure bitterness and Naomi shivered at their intensity. At this point the scene had caught the attention of everyone in the room and his words floated in the air, causing the tension in the room to grow thicker by the second.
He raised the gun to Anthony's head.
He cocked it.
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And all hell broke loose.
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