Thirty six

Katherine Thornes

Rachel is family, and my dad would be so unhappy if I don't attend her birthday party. He's trying so hard to make Rachel and I bond plus, I really like her too.

But then there's Alexander, I can't promise and cancel a date twice because of both my mothers.

Then again, they're my mothers and family comes first. I have to do the right thing even though it would make Alexander unhappy again.

I dropped my phone and picked up Alexander's folded T–shirt. I stepped out of my apartment and headed to his. I knocked on the door and a few moments later, it creaked open and Amalia opened up for me.

"Hi! You're back." She smiled. "Come in." She added, opening the door wider to accommodate me

"Thank you." I smiled too, stepping into the house.

Alexander was in the living room, dressed in another tucked-in shirt and a pair of black trousers this time. He was putting on his cufflinks. I have to admit, he looked so hot and classy in this outfit, I was already feeling guilty about breaking the news that the date was canceled after seeing him all dressed up like this.

He noticed my presence and looked away from his cuffs, "Hi Katherine."

"Hey, Alex." I had to force a smile. "You look nice," I added a compliment.

"Thank you, Katherine." He replied. "Your dress is in Amalia's room. You can change there." Alexander stated and my heart began to pound. There was no need for any change. The date wasn't going to hold.

"Uhm. Here's your T–shirt." I set the shirt down on the couch, completely deflecting from what he had previously stated. "Thank you for lending me the shirt and for also taking care of me when I was drunk." I appreciated. I realized I hadn't done so already and that was pretty ungrateful of me.

"It's no big deal, you're welcome." He smiled and then returned back to attending to his cufflinks. "But the biggest thank you you can give me right now is putting on that dress and going on this date with me," Alexander said and I mentally grimaced as the pangs of guilt continued to stab me in the chest.

"About that, Alex…" I trailed off.

He looked away from the links and faced me with arched brows, "What's up, Katherine?"

"Well, I…" I couldn't find the confidence to complete my statement. From the dress, shoes, and other gifts, to whatever magnificent thing he has planned out for the date, to how he was so prepared for it and was even in a tucked in long–sleeve, I didn't know how to break it to him that it won't be possible any longer.

"Katherine. Tell me what's happening." Alexander's voice had assumed a serious tone, almost as if he was beginning to catch up on my looming statement.

I sighed, "Today is my step mum's birthday."

"Okay, happy birthday Katherine's step mum. How does that have to do with anything?" Alexander replied. He's going to be so crushed when I tell him this.

"I have to attend her birthday, which I'm already late for. So because of that, I don't think I can go on our date anymore." I divulged. The moment the words left my mouth, I saw how disappointment spread on his face.

"I'm so, so, so, sorry Alex. We can maybe reschedule this for another time. What do you think about ne—"

"It's fine, Katherine." He intercepted. "Goodnight." And with that, he turned around and left the living room. I stood there stunned and didn't know what to do, should I follow after him or let him be?

"He's pretty upset. I've never seen him this upset about a girl before." Amalia commented. I had almost forgotten she was here or even existed.

He has never been this upset about a girl before. Does that make me special to him? One of a kind? Not like the others he has been with before?

I would bask in that fact later. But for now…

"I can go talk to him for you if you'd like." She offered and I shook my head for naught.

"No, you don't have to worry yourself." I opposed. There was no use trying to pacify him when the date wouldn't hold. It would just aggravate him the more.

"Okay, I see. So what are you going to do?"

"Well, I need to start heading to my father's house now. Thank you for all your help." I said to her and she gave me a thumbs-up sign.

"Sure. Good night, Katherine."

"Good night, Amalia," I said to her and then turned around to leave. I stepped out of Alex's apartment and headed straight to mine.

I stood in front of my closet and wondered what to wear to the occasion. It was just a birthday dinner and knowing my dad and Racheal, it would be a small family celebration. Meaning, it would just be the three of us. An extravagant party can come during the weekend and then they can invite the whole solar system. But for today, it was just simple.

So because of that, I felt the dress I was wearing was okay for such an occasion. It was a blue frilly gown and I coupled it with a pair of white 2–inches heels and a matching colored bag. I just brushed my hair and let it lay in its wavy curls unstyled.

I checked the time and it was 9:03. Great, I'm an hour plus late. Luckily, the Uber I ordered didn't take so long to arrive and I was already on my way to my father's Grand mansion in no time.

-:-

I arrived at my father's mansion and hurried into the edifice of a building. I placed a knock on the door and their kind butler opened up for me, I was escorted to the grand dining area where my father and Rachel sat, enjoying dinner.

"Good evening, Dad. Good evening, Rachel." I greeted, announcing my presence. They were startled by my unexpected presence and their face quickly brightened up on sighting me.

"Oh, Katherine dear. We thought you wouldn't show." Rachel said, a big smile playing on her face. "Come, come, come sit." She gestured to the chair beside her and I nodded, going over there and then I sat down.

"Katherine, why have your numbers not been going through and why haven't you replied to my texts?" My father asked immediately after I sat down. Off course, I was expecting and the lie was already on the tip of my tongue.

"School work. I had left my phone at home so I could concentrate." I lied, explaining. His frown died down.

"That's my Katherine. Doing everything in her power to make sure she excels in her education!" My father commended and I smiled, if only he knew.

"Happy Birthday Rachel!" I beamed and her grin was so cheery and happy, she extended her arms in a hug and I embraced her.

"Thank you so much my darling." She said and we disengaged.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get you anything. And I'm also sorry for not caring to know your birthday, if I did then I would've gotten you a gift." I apologized. "But I promise to bring something over for you tomorrow."

"Oh, there's no need for that Katherine. Having you and your father in my life is enough gift. Just make sure you continue to do well in school and make us proud. Try your best, but don't be too hard on yourself."

And this is why I love Rachel so much. She says the things I need to hear that I know my mother would never say.

"Thank you so much, Rachel."

"No problem Katherine. We have so much food here, help yourself." Rachel motioned to the array of exquisite food aligned on the table and not to mention the gorgeous birthday cake that sat in the middle.

I couldn't wait to eat it. But first things first.

"How is your mother?" Rachel asked. I had begun to serve some of the food on my plate.

I liked Rachel because she didn't have any bad blood or resent my mother. She always asks of her or sends her regards. For my mother, I can't say the same.

"She's doing good." I simply said. No need for further details.

"I saw that she had been promoted to the position of a manager," Rachel said I was shocked, I never knew that. She never told me. I tried hard to mask my surprise, I didn't want any of them to know how sour my relationship with my mother was getting.

"Oh, really? I haven't heard. Although, I haven't seen her in a while." I lied again.

"Oh wow. Your mother's company is very influential, I think you can talk her into having them give you a spot when you graduate." Rachel suggested. I'm not so sure I would be doing that.

"No, she won't." My father suddenly said and both of our attentions went to him. Same I was thinking, but I'd like to know his reasons for disagreeing.

"Why Dad?"

"Because you will be taking over my company the moment you graduate."