Anne
Coming down the wide staircase was the Sawyer family. The three men were in matching black tuxedos, and the woman on her husband's arm wore a white long-sleeved gown adorned with silver stones, with a long trailing tail that swept elegantly from her hip.
The dress looked like nothing I had ever seen. Not that I know much about gowns, but her dress looked like it had been designed, cut, and stitched for her body and no one else's.
She outshone every woman in the room. Why wouldn't she? She was one of hosts of the party, carrying herself with a grace that made everyone else seem like a mere blur in the background.
On both sides of the couple were their sons, breathtakingly handsome in their black tuxedos.
I found Andrew first. He was already staring at me with a huge grin on his face, his hands clasped politely in front of him in what I could only describe as his good-son costume. His infectious smile had me smiling back, and for a second I wanted to announce to the entire room that he was my person, my bestie!
‘Seriously Anne. Bestie? Get a grip.’
My eyes moved over to Vincent and suddenly came to a screeching stop.
‘Where did she come from?’
Perched on his arm was a petite girl, all polished and Barbie-perfect, smiling at everyone with her tiny pink lips. She looked like she had already decided she owned the place.
Jane, Pamela and I exchanged glances.
My gaze eventually returned to Vincent, and I found him already looking at me. His eyes moved slowly over me, then settled on my face with an expression I couldn't decipher.
My knees wobbled beneath me. I had to discreetly grip the edge of the table to keep myself up.
I was genuinely relieved when we were asked to be seated. I didn't know how much longer I could have held myself together under that stare.
Dr. Richard Sawyer walked to the stage with an air of authority and dominance in every gait. He stood tall, looking all mighty and in control as he delivered his opening remarks.
I could see where Vincent got his bearing from. The same sharp-edged face, the same tall frame, the same square shoulders. Dr. Richard Sawyer, however, was the older, harder version, with his stoic demeanor and robotic smile.
Andrew took after their mother’s softer facial structure, but he carried his father's formidable build. Though he wasn't as tall as the other men, his wide shoulders and dense physique made him appear just as imposing.
After the speech, Dr. Sawyer and his wife were called out for the first dance. He held her gently and led her to the centre of the floor. The band began a slow, soft piece and the couple moved together with the fluid grace of a shared lifetime.
From the way they held each other, I knew they were very much in love. Even in his formality, all his attention was on her.
Everyone clapped when the music ended. Shortly after, the floor opened to guests, and couples began filing in from every direction.
Andrew made his way over to our table, visibly relieved to be freed from his good-son position. I could tell he was glad he no longer had to stand there while every pair of eyes in the room formed opinions about him.
He gave us all pecks on the cheek, then turned to me with an outstretched hand.
"Andrew, I don't do ballroom dancing," I whispered.
"Me neither. Come on, let's just move to the beat, eh?" he said, attempting a Canadian accent for reasons I will never understand.
I smiled, shook my head, and took his hand. He closed his eyes and inhaled sharply when our hands met. For a second I thought something was wrong, like he wanted to pass out or something, but then he opened his eyes and gently led me to the dance floor.
From the corner of my eye, I could see the Barbie girl watching us from Vincent's arm. Watching me, specifically.
What's her deal?
Andrew rested his hands on my waist and drew me close. I held onto his neck and we moved to the music.
We chatted about everything. The dress, the fun we had in the limo and how we made the driver mad.
“Rufus is always grumpy,” Andrew laughed.
We sang along to the music playing, danced and twirled, gaining stares from the prim and proper guests.
Soon after, the tempo of the music reduced. Some people left the dance floor. I was certain we'd do the same and had commenced walking off when he pulled me back.
“Andrew,” I whispered, darting my eyes around.
“I wanna dance more with you, Anny. You look ravishing," Andrew whispered near my ear, sending a tingle straight down my spine.
"You're not bad yourself," I whispered back. He closed his eyes as if savoring the taste of something delicious.
His actions brought back the thoughts I had in the hostel. I glanced towards our table to see if my roommates were watching. Their stare would somehow seal my suspicion. But they weren't there, they were at the drink section talking to each other.
I turned back to Andrew. His eyes were still on mine with so much intensity. I don't know if it was my imagination, but I could have sworn his pupils had darkened.
“Anny. Thank you.”
“For what, Drew? I should be thanking you for all these.”
“No, Anny… thank you. For seeing me… even after everything. For not turning away when you should have. I know I joke a lot, I mess up a lot, but with you… I don’t feel like I have to pretend.”
He exhaled softly. “You and Vincent… you’ve done more for me than I’ll ever be able to repay.”
“Drew… stop,” I whispered, but there was no strength in my words.
The pressure of his hand on my back increased as he pulled me closer.
Heat coursed through me, igniting every nerve in my body.
The same thoughts wouldn't stay quiet. Jane's voice came rushing back. “He's definitely into you. He's definitely into you.”
“I’m grateful, Anny… more than you know. But I don’t want to keep everything bottled up.”
His eyes dropped to my lips, then lifted back to mine, searching… waiting… like he needed something from me before he could go any further. It was as if he was seeking permission.
"Anny," he whispered.
"Huh?" I whispered back.
"You're beautiful."
“Thank you, Drew.”
“You're so beautiful, I can't keep my eyes off you, Anny.”
I was still trying to make sense of everything swirling inside me, but my entire body froze as he slowly leaned in.