Chapter 20：The Party

***

Saïda's POV:

We returned to the apartment later that evening. Asahd parked in front of our building.

"I'm glad you're making extra money." I told him.

"Thanks. It actually makes me feel pretty good." he replied.

"So, are you going to go to that party or not?"

He stared ahead for a while, thinking.

"Mmmm, probably. You advised me to adapt a little more right? I'll go." he looked at me, "Want to come with me? You'll have fun, I think."

"No thanks. You know I don't really like parties and stuff. Or going out at night."

"Saïda, you don't like many things and you don't like people." he mocked and I laughed a little.

"Asahd, I'm not comfortable with strangers and you know it. It's not like I don't like people. I easily get anxious and plus, I love staying in my own corner."

"Oh okay. I'll go prepare then. If your father asks about, tell him where I'm at."

I rolled my eyes.

"Asahd, when will you stop ignoring yourselves with dad? No. When will you stop ignoring him? Because he always tries to speak with you and know how you are doing, but you ignore him. Asahd, all my father wants is your good. Maybe even more than he wants mine."

"Shut up." he mumbled, rubbing the tip of his nose like he always did, when guilty or feeling disturbed. I knew Asahd almost as much as my father knew him, and whenever he did that, I knew that whatever was being said to him, was getting to him.

"You really need to stop with the attitude at times. I can tell you one thing that I'm sure of, and it's that my father misses you a lot. He misses your conversations. Acting up won't bring out any good because he won't change his mind and give in to your demands like he used to in Zagreh. And that's cuz he made a promise to your parents and also wants what's good for you. It's useless ignoring him. Your less bitter about what's happening to you now, and so, why continue to be bitter towards my father?"

He was silent and staring out his window, a little frown on. Asahd was so stubborn and his ego was still enormous. I honestly wished for him to change.

"I know how stubborn you are and I just hope I kinda got to you. See you upstairs." I rubbed the top of his hand but he still didn't look at me and so I got out of the car and into the building.

Asahd's POV:

I sat thinking for a while, long after Saïda had left the car. I hated feeling guilt in any type of way. Saïda had succeeded in making me feel guilty as hell and it annoyed me.

"Why the hell must she give moral lessons and advice." I grumbled, "She should just keep stuff to herself most of the time."

I grabbed my phone and wallet and left the car through that damned window.

---

I entered the apartment to find Saïda cooking something up in the kitchen and Djafar in the living room.

"How are you?" he asked like he did every single night. I'd stopped answering weeks ago, but he'd never stopped asking the same question.

I frowned a little and took a deep breath. I was gonna harden up and ignore him again but then I looked around and saw Saïda staring at me. She smiled a little and shook her head a little, motioning me to answer. I just hated the extra guilt I felt at the moment.

"Don't look at me." I told her, scoffing and rolling my eyes. She laughed lowly and went on with what she was doing. Djafar stared at us in wonder, completely lost.

I looked at him once again. Inhaling a little and putting my ego aside, I answered him.

"I'm fine. And you?" I replied, to his surprise. He smiled, pleased, and I had to fight the urge to smile back. I was still so stubborn and decided I wasn't ready to smile back, just yet.

"I'm okay. Went visiting the city today?" he asked, "Come take a seat."

Hesitating a little, I didn't move.

"Um, yeah. I can't sit cuz I have to go prepare for some party I was invited to by my colleagues." I told him.

"Oh, okay. It's a good thing. You'll meet new people and make new friends. Just call to let us know at what time you'll be coming back or if you'll even come back, tonight."

"Sure."

"Okay then. Have a good time my dear." he added with another smile.

I nodded a little and made my way to the bedroom.

-

After showering and changing my clothes, I left the room.

"I'm on my way." I told them.

"Okay, but I think you should eat first." Djafar proposed, "Saïda's done warming the meal."

"I never say no to food."

"Good then. Let's have dinner."

**

Writer's POV:

Asahd pulled up in front of Matt's building at past eleven. He got out of the car as fast as possible so no one would see him.

He then adjusted and went into the building. He checked his phone one more time for the apartment number that Alex had sent him before entering the elevator.

Asahd got to Matt's door and knocked. There was loud music and noise on the other side. Guess he'd found the right room.

A few seconds later, a laughing girl opened the door.

"Yes?" she asked, sipping the beer from her cup.

Asahd looked over her shoulder and into the apartment. It was bigger than the one he, lived in and it was full of people dancing, drinking and having fun.

"You deaf, pretty boy?" the girl mused, "Are you lost or you're looking for someone?"

"Is Matt in? Or Alex?" Asahd asked.

"Oooh, are you Asahd?"

"Yeah."

"Come in, come in. You're so cute, damn." she smiled and grabbed his arm, pulling him into the apartment.

There was a lot of partying, alright, enough drinks and probably some of the sexiest girls ever who turned out to be sorority chicks and college mates of Matt and Alex, plus other friends and relations.

"Alex?!" the girl called over the loud music and got Alex's attention. He turned and smiled on seeing Asahd. He approached them.

Asahd's POV:

"Glad you could make it, man." Alex said, fist bumping me.

"Thanks. Your apartment looks great."

It was big enough and quite chic in it's own way. A perfect student apartment.

"Thanks. C'mon, let's go meet the others." he led the way and I followed him.

We went to a corner of the apartment where Stephan, Matt, Derrick and Jason were.

They all welcomed me and I was given a bottle of beer. Shortly after, the girls we worked with, joined us. I almost didn't recognise them!

They looked so different with the make up, fixed hair, tight and sexy dresses.

"Hey, Asahd." they smiled and took turns to hug me.

"Wow, you all look great. Sexy is an understatement." I cooed and they laughed.

"You look good too. As always." Elsa replied.

"Why are y'all standing here like statues? Come dance." Britt proposed.

"They're right." Stephan mused and pulled Jenna along to the dancefloor.

They others took a girl each and did same. Derrick and I stayed back.

"You're not going to dance, Asahd?" Allison asked as she was being taken away.

"Maybe later." I replied.

"Suit yourself, hon."

Derrick and I watched the others have fun.

"It's so obvious." he suddenly said with a chuckle, sipping his drink.

"What is?" I asked.

"I think they all have a crush on you, man. Especially those who don't have boyfriends." he mused.

I smiled in amusement.

"Nice." I mused "Tell me more about them. Like, what I don't know yet."

"Oh, the spicy stuff?"

"Yup." I chuckled and he laughed.

"Well, Jenna and Matt had once had a little something."

I looked at him in surprise.

"They dated??"

"Kind of. It was when she'd just been employed by the boss. There was flirting here and there between them, a few kisses and I think one date. I don't know what happened but after two or three weeks, they decided it was preferable to stay friends."

"I didn't expect that. Wow. More tea please." I joked and we laughed.

"Brittany has a boyfriend, but she still flirts with any other guy when she wants."

"How does her man, take that? You do that to me and it's over."

"I know right!" he exclaimed and we laughed. "Apparently he's undisturbed by it."

"Witchcraft."

"HAHAHA!" Derrick burst out and his laugh was so contagious, I joined him.

"And Ally?"

"She's single. Elsa too and Jenna. You've probably noticed, but Elsa has that careless nature about her. She just loves to laugh and be free. Ally is that sticky kind of chick. Jenna is like a mixture of both Elsa and Ally. Sometimes she's sticky, sometimes she's careless. Depends on her mood."

"Oooh, okay. That's interesting." I sipped more beer.

"So, interested in any of them?" he teased, poking me and making me laugh.

"Ummm. I don't really have that in mind right now. I'm going through a hard time and the last thing I wanna think of is getting into some serious relationship with whosoever."

"Oh, I feel you. Same here, man. Life's tough on all of us right now."

"Yup."

We watched the others for a while. And then Stephan joined us.

"Hey. No dancing?" he mused

"We're getting ready." I replied with a chuckle.

"Hahaha okay. I was wondering Asahd."

"Yes?"

"You didn't bring your sister along?" he asked with a funny smile that made Derrick laugh.

"Why? You wanted to see her?" I mused.

"Yes. I have her face stuck in my head since she came to see you at work." he said playfully.

"Oh reaaaallly??" I dragged.

"Yep. Such a beautiful creature."

"Vomit the sweet words!" Derrick laughed.

"Indeed. It's a family thing. We're all beautiful creatures." I replied in that proud, playful manner.

"Hahaha. But for real though. I like her. She's single?" he asked with a smile.

I smiled back and grabbed his shoulders.

"I'm going to say this in the sweetest manner ever, because you're a colleague and friend." I started, my brightest smile on.

"Oh, boy." Derrick laughed.

"Ooo–kaaay." Stephan mused, definitely expecting the worst.

"You are nothing. Not even close, to her type of man." I stated.

"Burned." Derrick mocked.

"So she doesn't like cute, very attractive and blue eyed guys?" Stephan asked, wriggling his brows and feeling himself.

"Thing is, she likes mature, ambitious, hardworking, honest and confident men. And my dear Stephie," I eyed him a little, "Stephie dear, you are none of the above. I'm saying this cuz I really like you and want the best for you. But you can always walk your ass home."

"Finished." Derrick laughed.

"You win, Asahd! Damn!" Stephan exclaimed and we laughed, "I'm out! She's out of my mind for good. Boy you are so harsh." he laughed.

"Thank you." I smiled and sipped my drink, "It's my job as her big bro to keep her safe. Plus, she's taken."