Chapter 15

The cab arrived at the mansion of Claire's parents. I was a little late, cause I forgot her present so when the cab arrived I had to go back up to get it.
I hated to walk into a party which was already very crowded.
"Mira! Hello! Come in!"
Claire's mother was a very friendly lady. She had short blond hair and was just as tall as Claire. For a woman her age she was very pretty too. She always looked stunning. She had to, as her husband being one of the most richest men in town. But I knew she was unhappy. She never said it, but she knew her husband cheated on her with his younger secretary. How cliché, I know.
I always felt sorry for her. He was drunk a lot too and often left her alone in the mansion while getting drunk and gambling at the casino or just staying at a hotel in Vegas with his secretary.
Still she never once let her guard down and always kept smiling. Claire would never talk about it. I found out through some collegues at work, once they I found out she is my friend.

"Hello Mrs. Thompson!", I said cheerfully.
"Please, just call me Rachel!"
I could never get used to just calling her by her first name. Even though I knew her for quit a while now.
She helt the door open and I stepped in. There were balloons everywhere and a big vase with I think about a hundred rosed was placed on a side table in front of the huge staircase.
"What do you have there?", she said pointing at the gift I held.
"I made this for Claire, I hope she likes it", I answered a little insecure.
"I'm sure she'll love it! Claire!!"
"Wow you look stunning!", I said as she walked towards me.
She had a tight red dress on, with a cleavage that almost came down to her belly button. Her hair was put back and tied up very neatly.Her lips were painted sensual red and her make up was perfect.
"That neckless is beautiful! Oh and those earrings!!", I exclaimed.
"Thank you sweetheart!", she said giving me a hug.
"I got them from my mom and dad, real diamonds! Can you believe it!"
"Oh my God!!"
"What do you have there?", she asked pointing at the present.
"Oh yeah, this is for you", I said handing it to her.
She unwrapped it and couldn't believe her eyes.
"It's beautiful! Thank you so much!!", she exclaimed a bit shocked.
"Are you sure?", I said insecure.
"Yes I'm sure!!"
"Oh my God! Mira did you paint this?", her mom asked surprised. She now stood behind Claire and her eyes took in the painting I made.
"Yes I did", I said shyly my eyes facing the floor.
"Mira! Did you make that?"
"Can you believe it?", Mrs. Thompson said.
"It's absolutely beautiful. I didn't know you could paint", Mr. Thompson said admiring the portret of his daughter.
"So, um happy birthday", I said.
"It's really beautiful Mira, thank you", Clair said while embracing me.

Some other people came to see what was going on, which made me even more shy. I was so out of my comfortzone right now.

Quickly I grabbed the opportunity to walk away.
Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned around, a bit startled.

"Max?"
"I didn't know you could paint that well", his deep voice spoke.

His eyes sparkled as a small smile plastered on his face. He had a three piece suit on, which I must admit looked sexy on him.

"What are you doing here?", I asked surprised.

"Some champaign, Miss?"
I turned around to face a waiter holding a tray with glassess of champaign in his hand.
"Thank you", I smiled.
"Sir?"

"Thank you", Max said and grabbed a glass from the tray.
The waiter walked away and continued his work.
"Let's go outside", he said. He held his arm out for me to hold on to and so I did.
"You look absolutely beautiful, my love",he whispered in my ear as we walked away from the hall.
"Thank you, you're not so bad looking yourself either", I chuckled.

Outside by the pool we saw a small bench and sat down.
There weren't many people around so it was perfect.
The decorations were beautiful. There were these tiny lights, placed in the trees that surrouned their huge backyard. Tables with white sheets that were neatly drapped around them were spread out all through the back. There was a big stage set up with a DJ spinning populair tunes. In front of the stage was a dancefloor where a small group of people were dancing and chatting.
Waiters and waitresses walked around serving all kinds of small dishes.
To the left was a big outdoor kitchen with two chef's preparing meat. A big salad bar was in front of them.
Claire's mom knew how to throw a party.
"So tell me more about your paintings", he said.
"I don't know what to say", I shrugged.
"Well, why didn't you told me you could paint?", he asked.
"I don't know, it's not that big of a deal", I answered.
"I think it is. You are really talented, Mira", he said.
I laughed; "You just saw one painting."
"I think if I would see more, I'd be amazed", he said staring into my eyes.
"Stop it! You're making me blush", I said, turning my head away from him.
His index finger tipped my chin, making me face him.
"Don't be so shy, you have a talent. You can be proud of that."
His lips came closer, I felt them press a sweet, soft kiss on mine.
We watched a bunch of people dance to the fast beats the DJ was spinning. I wasn't really sure if I should ask him why he was here. I didn't want to nag about it. Quickly I finished my champagne and put the glass beside me.
"So why are you actually here?", I asked as casual as possible.
He turned his head to face me, obviously stirred by the question I asked.
"I got invited by some of Claire's friends and then I ran into her mother this morning. She also asked me to come", he answered.
"Okay."
"I actually only came, because I hoped to see you", he said.
"Why didn't you call me to ask?", I said frowning my eyebrows.
"I don't know. I don't really know where we stand, Mira", he said.
"Me neither", I answered. "You know I like spending time with you, but I don't think I'm ready for anything serious just yet."
"That's okay. We can take our time."
I was about to put my head on his shoulder, when I saw Claire approaching us.
She had a big smile and she only seemed to have an eye for Max.
"Max, my mom asked if you could come to the kitchen. She wanted to show you something", she said stopping in front of us.
I straightened up and wiped away some imaginary dust from my dress.
"I'm having company here", he said putting his hand on my leg.
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind", Claire said encouraging.
"It's okay", I said faking a smile.
"Are you sure?", he asked.
"Yeah, sure. Go head. I'll catch up with you later", I lied.
My stomach twisted while they walked away.
I saw Claire laughing excessively, hanging on to him.
There I was, alone again. You would say I should be used to that by now, but I wasn't. After a few minutes I decided to go to the bar and get myself drink.

"What can I get you Miss?", the bartender asked.
"A mojito please", I answered.
I leaned against the bar waiting for my drink.
"Here you go Miss", he said handing me the drink.
"Thank you."
I took a seat at the bar and stirred in my drink, keeping myself occupied.
There were more and more people getting on the dance floor. I turned around and watched them laugh and have fun. I wondered what was taking Max so long to get back.
I decided I didn't want to be desperate and after my second mojito I went to the dance floor too. Although I wasn't that great of a dancer I moved around like no one was watching. I caught up with some of Claire's friends and they were actually nice this time.
"Oh wow! Look at Claire and her handsome date!" Someone exclaimed.
"Oh my God, I wish he was at my side! Damn he's hot!" Another girl said.
"Someone please call 911, cause I am about to pass out!"
I turned my head to see why there were all excited.
That's when I saw Claire, clinging on to Max, walking this way. She looked good on his arm. Probably better than me.
She waved at her friends, laughing happily.
Once they were near the dance floor I turned around and walked to the side.
I found a place in the dark and watched them from a distance.
Max had let go of her arm and went to the bar. He came back with a tray of drinks and passed them on to everyone. They were all talking and laughing together. Claire had put her arm around Max again, they looked like they were back together again.
The DJ slowed down the music.
"If you have a loved one, please find them and get on the dance floor. This is for all of you romantic people!"

I saw Max let go of Claire and talk to her. She shrugged and wanted to grab his arm. He broke lose from her grip and walked away.

He talked to a few other people, who also shrugged. Eventually he found someone, who pointed to my direction. I saw him walking up to me.
I wanted to walk away, but before I had even moved my feet, he grabbed my arm.
"Mira, can take this dance?", his eyes looked deeply into mine.
"Okay, sure", I said.
He lead me to the dance floor and pulled me close to him. He put his right arm around my shoulder, his left hand held mine. I put my right arm on his back. The first few minutes we just stared at each other. It felt like we were the only two on the dance floor. Our eyes were locked, I was nearly drowning in the bleu ocean that were his eyes.
My neck started to hurt from looking up to him, so I let my head rest on his chest. He hugged me even tighter, his body was warm and I could feel his heartbeat steady.
"You're so beautiful", he whispered.
"Can we please stay like this forever?", I whispered.
Our bodies were slowly rocking to the music, I never wanted this to stop.
In the corner of my eye I saw Claire and her girlfriends hanging against the DJ booth. They were watching us and if you ask me, talking about us too.
I don't know if Claire was upset with me for dancing with Max. I had the feeling, after seeing her clinging on to him, she still wanted him.
After the dance he lead me to the side of the floor.
"Do you want something to eat?", he asked.
"Sure", I answered.
He never let go of my hand, so together we walked to the bar.
"What do you want?"
My eyes wandered around the table with all the salads and bread.
"Don't you want some meat?", he raised his eyebrow.
I laughed at his silly face.
"No, I think I'll go for something lighter. But if you want some, go ahead.
I'll be right there", I said to him.
He walked to the right, where the line began.
I grabbed myself a plate and got some salads and bread. I found an empty table on the left and sat down.
Max saw me and winked. I winked back and gestured for him to get something to drink too. He put up his thumb in understanding.
Then I saw Claire walking up to him. She tapped his shoulder and stood next to him. I saw them talking and I saw her being all over him. Making sure her boobs were plain in his sight.
What was she up to? I mean, she knew I liked him.
"Hi Mira. Is this seat taken?", someone asked.
I looked up and saw Claire's dad standing opposite of me.
"Um, not yet", I smiled.
"Do you mind if I take a seat?", he asked. His hand was holding the chair waiting for me to say yes.
"No, go ahead", I said half eyeing him, half eyeing Max and Claire.
He put his drink down and took a seat.
"What are you looking at?", he asked. His eyes followed my sight.
"Oh, I see. He's handsome, isn't he?", he smiled.
"Yes, he is", I said giving him a weak smile.
"He and Claire were so happy together. I still don't know why they broke up", he said still watching them.
I didn't know what to say. Only that it hurt seeing them like that.
"I saw you two dancing together. Isn't he a little out of your league?", he bluntly asked.
I was so flabber guested I couldn't say anything.
"I mean, look at them. They are perfect together. Both from good families, they both have a good job..."
He twirled his whiskey glass and took one big sip, drinking it all at once.
"I guess so", I mumbled.
"Mira, I'm sure there is someone out there for you too. I just don't think Max is a match for you. Maybe you should find someone, well more of your culture".
I knew Claire's dad wasn't always the most tactfull person, but this was just rude. I never heard him talk like this. And was he really referring to my race? I decided to pretend I didn't hear that and take a bite of my salad, which all of sudden didn't taste that good anymore.
"Look, they look like two love birds. Yep! I definitely see something growing there again!", he said looking at them. My eyes searched for them, it was their turn to order and her father was right. They really looked like the perfect happy couple. I felt tears welling up in my eyes, I didn't want to cry in front of him, so I swallowed them away.
"Well, it was nice talking to you Mira. Have fun!" He stood up and left. I saw him walking up to Max and Claire. I was ready to walk away when Max came to our table.
"Hi sweety, sorry it took me so long", he said sitting down.
"No it's okay." My voice sounded sad, but I wasn't feeling like hiding.
"What's wrong?", he asked.
"Nothing", I said.
"Yes there is something. Are you upset because I talked to Claire?", he asked. Our conversation got interrupted by noise coming from the house.We saw other guests heard it too, 'cause everyone turned their heads. Claire's mom, another woman and her dad came out. They were clearly yelling. Her mom was all upset and her dad was mad. The other woman was upset too.
"Shut up!", her dad yelled at the other woman.
"No! It's about time you make a decision!", she yelled. 

A/N: I'm so sorry I didn't update for that long. I was having a real bad writers block. I was very annoyed by it, cause I really wanted to update. But here it finally is!

I hope you  guys enjoyed it, if so please don't be afraid to vote and comment. I'd really love to read how you feel about this story!! Well, anyway, thank you so much for reading and I hope the next update won't take so long! :)