Chapter 7 - One In Seven

I don't remember much of what happened after we arrived. Camera flashes burst around us like fireworks as we walked the length of the press line, but I scarcely paid them any mind, smiling by rote. I was drawn into myself and desperate to get away from the tension radiating in waves from Menzi.

The moment we crossed over into the building, someone called his name and he turned. I slipped away, darting around the rest of the guests clogging the carpeted entrance.

When I reached the reception hall, I took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and searched for Neo as I tossed one back. I spotted him on the far side of the room with my mother and Mzwandile, and I crossed to them, discarding my empty glass on a table as I passed it.

"Aviwe!" My mother's face lit up when she saw me. "That dress is stunning on you!"

She air-kissed each of my cheeks. She was gorgeous in a shimmering, fitted column of icy blue. Sapphires dripped from her ears, her throat and her wrist, highlighting her eyes against her light-brown skin. Her hair was centre-parted and dead straight to the middle of her back, not a strand of it out of place.

"Thank you." I took a gulp of champagne from my second glass, remembering that I'd planned on expressing gratitude for the dress. While I still appreciated the gift, I was no longer so happy about the convenient thigh split.

Neo stepped forward, catching my elbow. One look at my face and he knew I was upset. I shook my head, not wanting to get into it now.

"More champagne, then?" he asked softly.

"Please."