Brandon
I stood down the stairs in my tuxedo waiting for Clarissa.
Why did it take ladies that long to get dressed?
"Hurry up Rissa."
If there was one thing I was known for, it'd be time consciousness.
"Clar....."
I choked on the rest of my words when I turned around to see her.
Clarissa was walking down the stairs in a mauve floor length dress with a slit through to her mid thigh with her hair straightened reaching past her waist.
Honestly, she looked stunning, but that wasn't the dress I got her.
"What are you wearing?"
"What do you mean?"
The dress I got her was royal blue not mauve and it was less revealing than this.
In less than a second, I received a text.
Ihope you like the surprise - Zach
So that was what he was referring to.
"Let's go."
Clarissa
When we got out of the car, Brandon had protectively put his arm on my waist.
"Stay with me at all times." He whispered.
We got on the red carpet and the cameras were shuttering away and the paparazzi was insane.
Long ago, I only watched this, now I was living it.
The centre for the event was huge.
There were a lot of people dressed lavishly as always.
If I had to be honest, my heart was beating faster than it ever had in my whole entire life.
We joined some others around a table.
This was super awkward.
*********
After a very interesting auction, there was a party.
"I'll be right back Clarissa, don't go anywhere."
He was treating me like some six year old.
All I wanted to do right now was to go home.
"Hey, Mrs. Bartels."
I wasn't used to this name but I turned anyways.
It was Alan.
"Hey Alan."
"Woah, are you trying to kill the men around here or what?"
I chuckled.
"Well, where's Brandon?"
I shrugged.
I noticed he wasn't even paying much attention to our conversation because he was staring at a lady.
"Who's the girl." I asked teasingly.
"Is it that obvious?"
I nodded, giggling.
"You are going to approach her."
All of a sudden, he got tensed.
"Stand straight, shoulders put, head up.... you look good."
I said and ruffled his hair a bit.
"Go talk to her..... and oh, hands in your pockets."
He mouthed a thanks and walked on like some emperor.
He is super cocky in a way.
"Excuse me."
I turned to face the owner of the deep voice.
"Yes?"
He actually looked very familiar.
"You're Clarissa Russell, right?"
I nodded.
"Don't you remember me? Guy in glasses, nerdy, your number one clinger?"
Only one name came to mind.
"Ryan Woods?"
"Yes."
"Ryan!" I shrieked and hugged him.
He was my best friend and we were always together in the orphanage.
"Long time, no see."
"Where have you been?"
"Let's talk while we dance?"
"Sure."
"So.... may I have this dance?"
Brandon
These parties were no place to let your guard down even if there were a lot of people around.
I left Clarissa to get in touch with all the security guards around to make sure nothing went wrong because I trusted no one.
Getting back under the event, I balled my fists.
I could not find Clarissa. She wasn't where I had left her.
I tried reaching out to Alan but then he was busy speaking to a certain lady and I did not want to end that.
Then my eyes caught her.... dancing with another guy. I had to wait for the song to end.
What was he saying that kept Clarissa giggling from time to time?
For what seemed like eternity, the song finally ended.
They stopped dancing and started walking in my direction.
"Brandon, you're back."