Money Trees

12 ✮ Merry

  Mai's heart jumped every time the door opened.

  Waves of guests flooded into Charlie and Oliver's townhouse. Some she recognised, some she didn't. The big names were there of course. Madeline Lockhart, Spencer Kingsley, Nora Lawrence and her beau George Hallewell. Aisha and Iman Nour were there, a blast from the past, and multiple other friends of Charlie and Oliver. She could have tried to be more social and interacted with the partygoers but she only wanted to see one person.

  "Mai, darling, how are you?" Madeline Lockhart's musical voice jumped in as she glided towards her.

  Her presence was illuminating. She was quite literally the sun. She was dressed in a feather and pearl-embellished gown that reached her high heeled feet. Madeline Lockhart looked ethereal.

  Mai was in awe of her. But she was more focused on other things.

  "I'm good. Where's Ellie?"

  Madeline made a face. "Chilling with her grandma. There was no way I was going to bring her to this party."

  "I miss her."

  "You should come over sometime. I'm sure she misses her Aunt Mai."

  "And what about you? How are you doing?"

   Madeline smiled warmly. "I'm good. Really good. I actually wanted to talk to you about something."

  "You okay?"

  The door opened and Mai's eyes immediately darted to it but it was only a caterer.

  "Yeah. I just wanted us to maybe discuss your career. I have a new vision for Wild and... Mai?"

  Mai had completely zoned out.

  "You seem distracted."

  "Hm?"

  A laugh escaped Madeline's lips. "I can't wait to see who's made you like this..."

  Mai blushed. "Is it that obvious?"

  Madeline shrugged. "Maybe I'm just very observant..."

  The door opened again. And this time it was him. He had discarded the Santa Clause costume for a green velvet suit that he wore so well. Mai had never been much of a photographer but she suddenly understood all those moments where Apollo would become so overcome with the need to take a photo. Moments like that should be documented forever.

  "He's cute," Madeline whispered, before leaving her. Not that Mai even noticed. Her eyes were focused solely on the man standing at the door.

  He had a camera hung on a strap across his shoulder and a row of sparkling silver rings on his knuckles. His eyes darted around looking for her until he finally saw her. And his soft lips curled up. And his hand rose in a gentle wave. And his eyes glinted like the moon.

  She rubbed her sweaty hands on the back of her dress, a navy one-shoulder piece that looked like it was dipped in a pool of crystals from the glimmering embellishments on the bottom. She paired it with gold chandelier earrings and the newest addition to her jewellery trove; a Parisian landmark hung on a dainty chain around her neck.

  He made his way over to her, his smile getting wider and wider as he got closer. Suddenly he was right in front of her, a finger-breadth away.

  "Hi."

  "Hi."

  "You look... you look perfect."

  "You always know what to say."