The Nation's Jackpot Girl (BWWM)

Chapter 35

Julian's POV

   "What's she still doing up there," I mutter to myself as I wait, seated in the back of the car that would be driving us to my mother's home.

   She told me she'd be ready in thirty minutes time but now, she's still upstairs, getting prepared.

   One thing I hate is my time being wasted and people not keeping time. It messes up with my balance and Rita is doing just that. But I sit back and wait anyway. Women are known to be time wasters.

   Someone pulls on the door handle and I look out of the window to see Rita standing there, dressed beautifully in a burgundy gown and flawless makeup. Her hair is also on fleek.

   Sighing, I unlock the door to admit her in and when she's settled into the car, she turns to me. "I'm really sorry, baby. The hairstylist arrived late and we had to do a quick one,"

   "You know how much I hate my time being wasted right?" I say in a stern tone and she nods and wraps her arm around nine.

   "I'm sorry. You don't have to be this mad about it, right? I was just a few minutes late and you know that,"

   "Okay, fine," I say. "You know I have to be there early because it's my mother's day. She's not going to find it funny when we arrive,"

   Rita's face immediately falls. I know how she wants to impress my mother and by saying this, I have already mounted pressure on her. She'd have to try harder.

   The driver is a twenty minute drive and soon, we're driving into the gates.

   "This dinner party seems like a big one. There are lots of cars,"

   "Some of them belong to my mother," I say in reply. The car parks and I unlock the door, stepping out before taking Rita's hand in mine. "She doesn't invite more than fifty people so it's about twenty something cars in here,"

   Rita nods. I can see that she's enthralled by the view. My mother has always had good taste and she built this house during the time she got married to my father. Oh, the tale is really long.

   My father never had money when he met my mother. My mother was a very rich woman from a rich family and because she loved him, she made life better for him and he, being a smart man, held onto the reins and built a large empire. But he still lived in this house.

   I had no knowledge about it till I was about twenty years old and it was quite crippling to see that my father who had begun treating my mother like shit had nothing and was taken care of by my mother. It fostered my hate for him.

   "This place is so beautiful," She says as we walk towards the porch.

   "Wait until you get inside,"

   "I can't wait."

   As soon as we get inside, I realize that everywhere is quite crowded with people from all walks of life.

   This dinner is different. The decorations are really beautiful and the lights are balanced properly. The music, something I've never heard but it's really beautiful and the combination of good scenery and good music is really relaxing.

   "Wow," Rita mutters as we walk deeper into the party. "This is more than I expected,"

   "Same with me."

   "What do you mean?"

   "My mother's party has never turned out this good."

   Davin is the first person to see me. He taps my other friends and then they walk over to me.

   "Hey, bud. You're late," Jamal says and gives me a knowing look. "Your mother's been asking you. She's worried that you might not come. Hey, Rita,"

   Rita smiles and greets them all. They're all smiling at her and I know it's a fake. They just gave up with her because she's my girlfriend even if they have an idea that it's not a serious relationship as she thinks.

   "I'll go see her, then,"

   Rita turns to look at me immediately. "You should introduce me to your mother,"

   I exchange looks with Jamal who nods. "Alright. Let's go,"

   She smiles giddily and slips her arm into the crook of my arm and I lead her towards the other side of the room in search of my mother.

   I see her standing with Rosá and I feel a bit uncomfortable. We have not been on good terms for a while and sometimes, I feel guilty about the way I carried out my grievances on them.

   My mother, as soon as she sees me, has a bright smile on her face. She immediately dismisses Rosá who gives me a look before leaving for the kitchen and hurries to wrap her arms around me.

   "You came!"

   "It's my duty to, mum," I say in an amused tone. My mother can be really dramatic. When I release myself from her hold, I pull Rita to my side. "Mother, this is Rita, my girlfriend."

   My mother frowns at me in confusion. "You have a girlfriend?"

   Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

   I fucking messed up. I can feel both of their eyes on me; Rita's, red with embarrassment and disappointment and my mother's, in confusion.

   "Well, yes." I replied to my mother. "She's my girlfriend and I've been wanting you to meet her,"

   "Oh, that's really nice," My mother says and I am relieved that she catches on to the atmosphere. "Rita, I'm sure you're loving his party, yeah?"

   Rita smiles and nods. "Yes, ma'am,"

   "Call me Leela," My mother says. "I hate being addressed as ma'am. Makes me feel old,"

   Both women burst into laughter and for a moment, I am relieved that they're getting along quite well. She's not going to mete out so much anger at me tonight.

   And just as we are speaking, a lady comes up behind my mother and my mother turns to her with a smile.

   She's dressed in a burnt orange satin dress that hugs every part of her figure, a tall curvy woman with a beautiful face. She... She looks so familiar. My eyes trails on her sexy curve.

   But she's black.

   And I recognize her.

   "Mum, what the hell is she doing here?"