Ch 3
It was now the eve before the party. Evy and Christian were putting the final touches to the arrangements when Jonathan arrived.
"Hello," said Jonathan
"Jonathan, how many people should we be expecting? We have arranged for a party of twenty, but if there are more I think we should be able to manage," said Evy a bit distracted.
"Well, since you mentioned the word honorable my party suddenly shrank to…oh I don't know about 12 but most will bring a companion for the free booze," said Jonathan amused.
" I see you still have not lost that sense of humor of yours, especially if will get you some reaction from your sister."
"Without it I'd be missed, wouldn't I old mum?"
"Yeah sure, right. If you say so."
"Oh, very funny, Evy" Jonathan continued, "I hope you don't mind but…well I" Jonathan paused for a moment.
"You what? Oh don't tell me you've invited a couple of belly dancers. Seriously Jonathan…"
"No, I invited someone else. Rick and a friend of his," said Jonathan rapidly.
At hearing those words Evy soon lost sight of what she was doing.
"You did what?!" said she losing the cool temper that always accompanied her. At which point she looked at Christian, who had never seen her react in this manner. "No, of course not. Why would I mind? All that is in the past" added she trying to act as cool as possible.
"Ok, great" said Jonathan now feeling sorry for having invited Rick because he knew this would not be a pleasant meeting for either of them no matter how much they would try to hide it.
"Why should she mind? Wasn't Rick that guy who accompanied the both of you on that dig?" asked Christian innocently.
"Yes he did. And the only reason I asked is that Rick and Evy don't get along that well"
"But I thought that they got along very well with each other, well that is what I get from what you've told me because Evy never mentions that whole episode. Now why is that Evy?"
"I do not do that…it is just that I…I mean we haven't seen each other in a while, so there is no reason in speaking about someone whom I only knew for a few weeks and have not seen ever since," said Evy trying to be convincingly about not caring about Rick and his life, though both she and Jonathan knew that it was otherwise.
Christian dropped the subject, or rather the siblings lack of answers made him do so. He soon left. Both Evy and Jonathan retired to their rooms in order to continue avoiding the subject. That night as everyone in Cairo was in the blissful land of dreams, Rick and Evy were unable to do the same. Their anxiousness towards that meeting, which had been avoided and wished for so long by both, now plagued their minds. Throughout the night all that passed through their minds were of how it would all be, but none really defined what awaited them.
The night of the party arrived. With the thought of seeing one another again, Rick and Evy felt as if it was now their first day at school.
"I will not go. I will just send a message to Elin telling her that I am sick. I'll just do that. Yeah! I don't have to go. Do I really want to see her there with someone else? To smile at him and have him embrace her as they dance. But if I don't go she will think that I do care about all that and it's not like that. I have someone else too. She could do as she pleases and so can I. So everything is great. It will be great. I'll go and show her that I don't need her and that I am glad she has someone like I do." Without having the chance to change his mind Rick grabbed his jacket and went on his way to pick up Elin. While at the other side of the city.
"Why am I so nervous? It's just a party. It's not like I've never been to a party. But it's not the party that's causing my nerves. It's him. He will probably show up with his beautiful smile and he'll look dashing with his new girlfriend. Oh, why should I care how he or she looks like? I have Christian. He loves me and I…well I care about him. Ok, just stop thinking about this. Go. You'll be perfect and you don't care about who shows. As long as Jonathan has a good time."
Evelyn finished dressing and met up with Christian. Once with him she made her way towards the party.
At the party
The guests began arriving. Evelyn was impressed at seeing that not all of her brother's friends were the bunch of scoundrels that she had thought. Throughout the evening, her eyes were fixed upon the door. She longed to see him but at the same time wished that he didn't show up.
"Evelyn, who are you looking for?" asked Chritian
"Me…oh…um, nobody"
"It seems to me like you are waiting for someone. You have not taken your eyes from the door since we arrived"
"I'm sorry. I was just trying to find Jonathan. I haven't seen him since we got here. He seemed to have vanished," said she trying to smile. "Would you mind terribly if I go look for him?"
"Not at all. But make sure you come back soon though. I will get very lonely if you don't."
As Evelyn made her way around the room in search of Jonathan, she bumped into someone. He grabbed her in his arms helping her avoid a fall.
"I'm really sorry, miss," said he
"No, it was my fault. I am the one that should be apologizing."
When they locked eyes, their expressions quickly changed.
"Hello Evelyn"
"Rick"
This was soon followed by an awkward silence. Throughout this time he continued to hold her in his arms. When they realized this a blush passed through their faces and they soon let go of one another.
"So, um…how have you been?"
"Great and you?"
"Can't really complain…I've been looking for your brother. Do you know where I could find him?"
"I've been actually looking for him myself"
Another awkward silence followed, yet this time it was broken by the appearances of each other's companions.
"I found your brother, he is sitting right over there with a couple of his friends. I think he has already had a bit too much to drink," said Christian amused at seeing Jonathan making an ass of himself.
"Rick, what's taking you so long? Oh, sorry. Hello. You must be Evelyn."
"Yes, I am" said Evelyn a bit confused by having the girl that seemed to have arrived with Rick act so familiar with her.
"You must think that I am terribly rude. I am Elin. I've wanted to meet you since I heard Jonathan say that he had a sister."
"So you're the famous Rick. Its nice to finally meet you." Rick and Evelyn exchanged glances as their companions amiably introduced themselves.
"I guess I am the famous Rick. But you are?" asked he knowing well who the other man was.
"Oh, I am sorry. Christian as you know this is Rick. And Rick this is Christian. He is my…my…"
"Her fiancée" added Christian cutting off Evelyn's stutter.
"Yes, my fiancée" admitted Evelyn as she saw Elin putting her arm through Rick's.
"And this beautiful lady at your side said her name to be Elin?"
"Yes, this is Elin Alberhg"
"Its nice to meet the both of you" said Christian standing his hand to Rick. "Hey, I just had a fantastic idea. Why don't you two come sit with us?"
"We're actually already seated over there, but thanks for the offer," said Rick coolly.
"You can easily change sits. We have so much to talk about. And if you do you will be saving us from having to sit with those two there. We just met them and I can honestly say that I have heard their life stories. Twice."
Elin smiled at Christian's comment and was as eager as he for them to all sit together. Evelyn and Rick finally agreed to it but continued to be distant towards each other. The rest of the night was passed in a never- ending conversation between Elin and Christian and as for Evelyn and Rick tried to calm themselves with a little liquor. They would often share glances but would soon change the direction of their eyes once their eyes would meet.
As midnight came by the guests began to leave. Jonathan was once again nowhere to be found; at which Evy did not worry about he brother's disappearance because she knew that it was most likely to the local Kasbah.
"Look at the time. We should be on our way home," said Evy finally breaking the silence that had taken a hold of her throughout the night.
"Yes, we should all be going," said Rick accompanying Evelyn in the break of silence on their parts.
"Aw, can't we stay just a bit longer. Chris and I are having the most wonderful conversation," said Elin with a happy opposition.
"If you two are having such a wonderful conversation. Why don't you just continue with it on your way home," said Evelyn.
"That is a great idea. You two don't mind do you?" asked Elin.
"No, why would we mind. Go. Have fun. Converse," said Rick not caring.
"Evelyn, do you mind if I escort Elin home?" asked Christian
"Well, I…"
"No, she doesn't mind either. I'll walk her to her room," said Rick cutting Evelyn off.
Christian and Elin arranged their things and were soon on their way home.
"What gave you the right to speak for me?" asked Evelyn excitedly.
"Hey, I was just trying to let them have their conversation."
"I do not appreciate that"
"Ok, Whatever you say. Now, are you ready to head home?"
Evy stood up angrily and began to walk away from him. Rick followed her without understanding her behaviour but inside he felt anger, which was the same way that she was feeling because he had seen another man kiss her in front of him. Once at her door, Evy tried to get Rick to leave but he persuaded her to invite him in.
"This place hasn't changed"
"You expected it to"
"No, that is not what I meant"
"Than what did you mean?"
"Nothing"
"If it was nothing than why did you mention it?"
"Just drop it. God. Why do you always have to do this?"
"Do what? Mr. O'Connell"
"This…you always do this"
"You're going to have to be a bit more clear because I don't know what this is"
"You know what just forget it. I don't even know why I came here"
"Why did you come here?"
"I don't know. Jonathan invited me and Elin wanted to come"
Anger rose to Evelyn's cheeks when she heard him mention her name.
"But you didn't?"
"Yes I did…I mean…no…I don't know"
"Which is it?"
"Let's just drop it. So…you're marrying that dufus."
"Yes, I am and he is not a dufus. He is a very intelligent man."
"Do you love him?"
"What kind of question is that…do I love him," says she giving a nervous laugh at the end of her comment.
" Yes. Do you?" he looks intently at her hoping the answer to be no.
"Do we really have to talk about this at this moment? You should go. Its quite late."
Rick gets closer to her and lifts her chin for their eyes to meet.
"Why won't you answer me? Do you love him?"
"How about you, do you love her?"
"This isn't about me. Damn it. Why won't you just…"
"Well, what do you want me to say"
Both became very nervous and angered by the subject that now became an argument between the two.
"I don't want you to say anything, I guess I just want to know if you…"
"But why do I have tell you about my feelings. It is really none of your business."
"Yes, it is none of my business."
With these words Rick begins heading for the door, but is somehow stopped by Evy.
"Rick, Wait" as he stops she silently continues, "do you love her?"
"Now why do you wanna start this again? I guess I could tell you that I do, but then I would be lying. To be honest I still…I still love you. There I said it. Goodbye Evelyn. I hope things work out for you."
"Wait you…you can't just tell me something like that and leave it at that"
"What else can I do? Stay around and congratulate you on your upcoming wedding."
"That is not what I meant. I hate this. Why can't we ever just talk? We could never finish a conversation without you leaving"
"You're the one who gave me your back the last time. Remember?"
"Me? I wasn't the one who wanted the break."
"But you were the one that was too busy with work to ever give me the time of day."
"You know what. Just…just leave. I don't need this, or you"
"Yes well, I can see that"
"Now what is that supposed to mean"
"Its just like you said you don't need me. You don't need anyone. You could easily replace people just the way you did with me. Its not difficult for you as it obviously shows."
After hearing those words from his mouth, feelings that were mixed within her being were left to act on their own as she slapped his face. His only response is closing in the distance between them. Their lips begin touch but do not fully touch until in a burst of emotions they reach for each other getting webbed into a passionate kissing war.
It was now the eve before the party. Evy and Christian were putting the final touches to the arrangements when Jonathan arrived.
"Hello," said Jonathan
"Jonathan, how many people should we be expecting? We have arranged for a party of twenty, but if there are more I think we should be able to manage," said Evy a bit distracted.
"Well, since you mentioned the word honorable my party suddenly shrank to…oh I don't know about 12 but most will bring a companion for the free booze," said Jonathan amused.
" I see you still have not lost that sense of humor of yours, especially if will get you some reaction from your sister."
"Without it I'd be missed, wouldn't I old mum?"
"Yeah sure, right. If you say so."
"Oh, very funny, Evy" Jonathan continued, "I hope you don't mind but…well I" Jonathan paused for a moment.
"You what? Oh don't tell me you've invited a couple of belly dancers. Seriously Jonathan…"
"No, I invited someone else. Rick and a friend of his," said Jonathan rapidly.
At hearing those words Evy soon lost sight of what she was doing.
"You did what?!" said she losing the cool temper that always accompanied her. At which point she looked at Christian, who had never seen her react in this manner. "No, of course not. Why would I mind? All that is in the past" added she trying to act as cool as possible.
"Ok, great" said Jonathan now feeling sorry for having invited Rick because he knew this would not be a pleasant meeting for either of them no matter how much they would try to hide it.
"Why should she mind? Wasn't Rick that guy who accompanied the both of you on that dig?" asked Christian innocently.
"Yes he did. And the only reason I asked is that Rick and Evy don't get along that well"
"But I thought that they got along very well with each other, well that is what I get from what you've told me because Evy never mentions that whole episode. Now why is that Evy?"
"I do not do that…it is just that I…I mean we haven't seen each other in a while, so there is no reason in speaking about someone whom I only knew for a few weeks and have not seen ever since," said Evy trying to be convincingly about not caring about Rick and his life, though both she and Jonathan knew that it was otherwise.
Christian dropped the subject, or rather the siblings lack of answers made him do so. He soon left. Both Evy and Jonathan retired to their rooms in order to continue avoiding the subject. That night as everyone in Cairo was in the blissful land of dreams, Rick and Evy were unable to do the same. Their anxiousness towards that meeting, which had been avoided and wished for so long by both, now plagued their minds. Throughout the night all that passed through their minds were of how it would all be, but none really defined what awaited them.
The night of the party arrived. With the thought of seeing one another again, Rick and Evy felt as if it was now their first day at school.
"I will not go. I will just send a message to Elin telling her that I am sick. I'll just do that. Yeah! I don't have to go. Do I really want to see her there with someone else? To smile at him and have him embrace her as they dance. But if I don't go she will think that I do care about all that and it's not like that. I have someone else too. She could do as she pleases and so can I. So everything is great. It will be great. I'll go and show her that I don't need her and that I am glad she has someone like I do." Without having the chance to change his mind Rick grabbed his jacket and went on his way to pick up Elin. While at the other side of the city.
"Why am I so nervous? It's just a party. It's not like I've never been to a party. But it's not the party that's causing my nerves. It's him. He will probably show up with his beautiful smile and he'll look dashing with his new girlfriend. Oh, why should I care how he or she looks like? I have Christian. He loves me and I…well I care about him. Ok, just stop thinking about this. Go. You'll be perfect and you don't care about who shows. As long as Jonathan has a good time."
Evelyn finished dressing and met up with Christian. Once with him she made her way towards the party.
At the party
The guests began arriving. Evelyn was impressed at seeing that not all of her brother's friends were the bunch of scoundrels that she had thought. Throughout the evening, her eyes were fixed upon the door. She longed to see him but at the same time wished that he didn't show up.
"Evelyn, who are you looking for?" asked Chritian
"Me…oh…um, nobody"
"It seems to me like you are waiting for someone. You have not taken your eyes from the door since we arrived"
"I'm sorry. I was just trying to find Jonathan. I haven't seen him since we got here. He seemed to have vanished," said she trying to smile. "Would you mind terribly if I go look for him?"
"Not at all. But make sure you come back soon though. I will get very lonely if you don't."
As Evelyn made her way around the room in search of Jonathan, she bumped into someone. He grabbed her in his arms helping her avoid a fall.
"I'm really sorry, miss," said he
"No, it was my fault. I am the one that should be apologizing."
When they locked eyes, their expressions quickly changed.
"Hello Evelyn"
"Rick"
This was soon followed by an awkward silence. Throughout this time he continued to hold her in his arms. When they realized this a blush passed through their faces and they soon let go of one another.
"So, um…how have you been?"
"Great and you?"
"Can't really complain…I've been looking for your brother. Do you know where I could find him?"
"I've been actually looking for him myself"
Another awkward silence followed, yet this time it was broken by the appearances of each other's companions.
"I found your brother, he is sitting right over there with a couple of his friends. I think he has already had a bit too much to drink," said Christian amused at seeing Jonathan making an ass of himself.
"Rick, what's taking you so long? Oh, sorry. Hello. You must be Evelyn."
"Yes, I am" said Evelyn a bit confused by having the girl that seemed to have arrived with Rick act so familiar with her.
"You must think that I am terribly rude. I am Elin. I've wanted to meet you since I heard Jonathan say that he had a sister."
"So you're the famous Rick. Its nice to finally meet you." Rick and Evelyn exchanged glances as their companions amiably introduced themselves.
"I guess I am the famous Rick. But you are?" asked he knowing well who the other man was.
"Oh, I am sorry. Christian as you know this is Rick. And Rick this is Christian. He is my…my…"
"Her fiancée" added Christian cutting off Evelyn's stutter.
"Yes, my fiancée" admitted Evelyn as she saw Elin putting her arm through Rick's.
"And this beautiful lady at your side said her name to be Elin?"
"Yes, this is Elin Alberhg"
"Its nice to meet the both of you" said Christian standing his hand to Rick. "Hey, I just had a fantastic idea. Why don't you two come sit with us?"
"We're actually already seated over there, but thanks for the offer," said Rick coolly.
"You can easily change sits. We have so much to talk about. And if you do you will be saving us from having to sit with those two there. We just met them and I can honestly say that I have heard their life stories. Twice."
Elin smiled at Christian's comment and was as eager as he for them to all sit together. Evelyn and Rick finally agreed to it but continued to be distant towards each other. The rest of the night was passed in a never- ending conversation between Elin and Christian and as for Evelyn and Rick tried to calm themselves with a little liquor. They would often share glances but would soon change the direction of their eyes once their eyes would meet.
As midnight came by the guests began to leave. Jonathan was once again nowhere to be found; at which Evy did not worry about he brother's disappearance because she knew that it was most likely to the local Kasbah.
"Look at the time. We should be on our way home," said Evy finally breaking the silence that had taken a hold of her throughout the night.
"Yes, we should all be going," said Rick accompanying Evelyn in the break of silence on their parts.
"Aw, can't we stay just a bit longer. Chris and I are having the most wonderful conversation," said Elin with a happy opposition.
"If you two are having such a wonderful conversation. Why don't you just continue with it on your way home," said Evelyn.
"That is a great idea. You two don't mind do you?" asked Elin.
"No, why would we mind. Go. Have fun. Converse," said Rick not caring.
"Evelyn, do you mind if I escort Elin home?" asked Christian
"Well, I…"
"No, she doesn't mind either. I'll walk her to her room," said Rick cutting Evelyn off.
Christian and Elin arranged their things and were soon on their way home.
"What gave you the right to speak for me?" asked Evelyn excitedly.
"Hey, I was just trying to let them have their conversation."
"I do not appreciate that"
"Ok, Whatever you say. Now, are you ready to head home?"
Evy stood up angrily and began to walk away from him. Rick followed her without understanding her behaviour but inside he felt anger, which was the same way that she was feeling because he had seen another man kiss her in front of him. Once at her door, Evy tried to get Rick to leave but he persuaded her to invite him in.
"This place hasn't changed"
"You expected it to"
"No, that is not what I meant"
"Than what did you mean?"
"Nothing"
"If it was nothing than why did you mention it?"
"Just drop it. God. Why do you always have to do this?"
"Do what? Mr. O'Connell"
"This…you always do this"
"You're going to have to be a bit more clear because I don't know what this is"
"You know what just forget it. I don't even know why I came here"
"Why did you come here?"
"I don't know. Jonathan invited me and Elin wanted to come"
Anger rose to Evelyn's cheeks when she heard him mention her name.
"But you didn't?"
"Yes I did…I mean…no…I don't know"
"Which is it?"
"Let's just drop it. So…you're marrying that dufus."
"Yes, I am and he is not a dufus. He is a very intelligent man."
"Do you love him?"
"What kind of question is that…do I love him," says she giving a nervous laugh at the end of her comment.
" Yes. Do you?" he looks intently at her hoping the answer to be no.
"Do we really have to talk about this at this moment? You should go. Its quite late."
Rick gets closer to her and lifts her chin for their eyes to meet.
"Why won't you answer me? Do you love him?"
"How about you, do you love her?"
"This isn't about me. Damn it. Why won't you just…"
"Well, what do you want me to say"
Both became very nervous and angered by the subject that now became an argument between the two.
"I don't want you to say anything, I guess I just want to know if you…"
"But why do I have tell you about my feelings. It is really none of your business."
"Yes, it is none of my business."
With these words Rick begins heading for the door, but is somehow stopped by Evy.
"Rick, Wait" as he stops she silently continues, "do you love her?"
"Now why do you wanna start this again? I guess I could tell you that I do, but then I would be lying. To be honest I still…I still love you. There I said it. Goodbye Evelyn. I hope things work out for you."
"Wait you…you can't just tell me something like that and leave it at that"
"What else can I do? Stay around and congratulate you on your upcoming wedding."
"That is not what I meant. I hate this. Why can't we ever just talk? We could never finish a conversation without you leaving"
"You're the one who gave me your back the last time. Remember?"
"Me? I wasn't the one who wanted the break."
"But you were the one that was too busy with work to ever give me the time of day."
"You know what. Just…just leave. I don't need this, or you"
"Yes well, I can see that"
"Now what is that supposed to mean"
"Its just like you said you don't need me. You don't need anyone. You could easily replace people just the way you did with me. Its not difficult for you as it obviously shows."
After hearing those words from his mouth, feelings that were mixed within her being were left to act on their own as she slapped his face. His only response is closing in the distance between them. Their lips begin touch but do not fully touch until in a burst of emotions they reach for each other getting webbed into a passionate kissing war.