To be at Watto's Garage by noon was a must. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to go to the party tonight. Luckily, Watto's Garage wasn't that far, conveniently located on Santa Monica Blvd . Anakin was driving as if on autopilot, all that was on his mind was Padmé, beautiful Padmé, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He had heard so much about her, but now, when he saw her, he was struck by lightning. Can this really happen to someone? It was impossible to tear his mind away from her… tonight he will see her again. What kind of people will be at the party is determined by no one he knows, they live in different worlds. Her grandmother, a wealthy widow of a famous L.A. lawyer, her father, his father's successor, no less well known... and she will continue to run the law firm... at some point and until then, she should look for a colleague to marry, not the son two real estate agents, actually an illegitimate child. He didn't see himself as good enough for her...although one day, he can still achieve something. He was always proud of his achievements, well, that doesn't come naturally, he always worked hard for everything. There was a lot to learn, but that wasn't all. The athletic body was built with effort, and regular gym visits were mandatory. He only occasionally went out with fellow students, never had time for a girlfriend, all he needed were opportunities. Now something was on the horizon that could deter him from his path to success: great interest in a woman. Not good, but just the feeling of thinking about her was incredible.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Watto, I will be here until seven today, and then I will have to see my mother again."
"She has a husband, can't he do that?"
What an asshole, Anakin thought. "Unfortunately no, he went to visit his son, who lives in San Diego."
"Then hurry up, these two…" he pointed his finger at two Lexus cars, "must be finished today. Sam has a list somewhere and has already started on one. Now go ahead... when have you been using gloves before?
"Maybe since I've known a woman, I don't want to touch with oil under my fingernails."
"You're needed here, not on the hunt for random women."
That was the way of Watto, asshole, but Anakin never had to ask for the money, the check always came on time, the amount was as agreed, and that was worth all his bad moods.
When Padmé woke up, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon. Outside, in the large garden, on the terrace and around the pool, the catering service staff were bustling about, setting up the DJ booth, tables and stools, so the noise was deafening and if a few glasses got broken... no chance to sleep. Actually, she had slept enough. This sleep was good and was necessary because the night was expected to be long. She had invited many of her friends, some children of her parents' friends, future colleagues from her father's law firm, sister Sola, brother-in-law Darred and her parents will also be there. Hopefully not for long, she thought.
So, she got up and went downstairs to see what was being done. Although everything had already been discussed and agreed upon in advance, her grandmother took care of everything; her seventy-eight years didn't show on her face.
"Grand-Mère, are you okay?"
"Very well, mon cher. Are you ready for the party now?"
"Yes, that extra nap was good."
Grandmother winked at her granddaughter and asked, "Have you considered what I said?"
"Yes, I'm not going to avoid him or treat him condescendingly just because he's a pool boy."
"Ma oui, a little respect would be good, the boy is struggling to survive with three jobs."
"I understand, Grand-Mère."
"I love you, Padmé."
After a cup of coffee with her grandmother, she said, "I love you too, Grand-Mère, and now I have to go upstairs and get ready for the party." She took a banana and went up the stairs to the first floor.
In her room, which she had had since childhood, she kept some clothes for each season. It was practical because she spent some time with her grandmother. She rummaged through the closet and decided on a light blue dress that was straight-cut and reached four inches above her knee. Since it was a summer dress, it had no sleeves, just very thin black spaghetti straps that ended with a small bow at the front. She chose silver-colored Manolo Blanik d'orsay pumps for the dress because they didn't have such high heels. After all, she'll have to walk or stand around a lot, maybe even dance... and then the beautiful pool boy was on her mind again. What would it be like to dance with him, be held by him...curious? Possibly, she will ask him to dance. Butterflies in the stomach. She hadn't had a feeling like that in a long time...or ever? OK. , carry on, everything will fall into place tonight. She was looking forward to seeing all her friends that she hadn't seen in a long time, but she was less excited to see Palo and Rush whom she invited at her father's request, that pompous Rush... oof, she would like to take a big needle and burst his inflated ego.
After taking a shower, she dried her hair and began working to control the curls. She blow-dried her hair straight and put it up. With a little hairspray, it stayed where she wanted it. Her makeup was a little more than usual, but the occasion allowed for it. She never wore much jewellery. For tonight, she made the choice of just pearl earrings and a matching ring. When she was finished dressing, she looked at herself in the mirror and was satisfied.
She went downstairs to wait for her family, they should have come a little earlier than the guests because of Ryoo and Pooja, they have to leave at the latest ten o'clock. There was more than enough rooms at Grandmother's, but the girl wouldn't fall asleep with the noise.
As soon as she was downstairs, her nieces ran towards her.
"Aunt Padmé, Aunt Padmé!" one screamed louder than the other.
"I missed you two soooo much…aaaand, ready for the party?"
"Yes, I've practiced dancing, I can already do Disco Fox." Ryoo boasted.
"And I can do the English Waltz." Pooja stated.
"My goodness, you're going to steal all the good-looking boys from me tonight." They were so cute, and Padmé laughed, imagining the fun.
"And we brought the swimsuits too."
"Uh-oh, Sola you have to take care of that."
"Sure, you're the hostess, and you'll have your hands full."
"Sola, I'm serious."
"Of course, sis, I'll do it."
The parents hugged her when it was finally their turn to greet her. "Why didn't you come home first, Dear?" typical Jobal.
"I have peace and quiet here, and someone has to take care of Grand-Mère."
"Padmé !"
"It was just fun, no, downtown is just too hectic for me."
"Do you have many guests this evening?"
"About fifty…including us."
"Will Palo and Rush be here too?"
"Uh…yeah, why do you ask?"
"So nice young man, Rush such a successful, promising lawyer...and he's so happy to see you again."
"But I'm not happy to see him, I only invited him because of you, I don't particularly like him."
"But he would be perfect…"
"Mother ! I'm only twenty-three, and I have no intention of getting married tomorrow, and when I'm ready to do that, I'll choose my husband myself. Thank you for your care."
"What's wrong, Padmé, your mother only wants the best for you."
"I know Daddy, she means too good to me. Let's go out and see what's been prepared, maybe the girls want to jump into the pool for a moment."
They all went out. The sun had not yet set, but the horizon glowed orange, which was beautifully reflected in the open Pacific. The large garden was perfectly decorated. All around, along the border, LED garden torches were fixed in the ground, fairy lights were stretched across the entire width of the garden, and the freshly cleaned pool shone in blue underwater light. Padmé thought about the good-looking pool boy again, she would see him once again soon, and then she would let everything come to her, to hell with the principles.
"Did you order enough to eat and drink, Dear?"
"There's more than enough, Mother, don't worry."
The girls came out of the kitchen, ran across the lawn, jumped into the pool, and splashed their parents.
"At least my dress was spared, otherwise I wouldn't know what to wear."
"This dress is just perfect for tonight's party, Padmé, but when you get home, we'll go to buy some new clothes." Mother Jobal promised.
"And I'll increase the limit on your credit card."
"…and what do you want in return, Daddy?"
"Rush Clovis?" Sola teased.
"Sola !" Ruwee was angry.
"What? His character is a load of crap that you can smell a mile away."
"Did the good man do something to you?"
"No, but he told me something, and it's going to cost him dearly."
"What, sis?"
"I'll tell you, but in private."
The parents looked at each other, but the discussion, which was beginning to escalate, was interrupted by the doorbell. The first guests arrived promptly at eight o'clock. Padmé greeted her best friends one by one and hoped to find enough time for them that evening. They hadn't seen each other for a long time, but it didn't matter. From now on, they will meet often enough. Currently, she also has to take care of other guests she has invited.
The parents helped as hosts, mainly with the guests, who were basically their guests. There is such a thing as a social obligation.
Palo and Rush Clovis were already there, and Padmé had to put on her just-smile-mask and be friendly, anything else wouldn't be an option.
Palo had come to terms with the fact that she didn't want him; he had finished his studies, made Master of Art, and was on the way to becoming a well-known painter.
Rush Clovis was a different story. He was seven years older than Padmé, was an ambitious lawyer with a little background, a Machiavellian, as Padmé called him, came from a wealthy family, had good manners and most of all... he could present himself well. Nobody liked him except Ruwee Naberrie.
Padmé didn't let any of the guests feel neglected, she went from one to the other, chatting and clinking glasses of champagne with everyone. After all, she got so many nice little things as attention for passing her bar exam.
It was almost half past eight, and she was wondering when Anakin would come and if at all. Maybe his work got in the way, she remembered her grandmother saying he was struggling to survive with three jobs. That was perhaps more important, she had to accept it. Nevertheless, she looked at the open patio door every few minutes in the hope of seeing him.
.
Best regards from Germany