Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 24

Emma's POV

I avoided him for the entire morning and afternoon until it was time get ready for the auction. I was nervous.

Please don't embarrass him. Please don't embarrass yourself.

I came from the bathroom and it was time to dress. I took my dress out of the closet and laid it on the bed. Black. I'd been in love with the color black since I was five years old. Black described my life; it was dark. Black like the sky at night when my parents dropped me on the doorsteps of a foster home. Black like the basement I had to sleep in.

I gently applied lotion to my caramel skin and put on my lace underwear. I slipped into my dress next. It was a long-sleeved lace dress that reached just above my knees. I hoped it was appropriate for the function. I stood in front the full-length mirror as I combed my hair and applied my body fragrance. I put my shoes on and took a final look, making sure everything was perfect. I smiled at myself, I looked so beautiful.

A knock came at my door as I was about to head out to wait downstairs. I hoped it wasn't him, I just couldn't deal with him right now. I opened the door and saw a smiling Halley.

"Wow, black really is your color," she said as she allowed me to closed my door and we headed downstairs together.

"You look amazing by the way," I complimented.

"Thank you," she smiled.

She was wearing an ankle-length white dress and white shoes. Her make up was light and had a natural look to it. Her hair was pulled in a back bun with some tresses hanging neatly at the side of her face. She looked amazing. She really was beautiful.



We sat in the living room and waited for Mr. Hollen.

I thought women were supposed to take more time than men when getting ready for an outing.

Halley and I waited for entire fifteen minutes, then he finally ran down the stairs. He took his car keys from the table and made his way over to us. We stood, ready to leave. He looked at us like if he had seen two angels. 

"Wow, you ladies look so beautiful," he complimented and we returned ours; he did look sharp and handsome in his black Armani tuxedo. "Lets go," he ordered and we walked out the door after him.

_________

We arrived at a large building situated along a beach. There were security guards at the entrance and swarms of paparazzi.  A red carpet was laid out.

Mr. Hollen took our hands and we walked up without any questions asked or any searches being conducted; we walked right into the building.

People were everywhere, women in dresses and men in tuxedos. There was drinking, talking and laughing from everyone all around. I looked around in amazement. A sweet jazz melody was being performed by a live band. 

Mr. Hollen let go of our hands, then led us to a table and told us to stay with each other but mingle if someone came over to say hello. He then disappeared through a crowd.

Halley turned to me, "Welcome to the world of the rich."

"Yeah, it's beautiful here."

"Let's look at these women and joke about their dresses."

We looked at the women in the room. They looked very sophisticated and elegant that I wouldn't dare to even touch them. As we looked on, we noticed someone coming over to our table.

"Hello girls," she greeted, "You're the maids, right?"

"Yes ma'am," I answered politely.

"I'm Mrs. Hollen, Ethan's mother. It's nice to meet you. He did said he was bringing along his help but I didn't think the two of you would have been his dates."

Was she serious?

"What were you expecting?" Halley asked, rudely but nicely. It was amazing how she could be disrespectful yet pleasant at the same time.

"I assumed the both of you would have been serving cocktails and wine like the other wait staff around here."

I smiled, not a nice one, but just one to stop myself from saying something rude to her. She might be his mom but she was just plain rude.

"Well, Mrs. Hollen, we're sorry to disappoint you," I finally said, having enough of her.

"Oh, I'm not disappointed, dear. I'm just amused."

"How so?" Halley asked.

"Ethan's engaged to a very wonderful woman, yet he brought two maids along with him."

I let out a loud scoff as I turned to face Halley. 

Mrs. Hollen got up from our table. "It was nice to meet you girls. I hope when I come over to my son's house, you two will be at my service."

"We'll look forward to it," Halley said back as she left our table. 

She gave us a small wave before leaving.

"Okay, I hate her," I let out as soon as she disappeared in a crowd.

"You must admit, though, the woman is stunning. Did you see those diamonds around her neck? I'm certain they're worth more than our lives combined."

I shook my head at Halley.

A server placed two glass of red wine on our table. I hesitated to drink it, but everyone was sipping on a glass of wine.

Halley sipped on hers.

I brought my glass up to my lips and took a small sip. It tasted sweet and chilled. It went down my throat smoothly and I thought it was the best thing I had ever tasted. I took a longer sip and Halley looked at me in bewilderment.

"You go, girl," she said, laughing.

I finished my wine without realizing I was holding an empty glass to my lips when Halley stopped me. I felt so flushed, but it was funny. It was my first time drinking wine and I loved it. I wanted another glass. I signaled to another server. He brought over two more glasses and we drank.

After an hour went by, Mr. Hollen came back to our table. "Hi, are the both of you alright?" He stood between us with an elderly woman on his arm.

Her face looked so familiar. Where had I seen her before?

"Emma, Halley, this is my lovely grandmother," he introduced.

Halley and I stared at each other. If she was anything like her daughter, I would walk out of the building and walk back to the beach house.

"Hello," I greeted and stood. She extended her hand and I shook it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Halley extended her hand over to her as she stood up too.

She gave us a warm smile as she joined our table. Mr. Hollen gave her a glass of water. She seemed fragile but capable of getting around on her own. She wore a stunning necklace with a green dress. Her grey eyes were like Mr. Hollen's and she had platinum blonde hair.

"It's Nana's birthday in a couple of weeks," he told us, "and we're doing a party at my house for her."

She smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you dear," she said and patted his cheeks.

It would also be my birthday next month but I never looked forward to it because it was always the same-- no party, no gifts, no cake. I didn't even want to tell Mr. Hollen and Halley.

"I will be seventy," she smiled at us.

We smiled back at her.

Wow. Seventy.

"Congratulations," I said, "You must really be looking forward to it."

"When is your birthday?" she asked and I paused, staring at everyone.

"It's in a couple of weeks also."

She looked pleased and happy. "I'm the 12th of July, to be exact."

I paused in surprised. "Me too," I let out finally.

Mr. Hollen's eyes widened.

"So we're having a double birthday party?" she asked, turning to her grandson. 

He held her hand. "Yes, Nana," he answered as he looked at me with a sweet smile, the same as his grandma's.

"Why you didn't say anything?" Halley asked me.

"I don't usually look forward to my birthday."

Mr. Hollen's grandmother gasped as if she was suddenly having a heart attack. "Why dear?"

"It's a sad story, really. I don't want to spoil the mood."

She nodded and respected my wishes of not talking about it at the moment.

Halley and I had another glass of wine, then I started feeling dizzy.

Oh no, I'm drunk!