“So you see Alanna why I would trade lives with you?”
“I know that life is maybe a little sucky for you right now, however you live in the most wonderful city in the whole world, if I lived here there would be no way I would leave.” I say to Jessica hoping to make her feel a little better.
“You say that Alanna but come on would you really trade with me?”
“I wouldn’t trade with anyone your life is unique to you however you live it.” I see her press a little smile through her lips.
“You sure have a gift for making things sound wonderful Alanna it’s like you see the good in everything.”
Nine
When I arrive back at the hotel, my dad and Julian are all suited, booted, and ready for the party tonight. As for me, I am not looking forward to tonight. I do not know what it is but I feel an urge of boycott ever since I heard Jessica’s words on how hard her life is. I cannot help but feel selfish and spoilt, knowing that anything I want is just a click away. It really is not fair for a young girl like Jessica working two jobs and slaving away as a waiter on her nights off. All the while, the kind of people I am sure she is waiting on do not even have a clue she exists. I am sure; they’re all wrapped up in their own lives of plastic surgery money, and jealousy no doubt of the person right next to them. Checking out what they are wearing, where they shop, dine and what car they drive; eyeing each other up talking behind their backs, and no doubt sleeping with their best friends husbands. Jessica seems like such a nice person and she does not deserve to have the struggles she has.
“Lanna are you ready?” My dad says as he knocks on the bathroom door.
“Yes Dad I will be right out.”
After I came back from shopping, I decided to take a long bath to get all the stresses of the day away. I check myself in the mirror and open the bathroom door to see my dad there on his Blackberry talking very fast and not making any sense to me.
“I will make sure I do that Mr Jenkins see you soon.” Was all I could make out? “What was all that about?”
“It is nothing for you to worry about.”
He links his arm into mine and we head for the party. We arrive and as soon as my dad is in through the door there is a slim, grey haired man who quickly whisks him away to the back to meet some other people and, yet again, I find myself alone standing in a room full of strangers. I look around, as I always do at one of these events but the person, the only person that I could possibly be looking for, is nowhere in sight. I walk over to the bar and ask for a coke, the bartender quickly gives me my drink and immediately asks me where I am from. So I let the guy know where I’m from, what I’m doing here and that tonight is my last night and not only is tonight my last night in my dream city, but I’m here basically alone on New Year’s eve.
“Don’t you have a boyfriend or something?” The guy asks.
“No boyfriend.” I say looking down at the bar.
“How is that possible?”
“Quite easy actually”
“You must have tons of blokes after you?”
“I don’t.”
“Come on be truthful.”
“I am there are no guys after me, well except maybe Marco.”
“See I knew there had to be one, what’s he like?”
“He is an ass.”
“Ha.” The bartender laughs. “Did you date him?”
“No he is more the kind of guy that is like, let’s not do dates just come away with me to Venice with my entire family for New Year’s.”
“Wow he must really like you then if he feels the need to take you away with his family.”
“No it’s not that he likes me, it’s more of chance to show off kind of thing.”
“What?
Yeah really”
“I can’t say that I ever did that.”
“Are you single?” I ask.
“No I’m married going on two years this February.”
“What is that like?”
“Ha.” The bartender laughs again. “It’s not without its difficult moments that’s for sure but we do the best we can and hopefully that’s enough.”
“So are you in love?”
“Of course I am do, you really think I would be married to someone I didn’t love?”
“No, not exactly but where I’m from people marry for reasons in which love is not even considered.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“What reasons could you marry someone if not to love them?”
“The usual money, cars, trips to Europe the chance to feel financially safe, so they don’t have to go through life wanting for anything. Everything is there handed to them on a plate and love who needs love when you drive a Bentley?”