True to her words, Lexie was downstairs in exactly ten minutes. Impressive.
“So, this is why you kept me waiting?” I asked, once she got into the car.
Lexie understood what I was implying. “I would take that as a compliment.” She beamed with an adorable smile.
“Whatever.”
We picked up the gifts that Lexie, in her wisdom, insisted would appeal to Licia. She was the one in charge while I followed her without complaint, footing the bills. After that, we drove over to the car shop to pay for a Lamborghini Sian. By the time we were rounding off the mini splurge, it was already 4 pm.
“Kevin, what time is the dinner scheduled to start?”
“6:30 pm. Why do you ask?”
“It’s just so that I will start dolling up in time. I don’t need you breathing down my neck.” She stated matter-of-factly.
“Oh… that. Thirty minutes should be enough for such vanity, right?”
“That’s preposterous, Kevin.” She glared at me like I just blasphemed. “I will only forgive you because you are my brother.”
“What’s the big deal? You aren’t even a celebrant.”
“How do I explain this to you?… It’s just like an artwork. The time taken by the artist to come up with a masterpiece isn't taken into consideration. Everyone's attention is on the finished work.”
“What’s the conclusion of this analogy, Lexie Brown?”
“The conclusion is that you are intractable. My God, I can’t believe I was trying to make you see reasons with me.”
I guffawed, “Are we good to go now?”
She pouted, “Yeah, I think we are.”
We arrived at Licia's place a little later than the slated time, and I immediately got nervous, struggling to get out of the car. Lexie noticed my hesitation and placed her hand on mine as they were still clutching the steering.
“Kevin, you are not proposing to her today, so just breathe. Get the nerves out of the way.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. It worked. “I feel better.”
“Okay then. Let's join the others inside.”
The dinner table was already laid out with Licia's favorite dishes and a strawberry cheesecake. I was happy that not many people were present. Basically, she only invited some close friends and colleagues, alongside Lexie and me.
“Where's Licia?” I asked Joey, darting my eyes around the living room.
“She will be out in a second.
Just make yourself comfortable.” She smiled.
“All right.” I handed her the bottle of champagne as Lexie and I got seated.
Licia appeared a few minutes later, looking breathtakingly gorgeous in her olive green silk strap gown. The slit ran up a considerable distance to her thigh; not revealing too much, but enough to show how smooth and tanned it was.
Her hair was perfectly styled in a low bun, making her neck stand out like an ivory tower over the strap dress. I was in awe of her beauty.
I didn't realize I was gawking until Lexie nudged me, pulling me from my reverie.
“She's so beautiful, Kev.”
I smiled coyly, “Yeah, she's perfect.”
