Because of you (6 page)

“
Wow, it’s beautiful—I think this is the one.” She twirls with a grin on her face. The bodice of the gorgeous purple dress she’s wearing is close-fitting, and the skirt of the dress falls to the floor in two layers. The garment is sleeveless, and large crystals are sewn into the fabric across the chest area.

“
I have two more dresses to try on, but I really like this one,” she says and goes back into the changing room. Meanwhile, my eyes
stop
on a stunning black evening dress. I run my fingers over the fabric, and I am awed by its beauty.

“
You should try it on,” the saleslady interrupts me.

“
No, no, I’m just looking…” She takes the dress off the hanger and checks the size.

“
It’s your size, go try it on.” She pushes me into a dressing room along with the dress. Well, if I’m here already, why not try it on to see what it is like to wear something so sophisticated at least once in my life. I carefully open the zipper on the back, which is also the only part of the dress that’s not translucent, so I have to go without a bra. I undress, remove the bra and step into the dress. I hold it by the front side, but can’t reach the zipper. I hear Addison talking with the saleslady, so I step outside the dressing room to ask her for help.

“
Wow, Aaliyah, you look gorgeous. Here, let me help you with the zipper.” She pulls the zipper up and
I forget to breathe for a moment.
I don’t even recognize myself. The dress emphasizes all the right curves and hides any imperfections. It is covered in glitter, the transparent black sleeves are also scattered with glitter and reach into the back to an intricate glittery design. The mermaid style dress is completely skin-tight.

Ryder

I am walking through the shopping mall, searching for the store Addison wrote she
would be in. She needs money for the clothes she wants to buy, because she forgot her credit card at home, and she already spent all the cash she had on her. Since it’s on the way to the gym, I said I was going to pay for her things when she called me.
Why are there so many stores?
When I am looking for the right store, I suddenly see Aaliyah through a display window. She is wearing a long black dress that accentuates her beautiful figure. It hugs her in all the right places. She gathers her hair in her hand and throws it over her right shoulder. It ends at her full breasts that capture my attention for a while. I lick my lips, my eyes roaming over her body.
Damn, she’s beautiful.
She is laughing, talking excitedly with someone. I notice Addison approaching her from the back and closing her zipper. My good mood instantly changes. What the hell? Are they here together? I knew Aaliyah was up to something. I’m certain a portion of the money from the credit card will pay for the dress she’s wearing. She cannot afford it on her own. Pissed off, I open the door and head to my sister.

“
Oh, hey, you made it. I’m so glad I don’t have to go home and get the credit card myself.”

“
What is she doing here?” I angrily ask Addison,
while glaring at Aaliyah the whole time. Aaliyah widens her eyes in surprise and looks at Add
ison.

“
What do you mean, what is she doing here? I asked her to come with me to help me pick clothes. What’s with you lately?” Aaliyah meanwhile furiously storms into the changing room.

“
What else is she going to buy with MY money? I don’t mind you spending it—you’re my sister—but I can’t stand lying and manipulative women that only care about money and material things. Can’t you see she’s just exploiting you? She wants you to buy her things she doesn’t have the money for. How can you still be so naïve after everything we’ve been through?” I angrily whisper in her ear. Addison is staring at me, shaking her head in bewilderment.

“
What are you talking about? What exploitation? She’s nothing like that—on the contrary! I wanted to but her some sexy lingerie earlier, but she yelled at me in front of the saleslady that she doesn’t want anything from me. She won’t even let me buy her coffee. Now
,
you tell me if that’s exploitation.” She turns and walks away. Right at
that
moment Aaliyah comes out of the changing room, gives me a disappointed look and goes to the counter where Addison is paying for her clothes. They leave the store without a glance back.

Chapter 5

Aaliyah

It’s been a month since I came here. Everything has been calm so far, and I’m becoming more relaxed. Today I’m working with Noah again, and as usual, he’s picking me up. He’s truly a great friend who always goes out of his way to give me a ride. I dress into a denim mini skirt, I’m still not used to dressing so scantily, but I’m starting to feel good in my skin. I put on shoes with high heels, apply some mascara and I’m ready for work. I have a couple of minutes before Noah
arrives
, so I take a bottle of water from the fridge and sit on the bed. The conversation between Ryder and Addison I overheard in the shopping mall a few weeks ago is still reverberating in my head. I don’t know why he thinks I want to get to their money. I’ve never given him that impression, and I never wanted anything from anybody. I don’t care about their money—all I want is to find true friends whom I can trust. As I take a long sip and put the bottle on the nightstand, I hear faint knocking. I quickly grab my keys and open the door, Noah with his beautiful dimpled smile is already waiting for me. I happily return the smile. “Hey, I’m ready. Let me just grab my sweater and then we’re off.” I lock the door and we drive to Mirage.

“Shit, I completely forgot they’re going to be here,” I shake my head as I pour beer.

“
Who are you talking about?” Noah turns to me. I point my head at Addison, Ryder and the others.

“
Ryder already dislikes me—I don’t want him to make a scene while I’m working.”

“
Just ignore him, he’ll get over
whatever is
bothering him. That’s just Ryder.” More people are coming in, and that means more work for me. Two more waitresses came to help us so we can serve everybody. I take three deep breaths to gather courage and walk up to Ryder and his group to take orders. Addison sees me from afar and runs to me, hugging me tightly.

“
It’s such a shame you have to work. I could use your company, Paris is getting on my nerves,” she says, shaking her head, and points toward a thin blonde with full lips, who is currently grinding all over Ryder. “You see what I’m talking about? They’re no longer dating, but it’s all she ever talks about and still keeps coming on to him. Disgusting.” Addison puts two fingers to her mouth, making a puking gesture. We laugh out loud. Ryder clears his throat, interrupting us.

“
Can you bring us six beers and… What are you three drinking?” He turns to Paris and her two friends. The three of them start giggling, it’s obvious they’re already tipsy.

“
Mojito,” they all say at the same time.

“
Okay, so six beers, three mojitos and a vodka for Addison.” I nod and turn to leave. “And hurry,” I hear his rough voice.

“
Aaliyah, wait, I’m coming with you,” Addison runs to me. “I’m sorry about my brother—I have no idea what’s up with him. He’s never behaved this way before.”

“
It’s okay, never mind,” I wave my hand and
walk
behind the
counter
to prepare the drinks as soon as possible. “How was your date with Jackson? Lately, we see each other so little I didn’t even get a chance to ask you before.” She sighs dreamily. “Mmm, it was heavenly. The best date I’ve ever had. When he picked me up, he brought me flowers, a limo drove us to dinner, we danced, and I slept over at his place. Well, there wasn’t a lot of sleeping involved, damn, the things he did to me.” Addison is still happily chatting away. “He really is a perfect boyfriend.”
It
sure was a date to remember.

“
Wow, he really made an effort, in all aspects,” I wiggle my eyebrows at her and Addison nods contentedly. “As long as you had fun, that is the most important thing – and that he treats you nicely. He does treat you nice, right?” She is a little surprised by my question.

“
Yes, of course, why wouldn’t he? Has somebody said anything else?” she asks, bewildered.

“
No, no, I’m just trying to make sure you’re happy.” Addison grins.

“
Yes, I’m happy. Very happy. He’s a great man, respectful and loving, and I love him very much.”

“
Good.” I put the drinks on the tray and take them to Ryder’s table. Addison stayed behind, because Noah was asking her something at the bar.

“
Here you go,” I tell the group, placing the tray and the bill on the table. Ryder hands me a bill and I go to the cash register to get the change.

“
And don’t forget the change!” He yells after me. Rolling my eyes, I take the correct amount of money and put it in front of him. “I hope everything’s there,” he says. Marc and the twins give me a sympathetic look, smiling apologetically, and I nod to them, close my eyes and leave. I don’t want them to see how much it hurts me that someone has such a bad opinion of me. I hope one day I can prove him wrong and show him I’m not who he thinks I am.

“Crap, crap, crap!” Patrick comes to the bar with a phone to his ear. It’s a miracle he can even hear anything over the noise. “What am I supposed to do now? People are expecting the performance… Yes, I understand, if you have a problem with your voice, you can’t sing, but still
.
It’s going to cost me a lot of money, fuck, I already feel a headache coming ... Fine.” Hanging up, he turns to Noah and I. “Pour me a glass of whiskey, I need a drink.” I take a glass, pour the light liquid and put it in front of him. He swallows it in a second and commands m
e,
with a bend of a finge
r,
to pour him a new one.

“
Is everything okay?” I ask him as I wipe down the bar with a rag. Patrick sighs again.

“
No, everything is wrong today. Casey Stone’s agent just called. He said she lost her voice and will not be able to perform today. And so many people came to hear her sing.” Tonight, Casey Stone is supposed to perform. A singer who is becoming more and more popular. He puts his hands to his head, shaking it. “Now what am I going to do? I don’t have anything else prepared for tonight.” Sad and crushed, he sits at the bar, mumbling to himself. I feel bad seeing him so distressed. I think for a second, and, biting my lip, I tug at his sleeve. “What?” he raises his head, looking at me.

“
Umm…” I clear my throat. “I could…” Shit, why is this so hard to say? Hope and I were always doing this. Perhaps it’s harder because she’s not here.

“
What is it? What are you trying to say?” he says wearily. I take a deep breath and start again.

“
I could sing instead of her.” It comes out of my mouth more as a question, not a statement. Patrick looks at me and studies me for some time.

“
Can you sing? Tell me you can sing. Right now I could really use someone to stand in. I’ll pay you.” I nod.

“
Yes, I used to sing a lot, but not much in the last few months.
Though
it’s not something you forget. I’ll sing—and no, you don’t have to pay me. I’m happy to help.” A huge smile appears on his face. He quickly stands up, reaches across the bar and gives me a tight hug.

“
Thank you, thank you, thank you, you have my eternal gratitude. Do you need anything? Casey was supposed to start her performance in ten minutes, so get ready and go to the stage. They’ll prepare everything for you. Just tell them which songs you’re going to sing. Thanks again.”

“
It’s okay,” I respond with a smile, but I’m shaking on the inside. Oh, what have I gotten myself into again? Hope was the one who sang, I was just her backup singer. I am breathing deeply as I climb the stairs to the stage. I rattle off the names of the songs I’m going to sing, and they hand me a microphone. My legs are shaking, my hands are sweating and I have no doubt my voice is in the same shape. I clear my throat loudly and prepare for the performance backstage. The stage is still shrouded in darkness when Patrick appears on it.

“
Hello everybody, I’m glad you’re here tonight, eagerly expecting tonight’s concert. But I have to inform you there’s been a slight change. Casey Stone unfortunately can’t perform tonight.” Groans are coming from the audience, some are protesting, others are booing. “But I do have someone else here who’ll sing instead of Casey. I’m sure you’ll enjoy her performance, please, give a round of applause for Miss Thomas!” This is it. Now or never. None of the people I know recognized my name. Well, I’m not even sure I’ve told anyone my last name. I carefully climb the three steps leading to the stage, which is dark again. I step in the middle and bring the mike to my lips. The first song will be slow. I want to start with some ballads and continue with energetic songs, because I don’t want the audience to fall asleep. Music starts playing, lights turn on and the first tones come out of my mouth.
Mariah Carey’s Hero
is the song I chose to open the show with. I start singing, and when I almost get to the chorus, I hear cheers from the audience. My stomach is twisting, but I confidently sing about a hero that everyone has in their hearts
who
helps us overcome all our fears. I sing about the long road that we’re facing if we don’t have anybody to help us, but we can find love within ourselves if we only look deep enough, chase away the fears and find a
savior
within.