dinner
Theodore Nott would be a rich, spoiled git if his father wasn't a murderous, abusive, nazi-like cult follower and a madman. The sad thing is that it is hard to tell with Theo as he is the funniest person who smiles all the time on the surface. Only when you get to know him better do you see his dangerous and edgy side.
I met him through Enya. They were in the same year in the boarding school in Scotland they both attended for seven years. They fell in love despite being in different classes who were sworn enemies. I don't know how that got past the parents, but apparently the classes were pitted against each other so the school year would be more interesting with the tournament that was between the classes.
Theo stayed with me for almost a year during their seventh year as his father tried to force Theo into the cult. They think I don't know but it was quite obvious that the cult hated people like Enya, as she is the only person in our family who went to the boarding school for gifted children.
Enya wrote letters about Theo from her fourth year on. She often asked my advice, usually about childhood stories with theories about hypothetical children being abused and how that affected them growing up. Even then I was interested in therapy and psychology so I gave her advice which usually ended with "call the police Enya, if something like that really is happening the abuser should be in jail for a long time". We were all kids then so there was not much we could do, but Enya and Theo grew closer and closer until Theo told her about the cult and they made plans for Theo to run away. At the time I was already at the university in York so I had my own flat and Theo stayed with me. He was quite safe with me because his father never knew about Theo and Enya.
At the beginning he didn't even know basic things like how to turn on the TV, what a lot of appliances were meant for. He always said it was because he comes from old money but I never believed him. After a time he started to open up more, and I learned that all the hypothetical things and scenarios of children being abused were really about Theo.
After Theo's father was caught and sent to jail Theo took over his estate and finances and moved with Enya to his manor. Yes he owns a freaking manor! Aunt and uncle threw a fit about how it is too soon and they are too young but in the end Enya prepared a 20 minutes presentation why this was the right choice and that was the end of the argument.
Theo loves spoiling his girlfriend and her family with his "dirty" money saying his father would hate that, to win any argument that all of that is too much. He really goes overboard for Enya's birthday. He prepares a whole day of celebrations. Starting with a picnic in his gigantic garden and finishing with a lavish dinner in the most expensive restaurant in town which is followed by a visit to the opera or theater. This year he decided on an Italian restaurant that opened its doors a day earlier.
In the rented limusina Mark, Theo and Lukas talked about Mark's work as a surgeon in which Theo has always been a bit too interested in, while Enya and Danna poked fun at Aaron for his last appearance in the newspaper as England's most handsome football player.
Aunt Pen turns to me "Maura, you look so nice tonight. Almost glowing in that new dress."
I laugh " Ah yes. It's the new dress and Enya has this new product that is actually a spray on glitter."
"No Maura, I mean it, you look... better, almost happy even. I'm glad sweetheart."
"Thank you, Aunt Pen. I do feel better, I have moved on."
"That is good to hear," it looks like she wanted to say something else, but we reached the restaurant so she paused to get out of the car. Before she could continue we were ushered into the restaurant where the hostess showed us our place in the solarium, which had an amazing view on this spring night.
Suddenly Theo stops and greets a group of people that have shockingly blonde, almost white hair. The older man and woman carry themselves as if they are royalty, with their severe looks and noses up in the air. The younger man is holding a brunette around her waist and is meaningfully smiling at Theo "Hello Nott," the brunette smiles softly at Theo, "Hi Theo."
There is also another man standing at the back with a cold look on his face not really paying attention to anyone. He is the tallest with broad shoulders. His black suit is tailored to a fault so it emphasizes his strong build. He has the shortest hair out of all of them, shorter at the sides and a bit longer on top, styled to the side. He has hard gray eyes, like winter storms and a strong roman nose and a very defined jaw.
When Enya sees who Theo is talking to rushes forward, and holds Theo's hand. "Hermione, how nice to see you here! And you too Draco," she quickly glances at the older couple and nods "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy,” then turns back to the younger couple, "gosh how long has it been!"
Theo adds, "It's around time you come and visit us again. You missed the last few game nights."
The older Mr. Malfoy starts to glare at Enya and the rest of us but is quickly forgotten as the older woman smiles warmly at us, "Theodore, Enya what a pleasure to see you here. We just finished lunch with the family. It has been quite a long time Theodore. I wanted to let you know that we're hosting a special gala for Draco's birthday at the beginning of June. We would be delighted if you could join us."
Theo smiles charmingly, "Oh but of course Mrs. Malfoy, it will be our pleasure. But we really must be going, my beautiful darling Enya is celebrating HER birthday today. But we like to celebrate that more in the family circle, " and winks at Draco. Draco answers him with an unamused look.
While Theo has been exchanging pleasantries with the older couple, the brunette, Hermione hugged Enya and wished her well, but with Theo's last remark Mrs. Malfoy quickly warmly wishes her the best too then nudges her husband to do the same. The Malfoy family then continues towards the exit and we towards our table.
When I walk past the men who hasn't spoken at all I can smell his citrus cologne and suddenly I am transported almost a year ago when my mystery man visited me for the last time, I whip my head around to look at him and see as he quickly turns his face away from me, straight on. And I stop in my tracks as I watch him in the back as he walks away.
I cannot move. I stand and I stand and cannot wrap my head around it. How? What? What is happening? Is that, was that the man I loved? The one who left and didn't care that he left me broken? Does he know Enya, or Theo? Is he friends with them? Was he really a part of that fancy and uptight looking family? He always gave me the impression that he has a simple background and was down to earth? But what do I know about him? NOTHING. Was he always that close? Not miles away like I imagined? Why right now, when I almost got over him? Why now when I was finally okay? WHY? WHY? WHY?
I want to go home, curl up on my bed and not see anyone for the next week. I want to cry and scream and I want to forget the last ten minutes that ever happened.
Aunt Pen touches my arm and I almost jump, "Maura, are you okay?"
"Why...why do you ask? Do I look like something is not okay? Is my makeup messed up from crying?"
"What? No, you look nice. I only asked because you are a bit pale."
"Oh ok, no I'm fine. You look nice too," I take aunt Pen's arm and we slowly follow others to the table.
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I tried my hardest to smile and join the conversation during the dinner, but my head was in chaos. At the same time there are hundreds of different thoughts and foggy, gray nothing.
When we finally made it to the opera my head is throbbing and my eyes are burning while I try to hold back my tears. I don't see or hear not one part of the Carmen opera. Aaron has to call my name a few times before I register that the performance is over and we are leaving. Pen, Aaron and even Mark ask me a few times if I'm really okay and I just nod every time as I don't have the energy to do anything else.
Standing in my apartement I wish for the first time I had a roommate or a dog or someone to come home to, to hug. I blindly kick off my shoes and wrestle with the opening in my dress then throw the dress to the floor too and literally fall in my bed. I hug my pillow and at first the tears won't come but once I remember the smell and the cold stare the sobs start.
Some time during the night I stop crying and I just lie in my bed thinking what a pathetic life to live. How could I make such a fuss about something as small as a crush I had on someone. It happens to everyone everyday, I'm not special or different in this. Why then does it hurt so much?
And as I gaze at my bedroom ceiling I promise myself that these were the last tears I will give to him. It will be the last time I think about him and question myself and everything around me. This will be the last time I will allow another person to have this much power over me. The last time I will put my happiness in someone else's hands.
The next morning I get up and put on enough makeup to cover a sleepless night. I follow my routine, force myself to smile and repeat like a mantra "this was the last time".