The Promise by Mahlatse Mokone (best ebook reader ubuntu txt) 📖

not I’m pretty sure you’ll send him.” I said exasperatedly and he and Mom chuckled.

“Fine then, you can go.” He said and I squealed in excitement and kissed them both on the cheek before rushing back upstairs.

I grabbed a quick shower and walked back to my room to call Tess, I put her on speaker when she answered, “We’re on for tonight.” I said throwing the phone onto my bed and walking over to my closet. Her scream of excitement blared through the small speaker. I chuckled

“Don’t get too excited, we have a curfew of 11pm.” I said, “We can totally work with that.” She said “Alright, get ready, I’ll come pick you up in an hour.” I said, “Okay girl.” She said before the line went dead. I went further into my closet, it was a small-sized room, it wasn’t as enormous as my parents’. I finally found a one-shoulder blue cocktail dress; it was above knee length. It was an A&A Designs number off their summer collection; I had it before it even came out. It helps when your relatives own the brand; my aunts Allison and Amanda said they designed it with me in mind. The moment they launched their clothing line it blew up and now they are renowned stylists and designers to the stars.

I paired it with 3-inch Manolo heels, I was a flat shoes kind of girl, but sometimes I get inspired by the skyscrapers my Mom occasionally wears. I brushed my hair down; I applied a small amount of make-up, which was an unusual thing for me. When I was done I went back downstairs only to be stopped by Dad, I slowly turned around. “What are you wearing?” he asked, disapproval in his tone. “It’s a dress Daddy.” I said, self-consciously smoothening its skirt and his blue gaze narrowed, “I don’t care what it is angel, you’re not going out looking like that.” He said and I frowned turning my gaze to Mom “Mom!” I wailed for her to help me out. She turned her gaze to Dad “Put a jacket over it sweetie.” She said and I groaned going back upstairs. She could’ve easily convinced Dad to let me go, I didn’t get what the big deal was. We already established that I’d have a bodyguard tonight, speaking of, I wondered if JT had already left for the party.

When I got my long jacket they gladly let me go, I shook my head walking over to my Jag, I noticed JT’s car wasn’t there.

I drove to Tess’ house and waited for her on the driveway, she soon came out looking wonderful in her black dress and the red ankle boots I bought her to match her fiery hair. She climbed into the car.

“I’m so glad I wore my best outfit, I would’ve paled next to you girl, wow.” She said and I smiled at her “Oh come on, you look gorgeous Tess.” I said as I pulled away. We arrived at the Malibu mansion, with cars parked outside and on the driveway. I could hear music emanating from it as more people started to arrive. “Lose the jacket girl.” Tess said and I did then we went inside. Judging by everyone there I was glad we dressed up a bit, it would seem as those we overdressed but in LA it was quite conventional.

As conventional as we might look I couldn’t help but notice the few heads that turned every now and then. I didn’t know weather to blame it on our outfits or that we hardly attended these parties. Tess and I went through the crowded house, and popular dance music echoed through every corner. We spent a great deal of time moving around the big house and admiring its stylish interior and its splendid view of Malibu beach. We got settled in the huge living area, which looked like it had been rearranged to make space for a dance floor. The glass walls were completely open to the big front pool area. We leaned against the counter watching everyone have a good time, that’s when we noticed Christy playing the perfect hostess. She was a lovely girl, with her straight brunette locks and hazel eyes, not to mention her model type body. She spotted us and a look of surprise crossed her features and she walked towards us.

“Katelyn, Tess, I didn’t know you were coming.” She said greeting us with a warm smile. I returned her smile “I hope we’re not intruding.” I said, questioning weather or not we’re welcome. She chuckled shaking her head

“Not at all, I’m actually glad you came to my party, I heard you weren’t into them.” She said and I nodded, not bothering to elaborate.

“You have a beautiful house.” said “Thank you, enjoy the party.” She said then walked outside.

“She’s nice.” I said, genuinely surprised. I didn’t know that much about her though, “I know, she’s like the only nice prep I know, and she’s not in the cheerleading squad.” She said and I chuckled, it made sense then. My gaze went to the group of girls coming up the steps into the pool area, I sighed “Speaking of,” I said and Tess looked to Adrianna, Rhiannon and the rest of their clique. “Great, the bubbleheads are here. Now the party can begin!” she said sarcastically and I laughed at her vehemence. She put her plastic cup down, “I’ll be right back okay?” she said and walked away when I nodded. I turned and faced the counter, “You want to dance?” A smooth familiar voice came up behind me.

 

CHAPTER 7

 

Already accustomed to this, I nearly smiled to myself as I slowly turned around to find Brandon staring down at me. His grey eyes swept all over me with clear appreciation “You look beautiful.” He said softly, he said it so tenderly I felt it like a caress, I took in a shallow breath sweeping my hair behind my ear self consciously. “Thanks.” I said blushing scarlet; it was the first time he’d ever said that, and I suppressed a smile. He thought I was beautiful. That’s when I noticed his appearance too, he wore a lite brown shirt and he had its sleeves rolled up, he complemented it with a black waistcoat and jeans. He looked incredibly handsome, my gaze went to his golden hair, it looked silky soft and I caught myself wondering if it felt that way to the touch.

“Why do you keep sneaking up on me?” I asked, it was starting to become a trademark of his, he chuckled “I swear I don’t do it intentionally…sometimes.” He added with a cheeky grin, I shook my head at him, unable to keep from smiling too. It was infectious.

“So how about it?” he asked, holding out his hand, I suddenly panicked remembering that he’d asked me to dance. I panicked not because I had to dance, I loved to, I freaked out because I had to dance with him. Being that close to him does terrible things to my common sense, haven’t I proven that many times?

“I have to find Tess.” I said turning to walk away only to be yanked back by the waist, his arm unlocked around me but he kept his hand on my arm, making sure I didn’t try to escape again.

“Brandon, let go!” I quietly hissed as he started pulling me to the dance floor “Come on Katelyn, I wont bite.” He said, but it sounded like he might. He held my hand and twirled me around; he frowned when I refused to loosen up “You’re not going anywhere until you give me this dance.” He said and I raised my eyebrows at him “You might want to be careful, I have a bodyguard tonight.” I threatened and he smiled “If you mean your brother, oh he’s too preoccupied with that blonde chick.” He said and I sighed defeated. I wasn’t sure if I sighed because JT wasn’t available when I needed him or that Brandon still doesn’t know Adrianna’s name, everyone did. I guess I should feel special that he at leased remembers my name. How pathetic is that?

I decided to humor him so I could get him away from me. A song I liked started and I also started to enjoy dancing with him. I turned around and he gently put his hands on my waist pulling me a little closer and his scent hit me like a sucker punch. I wished I had the will power to tell him to get his hands off me, but I didn’t.

“When we’re not working on our project, you avoid me like a plague, why?” he said over my ear. “That’s because you are.” I said honestly and he chuckled “Ouch.” He said then paused “And James is not a plague I suppose?” he added, and his voice was laced with bitterness that shocked me a bit. What was his problem with James? He twirled me around to face him.

“What’s your problem? I think James is a great guy.” I said and he chuckled without humor, “The guy is as boring as a rock.” He said and I frowned “I resent that.” I said trying to pull away but couldn’t. “I’m not trying to offend him, I just think you could do so much better.” He said and I raised my eyebrows at him “Really? Like who?” I asked and he smiled “Like myself.” He said and I paused in surprise, always thought flirting was second nature to him so I tried not to read too much into it. But he’d never admitted to wanting me before.

“You look a little surprised, you’re a beautiful girl Katelyn, I don’t see how I can be faulted.” He added with a lower voice.

I slightly shook my head, just like he can’t be faulted for how he acts around every other girl; I had to remember that he’s given me no inclination that his feelings for me are true.

“Right.” I said sarcastically “James may seem boring to you but I enjoy his company, it’s just easy with him.” I said without thinking and he frowned, a strange emotion touching his gaze “Do you have feelings for James?” he asked, and I thought I heard a hint of hurt in his voice.

“No.” I said, I couldn’t lie about that; it was quite obvious. Even so, why did I just admit that? It was none of his business either way, was it? He grinned, “He’s just a good friend. So I don’t appreciate you insulting him.” I added. “I didn’t mean to, I was just trying to point out that he’s not the right guy for you, you don’t want easy.” He said, moving closer “You want excitement, a challenge and a bit of danger.” He added softly, his hand moving from my waist to sweep my hair over my shoulder and lightly brush the back of his fingers against my neck. His grey eyes boring into mine, I could hear my heart drum in my ears.

“And you’re so sure I want those things and that you have them with you?” I asked, not quite sure why because it really didn’t matter. He stopped dancing and smiled “Come with me.” he said holding out his hand again, giving me a choice again.

It seemed as though when it came to Brandon my mind and heart were always fighting for superiority and my heart always won because I placed my hand in his and he led us outside. We walked to his black Audi RS5 convertible “Where are we going?” I asked pausing when he opened the door for me.

“We’re just ditching the party for a little while.” He said motioning for me to get in and I did. I knew it was stupid to trust Brandon of all people, but I just did, I couldn’t even explain it to myself. The engine purred to life and we drove out and down the seaside road, there