Chapter 84: We Feel Like You Are Ignoring Us
Jeremy was the host, so he mingled with the crowd. He was either chatting with men or flirting with women. He continually toasted every person he greeted. Jeremy turned around and noticed Keith and Cathryn.
Jeremy started walking in Keith's direction, and then he suddenly stopped. "Hello, Jeremy," two women said. Their laughter was lingering in his ears. He smiled and lifted his glass.
One of the women took a sip of champagne and said, "Slow down and have a drink with us!" She was wearing a black swan mask, and her name was Betty.
"I've noticed a few unfamiliar faces on the yacht this evening. Does that mean you don't have time to have a drink with us? We feel like you are ignoring us?" said the other woman. Her name was Amanda, and she was wearing a rabbit mask.
Jeremy smiled and said, "You two need to cut me some slack. I'm trying to mingle with everyone." The women had gone to university with both Jeremy and Keith, and they were from wealthy families. Since their parents had great power and influence in Douglas City, the women and Jeremy had known each other since childhood. While Keith only became acquaintances with them when he went to university.
Betty and Amanda looked at each other and smiled. Then they took another sip of champagne while looking in Cathryn's direction. Betty pointed and said in a low voice, "Who is that woman standing beside Keith?"
"That's Cathryn Riley, she's pregnant with Keith's baby," replied Jeremy.
"Hmmm. I thought Keith wouldn't have sex with women," Amanda chuckled and quickly glanced at Betty. "I made a bet with Betty that Keith was gay. It seems like I lost!"
"He's not gay. I told you that!" Betty gave a sidelong glance to Amanda and said, "Don't you remember what happened when we were in University?"
"Okay, that's enough gossip about Keith." Jeremy quickly interrupted. He glanced around the room and noticed quite a few people staring at them. Then Jeremy turned around and walked towards Keith.
Cathryn stayed close to Keith as he introduced her to all of his friends. "Hello, how are you? I want to introduce you to Miss Cathryn Riley." He never introduced her as his girlfriend, but everyone could tell by the way that Keith looked at Cathryn, she meant a lot to him.
Cathryn and Keith had one dance, and Cathryn started to feel a little tired. So they sat down and watched the other couples dance for a while. Cathryn felt a bit hot, so she decided to go to the ladies' room and check her makeup. "Keith, I'll be right back. I'm going to the ladies' room."
Once she entered, she took off her mask and looked in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, and a few strands of her hair were stuck to her forehead. Cathryn opened up her purse and quickly fixed her makeup. Just as she was about to put her mask back on, someone called her from behind. "Cathryn, is that you?"
Cathryn looked up at the reflection in the mirror. There standing behind her was a woman wearing a black swan mask.' Do l know her, I don't recognize her voice,' Cathryn thought to herself. For a moment, Cathryn was too stunned to say anything. She stood there looking at the stranger. Cathryn took off her mask and revealed her face to the woman.
Betty had consumed a large amount of alcohol. Her head was fussy, and her vision was blurred. Without any hesitation, she calls out the name, 'Ada Clinton.' The second Cathryn took off her mask, Betty realized she had made a mistake. "I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else," Betty said, slurring her words.
Betty stared at Cathryn. Her piercing, penetrating gaze shot right through her. Unsure how to respond, Cathryn merely stood there, hands at her side. She paused, looking uncomfortable, and said, "It's okay. My name is Cathryn."
Betty smiled at her and felt a twinge of jealousy at the same time. "I'm Betty Marsh. Keith and I are old friends from university," she said. She reached out to shake Cathryn's hands. Not long after, Cathryn went and joined Keith, and Betty went back and stood beside Amanda.
"I know why Keith chose her to be his girlfriend," Betty said as she whispered in Amanda's ear.
Amanda tilted her head in clear curiosity. "What do you mean? Why?" she asked.
Betty puts her finger to her lips and says, "It's a secret, but it will be revealed soon."
"I'm bored. Let's play a drinking game," Amanda yelled to her friends. They all gathered around, and even Jeremy joined the game. He wasn't having much luck and was losing every round. After drinking at least seven or eight drinks, he started to feel a little tipsy. 'What am I doing? I'm the host of the party.' Jeremy gathered his thoughts and called them quits.
As he turned to leave, Amanda grabbed him by the arm and said, "It has been so long since we've been to the island. I miss the old times. Why don't you ask Keith if he wants to go for riding lessons next week?"
After Amanda heard what Betty said about Cathryn, it made her eager to meet Cathryn. She wanted to see what Keith saw in her. 'Keith has never attended an event with a woman before. The whole time I've known him, he has never had a girlfriend. I assumed he was gay. So, if he's here, Miss Cathryn Riley, she must be special.' Amanda couldn't help thinking about the past.
Jeremy wasn't paying attention to Amanda and what she said. All he wanted was to get away from her.
"Okay," he replied and walked towards Keith. Halfway there, he took a glass of champagne from the waiter. Jeremy smiled and handed it to Cathryn.
Keith reached out and took the glass from Jeremy. "You know, she can't drink," Keith said firmly.
"Sorry, I forgot," Jeremy said with a smirk on his face.
Keith turns around and waves to the waiter. "Could you get me a glass of lemonade?" he said politely.
"Yes, sir," The waiter nodded as he walked past him.
Cathryn didn't say a word. She stood there smiling, listening to Keith's and Jeremy's conversation. Jeremy shrugged his shoulders. "Who are you? Cathryn's protector?" he joked.