Little Miss Nosy

Chapter Fourteen: A Few Sips and Many Mistakes Later

- Edited -

I'm not familiar with wealth or extravagant events.

The fanciest places I've ever been were restaurants where the chefs cook and prepare the food right in front of you. So I can't contain my shock as I overhear people in suits asking to take jackets at the door.

"They're taking jackets!" I whisper dramatically to mom, craning my neck to see an older man take a jacket to a room behind the check-in desk. "That's how you know your bosses can pay you more."

Mom bumps her arm with mine and shakes her head, but her crimson lips curve into the smallest of smiles—a clue I said what she was already thinking.

"Would you like me to take your coat, ma'am?" a woman asks wearing her signature sweet smile. The question most likely heavy on her tongue as I've overheard her ask it about four other times to those around us.

"No, thank you," Mom says. She pulls the oversized blazer tight around her frame. The big piece of clothing engulfs her entire body with only the smallest sliver of her dark purple dress peeking out from the bottom.

The woman walks away, her robotic smile never falling as she moves to ask the next people the same question.

"Geez," I comment. "Mom, why are you wearing that?"

"I'm cold," she answers quickly.

"It's seventy degrees."

She does nothing but pull the fabric closer to her body, swiftly ignoring what I said and leading me deeper into the hotel.

Quite a few coworkers wave and greet mom as we make our way to the ballroom. I smile awkwardly here and there, grateful most of the attention is on her.

I feel like I stick out like a giant rock in a sea of pebbles. Everyone here is an older adult, with an exception of a teenager here and there. They're all sitting alone, staring at their phone screen as if they've been dragged here against their will.

I can't blame them, though. I'm resisting the urge to pull out my phone as well.

We step into the main area: the ballroom. I'm looking at my shoes as we walk, but as soon as we step onto the white marble flooring, my head snaps up without a thought.

It looks like a scene straight out of a high budget movie. The floor's white marble is sleek and pristine with a gold flower design stamped in the center. The walls are a matching white with pillars stationed at each corner. About four large windows sit on the far side of the room, allowing us to look out into the garden sitting just beyond the glass. Gold curtains are tied to the sides so as to not obscure the view.

I look at mom.

Mom looks at me.

"I would literally vacation here. Just at this hotel. No need to leave the building or anything," I say.

A waiter balancing a tray of champagne flutes on his hand approaches. "Champagne, ma'am?"

"No, thank you. I'll take apple cider, though."

"And for you?" he asks, turning to me after handing mom her drink.

"I'll take the same."

The waiter gracefully dashes to other dinner goers, leaving mom and I to sip on our drinks and gawk at the interior design of the ballroom in peace.

I'm relieved I decided to break out a dress for this occasion. I prefer pants to showing my legs any day, but anything but a skirt or dress seems out of place for a fancy place like this. My wedding will probably be held at a cheaper venue, so I better enjoy it while I can.