The Reunion

Vicky makes her way through the throng. She stumbles upon familiar faces and has a nice chat with them. Childhood mates Elena, Gracie, Jacqui, and others were present.

“Remember you used to like Disney until like 15? We were the ones who introduced you to Hollywood and OTT!” Elena chortles patting Vicky’s shoulder 

“Yes those days alright,” Vicky tries to hide her embarrassment by chuckling along.

“So what are you doing now?” Jacqui questions, sipping champagne from her wine glass and offering a drink to Vicky.

“I don’t drink,” Vicky politely passes over “I’m managing my own Cafe now. Heard of Star-Club Cafe?” She avoids the flex in her voice.

“Oh yes, my hubby and I visited it recently, heard good reviews of it so decided to give it a try. Luxe food, but high cost, yeah,” Elena mimicked a disappointed sigh.

“Could have made use of you if we had the chance, hey?” Elena laughs and then tries to save her reputation with a quick reply “Just a joke!”

“Hmm,” Both Jacqui and Vicky stare awkwardly at each other and then at Elena.

“Welp, I can see Sharmila there, just going to give her a nice hello and be back, heh,” Elena rushes away from the scene.

“Note to self: Reunions are for checking how successful you are and not for a trip down the memory lane.” Jacqui advices Vicky, as she heads to the Buffet table.

Suddenly the crowd erupts in cheers, and lights are beginning to shoot everywhere around the place. Vicky, inquisitive as she is, decides to check out the party commotion.

A luxury Black Rolls Royce runs through the corridor of the site, everyone welcoming the person sitting inside the car.

“Who is it? Is it some celebrity for the show?” Vicky questions.

“It’s Andrew Whitlock. The most successful businessman right now!” A girl shouts, fangirling “He is the CEO of HANSEL&GRETEL company, ever heard of it?!” The girl couldn’t control herself and she ran towards Andrew as he was getting out of the car, trying to make his way through the crowd.

“Ugh, that bully? From 10th grade?” Vicky frustratedly sighs, as Jacqui accompanies her.

“You know that dude?” She asks.

“Hmm. He once posted obscene pictures of me on school social media link. It went viral in an instant. Happened when I was in 10th.” Vicky explains.

“Oh, Rocky start,” Jacqui says, munching on some chips “Oop he is coming here,” 

“If it isn’t Vicky Summers from high school?” Andrew asks, swagging.

“Most unwel

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come, Andrew Whitlock,” Vicky says, rolling her eyes, as she felt Jacqui nudging at her.

“Still stuck with old memories? Cmon, let it out!” Andrew shakes her shoulders. Vicky ignores him.

“Heard you are now a big shot star?” Vicky enquires, still in her own emotions.

“Wouldn’t like to brag, but I’m the CEO of my Production company HANSEL&GRETEL, flourishing in Hollywood.” The flex was clear in his voice.

“I’ll leave you two alone, buffet needs me,” Jacqui rushes to the table again.

“So what are you doing?” Andrew asks, and Vicky explains her job.

“Cool!” Their conversation breaks with an announcement from the stage calling all couples for a dance.

“Like to be my partner?” Andrew asks, gesturing to the stage.

“Listen I don’t know how you get the nerve of talking to me and asking for a dance after what you did to me, so abandon your ideas.” Vicky orders preparing to leave.

“Vicky please listen. I did that by mistake, I was not thinking straight,” Andrew holds her hand.

“Wow, so you think you were dumb only at that time? You were dumb always!!” Vicky yells letting go of his grip.

“I know, but I realised how much of a big numbskull I was when I saw you cry that day at the school locker room,” Andrew starts. Vicky reluctantly listens.

“That day after I posted your pics, I thought I achieved something great, but seeing you in utter dismay and helplessness, I felt a tight guilt on why I did that. I never really felt others emotions after I pulled off a stunt like I did to you. I’m sorry, Vicky. I tried to talk to you after that, but you refused to see my face even.” Andrew explains with the deepest sincerity in his voice, which Vicky never heard.

Vicky felt tears staining her cheeks. She rubbed them off as she raised her head.

“Your act wounded me for a long time, Andrew,” she mumbled enough for him to hear.

“But to err is to human, and to forgive is divine. I can forgive you only on one condition,” Vicky says with a smile, as Andrew eagerly waits.

“If you come over for coffee at my Cafe, 5pm sharp,” Andrew feels a relief in his heart and smiling, he agrees.

“One spot is empty, over there at the stage! Someone please come over there, I want to see a filled stage!!” The manager of the reunion orders. Andrew gives a gesture that makes Vicky understand, and they hop on to the stage making a dance position to join the beat.

“This is definitely a reunion,” Jacqui managed to mumble as she munches on some sandwiches in her mouth.