After a few cordial pleasantries, we left the airport. She had already booked a room at a fancy hotel. I sat in the front with John while Piper and Eva occupied the back seats.
"I haven't been here in a long time," she breathed, absorbing the Californian sunshine through the half-open window. Then she caught me staring through the rear view mirror and smiled.
"Thanks for coming to pick me up," she said.
"No problem," Piper said.
"Are you from here?" Eva asked me.
"No," I said. "I..."
"She just moved here about four months ago," Piper answered for me.
"Oh, I see." The violinist nodded.
"I live with her parents. They are my aunt and uncle-in-law," I answered so that I didn't seem rude by not talking.
"I'm guessing you're from Russia, am I right?" the young woman said as if daring me to say otherwise.
"Yes." I nodded.
"Well, I could tell by your accent. Your Russian lilt is mild but unmistakable, like a trace of incense in the air. Which part of the country are you from?"
"Moscow," I said inelegantly. In the back of my mind, I was wondering why she tried to engage me in a conversation even though she already had Piper.
"Oh I love Moscow," she said. "I was asked to join a music performance at Bolshoi Theater last year. I took that opportunity to explore Moscow. It was a fantastic city indeed, full of history and wonderful arts, not to mention people's incredible taste in music. One of my favorite Russian composers is Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Have you ever heard of him?"
Even as a former citizen of Russia, I had never heard of him until now.
"No, I haven't," I admitted, and I had never felt so uncultured.
"Oh, he was best known for his tone poem Scheherazade—a legendary Persian queen and the storyteller of Arabian Nights," Eva said. "But I understand that young people like you probably don't care about classical music anyway."
"So you play classical or contemporary?" Piper asked her.
"It's a bit of both actually. I've brought some of my CDs along," Eva said. I heard her unzip her shoulder bag and pull it out.
"Cool, I wanna hear it," Piper said eagerly and handed the CD to me.
"Alright," I said and inserted the disc into the player.
The music started flooding the car like a flower in full bloom releasing its fragrance. Even John seemed to be listening to the beautiful song as he drove.
But why had I instantly recognized the piece of this music? The moment I heard the first opening bars, all I remembered was Allecra's story of the last potential. It came to me like a flock of birds swooping through an open window.
"Wow, even I'm not a classical music fan, I pretty much enjoyed this one," Piper said honestly. "This piece isn't boring like I had expected. Well...not that I expected your music to be boring, don't get me wrong."
Eva laughed.
"Well, I want to create music that could be enjoyed by people of all ages," Eva said. "Music is a universal thing. It's like love."
Then she went quiet as if distracted by something in her mind. I could see a cloud of memories fogging her dark green eyes for a second before it cleared away. No one noticed it but me. Eva let out a nervous giggle.
"You guys probably think I sound ridiculous."
"No, I think it's beautiful!" Piper said admiringly. "I know artists like you always talk funny, but I love your outlook on love. You're just like my cousin Nina. Oh, by the way, today is also her birthday. Right, Nina?"
"So the party is yours?" Eva asked me.
"Er...no, it's not entirely my event," I told her. "It just happened that the date matches."
"I see," the violinist said. "But I would still love to play a birthday song for you."
"Thank you," I said. I realized she wasn't just beautiful and talented, but she was also nice.
We dropped her off at the hotel where Eva would be staying. She said she needed a power nap after the flight and promised to meet us at the party. We bade her goodbye.
On the way back, I couldn't stop thinking about the young musician. She was indeed the same person Allecra once shared a bed with.
CHAPTER 29
I stood in the middle of my bedroom and swirled around before a full-length mirror in a slow spin. My eyes took in every inch of the dress Allecra had bought me. I had to admit, I really loved it. The color of the fabric suited my skin tone. And not just that, but the shoes and the jacket seemed like they were made to compliment me.
She even knew the right size and chose exactly the design I liked. I guessed everything had to be perfect in Allecra's world. She was like an ideal communist. The thought made me chuckle to myself. To be honest, I was beyond excited about tonight more than anything in my seventeen, now turning eighteen, years of living. My previous birthdays had never been such an exalted moment like this.
Klara had sent me a birthday card prior to today. We had talked a few times on Skype, but it wasn't long enough for me to tell her about Allecra. I didn't give her any details either. All my best friend could pick up on was that for the first time, I was truly in love. But a tiny fraction of my mind still drifted back to that afternoon with Eva.
What will Allecra think of her former Earthling fling? What would happen when they meet? What should I do? What should I say? And how would I feel?
I could find no pleasure in trying to answer these questions, so I let the mystery unfold itself.
In the garden, the tall vase stands stood in two scarlet and white promenades, leading through the lawn like paths of an ancient shrine. The blooming cherry trees near the garden's ornamental basin dropped their petals every now and then.
Lots of cars had pulled up into the driveway and along the sidewalk in front of the house. People kept arriving. Family friends arrived and were walking up the pavement. There were also a few children with bright faces, tripping along merrily beside their middle-aged parents. Everyone seemed to deck out in their dignifying party dresses.
Aunt Vikki and her husband were busy welcoming their friends and colleagues into the main area. Jay was herding his pack of buddies around the marquee. Piper hadn't come out yet. She was probably still changing into her eighteenth dress.
I wandered around for a while, admiring the ice sculptures of dolphins and mermaids and a fountain of wine with orange slices bobbing in a red pool. The sun was setting behind the mountain. The purple sky slowly darkened into night. Yellow lamps went up on the trees, and the garden was full of cool, blue florescent light.
"Nina!" Piper called me from across the green lawn. I turned to my cousin, who was trudging through the well-trimmed grass in high heels. I wondered if she knew that she could easily land on her face. Piper wore a tight sparkly purple dress. When she reached me, Piper gave me a once over look.
"Dude, why does everything you put on seems so classy?" she said as she gestured to my dress. I was wearing a white cropped jacket over a scoop-necked pink pastel Dior dress.
"And you look hmm...sexy," I complimented her back with a smile.
"What? You think I'm showing too much skin?" she said, gazing down at herself in panic.
"No no! That's not what I meant," I said. "You look lovely, Piper."
"Oh, I do?"
"Believe me, girl, you're beautiful," I reassured her. "And you don't dress for anybody's entertainment, you dress for you. If you are happy with it, then wear it."
She was chewing her bottom lip, as if considering whether to believe me.
"You know, Nina, sometimes I just want to have that intellectual air like you," she said. "I want people to see pass my blondness. You get what I mean?"
I giggled and nodded that I understood her.
"You can be elegant and sexy and still be smart, Piper," I told her. "That's what girls are made of, you know? Salt and spice and everything nice?"
"It's sugar and spice and everything nice," Piper corrected me and let out a giggle, too. Then she paused and looked passed me beyond the garden
.
I turned around and caught a distant glimpse of a spotless white Cadillac rolling in. The car was four-door long with tinted windows. Some of the party guests, who had just arrived, turned their faces to look in curious awe.
"Wow," my cousin breathed, unruly impressed. "Who is that?"
After she said that, one of the car doors at the back swung open, and I saw the crown of a blonde head emerged. My heart skipped and perked up like crazy.
I felt my lips tugged into a helpless grin for I knew who that was.
"Oh my goodness," Piper gasped beside me. "Nina, I swear, you're practically dating a modern day Aphrodite or something."
"She's a hermaphrodite," I corrected her under my breath.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing," I said. "Well, I think I have to...er..."
Piper laughed and waved me off.
"I know you're dying to meet her," she said, "Just go and tell Allecra I said 'hi.'"
I nodded and quickly maneuvered through the garden.
My feet half-ran and half-walked in welling excitement. Allecra was looking around, probably trying to find me. Of all the people, she only searched for one person. The very prospect made my inside tingly and melting. Her angelic face seemed to light up the whole world. And when those turquoise eyes found mine, the same marvelous smile took my breath away.
As usual, I couldn't help being moved by the sight of her. In that moment, everything felt like a dream came true. The world was all right from where Allecra stood.
I noticed with some surprise that her usual messy blonde lock was now tied up in a stylish half-ponytail. Her frings fell over one side of her face and the rest of the silky strands brushed around her shoulders.
She was wearing the very outfit I had picked for her. The black tuxedo blazer and white button-up feminine dress shirt fit her elegantly. Allecra's skinny black jeans also showed off her curves and endless legs. She looked more like she could be on the Red Carpet instead.
I slowed my pace as she also walked up towards me. We stopped just a step away from each other, as if trying to take it all in.
This is it. Finally, the day has come.
We both were smiling like some shy lovers. After a while, Allecra was the first to break the silent spell.
"You look beautiful," she said, giving me a handsome lopsided smile.
"You, too," I murmured back with the blush on my cheeks.
I realized her face even showed a little hint of subtle make-up. It was just the basic feline eyeliners and light lipstick and nothing more since she didn't need extra help. Allecra was beautiful, and I found her strikingly alluring than ever tonight. The thought of her making an effort to look good for the event was heart-warming. It showed that she cared about all this enough to lose her alienness and let herself mingle with my ordinary world.
Then the driver's window rolled down and Triton greeted me from inside the big vehicle with a friendly smile. I waved back.
"Sorry if the presentation was a bit overboard," Allecra said, gesturing in the general direction of the car. "I tried to talk him out of it but..."
She ended with a shrug. I just giggled back and shook my head.
"Don't worry, you're not the only one here who is trying to show off," I said, pointing to a black limousine of some tycoon parking on the other side.
"Hey, that's not helping!" Allecra said and pretended to pout. "Why can't you be on my side like a good girlfriend does?"
"I'm always on your side!" I giggled.
"Then come right over here," Allecra said and opened her hands out for me. I laughed and went to wrap my arms around her elegant body. She smelled exquisite and it drew me into her even more. Allecra smiled down at me as I looked up at her in love-daze.
"What are we gonna do now—standing here and staring at each other all night?" she said. I laughed again and leaned in to kiss her adorable cheek.
"Sorry," I said, "Please come with me. I'll introduce you to my aunt."
"Just give me a moment," she said and then made a show of doing unnecessary adjustments to her clothes and immaculate hair. I watched her with an amused smile.
"Are you that nervous?" I asked.
"Nah, I only wish Triton gave me a bullet-proof vest just in case," she pretended to say.
"I thought you feared kryptonite, not bullets," I teased, making Allecra chuckle.
"I'm from Arzuria, not Krypton!"
"Alright, alright, let's go!"
Inside the big ornated marquee in the middle of the garden, I found Aunt Vikki's table. She was sitting with Robert in perfect timing. They were looking in our direction. Now, I felt like the role had been reversed, and I was the one who was nervous.
When we reached my aunt, everyone turned their heads to us, but more especially to Allecra. It seemed as though the blonde was the sun rising at the wrong time of day. I swear, everything was sort of silent for a moment before Aunt Vikki rose up from her seat with a bright smile.
"Nina," she said. "Come and have a seat with us."
I stole a glance at Robert. He looked more like a mafia boss Al Capone than a businessman in his white formal suit my aunt had donned him in. They shook hands and tried not to be awkward. Allecra seemed quite relaxed beside me. She'd even got a casual smile plastered on her lips.
The seats were reserved for just the four of us. We both took our seats opposite them. The waiters placed two porcelain plates between a set of silver utensils. On the long silk-covered table, foods were being served by hired waiters. We had oysters on iced trays and lobsters and roasted ducks for the main course. There were men and women in expensive dresses and suits filling almost every space in the garden. They were eating, chatting, and laughing with gusto.
Around our table, everyone stopped staring at Allecra and went back to their conversation.
"Aren't you going to introduce this beautiful young lady to us, Nina?" my aunt spoke to break the ice. I realized I had forgotten about the whole introduction thing due to my anxiety. But when I was about to speak up, Allecra cleared her throat and started with a soft smile.
"My apologies," she said cordially. "I should have introduced myself earlier. My name’s Allecra. Thank you for inviting me. It's a great pleasure to be here."
The tone she used was surprisingly tender and enthralling. It was like melting honey dripping from the beehive on a lovely spring day. Allecra's melodious voice turned several female heads to her direction. Now I had witnessed how Allecra used her inborn ability to sway the heart of ladies. Even my aunt, who was critical of people, was now blinking under her charm. But Robert didn't look too comfortable about that. His face seemed guarded and even suspicious. I couldn't tell what they were thinking and didn't want to know for now.
"What a lovely name," Aunt Vikki said, smiling back. "I'm glad you came to our event. It's also Nina's birthday celebration."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Allecra said politely and returned the smile. "Nina's birthday is as important a milestone to her as it is to me."
My aunt arched her eyebrow at the brutally honest remark. At the same time, she looked mildly amused by Allecra's enigmatic sincerity. I noticed her and Robert made a discreet look at the blonde as she elegantly held a tall crystal glass of champagne to her lips.
"Hmm...is that so?" my aunt said slowly. "Are you two planning something special together?"
I felt a piece of cinnamon bun stuck in my throat and coughed a little. My aunt looked on as I reached for a glass of water.
"Yes," Allecra said, still smiling. I felt my breath halt, but soon she added, "We are planning to go to college together."
I didn't see that coming.
"Oh really, Nina?" Aunt Vikki said. "That's great you're thinking ahead already."
I nodded back with a smile.
"Well, I know this isn't the place to talk about family matter," my aunt began and looked at Allecra again. "But we only have this time to spare. Let's cut out the boring part. I have to know something to be ce
rtain about you two."
"As you please."
"You seem to do a lot of good to my niece," Aunt Vikki said. "She looks less angry and lonely now than when she first came here. But as her guardian and aunt, I'm very protective of her, and I want what her mother would want for her. Yet I can't control every aspect of her life. I just hope that you don't mistake my trust for carelessness and do something that would disappoint us."
My aunt was hinting a motherly message. Had she sense something abnormal about my alien girlfriend?
"Your concern is well-understood," Allecra said. "I will make sure Nina is happy with me in every way and as much as humanly possible. You can have my words."
She turned to smile at me. I smiled awkwardly back.
"Such a gentlewoman," Aunt Vikki murmured with an approval smile. By then some of the adults at the nearby tables might have picked up on our relationship status. I could spot a variety of reactions. A few men were amused while others were barely interested. Only one heavy weight lady to the right looked disgusted and shook her head.
But none of their reactions bothered Allecra. If anything at all, her hassle-free posture and her graceful body language impressed them.
Robert shifted himself in his chair a little and paid more attention to the napkin on his lap. But the silence reigned on as nobody said anything further.
"Are you both certain that you truly are what you claim to be and not just a phase?" My aunt asked, but it was me she was looking at. I didn't blame her for asking that. She just wanted me to be a hundred percent sure that I really knew what I wanted.
"It's been so as long as I can remember," I said. "If it was a phase, I should have outgrown it by now."
She nodded solemnly back.
"I see," my aunt said and turned to Allecra again. "So how old are you?"
"I'm nineteen."
"And you study with Nina?"
"Yes, sometimes."
"Sometimes?" Aunt Vikki frowned in confusion.
"I take some college courses online at Harvard and UCLA," Allecra said, surprising both me and my aunt.
"Harvard and UCLA?" this time Robert asked. I guessed he'd been secretly underestimating Allecra by her looks.
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