A week passesin a flurry of fundraiser preparation.
I miss another family lunch. That’s two in the space of three weeks and my mum is beside herself, but I can’t bring myself to face my family right now.
Daniel texts me on Wednesday to tell me our first counselling session is booked for the following week. I feel sick.
I don’t hear from Zayn, which makes me feel sicker.
I have a growing fear that by the time I’m able to sort out everything out with Daniel and my family he will well and truly be over us. And who knows how long it will take? I’m no closer to coming up with a solution to my problem than I was when Daniel offered me the ultimatum. It’s not like I can pull five hundred grand from my ass to pay off my family’s debt.
I wonder if there’s some legality that can help my family out of this situation, like the fact Daniel and I were marriedat the time and I can argue that ‘I’ leant the money to them. Or if there was some kind of contract signed about when and how the money was to be paid back.
If only I had a lawyer I could ask that I wasn’t afraid would front the money himself.
I can’t even ask my dad or brother about it, because if they’re aware of the situation, I know they would both agree to bankrupt themselves to free me.
It’s annoying that everyone in my life has to be so fucking self-sacrificing.
“I could say the same thing about you.” Anna rolls her eyes when I bring it up with her for the hundredth time the night before the fundraiser. “You are literally staying with a rapist to protect your family’s livelihood. It doesn’t get more self-sacrificing than that.”
It’s not like I can’t see where she’s coming from, but she can’t understand the guilt I feel over being the one who brought Daniel into our lives in the first place. I’ll find a way out of it.
I have to.
36
The night of the fundraiser finally rolls around, and I link my arm with Sam’s as we stroll into the hotel ballroom, both of us looking around in wide-eyed surprise and awe at the magnitude of the room. Sam, like he’d never believe such an event could be held in the name of the small charity he started alone so many years ago. Me, like I didn’t plan the whole damn thing myself.
The chandeliers cast a warm, sparkling glow over the guests that are gliding around in their floor-length gowns and suits, mingling with each other as the hum of chatter and peels of laughter dance around us. The edges of the ballroom are adorned with donated artworks ready for auction, along with other items that will be sold off throughout the course of the evening. In the end I was able to pull together donated gift hampers, deluxe spa and restaurant vouchers, concert tickets and an all-inclusive weekend stay at a five-star hotel to bid off in a silent auction to raise funds for Hope House. I feel like I’m glowing when I point these out to Sam, who I think has actually been rendered speechless.
I actually did this.
I smile and wave over Sam’s shoulder at the people I recognise. Lenny in the DJ booth, Cassie drinking champagne and inspecting the artwork, Anna and Percy in the crowd of one hundred and fifty guests, speaking to my family. The turn out is amazing and I take a moment to feel a sense of pride wash over me. This is going to be the start of many great things for Hope House, I just know it.
“Hey Gianna, you bloody pulled it off! This is incredible!”
I turn my smiling face to Brett, who’s joined us.
“I couldn’t have done it without your help.”
I introduce Sam and Brett before Sam gives me a tight hug and excuses himself. “I better mingle with these people, I guess. Get them to open their wallets a bit wider.”
I smack him good-naturedly on the shoulder as he ambles off into the crowd in his old brown suit, head held high.‘What do I need a new suit for?’he’d said when I climbed into his car earlier this evening.‘The money is better off spent around the shelter.’That’s just Sam for you. Selfless, with a heart of gold.
I turn to face Brett, who I’ve only spoken to on the phone since the night he kissed me. “I really couldn’t have done this without your help, you know.”
He smiles at me, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Things have felt a bit off between us since the kiss.
“Look, Brett, about that night- ”
“Please don’t,” he cuts me off, glancing away and taking a sip of his drink. “I’m really sorry, Gianna. I shouldn’t have done it.”
An awkward silence stretches between us before he speaks again. “My old crush was still lingering and gettingblack-out drunk amplified it. I know you don’t see me that way, and I won’t ever bring it up again.”
I look down into my champagne glass and watch the bubbles as they fizz and pop inside the golden liquid. Brett’s a good friend and he’s supported me a lot this semester. Having him back in my life has helped me to feel like myself again, but I don’t want to cause him any kind of pain, either.
“Can we still be friends?” I ask, looking up into his familiar face.
“Of course. That was never in question.”
