Chapter 3

I went outside to get some fresh air because I couldn't stand the scene right there. I don't understand why he wants to talk to me, even though we're not together anymore. Also, everything is clear to me. That's fine with me and I accept that he's dating someone now. I accepted it even though I was still hurt but there was nothing I could do because we both started to move on.

Fortunately, I brought the wine I bought there. I'll just let my two friends look for me later but I think they won't look for me because they're busy with their crushes. Out of the three of us, I'm the only one who doesn't have a crush! Both of them should be ready when someone gets my attention.

"Hey,"

"Hey!" I almost shouted while still holding my chest because of the shock.

"What the hell?!" I said indignantly when I saw who it was.

I couldn't take back what I said because I was taken by surprise. I don't know what Stefan is doing here. I don't want to assume that he is following me here.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shock you," he said to me but I could see the smirk on his face.

I was in agony because of his reaction but he just laughed.

"Is there something funny?" I asked him in vain.

He laughed even more, which is why I glared at him. He shook his head and bowed for a moment before turning to me again to speak.

"It's true what they say. You are grumpy," he said.

I raised an eyebrow at him. We are outside the hotel now and it is bright because of the street lights surrounding it. I couldn't look at him for a long time because I was overwhelmed.

"Who said that? They're still spreading false information," I said with a crafty voice.

I'm not grumpy. I just don't vibe with him right now because I'm not in the mood. That's why I came out here to breathe easy and be alone but it looks like he purposely followed me here to insult me for being rude.

"Is that fake information? It's obvious now that you're grumpy because you're grumpy to me," he answered me then laughed a little.

I just shook my head and immediately drank the wine I was holding. I should have taken a bottle so I wouldn't be hungover. Maybe later when I get back in, especially since we still have an after-party.

"But I like that kind of attitude. You're rude because you're beautiful," Stefan added.

It's a good thing I swallowed the wine I was drinking or I'm sure I would have been coughing because of what he said. I was already stung by my saliva but I just coughed it up so it wouldn't be noticeable. I didn't expect Stefan to behave like this, especially since we just met formally.

I took a deep breath before turning to him and speaking.

"You know what? You can't get past me with your tricks like that. I already heard that punch line and you know what happened? He just cheated on me in the end," I said to him one after the other then sneered at him before finally leaving.

I just went back inside where the party was starting. The old people were already dancing there and I just shook my head because even though they are old they look like a child the way they act.

"Eli," Jackson called me when we bumped into each other again.

I just sighed again and got tired before completely passing him there. I don't let him come close to me and talk to me because his girlfriend might see us. I don't want to fight anymore and I don't want people who see that I'm fighting just because of a man. Well, that won't happen because I'm not cheap. Jackson is not worth fighting for.

"My gosh, Eliana! Where have you been? You said you were just gonna get something to drink. Did you drown?" Clara asked me immediately when I got back to our table.

"O.M.G!? Are you two together?" he asked again.

I frowned and looked where Clara was looking now.

"Ah-" I couldn't finish what I was going to say when Stefan suddenly spoke behind me.

"Yup. We just went outside together," he answered, then smiled at me.

My eyes widened because of that, especially when our friends started teasing us.

"Yeee! You two!" they tease us.

My eyes widened and I shook my head. I can feel my cheeks getting hot because of the shame.

"Stop it, guys! We just met there coincidentally," I said then got annoyed because I was annoyed that they were teasing me with that Stefan.

"Did you fall in love at first sight?" Josiah asked me with a laughing voice.

It was obvious that they were teasing us but this Stefan seemed to enjoy what his friends were doing.

"Guys, just a survey. Are Eliana and I compatible?" He laughed and asked our friends there.

"Of course! You look like a couple now!" His friend answered.

I just shook my head because it looks like they won't stop there. I still feel bad for Stefan because of the stupid things he is doing now.

"Just chill for now, guys. One day you'll realize that Eliana and I are already together," he said with a laugh so our friends there also laughed.

I narrowed my eyes at him because his dream was getting too much. I did not expect this man's attitude!

"That's the one thing that I will make sure won't happen. Well, it's free to dream," I replied to him then tormented him again.

They laughed there again and pissed off Stefan so I just ignored them.

"Why are you together?" Clara asked me while still smiling.

"I didn't want to be with him outside. He followed me," I answered then I couldn't stop rolling my eyes again.

Clara laughed and slightly poked my side to tickle so I stopped her.

"I'll just go to my sisters first!" I said flatly to her then stood up.

"I'm coming with you!" Josiah said immediately.

"No, Josiah. Just stay here," I answered him then I raised an eyebrow at him.

Josiah didn't do anything else because I left him there totally. I don't even know where I can see my siblings, but I think that would be easy because no matter where I look, I see my schoolmates.

I saw Sabrina right away and I also joined her other friends because they were already drinking, but I didn't stay long when I saw Jackson and his girlfriend approaching Sabrina's table. Sabrina didn't stop me because she knew my reason.

Next, I joined Stella and her friends and since we are not from the same batch and the same age, they just asked me questions. I wasn't bored of bonding with them but I also said goodbye to them right away because I remembered the friends I left there.

"How's Stella?" Josiah immediately asked me when I got back.

Before I could speak, I looked at Stefan's behavior again because I saw that he was staring. I got tired and sat down next to Josiah.

"She's fine. She seems to enjoy being with a guy. Maybe she's on a date," I answered then shrugged my shoulders.

I immediately saw the change in Josiah's reaction so I couldn't stop laughing.

"Stella is on a date? Wow, she beat you ha!" Clara teased.

"Tell me, Eli, who she was dating and I'll beat him up," Josiah said, making Clara and I laugh at the same time.

"You might be the one to get beaten up, so you should stop!" I laughed and answered him.

Stella doesn't have a date. I just want to tease him because he was teasing me earlier with Stefan. It didn't take long for us to tease each other there because our friends at the table were already on their feet when they heard that the dancing was about to start.

"Oh how about that? I'll leave you two for now. I'll just invite Stella to dance," said Josiah as he stood up.

"What?! You're going to leave Eli and me here? Make us dance first before Stella!" Clara said, complaining.

She grabbed the coat that Josiah was wearing so that he couldn't get out of there right away.

"My clothes are wrinkled, Clara. Also, why should I dance with you when many men want to dance with you," Josiah answered one after the other to deny what Clara was saying.

Clara was about to speak again when we simultaneously looked up at a man who stood beside her. I can't help but be incapacitated because it's Elijah! It was Clara's crush!

"Clara," he called my friend.

I grinned because I knew that my friend was very happy now. Elijah is handsome and also one of the rich people in our town. Clara likes him very much because besides being handsome, famous, and rich, he is also kind and smart.

Clara looked stunned by Elijah that's why I felt Josiah lightly nudge me. I lightly kicked Clara's foot under the table to return to her senses.

"Y-yes?" she stammered and then straightened up.

"Can we dance? Even just for a moment," he asked her so my eyes widened even more.

"Sure, Elijah! You can dance even all night tonight. She won't whine," Josiah answered so I elbowed him.

"May I have this dance?"

It wasn't long before I heard Stefan by my side. I don't know what's going on tonight and I feel the same way.

"Oh, someone is asking you to dance, so let me go," Josiah said again and then completely left there.

I briefly looked at Stefan who stayed by my side. When he saw the way I was looking at him, he smiled at me so even though I wanted to torture him, I stopped myself.

"Please?" He pleaded.

"I know there's a lot of boys who want you to dance with them but... I'm taking a risk too," he added then shrugged his shoulders.

I took a deep breath and turned to Clara's side where she was earlier but I was very surprised when she was no longer there. My eyes widened and rolled my eyes immediately. That's why she couldn't escape me. I saw her with Elijah in the middle of the crowd while dancing! My gosh! Well, who is human enough to reject their crush, right?

"Eliana, please. I want to dance with you," Stefan scolded me again so I turned to him.

"I also know that many women are waiting for you to ask them to dance. Why don't you go to them and leave me?" I said flatly to him.

"I don't want them. I want you," he answered, causing my heart to skip a beat.

"When I dance with you, will you stop me later and no matter where we meet?" I asked him while raising an eyebrow.

He laughed and scratched his forehead before speaking again.

"Well, I can't promise that but yes. I will try. Just give it to me now," he answered then extended his hand to me again.

I looked at his white palm that was in front of me so I took a deep breath again before I accepted his hand to dance with him.

Honestly, I don't want to dance with him, especially when my friend and his friend started teasing us. I don't want the issue between me and Stefan to get worse, but since he is naughty and it seems like he won't stop me, I just gave him what he wanted.