Chapter Four

“Come on! You’ll be even more depressed when you stay here all day. You don’t even take a bath anymore,” Michaela commented. She is now dressed in a body-fitting red dress. “Vivi’s old enough to decide on her own. She’s no longer a child. Come on, give yourself a break.”

I frowned even more. Even if she says that, I still can’t give myself a break! It has been a week since Vivi ran away from home, and I have already tried contacting her friends that I know, but they’d either tell me they know nothing or ignore me at all.

I’m getting more and more restless day-by-day. I even tried waiting for her in the entrance of her university, but to no avail. 

Sure, she’s already an adult, but she’s still my sister! I still feel responsible for her.

“How many times had she left without telling you? She barely even lives here,” Michaela said.

“She always comes back, though.”

“Then she will come back! So give yourself a favor, and at least come with me and enjoy the night. My treat. You’ve been too depressed for the past week, you are already forgetting that you, too, have a life of your own.”

I can’t help but pout. She’s right. It won’t hurt to enjoy life a bit, right? Maybe I am really in-need of a little de-stressing.

“So?” 

I rolled my eyes before standing. “Fine, fine. I’ll just get ready!”

-

I wore a plain black satin body-con dress that I paired with my black stilettos. I also put my hair up to expose my long and slender neck. Then I put on a fair amount of makeup before spraying my favorite perfume.

I stared at myself in the mirror, and realized that it has been a while since I dressed up not for work but for fun. It has been so long since I felt comfortable with my own body.

Sighing, I grabbed my purse, and took out necessities from my drawer, including my phone.

“Oh wow, new phone! Where’d you get it? That’s hella expensive,” Michaela commented when she entered my room and saw it. I realized that she hasn’t seen it since she stayed here. I haven’t been using it a lot either so I can’t really blame her.

I don’t know if I should tell her the truth. She and I are close, but there are a lot of things in my past that I haven’t told her, and that goes the same for her as well. We prefer not talking about it, and not knowing. 

I certainly don’t want her knowing about Kionno. He’s one of the most popular bachelors in the country. Surely, even if we have a silent pact about not meddling with each other’s past, she would still ask questions! I don’t want to deal with that. 

“Oh, I got it somewhere,” I answered vaguely.

“Hmm,” she replied with her brows raised, but chose not to ask further, which I am glad about.

We rode her car to one of the high-end bars in the metro. It is actually my first time in years going in a club not as a performer but as a customer. It feels weird, actually. 

When we arrived there, I could feel my heart pounding, because of the music blaring all around and the nervousness that I can feel inside my chest. I still can’t let go of the worry that I felt towards Vivi, even just temporarily. How can I enjoy the night without assuring that she’s okay?

Even before I can react, Michaela grabbed hold of my arm before leading the way towards a table. There were already four people sitting there, which were introduced by Michaela as her new friends. Apparently, they met in one of Hans’ parties.

They were Felixia, who is a model; Nicole, who is the mayor’s daughter; Ava, who is Hans’ step sister; and Ynona, an actress.

They look like they have their lives well put out, and that they no longer need to work as hard as I do just to bring food to the table. Although I can easily blend in with these girls because of how deceiving my looks are, I still feel like they’re miles ahead of me.

I just drank all the liquor that is handed to me just to avoid feeling bad about myself.

“So, Danielle, which agency are you from?” Felixia asked as she handed me a drink.

My eyebrows slightly furrowed when I heard the question. At first, I thought she was referring to me being a dancer, but then I realized she was talking about something else.

“I’m not a model,” I replied before letting out a nervous chuckle. 

“Oh, sorry, I thought you were one!” she said. “Why not? You’re beautiful, girl! You could easily land on projects.”

I took the glass of liquor before chugging it down. “I was one. I quit,” I said with finality. I don’t want to deal with anymore questions. Luckily, Felixia didn’t bother asking the reason why.

I’d only feel worse about myself.

“Girls, if you’ll excuse me. I’ll just go look for Michaela,” I told them.

Michaela excused herself an hour ago, but she still hasn’t come back! I don’t know where to start looking for her as she also wasn’t answering her phone. But I still want to get out of this table. I know they mean no harm, but I’m really not interested in building relationships with these people. I no longer have the energy for that. 

I grabbed a bottle of beer before heading towards the direction of the bar counter. I can already feel the alcohol’s effect, but I still did my best to walk straight. I don’t want no man taking advantage of my drunken state.

I’ll probably sober up after this, and leave.

“Excuse me, Miss, do I know you?”

I quickly turned my head to see a guy standing near me. My brows furrowed before looking away. “Uh, no. You’re probably mistaking me for someone else,” I tell him.

“My bad. Anyway, I’m Isaac. What’s your name—?”

“I’m sorry, I’m not interested,” I immediately cut him off. He doesn’t look bad. In fact, he looks like he can pass off as one of the boys next door. Curly brown hair, chinky eyes, perfect nose and a perfect set of teeth. 

However, I’m really not interested. I hope he’ll just leave me alone. I just want to get through this night without having to deal with a man.

“Don’t worry, I don’t mean no harm. I just want to make friends, that’s all.” He put his hand out towards my direction, looking a little apologetic. Because the room is a little too loud, he is leaning towards me for me to hear him. I can smell his minty breath!

I let out a sigh before reaching for his hand to shake it, which earned me a smile from him. “Sam,” I lied. 

I never give my name to strangers. That’s one thing I learned over the past years.

He took the seat next to me before signaling the bartender for a drink. “Can I buy you a drink?” 

I shook my head, and raised the bottle of beer that I am holding. “I’m good.”

“Are you here alone?”

“No, I’m—I was with my friend, but I can’t really see her anywhere.”

“I can keep you company while you wait for her—“

“Sazerac.” I am quick to turn my head when I heard a familiar voice. My eyes widened when I saw who it is.

What is he doing here?!

I’m not sure if he noticed I am here, and I hope not! I bit my lower lip, feeling a little dizzy. Isaac is still blabbering about something, but I am too preoccupied to even pay a little attention. I can see Kionno’s movements in my peripheral vision, and even when he is acting casually, I still know he knows I’m here.

Is he stalking me?!

“Uhm, excuse me, I’ll just go to the restroom,” I tell Isaac, voice enough for him to hear. I don’t know if Kionno heard that, but I am quick to get out of my seat before rushing towards the direction of the bathroom, which is only a few meters from the exit. I’ll tidy up, and get ready to leave. I can’t be drunk, and be in the same room as that guy!

I still remember our last encounter, and the words that he said still left a bitter taste on my tongue.

I splashed water on my face to try and splash some senses in my brain. As I look at myself in the mirror, my brows furrowed. Why have I been acting so affected by his presence? I try to make sense of it by saying that I’ve always felt that way whenever I encounter people that I know.

‘You’re lying to yourself,’  a part of me said, which made me scowl even more. I don’t care. I am adamant with my decision to stay away from him. Whenever he’s around, I am distracted. I can’t be distracted when I have goals in my mind.

When I am about to go out of the comfort room, I notice Isaac standing nearby, probably waiting for me. I cursed under my breath. Can’t he take a hint?! Why doesn’t he bother someone else?!

I tried walking as fast as I can, head down, but he still noticed me. Grabbing my wrist, he slightly tugged me closer to him. “You’re leaving?”

I gently yanked my arm. “Yes—“

“But why? The night hasn’t even started yet.”

I forced myself not to roll my eyes. He is so insistent, but he doesn’t seem to want to cause any harm. Sadly, it just so happens that he took interest in me, which has zero interest at all. “I’m sorry, I really need to go. I’m tired.”

“Oh..” He took out his phone in a rush before handing it towards my direction. “Well could I at least have your number—?”

“No, you can’t.” 

My eyes widened before my head turned towards the direction of the voice. I am not mistaken because it is Kionno. I don’t know if it’s just because of the flashing lights or he really does look pissed. I can feel my heart starting to beat faster as I stare at his countenance. 

When his eyes met mine, I was quick to look away, and instead looked at Isaac whose eyebrows are now furrowed in confusion. “Huh?”

The expression in Kionno’s eyes didn’t falter as he took a step closer, almost towering over Isaac. There is an overpowering aura that he is radiating, and I can’t help but swallow the lump inside my throat, feeling the hard thudding of my heart against my chest.

“She’s my fiancé.”

Both my eyes and Isaac’s widened when he said that.

“What—?!” He pulled my waist against his body. He now has a playful look on his face, which confused me even more.

“I’m sorry, bro, she gets a little rebellious sometimes. She’s not interested in you. We’ll get going now.”