CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

My hair was a mess due to the crowd eager to watch the practice. I pushed through, leading Clara and Japs by the hands, until we reached the front.

I didn't care about the people I displaced as I pushed my way to the front, as all my attention was fixed on the stage and nothing else.

It felt almost like a pre-concert event, but for them, having an audience during practice seemed normal.

My heart raced as Rexon strummed the guitar to tune. The screams that erupted inside the covered gym were deafening.

I gasped as he began playing the intro:

Look at the stars

Look how they shine for you

and everything you do

yeah, they were all yellow

I came along

I wrote a song for you

and all the things you do

And it was all yellow..

The screams around me grew louder, especially when he looked towards the audience as if searching for someone to sing to.

I held my breath tightly as our eyes met..

Your skin,

Oh yeah, your skin and bones

turn into something beautiful

you know

you know I love you so

you know I love you so..

His soothing voice transported me elsewhere, causing me to swallow hard with parted lips.

"OMG! He's looking at me!" a girl behind me squealed.

"Hell no, he's looking at me!" another one retorted.

I shot them a fierce look. The tension almost led them to a scuffle.

"Hey, stop being so ambitious, my Daddy Rexon is looking at me, not you! It's crazy!" I confidently interjected as Japs joined in from the side, eliciting shocked looks from the two girls.

They just rolled their eyes, choosing to avoid Japs, who was bold when it came to confrontation, perhaps inheriting his assertiveness from me.

After finishing the song, he strummed another piece, this time singing in Tagalog. The band began playing, captivating the audience once again.

Once more, I was mesmerized by his beautiful voice, his perfect face, his captivating eyes, and his figure that could easily rival famous models.

As I walked towards my car, I heard a male voice calling out to me.

"Belle!"

I didn't turn around. None of my classmates or acquaintances called me by my second name, so I continued walking towards the parking lot.

"Belle!"

Filled with annoyance, I quickly opened my car to get in, but a swift hand blocked me from doing so.

My eyes widened to identify the audacious individual. With so many men calling out to me, why this one?

"What's your problem?" I raised my eyes challenging him. If I were tall, he was significantly taller, with a bigger, well-built physique. His jet-black hair and sharp nose added to his powerful presence. In short, handsome!

Many raised their eyebrows. Some whispered and even glanced at me with disdain, but I chose to ignore them. Instead, I got into my car and drove off campus.

"I'm home!" I exclaimed loudly as I rushed up the stairs to my room.

"Why are you so late?" I heard Manang Pasing shout from the kitchen.

"We had a group activity, Manang!" I replied as I quickly threw my shoulder bag on the bed, unknowingly dropping something from it. I swiftly changed into shorts and a plain sleeveless shirt before heading downstairs to the dining area.

As I sat at the table, I served myself rice and viand.

Manang approached me with a glass of juice.

"Thank you, Manang. Would you like to join me?" I offered, knowing that, as usual, Mommy and Daddy were not around due to their busy involvement in our family's business.

Dad was frequently absent, often out of the country. It was rare for me to have a meal with both of them; I could probably count those instances on one hand.

"Dear, I already ate. You came home too late," she said before heading back to the kitchen.

I shrugged and continued eating. When I finished, I went to my room to prepare for bed.

However, I was interrupted by a call from Japs.

"Hello, Lara?!" I was nearly deafened by his loud voice, along with the blaring music in the background.

"Oh, why did you call?!"

"We forgot to tell you that Christine is throwing a party tonight, and we're invited. Come over, there are so many handsome guys here!" he exclaimed excitedly.

"It's late, Japs. Maybe next time," I replied lazily.

"Oh, too bad. The Logistic Band is here performing, and I heard they are well-paid for their gig tonight. They'll be playing all night long." He tried to persuade me.

I quickly stood up and said, "Wait for me at the gate, 10 minutes, okay?!" I hung up the phone and hurried to my walk-in closet to choose an outfit.

I opted for a form-fitting long red dress paired with flat sandals. I tied my hair up, letting loose strands fall on my cheek and neck.

After applying a pink lipstick, I pouted in the mirror before grabbing my key from the nightstand.

"Oh, where are you off to?" Manang asked, holding a bag of trash.

"Just to a birthday party, Manang. I'll be back by midnight, don't worry!" I waved before getting into my waiting car.

"Oh no, if your mom finds out about this, I'll be in trouble again!" She scratched her head in worry.

"Don't worry, Manang. I'll behave." I closed the car window and manoeuvred out.

After a few minutes, I was already in front of Christine's mansion. The opulence of her house was conspicuous from the outside; one could only imagine what it looked like inside.

"Lara, over here!" Japs waved at me, and I quickly approached him.

"Come inside, Clara and Terry are already in there," he said as he led me in.

"Why wasn't I informed about this party?" I asked as we walked.

"It was a sudden decision. Her Dad finally allowed her to throw a party in their grand mansion at the last minute, and guess what, her parents flew to France so there's no one watching over us here!" he explained.

I just nodded in response. Christine was a year ahead of us and popular in school, always winning in Miss Intramurals. She was friendly to everyone and I knew her because she was Terry's cousin.

Upon entering, the grandeur of the mansion was no joke. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, inviting you to ascend the two grand staircases.

The guests were scattered around as there was a swimming party happening at the back.

"Lara, you're here!" Terry called out to me, with her boyfriend Alex by her side.

They walked me towards Christine.

"Happy birthday! Sorry, I didn't bring a gift. I didn't know it was your birthday today," I said.

"It's okay. I didn't expect my Dad to allow me to have a party like this, so I kept it low-key." she replied modestly.

She looked stunning in a white off-shoulder dress, exuding elegance with her loose brown hair.

"I'll attend to the other guests first. Enjoy yourselves, take care of them, Terry," she instructed before turning away.

"Okay!" Terry replied, then turned to Japs while leaning on her boyfriend, Alex.

"Hey, you, let go of my boyfriend if you don't want to feel my fist!" Terry restrained herself from saying more.

"You're just jealous because Papa Alex is sweeter to me than to you!" Japs retorted sassily.

"You wish, come on!" She said as she pulled her boyfriend away, smiling at the playful banter.

We headed to the backyard and were amazed by the crowd. I scanned for Rexon and found him among the crowd, happily engaged in conversation.

"Lara, there's Rexon, let's go to him!"

I couldn't refuse when Japs pulled my wrist. As we approached, they turned to us, along with their group mates.

"Hello?" Japs greeted them with a smile, then pulled me forward to join them.

"Ah, I'm Japs, and this is Lara, my friend!" I noticed their puzzled looks, perhaps wondering why this guy suddenly introduced me.

"Hi, I'm Jeff," a member of the group introduced himself to us.

"And this is Zack, our drummer, Sky our lead guitarist, and Rexon, our handsome vocalist!" They each waved at us, with Rexon extending his hand towards me.

"Hi, you must be Lara Belle, my classmate?" His words left me tongue-tied. I couldn't even raise my hand to shake his if Japs didn't nudge me.

"Yes, I'm Lara. Nice to meet you!" I reached out my hand, feeling his soft and gentle touch.

I was getting amused by his gentle hand when suddenly someone snatched me away.

"You're being called on stage to sing," Dawzon interjected abruptly, staring straight at me.

"So, guys, see you later?" Jeff said with a wide smile. Rexon just nodded at us.

They quickly left, and I watched them head towards the other pool area.

It was then that I noticed Dawzon's tight grip on my wrist, which I quickly pulled back.

"I warn you, my brother doesn't appreciate that move." His whispered words sent shivers down my spine before he walked past me.

I was left reeling from what he said. Why? What's wrong with befriending his brother? Why does he always appear just when I have a chance to get close to Rexon?

"Lara, are you okay?" Japs asked, concerned.

"Not really..." I replied softly.