Arrogant

Crystal's POV...

"Why did you do that?" Alex queried calmly when he stepped out of the ICU with me. "Why did you lie to him?" He turned to me, breaking his hand free from my grip. Looking extremely mad.

I rolled my eyes around before I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Um... you know..."

"That you are still not over him, right? But you have to win no matter what." Alex cut my words off, plastering a tight smile on his face.

"No! I'm..." Before I could protest, the door of the elevator opened and he stepped into it. "You are hopeless." He sighed, pressing a button and the door closed in front of me.

"Aish, you little brat." I cursed underneath my breath and pushed the call button. Am I really hopeless? Have I done something nonsense?

No, I didn't. Because I know Rayan Parker. I know how arrogant he is. The first meeting was very solid proof.

---

10 years ago....

"Cheers." Four glasses bumped together, the three guys in their fancy style cheered wholeheartedly. A waiter of the club of Empire Hotel placed the birthday cake on the table. Beside him, the manager came and bowed politely. "Mr Rayan, this cake is specially made for your friend."

Rayan exhaled softly, glancing down at the cake. "I don't like this design. Vanilla and banana cream. And what's that on it? Cherry? I hate cherry." His smirked as his nose wrinkled. "Nick, Do you think it's okay or do you want a change?"

"It's okay, Rayan. John loves cherry." Nick patted on his friend's shoulder before he moved his gaze at John who was sitting by his side.

John smiled cheekily and pulled his friend's cheeks adorably. "For the first time, you are surprisingly right. I love cherry."

When the manager and waiter left, Rayan sneered, rolling his dark eyes around. "Where is Daniel?"

Nick shrugged. "That laziest brat promised me he will not be late today. By the way, dude is today something special? So many girls!" He paused and scanned the entire club. "God!" His lips parted as his eyes halted at someone. "I guess she is a goddess. Here by mistake." 

John and Rayan moved their gazes at the corner where Nick's gaze was fixed, he was tongue-tied, stunned as if she has taken his voice away.

There was a pin-drop silence between then for while.

Rayan's heart thumped so hard that he swore it was audible. She was not just beautiful, she was way more than that in her red two-pieces dress, her mahogany hair whipping haphazardly, her cerulean, almond-shaped eyes gleaming even in the darkness, her lips moving in a rhythm as she argued with her friends.

Wait! What am I doing? No, Rayan. You can't fall for a pretty face, I can't make mistakes by falling for that fake appearance. Every single girl is fake, they are just after money. They put on heavy makeup on their face to trap a rich man in their nest.

Rayan averted his gaze from the girl and cleared his throat. "Fake!" He asserted.

"You need to see an eye specialist." John's lips parted, he narrowed his gaze at Rayan.

"Do you want to see? I'll go there and sit for a while. She, herself, find a way out to talk with me." Rayan proclaimed confidently. 

John and Nick eyed between themselves frustratedly. Rayan was always like this. So confident about himself. So confident that every girl is after his money.

"Deal." Nick showed him a-okay sign before shaking his hand. Deals were the main verses of their families. So everything they do, they make a deal first.

"Deal." With that, Rayan straightened his composure and stood up from the seat.

---

"Yah, Crystal. Did you come with me to sit here alone?" Sunbin glared at her best friend, making her way to her from the dance floor, holding a glass in her hand.

The massive irritation was visible on Crystal's face that anyone could read. She glared back at Sunbin. "I told you I hate this kind of place. You should have come with Alex."

"Take my advice. Never bring boys with you at clubs if you don't want to be single forever." Sunbin sneered, placing the glass on the table. "Let's dance." She held Crystal's hands to pull her to the dance floor.

Crystal shook her head and glued on the seat. "I'll not. Go."

"Then you sit here, Grandma." Sunbin scowled and left, rushing to the dance floor.

Bzt... Bzt... Bzt...

Crystal took her phone out from her purse when it vibrated. She felt relieved seeing a familiar name on the phone screen. She didn't waste any time before picking it up. "Alex." A soft smile curved her lips.

"Where are you? Why is it so loud music there? Did sunbin..."

"Yeah. She did. I'm really impressed this time. You always understand even before I utter something."

"Ah! really that witch! Which club?" He asked her.

"Empire hotel's." She replied.

"Did you see someone.. there?" He mumbled in a low tone.

"There are so many people here." She titled her head, looking here and there.

"I know, right? Did you see yours and Sunbin's crush there?"

"Daniel? Was he here?" Crystal almost shouted as her eyes got widened slowly.

"He should be there. It's his friend's birthday and they have a party there."

"He comes to clubs? I thought he is different." Crystal pouted, scratching her hair.

"He even flirts with girls. Don't be surprised if you see him flirting. Stay there. I'm coming."

Crystal's brows furrowed together, she didn't like what she heard just now. She turned to her left as someone sat on the seat beside her. Without bothering, she grabbed the glass from the table and took a sip from it. The moment she choked, she felt it burnt in her throat. She quickly glanced down at the glass. "What's this?" She picked the glass up, trying to smell. And her eyes got widened instantly, smelling the alcoholic scent from it. It's alcohol.

She pressed her hands on the mouth hard, trying not to throw up here. She then moved her gaze to the guy who was stealing glances at her from beside. "Uncle. Do.. you know... where is the washroom?" She asked, fighting not to vomit.

Hearing her calling uncle, the guy almost choked up the wine he drunk just now. Uncle? Really?

"Excuse me. I'm not an uncle. I'm the heir of the empire group, Rayan Parker. I'm a student at Empire high school." Rayan rectified her. But when he realised she didn't bother what he said. He heaved a deep sigh. "The washroom is on your right."

"Thank you." Crystal bowed to him before rushing to the washroom.

Rayan massaged his temple. "Really, she called me uncle? Do I look like an uncle to her?" He snorted in disbelief. And the next second he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. "I heard someone calling you uncle." The deep manly voice teased him from behind.

"Daniel. Shut up." Rayan glared at him as he took a seat beside him.

When the smirk on Daniel didn't crease at all, Rayan sighed. "What's so funny?"

"Who was she?" Daniel asked, giving him more teasing sneer.

Rayan shrugged. "I don't know." With that, he stood up and strode towards Nick and John.

Daniel chuckled and followed him from behind. "Someone is in bad mood."