Chapter 4

“Vodka?”

I hesitated as I stared at the glass of vodka in front of me. I shook my head at the caterer. I wouldn’t like to drink something like that again. I’m not even sure if I can drink vodka now without thinking whatever that night had brought me.

“Juice, please.” I told the waiter.

He nodded at me and smiled. “Pineapple or orange?” He asked me.

“Pineapple.” I answered without thinking.

Bash and Henney are talking about the bosses that came in the party while Dave and Greg are talking about the bossy woman in the country club earlier on. Greg said it must be a VIP but she was too rude to be a person.

I listened and didn’t speak. I just absorbed whatever the world is giving me. I couldn’t speak. I don’t know if I just don’t care or if it’s because of the pair of eyes that are intended towards me since the moment I sat on this table.

I bit my lip and looked down, tried the hardest to not look up because the moment I do, I’d get lost in his intense gaze. It has been that way all the time. I couldn’t fight a staring contest with him. I’d lose. Yes, because I’d always look away, flushed and embarrassed.

He laid me on the bed while his lips devoured mine. He was going away. He was nipping on my lower lip when I felt him unbuckling his belt. The sound of the leather slipping from his jeans is making me more and more excited.

I moaned when his lips left mine because he kneeled with me underneath him, removing his shirt and unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans. I sat up and pulled his face towards mine, showering him with kisses that he gladly accepted.

His hand went to my wet crotch again and he groaned. “So wet.” He uttered in a husky voice which I find really enticing and seductive.

He rubbed my wet spot, making me want him even more. “Please.” I moaned through the kiss.

This is not my first time. I have given my virginity to my boyfriend in high school. It was a long time ago but I know this is not what I felt then. I wasn’t’ this excited. I wasn’t this turned on. We had sex because we thought it was something that couples do to prolong their relationship. We did it thrice. Yes, I can count. But not once have I felt this way.

I am so submissive now. I am not like this. But there’s something about the way he touches me that makes me want to give in to him without questions.

He quickly removed my top and traced my bosoms. I gasped and moaned as I felt him touch my pinkish brown tip. It wasn’t too long until he suckled on my nipple while fondling with the other one. I placed my hands on the back of his neck, fisting on his soft hair as he sucked me in.

His tongue ran over and over my right nipple and did the same thing with the other one. I saw him shut his eyes as he sucked on my nipple seeming like he’s really enjoying it.

I moaned and pushed his face closer to me. Fuck. I needed more than this. I know I do. Especially now that I can feel his hard bulge, wanting to bust out of his jeans.

“Darren? Are you okay?”

I was shaken out of my thoughts when Bash nudged me. I almost jumped when I felt her touch me. I looked at her. “What?” I asked her.

She narrowed her eyes at me and then looked at Henney.

“We were asking you if you wanted to come with us to the garden. We wanted to get some fresh air because…” Bash nodded at the direction behind me.

I looked and saw Kino Sloane with another woman in a nude body hugging dress. Her hair is curled and is free falling towards her waist. She has a pretty smile and a sexy body. She looks like she works out a lot. Kino’s hand is wrapped around her waist like he doesn’t want her to go any minute from now.

I tore my gaze off of them. I rolled my eyes. I hate those types of men. They make you feel special and then, one minute, you’re replaced without even knowing what you had. Then we demand to know what’s going on and then boom! They tell us to not hope for things to happen. That friendship is all they can offer. Damn it! If they wanted to only be friends, then they shouldn’t have let you feel special in the first place.

I was fuming in anger when Henney held my hand. I know I was ready to dash towards the bastard and kick his life off of him. She shook her head and just asked Bash and I to come with her to the garden.

Kino Sloane is the cousin of Kinsella Sloane. The Sloanes have been in operation with the building of the country club in the Beach House that’s why a lot of people here knew about him. He has been known for being a playboy and someone who doesn’t commit but that isn’t an excuse for him to hurt my friend.

What is happening? Is he backing out because my friend isn’t a part of the elite class like him? Damn him.

The three of us walked towards the garden. We found an empty bench near the dancing fountain and sat over there.

Henney wasn’t speaking. I am so sure that she’s shocked as well. She seemed like it.

Bash was quiet beside her while I am standing in front of them, arms crossed against my chest, ready to explode any second from now.

We heard the people cheering inside the hall. It must be the time that Mr. Bennett professes his love for his fiancée again. Those two have been so sweet since I first saw them. If there was one thing that made me believe that love could do miracles, it is them.

“Are you sure you can finish this event?” Bash asked Henney in a worried tone.

Henney nodded. “I can. I just need a minute to process this.” She told us in a calm manner but I know that she’s sad deep inside.

Bash looked at me, as if warning me to not rant about it. I rolled my eyes and sucked a deep breath. Fine. I won’t aggravate the situation with my filthy mouth right now.

We stayed there for about fifteen minutes, waiting for the cheers to die down before coming back. Henney’s sad face would sadden the whole party.

The three of us walked inside the hall, with me taking the lead. The two are following behind me. It’s fine. No one saw us coming in. Everyone is so engrossed on the video presentation on the LCD with pictures of the travels of Mr. Bennett and Miss Sloane.

Miss Sloane had always wanted to travel. I heard that she’s been caged all her life that’s why when she had the chance, she travelled from Chicago to California, to the Beach House where it all started. It was not easy for her, but it was also not easy for her parents—especially for her father.

But then she met Mr. Bennett who has taught her a lot of things. And look at them now, they are about to get married.

Pictures of them under the Eiffel Tower are flashing on the screen. Miss Sloane was smiling wide while Mr. Bennett hugged her from behind with an equal wide smile. They looked so in love. No, they are so in love. Everyone can see it with the way their eyes sparkled. It was true love.

Mr. Bennett was laughing at his fiancée’s reaction when my eyes caught Mr. Pole and Julian coming towards the couple. Oh yeah, I almost forgot that they are all friends.

I watched how Julian interacted with Mr. Bennett and Miss Sloane. He was not as reserved as he talked to me. He was more comfortable. Well, it’s obvious, Darren. They have been friends for years now. He’s only known you for more or less a week.

Greg called me and made me sit beside him again. I walked towards our table and sat to where we originally did. The boys asked Henney if she was alright and she nodded even though it was obvious that she isn’t. Well, how can she be alright when you see the one you love with another woman?

Ugh! Everything seemed stupid in my own point of view. But the stupidest thing is this feeling I have for Julian. I can’t explain what he does to me every time I see him. It was as if he’s controlling me with his stare. It’s as if he’s trying to read me with every gaze. And it makes me tremble. Really bad.

The event didn’t really last long after the main event. It ended before midnight and everyone was satisfied at how the anniversary went this year.

We were all walking towards the entrance when Dave invited Greg to go to the club tonight before heading home. Greg looked at me for a moment as if trying to ask me if he could go. Well, he could. He didn’t need my permission or anything.

“I am going to walk Darren to her dorm.” Greg told Dave.

Dave shook his head. “Dude, you’re no fun!” He teased.

Greg glared at him. “You can go the club alone!”

Dave laughed and shook his head again. “I heard Amanda’s there tonight.” He slung his arm around Greg’s shoulders. “I heard you had a great night together last week.”

Greg’s eyes widened when he realized that I heard their conversation. I shrugged and just smiled at him. “You can go, Greg. I can walk with Bash and Henney.” I told him not feeling any ounce of jealousy or whatnot.

I know he’s been hitting on me. But I don’t see him as someone I’d be in a relationship with. I wasn’t looking for a relationship. Well, yeah. I wasn’t.

“Well…” Bash seemed hesitant to speak. “Henney and I were called to help to clean up.”

“I can help, then.” I volunteered.

Henney shook her head. “No. Mr. Greene made it sure that you would not help in cleaning up. You were the one who closed the café so you are spared from the dirty work.”

I bit my lip to hide the shock that got into me. Julian asked them to send me home instead of helping because I was the one who closed the café? Wow. That’s sort of considerate of him, huh.

I looked at Greg and smiled. I’m sure he’d insist on walking me home but I wouldn’t let him. “I’ll wait for them to finish then we’ll walk home together.” I told him.

He seemed hesitant at first but he nodded. Dave was in all smiles as they walked towards the direction of where the clubs are.

“You’ll wait for us?” Bash asked me.

I shook my head. “No. I’m first shift tomorrow morning so I need to go home to get some sleep.”

“Evil!” She beamed at me.

I laughed and bid goodbye. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then!” I waved and they did the same.

The dorm isn’t that far and the resort is safe so I wasn’t worried about the way. But then I was so shocked when I saw a familiar figure standing at the exit of the building. I cannot be mistaken. I walked towards the exit with narrowed eyes and a loud-beating heart. “Julian?”