It's Still You

Chapter 7: Surprise

Staciel

"Ladies and Gentlemen. I present you the birthday celebrant for today, Miss Raptalia Stice!" A loud applause filled the hall and Talia showed up with her red off-shoulder gown. He looks so dazzling tonight and I can't help but smile. Happiness is visible in her eyes and seeing her like this makes me happy.

A tall man in a black formal suit came beside her and took her hand. I am not familiar with him, but seeing Jace's reaction, I know he knows him.

"Her escort is handsome," I commented. I felt Jace's gaze at him and suddenly grabbed my left hand.

"What is it?" I asked him.

"Is that your type?" He asked and looked straight at me in the eyes. I was stunned for a moment, processing what he was trying to say.

"What are you implying?" I laughed. "No, he is not my type. I only said he's handsome," I added.

"Then what should I do to make you fall for me?" His grip tightened and there was hopeful emotion in his eyes. He's affected by our conversation in the car after all.

No words came out of my mouth. He then avoided my gaze and a fake smile crossed his face.

"Nevermind. Forget what I said." He let my hand go and focused his attention on Talia and her escort who was now dancing in the center along with the slow music.

I looked everywhere but Jace. I am pretty sure he took my silence as rejection. As my eyes wandered around, I caught sight of a familiar person.

It's him! The guy I met at the bar. He's wearing a black formal suit and he's sitting at his table alone. His eyes are not focused on the event but rather on his phone. After a while, another familiar face sat beside him. This time it's Kevin. The guy I met at the library and the one who saved me last week. What a coincidence!

If that was the case, does that mean Talia and Jace know those two? A business partner perhaps?

A loud applause roared again in the hall. Talia's dance with her partner is done and she is now sitting in the middle of the mini-stage, smiling and waving at the guests. She even waved at me and raised a brow when she saw me beside Jace. A smirk on her face and moved her brows up and down. She was teasing me so I rolled my eyes.

The party went smoothly. I glanced at the back to look at the blue-eyed guy but he was not there. Kevin, on the other hand, was busy talking to a lady beside him. He suddenly stood up and went to the balcony after talking. This is my chance to get close to him. I want to thank him for what he did to me before.

I looked at Jace but noticed a guy, Talia's escort, approaching our table.

"Hey man. Long time no see." The guy greeted Jace.

"Hey Jaxon." Jace stood up and shook his hand with him. This Jaxon guy smiled and glanced at me.

"You got good standards man," Jaxon laughed out loud. I looked at them confused. I need to find a way to approach Kevin. I clutched the hem of Jace's tuxedo. I got the attention of both guys.I smiled shyly at Jaxon.

"I apologize for interrupting. Jace, I need to go to the bathroom," I said.

"Sure go ahead. Don't wander off anywhere else. I need to get you home in one piece, and in a healthy condition," he joked. Jaxon laughed at him.

"Right," I answered.

I started walking towards the crowd. I took a glimpse of Jace, hoping he wasn't looking at me. I reached the balcony safely. I noticed Kevin leaning against the wall.

"Kevin?" I called. I stopped in my tracks when I noticed he wasn't alone. The blue-eyed guy was with him, smoking.

"Oh! If it isn't our little damsel in distress," he approached me. "Do you need something, milady?"

"I would like to thank you for saving me back then," I smiled at him and looked at the guy behind him. He was still smoking and didn't move from his place. He was looking at the night sky.

"You're welcome, Milady." A waiter handed us a glass of drink. Kevin grabbed two glasses from the tray and handed one to me. I looked at him suspiciously.

"Don't worry, Milady. The alcohol content of this one is tolerable even for you. Even if you end up being drunk, I am more than willing to take you home again." He winked at me.

God no! I won't risk being drunk again. I grabbed the glass and drank it. Just one glass and that's it.

True to Kevin's words, the drink wasn't too strong for me to get in a drunken state. I consumed the drink and returned the empty glass on a tray from the nearest waiter. Kevin did the same and went back to my side on the balcony.

"So I did a short background check on you," he said. A little smirk was forming on his lips as he looked at me. He is 2 feet taller than me. I just noticed he didn't wear any eyeglasses today.

"Is there any benefit to prying at my life?" I raised a brow at him.

"You seem rather interesting."

"There is no such thing as interesting in my boring life, you know?" I said.

"Hmm."

He glanced at his back. The blue-eyed guy was still in his position. "Do you know him?" I asked.

"That's my cousin, Ariss. He's a snob. Ignore him," Kevin answered.

Ariss. It's a nice name.

"Milady, someone's looking for you." I turned to where Kevin was pointing. Jace is heading towards our way with an unexplained expression.

"Is that your boyfriend? He seems upset," Kevin said.

"He's my best friend," I answered. The moment he saw me in here, I already knew I was in trouble for not following his instructions.

"Looks like a jealous boyfriend to me,"Kevin chuckled. .