Thorns of White Rose

Chapter 17 - Sweet 18

Today more than ever, I feel abandoned by my own parents. This is exactly why I do not celebrate my birthday.

Loud pop music is blasting in the hotel hall, and I am showered with attention by people I barely know. I exhausted myself to stay in that place as long as I can, but I don`t belong there. I feel pity for myself.

All along, I was sitting with Brynne and Aubrey. They somehow make me calm. After the 18 roses dance, I feel like passing out. I cannot breathe from unnamed emotion. Most of the time, the last dance is with the celebrant`s father or boyfriend, but I don`t have both. Brynne was too nice to be there and make me comfortable all throughout. But I found myself unable to breathe after that. I still tried hard to act normal.

The last part of the event is my piano performance. Aubrey escorted me to the stage. The lights are blinding and I feel nauseous but I held in just fine. I started playing before I tested the microphone. I heard Aubrey's loud cheer which made me smile so wide. I got so luck to find her.

"I would like to thank everyone who came here to celebrate my special day." My throat is feeling stiff all of a sudden.

"I appreciate your time, greetings, and presents. This night will always be memorable..." I cleared my throat because I know all I will remember is the anxiety. "Thanks for being part of my 18 years of existence. It has always been a great pleasure to be surrounded by good people. Cheers to the success of everyone here, I will always be rooting for you too." I smiled as I looked at the guests.

I took a deep sigh when I met auntie's eyes. She is the purest soul I have met.

"Aunty, I dedicate this performance to you. I wouldn't be anywhere or anything if it wasn't for you. Thank you for raising me, thank you for giving me your best always. I am always grateful to have you. I will always be beside you no matter how old I've become. My wish for my 18th birthday is good health, long life, and happiness for you. I offer you this song." I closed my eyes as I started singing and playing the piano.

"When the rain is blowing in your face and the whole world is on your case, I could offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love."

I tried so hard to not cry. I made it clear to Auntie that I don't want any appearance from my father tonight. It will make me crumble. It will make me so emotional, but thinking about it now... I feel like hugging him right now. My tears started falling down my face with the last lines of the song.

"I could make you happy, make your dreams come true. Nothing that I wouldn't do. Go to the ends of the Earth for you... to make you feel my love... to make you feel my love." It would have been really hard for my father back then. I want to open my heart and mind with all the things that happened in the past so I can accept him now. But it is not easy at all. I question my existence because I am not supposed to be born. My aunt was too nice to take me in and raise me like her own kid. It's all in the past now. I turned 18 today, and I feel like I can let go of everything that hurt me in the past.

"Oh hija..." She went up to the stage to give a hug when I can't stop from sobbing. It's a mess now. I held in so long tonight only to be a crying mess in front of all the guests.

I heard a round of applause. It's going to be okay from here. I will open my heart to love again because there are many people I have not met yet. I will soon find meaning to my own life.

The afterparty went wild. My former classmates were sitting next to my blockmates and I didn't expect them to get along so well. It's almost 2 AM and everyone seems drunk, but they still want to go for another round of Black Label.

Aubrey was in the lap of Sage when I looked at her direction. They were kissing which made me almost fell from where I was sitting. My head is spinning and I am not quite sure if I'm seeing correctly. This is the first time they met. How can they get intimate like that so easily? Sage is a former classmate, great competitor for honor rankings way back in highschool.

Brynne was also having a good time with the young ones. There is a hotel room reserved for those who will stay the night. I feel rude to leave at this point but my social battery can't last any minute at that place.

(You did not even greet me. This is to officially turn you down. -Laurian) I sent that message to Kale. I have gathered all my remaining courage to send that. I believe I did enough to humiliate myself tonight so I might as well do it to the fullest. After tonight, I will focus more on building meaningful connections with other people."

I almost bumped into Aubrey's bodyguard when I stood. They are still here watching Aubrey made out with someone she just met. Aunty was still talking with someone near the exit. I hugged her from the back and she did not even flinch.

" Thanks for tonight, Aunty. I had so much fun. This is by far the happiest night of my life. Thank you." I kissed her in the cheeks.

"Glad you enjoyed, Laury. I can tell that you are so drunk. Go rest now. I can manage here. Will make sure everybody gets to their room or home safe." She is the best in the world.

I went out of the event hall and barely made it to the elevator. I pressed the elevator button going up several times but it won't get pressed. The lights of the button remained off. Why is this damn elevator not even letting me in.

"Hope you had a wonderful party. You seem to have enjoyed it a lot." My jaw dropped when I heard his voice. What is happening? Am I dreaming now because I'm starting to hear Kale's voice here.

I looked behind me which made me dizzier. I rested my back at the wall so I can remain standing. I must be drunk. Kale is standing in front of me. He gave me a head to toe which gave me goosebumps. I must be dreaming now. He is not supposed to be here.

"I came to greet you personally. But I have to say that you're so beautiful tonight." I shook my head. This can't be real. I still refuse to believe he's real.

"Why won't the elevator open?" I murmured and started pressing the elevator buttons again.

The man in front took a few steps going to the lift. I looked at that direction only to see that the elevator doors are open. Okay that's why.

My vision was shaking when I took the steps going in to the lift. Kale followed me and pressed one button when the doors shut.

"You are real?" Why of all time he has to show up now? I will just make a mess of myself if I talk to him now. I cannot even stare him in the eyes.

"Of course. I shouldn't have waited all night for the party to be over. I came to greet you a happy birthday. Please expect my gift tomorrow. I sent it to your condo unit."

"Y-you didn't have to. T-thanks for greeting me. I thought you're in S-Singapore right now." I took a deep breath to relieve my nauseous feeling. I might kill myself If I throw up around Kale.

He went closer to me and cornered me between him and the wall. What the hell is wrong with him.

"There's a CCTV here and I cannot breath. I might end up puking at your..." He went closer. His lips touched my ear, and it did make my whole body shake. I suddenly felt sober up.

"We can stop fooling around from here. We both know what we want, Laurian. Be My girl." Little did I know I still have remaining energy for a sarcastic laugh.

"On the first day I turned 18 you're out there asking me out. You are down so bad for me, do you even realize that?" I can still feel his lips on my ear. He's breathing heavily as he wrapped his arm around my waist. I know exactly where this is going.

"I saw the pictures and it pissed me off. I waited 6 hours indulging in jealousy of other men dancing with you, touching you. I never thought I had this side of me... Yes, I think I want you so bad." He lifted his face and our eyes met. I closed my eyes when I felt his hot mouth covering mine. It was a long passionate kiss that made me cling my arms around his neck. It was so good to the point that it made me pissed when he let go.

"I will not hold back myself from pursuing you from here." His voice sounds like a warning, but I want what he said too. His dark eyes went down on me waiting for my response but I aimed for another kiss. I don't care what image that will paint him of me. I want him tonight.

The second kiss was interrupted by the opening of door. My face was so hot probably because of alcohol and what I just did.

"Foregt about..."

"What room number?" He asked. I really should sober up now. He is my professor. I need to keep my boundaries.

"GO home, Sir Kale. Thanks for wishing me a happy birthday. I.. appreciate you coming all the way here..." He started walking out of the elevator. I followed him and he seemed to know my room number.

"Are you a fcking stalker?" He leaned on the wall staring down at me waiting patiently to tap my card.

"This is not the right time to brag but this hotel is one of our subsidiaries. I won't need much to find out details about you. And I'm sorry for obtaining confidential information, I like you to that extent," He casually said. His perfume is making me hot all over. I don't know what I am feeling right now. He makes me crazy for real.

I'm glad that I don't share the room with my auntie. I tapped my card and the door unlocked. He opened it as he gestured me to come in first. I took a deep sigh and walked fast. Never thought a kiss can sober people up. This is wild.

He closed the door and walked closer to me. I reached out for the bottled water at the side table and gulped from there. Who would have thought I will have the hottest professor in Stallion in my room at my 18th birthday. How did we even get here? I am not thinking straight at all.

"We can talk on Monday. Leave now." I said quietly.

I was holding my breath when he passed by beside me. He threw himself to the bed.

"Strong taste of Black Label. I tasted Tequila Rose too... and I will bet all properties under my name that I tasted Bacardi in the kiss earlier." I crossed my arms in my chest after giving me a head to toe look again.

"You are my professor, Kale. Let's not make it hard for each other. Leave now, let's talk..." He didn't even let me finish.

"I can submit my resignation letter as soon as tomorrow morning. This is nothing complicated. You want me... and you won't ever imagine how much I want you, Laurian." I had to look down because I'm drowning from his intense look.

"That's not what I want." I answered and took a deep sigh.

He seems mad about that. He stood from the bed and in no time I am wrapped around his arms. His lips claimed mine as if this is the most right thing to do right now. I felt dizzy when he lifted me in his arms not breaking the kiss at all. I felt his hunger and desire. I cannot understand also why I can't stop him even I know this is wrong. I just let him control me and make me feel good.

He swiftly put me on the bed and covered me with his large frame. For the life of me, I cannot let go of the kiss. It feels addicting and stimulating.

"You are so damn beautiful especially tonight." He only let go of the kiss to murmur that. The eye contact was really hot. It's not long before I found myself closing my eyes and moaning as he caressed my waist up and down. He resumed with the kiss while I felt his other hand undressing me. This feels too good to stop.

His hot mouth went down to my jaw and then to my ears.

"Sweet 18 to you, Laurian. I love you." My heavy breathing turned into moan as I felt his finger caressing my center. The sensation was too much that I felt the urge to stop him.

"Kale..."

"It's okay. Let go if you can't handle it. I'll take care of you tonight. Felt good, don't restrain yourself, Laurian." His husky sweet voice was touching me too. I am very sensitive right now. I don't know how he did it, in no time I am naked under him.

His finger is still caressing my center as his lips went down to my neck planting kisses there. I felt something coming out so I had a to close my legs but his lips went back to my lips. My moans drowned to his kisses as his fingers continued to pleasure me down there. Not long after that, I found myself releasing as my body quivered from the stimulating feeling. The noise I made was humiliating but he just stared at me watching me went through it from the first time in my life.

"We're just starting." He murmured as he carefully backed down and positioned his face to my waist. He started giving kisses to my waist but the feeling was too much that I had to cover my face and closed my legs. I cannot believe this is happening, and it feels so good.

"C-can we please turn off the lights?" I asked when our eyes met again.

"I am studying your details. No. Let's keep it on." His right palm cupped my buttocks and from there he opened my legs wide. I cursed when I saw him staring at my center as if memorizing every detail. I wish this is all just a dream because I don't know how to live after this night.

"So pretty." That only made me more sensitive. I covered my face using my palm. I can't even stop him because I want this too.

"I'll be careful, Laurian." I felt his finger caressing my center again giving me that mind-blowing feeling. I gasped when I feel the intrusion of his finger. I removed my palms from my face and saw that the lights are already off.

"P-please be careful, Kale."

"I will." He reassuringly answered. I felt the intrusion of another finger and my moans became louder.

"You are just perfect, Laurian. He gave me a kiss on the forehead as he positioned himself. I felt how big he is and the way his manhood touched my center gave me unfamiliar feelings. It felt good and wild and nerve-racking all at the same time.

He carefully entered. Although it's painful, I managed to hold back my moans so he won't worry. His lips found mine and kissed me passionately as he gave time for me to adjust to his size. I felt so full and loved and overwhelmed. I started moving my hips to give him signal that I am okay.

"K-kale..." I never thought this thing would feel this good. My moans are barely escaping as it all get drowned in our messy kiss, his hand caressing my waist up and down brought me to heaven. His heavy breathing after the long kiss was the sexiest thing that moment. His hand slowly went down from my hips to my center. My whole body quivered once again as his finger slowly played with my center as he continued to pump inside and out. I tried to stop his hand from touching me, but he placed both of my hands above my head.

He is breathing heavily right in my ear. I am so helpless under him, all I can do is moan and feel how good he is giving it to me.

"You are mine from now on, understand? No more push and pull. You. are. mine." I screamed as I felt my second release. He went in and out faster in my release that I found really hot. He withdrew himself when he's close too and I felt him released on my leg.

I wish this is all just a wild dream.

"Happy 18th, Laurian. Remember this night in all your birthdays to come. I love you so bad." I felt his soft kiss on my forehead before I completely fell asleep.