The Next Heiress

Chapter 14 - Party

The room is dead silent. Drops of sweat trickle down to my forehead as I watch the second hand of the wall clock doing its job. It doesn't care at all. All that it knows is that it must perform its duty, and that is to revolve until the life of its battery comes to an end.

How I wish I could be like that.

My feeling is so odd. I have been going to this school for about five years, yet this day gives me uneasy vibes that make me squirm in my seat. Like it's my first day here, I gulp down in an attempt to calm my tensed nerves.

Why do I feel this way?

I am not a good secret-keeper. Whenever Brielle shares her rants and silly acts with me, I always forget them right away, and if you'll ask me about myself? It is worse. People who surround me can already tell if something or someone is bothering me. Yes, I'm not great at keeping my thoughts and feelings to myself.

But I have to do that, I remind myself.

In order to survive in this peculiar obligation.

My eyes continue to observe the clock's moving second hand when suddenly, the sound of an opening door startles me from my position. It is so loud that the folks around me drop their busy butts in talking about other people just to look at the young lad beaming at the doorway.

"Green Pythons won!" Jim exclaims happily.

Upon hearing his announcement, several of my classmates stand up to clap their hands for him. Some of the guys tease him to throw a party, and the ladies gleefully agree by squealing at the suggestion. I watch him as he gives each of them a humble bow in return for his gratitude for their support.

"Congratulations," I whisper at him in a cheerful manner when he finally settles down to his seat beside me.

The guy grins, showing his crooked pearly whites. "Thank you, Celine."

Surprisingly, from my right side, Brielle throws a small packet of Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate to his table. He catches it flawlessly. "That's my gift for your team's achievement."

"Woah, Bri. This is heartwarming," Jim looks at her, a surprised yet happy reaction emerges on his small face. "Have you eaten something weird by any chance?"

"I have no choice," she rolls her eyes. "I'm cutting some calories."

"Really? But why do you have this?" He asks, tilting the purple-wrapped snack as he looks at it.

"My mom included that inside my lunch box. I already told her not to do it last night, but she still insisted," the girl explains, crossing her arms together. "We bought it when we shopped at Time Plaza. Do you remember it, Celine?"

"Of course," I reply, feeling a little out of place since I am literally in the middle of their conversation.

Jim rips the wrapper off, revealing a heavenly-looking milk chocolate bar. The sides and lines of it are carved into perfection, and its creamy cocoa confection calls to me seductively, like it promises moments of bliss that would melt my tongue.

"Anyway, do you want some, Celine?" He offers, holding the bar closer to me.

"Uh, no," I smile, shaking my head. "Thanks."

The truth is I want to break a great portion of that sweet treat and shove it inside my mouth, but since it is solely given to Jim, I manage to halt myself from the temptation. I watch him as he breaks two boxes from the bar and munches them. Inevitably, a pang of jealousy erupts from within me.

"Where's mine?" I cough in a fake way.

"Oh, I almost forgot," she laughs, getting something from her orange-colored lunchbox. "Here."

Jim meddles in. "I thought you don't want some?"

I push my best friend in a playful approach, chuckling awkwardly at Jim. "I'm just kidding. She knows that."

Before she could reply to my lie, Brielle puts a green box of Pepero on my table, causing my eyes to glimmer with happiness.

"That's delicious!" I shriek with delight, grabbing it quickly. "Thank you, Bri!"

She scowls. "You only remember me whenever I have food."

Jim snorts. His eyes shift to my location and form into two curve lines. Included with it is his stifling chuckle. Meanwhile, a glare displays in my eyes, shooting a signal for him to stop playing with me. In response, the guy lowers his head and continues to eat his chocolate bar.

Good.

"What? No. That's not true!" I poke her arm using my elbow in response to her sulky mood. "I'm just busy...I've already told you that."

The black-haired girl stares at me blankly. Her eyebrows are raised, and she fixes her messy fringe. "Whatever you say, Celine," she proceeds to sit down in a proper gesture on her wooden chair.

Is she serious? I ask myself, feeling a bit hurt at her cold treatment. Brielle sounds different today.

To my surprise, Jim leans closer to me. His lips are covered with chocolate stains. "She's right. It seems like you're avoiding everybody," he whispers. "You've been acting odd lately."

I let out a deep sigh, slumping my back on my seat. It has been six days since I left that heritage house. Using my monthly allowance, I have found a small apartment located in the district of Sampaloc. However, the capacity of the whole building is already full of residents, but since there's this old lady who lives alone in the unit three-two-nine, my decision has become different.

"There's no problem," I remember her telling that to the building owner, then smiling at me afterward. "I can share my place with this young lady."

Her name is Conchita De Jesus. She has been living in her apartment room for twelve years. She's obviously old, probably ranging from sixty-five to seventy years of age. Based on our past chit-chats, she's a widow. Her husband has left her with life insurance, which is why she gets to survive with her expenses aside from her monthly pension.

Surprisingly, living with her is not awkward or uncomfortable. I manage to deal with our differences for the previous six days. The unit might be tiny, but it's enough for the two of us. It has a wooden bunk bed, where she sleeps on the down part, while I'm on the top. Plus, the living room is already merged with the other house segments—the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.

Besides, moving in isn't a bad idea, right?

My mom doesn't know it.

"Celine?" Jim calls out, snapping me back to reality.

"Oh, hi! Sorry," my eyes blink rapidly. "I was just thinking something."

His brows squish together, forming a slight frown. "About what?"

I have to think fast, I gulp down. Think, Celine, think.

"Plants..." I glance at him. "...some new plants to take care of."

Plants.

The mention of that word.

It sounds familiar.

"They look cute, don't they?"

"Don't worry, I already apologized to this tree for hurting him."

I find myself smiling as I hear the sound of Tadeo's gentle voice reflecting inside my mind. His tone is sweet and calm like he doesn't have any potential to be angry with me, or with everyone. With my chin on my palm, I wonder what he would feel if he finds out the painful truth.

The fact that my family has been fooling him for many years.

As I think of it, my stomach loads up a twitchy sensation. The smile on my face fades, and it is replaced by a strong mixture of fear and anxiety. The thought of my obligation really drains me. It is the main reason why I've moved temporarily—to clear my chaotic mind.

"That's good," Jim compliments, getting my attention back on track. "You're becoming concerned with the environment."

I nod, showing a tiny smile once more. "Thanks."

On the spur of the moment, the door opens once again. It reveals a serious-looking Mr. Herbert Cortez. He is dressed in his regular ironed black pants and classic long sleeves polo that varies from different colors each day. As usual, my classmates end their gossip sessions and go back to their seats abruptly. To start the class, he greets us with a brief nod and proceeds to inform us with his reminders.

"Celine," Jim calls out for the third time.

"Hmm?" I mumble.

"Come to my party later," he invites, putting a piece of paper on my table. "That's the address."

I look at my professor. Luckily, he starts writing on the board. "You can just send it on Messenger," I retort, snickering at him.

"I love old school stuff, Miss Celine," he remarks, raising the corner of his lips to show a smirk. "You must go. I won't accept a 'no' from you."

I chortle. This guy is indeed unpredictable. "I've already heard that."

"I only say that to you," Jim replies, giving me that intense gaze from his eyes for several seconds before straightening his back to sit properly.

✥━━━━━༺◈༻━━━━━✥

For goodness' sake.

"I won't dance," I scoff to the girl in front of me, repeating these three words and giving emphasis to each one of them for the past two hours.

"Come on, silly. What are we going to do here?" She rolls her eyes, quaffing down her fourth glass of Red Square Sloe Vodka.

"Brielle, stop," I laugh, pushing her away from me playfully. "I'm not confident enough."

My best friend shakes her head in disapproval. "Stop being a baby. You can slay everyone with your sexy moves."

Brielle and I have been debating on the home bar. My butt is placed on one of the black stools, while hers is displayed and free for everyone to see. She is wearing a backless, navy blue bodycon dress that falls on the middle of her thighs.

As for my outfit, my body is covered by a tight, off-shoulder black dress that I borrowed from her. It is shorter than the clothes I usually wear, and I'm feeling a little uncomfortable at its bust level since it reveals a big part of my chest.

"Show off your cleavage," Brielle jokes once more. Just by hearing her absurdity, I could already determine that the liquor is starting to enfold her brain.

"I don't have that," I reply, raising the volume of my voice to beat the loud music. "I'm just using a strapless push-up bra today."

"You're funny," she giggles, tapping my shoulder teasingly. Afterward, she faces the handsome bartender. This girl smiles at him, and she asks for another drink. This time, she chooses whiskey.

Wow, man.

My bosom buddy is getting wasted tonight, and I'm not ready. I always forget that this ridiculous gal has stronger alcohol tolerance than me.

"Hello stunning ladies," a deep voice joins our conversation. "Mind me joining you both?"

When I turn around to look, a young man with fair skin startles me. His sudden presence almost makes me jump from my seat. Looking at him, his body hangs a loose army green shirt and a pair of faded wash ripped jeans. For the first time, his eyes gaze at mine, and he beams at me, showing his gummy smile.

I avoid his stare. "Y-Yuri...right?"

He grins. "You remember my name. How nice of you."

Before I could answer, Brielle goes in front of me, putting my body behind her back. "What do you want?"

The guy chuckles at us. "I just want to drink," he states. His head nods to the bartender. "A beer please."

Brielle squints, stepping closer to him. Her index finger is raised up to his face, only a few inches apart. "I swear if you're planning to do something to my best friend. I will—"

"Hey, guys!" Jim greets, jogging towards us. "How's the party? Are you all having fun?"

Yuri snorts. "Is this your definition of fun?"

"Quit fussing around," Jim playfully punches his shoulder, then tilts his head to talk to us. His face draws a warm expression. "Just ignore him and enjoy tonight."

"Do you really know him?" I ask, my voice is almost inaudible due to the loud upbeat song playing in the room.

"Yes, he's my best bud," he understands despite the music, smiling at me. "He just transferred here because he got in a scandal from his former school."

"So I was right," Brielle crosses her arms. "That guy has issues."

Quickly, Jim lifts his hands, and he waves them from side to side to wash away our forming accusations with his pal. "He was kicked out for beating up his Science teacher."

I touch my chin nervously. "And what was the reason?"

"He caught him in the act of removing the uniform of his girl classmate in their room after their class dismissal," Jim shakes his head in disbelief.

Brielle and I stare at each other.

"I could hear you all from here," Yuri informs, moving his pint of beer closer to us.

Upon hearing his short story, my best gal bows her head. "I'm sorry for overreacting earlier."

He simpers. "It's fine. Let's just drink."

"Yes. Count me in," Jim chooses one from the stools to sit down.

My lips form into a nice curve, sending each of them a gracious smile; But before I could order a new drink for my third round, a tingling feeling stirs up on my lower abdomen. I cover the body part with my hand and glance at the nearby toilet.

"Excuse me," I tell them. "I have to use the restroom."

Jim smiles. "Sure. We'll wait for you."

I stand up from my seat, getting my phone and red lipstick from my purse. My eyes move to Brielle, and I leave an instruction for her to look after my shoulder bag. She agrees with a single nod and starts to open a conversation with the two guys.

As I make my way to the toilet, my body has to overcome a sea of physiques moving under the colorful and bright lights. Some are dancing off their souls, joining the rhythm of the disc jockey's play. On the corners, others are busy flirting and sucking each other's lips like there's no tomorrow.

Are they really getting laid tonight? I ask myself, cringing a little at these wild students.

"Don't mind them," a husky voice behind me says. "Most of them are Jim's college friends from other universities."

I turn around to look, and there I see a lightly flushed Yuri with an empty pint of beer in his left hand.

"Did you just follow me?" I move my head to one side, lifting a brow.

He chuckles, scoffing afterward. "Yeah. Jim asked me to."

That feels a bit strange.

"Well, tell him that you don't have to," I lean closer to him, staring at his small yet piercing eyes. "I can handle myself."

As I turn my back from him, a hand suddenly grasps my arm, pulling me to stop walking. "Celine," Yuri calls out in a soft pitch, still gazing at me.

He knows my name.

"Remove it," I point at his grip using my head, and my eyes warn him with a glare. "Or I'll shout."

"Is there any problem?" To my surprise, another voice is present, creating a boundary between our queer interaction.

"And who the hell are you?" Yuri asks, fury is evident in his tone.

Before he could even answer his savage question, I turn my head to glance at the speaker. My eyes widen when I see the man that I have been adoring from afar for three years.

"Justin! What are you—"

Instantly, the guy grabs my arm, taking it away from Yuri's hold. His eyes which are always kind whenever I meet him, are now serving the other lad with a fierce look, leaving an impression of an intimidating young man.

"I have some business with her," he tells him, elevating his left brow. "So stop following."

Yuri points his index finger to him. "Is this punk your boyfriend, Celine?"

With his personal question, my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. "No, he isn't," I answer, lowering my head.

"See?" Yuri scoffs, wiping some drops of liquor off his lips. "Then, why are you holding her? Maybe, you're just some random guy who picks up girls at parties when he's bored, huh?"

No explanation from Justin is heard.

Instead, a strike from his right fist meets Yuri's face, making the other man grunt in sudden pain. In less than a minute, sets of punches are exchanged between the two guys. The dancing crowd pauses from their activity, and they gasp in shock. Immediately, the bop ceases playing, and their eyes are all focused on the two battling lads.

"Stop!" I plead, but they still continue showering each other with thumps.

"What the hell?! Celine! What's happening?!" In the corner of my eye, I catch the sight of a worried Brielle rushing down to pacify the two. "Hey! Both of you! Calm down!"

As I watch them, suddenly, a hand crawls behind my back. Slowly, it starts to caress my body part, and each touch sends shivers down my spine. His other hand slides down to my arm, making my heart pump faster than before.

"They don't have any hope," a voice whispers.

My eyes widen in surprise.

No.

The tone comes from a familiar guy.

He rests his chin on my right shoulder, letting his head lean on mine. Some strands of his hair rub against my temple. His hot breath blows into my ears, giving me chills in my position.

"You are only mine," he whispers, letting his lower lip brush my earlobe.

When I shift my head to look, I drop my phone and lipstick on the tiled floor. My level of breathing quickly intensifies.

There is an unexpected guest.

"...T-Tadeo?" I tremble, covering my mouth in shock. "No. Y-you can't be here."

I could be dreaming, but there he is, standing in front of me and opening his pinkish lips to give me a broad smile. Under the flashing lights, his stare is intense which matches the steamy atmosphere of the place. When he pierces his two brown eyes into mine, that's when I know that my breathing finally gives up.

"Are you surprised to see me?" He asks with a sweet voice.

Upon hearing his words, nausea hits my body in a flash. With the awful, queasy feeling, I stagger backward helplessly. My mind is swirling, and my breaths are shallow. Then, with one more step, I crumple on the floor like a puppet that is released from its strings.

"Somebody! Help!" A young woman cries. "This girl's leg is bleeding!"

Gradually, my vision becomes blurry, until the world goes pitch-black.