Love at the Nth Time

Pool

Chapter 23

The night came wherein Seth would show his clothing pieces to more than a hundred people with different nationalities. Besides, it'd be a way of advertising her great works to exclusive people whom Mr Tim and Seth personally knew. It's incredible to encounter such a grand event dissimilar to the business gatherings of a hired popular local band, little snacks, and calculated ladies' drinks. Folks, this kind of event could solely be attended if the Vinscon knew the person, and it's noble to have a friend of one.

My phone buzzed. I checked the message Seth sent me.

Message

Seth: This was supposed to be her last night as my secretary, I thought, but Win extended his leave. Where are you?

Celine: almost

Seth: Did you wear formal clothes?

Celine: Yup. I am wearing a long gown.

Seth: Cool, wanna see it! Do you need someone to carry the gown from behind?

Celine: Hahahaha, crazy

Seth: haha, see ya

I parked my older sister's car, which I borrowed for the night, next to Seth's auto. I laughed sweetly, knowing she thought of how difficult it was to get a slot at times like this.

The last check on my make-up, I closed the compact mirror, and nude two-inch heels stepped on the entryway of the convention centre. It's crowded with night lights, a classical music background, the smell of various perfumes from sophisticated guests, and their chatter. It's uncomfortable, as I caught no sight of an acquaintance. The place provided excellent air conditions, and I wore a sleeveless dress. The sweat on my forehead dripped nonetheless. What more if I put on my cardigan resting on my left arm?

I groaned, feet headed towards the long table filled with mouthwatering delicacies from various continents of the world—this' heaven.

I took out my phone from my cheap sling bag and answered my older sister's call,

"Hello?"

"Direk will scold me! Most of the attendees, you're the leader, but you're not here!" My sister Rose was shouting. Direk was one of our business owners, and he's more like the father of our team.

"So what, as if we can do something about it? I'll get scolded by him too." I scooped the baked scallop into my mouth.

"Yeah, right, you involved me." I laughed and turned my head around to take a glance at the catwalk. My heart pounded as I saw Seth sauntering, wearing a dark grey man's suit. A female staff from the production team standing on the audience side talked to Seth, and the blonde hair gracefully moved as she lowered her body down a little, and her Ray-Ban Browline eyewear emphasized her straight nose.

Seeing her, it wouldn't be wrong if I turned out to be gay.

I was startled as she looked in my way and jumped off the catwalk, heading towards me. I gulped and turned my back.

"Sis, later, bye," I mumbled and hung up the call. I quickly pulled out two napkins on the table and flinched as the fingers touched the tip of my hair on the nape. I glared at Seth as she laughed.

"You looked like you were on a summer getaway."

"Crazy, leave if you're going to make fun of me." Seth snickered as she stared at me. How annoying, she didn't appreciate my effort to take the time to choose my get-up tonight. Honestly, this was a borrowed dress from one of my business partners around my age.

"Ah, Chinnie," she called out to her secretary. Chinnie came near us and smiled at her boss. My heart throbbed, which made me lower my eyes on the floor. Why was I here again? Now, it seemed I was lost. "You need to ask Chinnie how to dress properly, Cel." I smiled faintly and looked at Chinnie.

"You're so pretty. You look like Barbie." She made her hair short and light brown, lighter than mine. It suited the hairband. It's too girly, and I couldn't imagine wearing a floral one-shoulder dress that levelled almost above her thigh and five-inch pin heels.

"Thank you. Um, you look gorgeous in your outfit today," Chinnie responded. Seth scoffed.

"Don't compliment her by being nice. She needs real lessons on how to dress up." I slapped my sling bag on Seth, uttered,

"What?" I glared at her. She laughed—what a jerk.

I was already used to her mockery, but I missed the times she was gentle and sweet. I guessed my drop-waist blue dress below the knee couldn't fit in perfectly surrounded with shining, glittery and well-detailed attire and luxurious accessories of this world way different from mine.

The music in the background ended, and an introductory sound began. The lights turned off, and only the spotlight focused on the catwalk. A blonde woman on the stage welcomed everyone. I looked the other way as I noticed Seth and Chinnie standing in front of me. Seth's arm snaked around the waist of Chinnie. I knew Seth had a lot of flings but showed her affection in front of me whilst I felt like s**t. It's even more painful now.

The same female staff from the production team earlier called Seth. I watched her go backstage with Chinnie. I only came here because I promised nothing more.

I wore my cardigan as the cold engulfed me.

"Ah, excuse me." I looked up to see the man beside me. He pointed to something near behind me, and my eyes widened as I saw my cardigan swimming in the cranberry juice!

The man called out a waiter to replace the juice. I apologized to the staff for my carelessness, yet this man beside me merely laughed. He offered me his hand.

"Name's Johann, and you are?" I accepted the handshake. My attention diverted to the stage as the music changed into a louder one. The runway was starting. Models lined up and showcased the array of garments, whereas the audience was awed by how suited each of the outfits was to the specific women.

"Celine," I mumbled.

"Ce- what?" Johann leaned closer to me as he's similar to 5'7 in height. I leaned closer for him to hear it. "Oh, Celine, it's nice meeting you. Who are you with?"

"Um, Setherlyn." I'd never been interested in Fashion, yet here I was, trying to grasp any details I could bring when Seth bothered me over my opinions of the event.

"Oh, Seth Vinscon?" I nodded and eyed Johann. "She invited me."

"Got you. The guy was with Chinnie right now."

"How did you know?" I scanned the area, but there was no presence of the two.

"Chinnie's my cousin. I escorted her here."

"Oh. Wow, okay." He laughed. He's pretty handsome — a moreno.

"So, what do you do?"

"Business."

"How long have you been friends with Seth?" How long? I vaguely remember it, and I wouldn't count the first month we met as Seth behaved pretentious towards me. The audience clapped, and my black orbs beamed on the image of Seth walking on the runway. It would be the first time to see her on the catwalk marched gracefully. She's stunning, and that same person displayed romantic interest in me and wandered through the uneasy feelings projected from love to friendship.

It hurts, yet the positive mindset forged into me by the self-help training provided by our business encouraged me to the beauty of being a mere friend.

"So, you already know how she loves women then?" My eyes turned to Johann. Why did he know? There was no recollection of Seth mentioning the name Johann before. Being a playboy with good standing in society wasn't a pleasant combination, and it's normal Seth would draw haters.

"How did you know?"

"Chinnie tells me sometimes. I don't wanna even know what will happen if her boyfriend finds out how sweet they are to each other." He smiled at me, and sipped his wine.

"What? Chinnie has a boyfriend?" Hurriedly, I took my phone in my sling bag and dialled Seth, but she was not answering it. My heart's pounding from the imagination of staining her image tonight over the mess she played into.

Message

Seth: What is it?

Celine: Where are you??

Seth: Outside. I'm with Chinnie

Typical me, I never hesitated to help people dear to me. Like the dog stored in my memory which got stuck on the metal bars of the gate of someone's house, it kept barking and barking and I, who's inside a jeepney, had the chance of helping it despite the streetlight as it turned red, yet I hesitated. Concurrently, after a couple of months, it still haunted me. However, the fulfilment of picking a stray cat in the middle of the road without thinking twice gained my resolution to do something rather than nothing whenever my guts called me.

"Excuse me!" I told the people I passed by till my view reached the backyard with a clear pool in the centre, and people mingled around. I scanned the area, still no shadows of Seth.

I halted a step forward as I caught sight of her coming out of the other building, and my mouth paused to call her as a guy scurried his way to punch Seth. It caused an uproar from the crowd. My feet felt heavy to move.

"Christian!" Chinnie screamed and pulled the guy away from Seth. Seth touched the corner of his cut lips.

"You asshole! Know your secretary first before you make a move, bastard!" Seth spat on the floor, and stated,

"What the heck. Your girl told me she doesn't have a boyfriend. Bet she doesn't wanna show you off." A hand grabbed my arm and heard my name from Johann, but my mind fixated on stopping the guy, whatever plan he had in mind, as I dashed and yelled,

"Nooo!" I grabbed the arm of the guy to stop him from attacking Seth again. He looked at me. He said,

"Let go!" From the strength of yanking his arm off me, I staggered and slipped till my body fell onto the deepest part of the water.