To Remain On Top

Chapter 3

In a way. Though I didn't join Solace and Zoe while they plan and prepare their own outfit for tonights event. The three of us still compliment each other. The fact that we love monochromatic colors has something to do with us being a little bit matchy-matchy.

Zoe is wearing her designer sexy deep v-neck sequined dress in dark silver while Solace keep her style a little bit demure with her long-sleeves bodycon dress in gray.

"You look quite different," Solace commented. We're in the powder room at the moment to retouch our make up. We've been here for almost an hour while the birthday boy. No one knows when will he come.

Zoe turn to me. She gazes at me with scrunity before she agrees to our other friend says. I chuckle softly and give them a proud look. "Did you change something about your skincare routine?" Solace just wouldn't let go of the topic.

"It's still the same," I answered confidently while curling my lashes again and re-applying my lipstick.

I really didn't change anything in my skincare routine. Aside from I don't have time to be in a beauty store and look for my new holy grails. I don't have enough money to spend for that kind of thing either. I just get a good eight hours sleep and water. Lots of water. I really prepared myself for this night as I've said to both my Mommy and sister. I need to be the prettiest tonight, a luscious apple for Argus.

"Hey." Zoe faced me again, realizing something. "Are you gonna be an ambassador for a certain cosmetic line?" How I wish I have that kind of secret under my sleeves but nope. I don't even have a modelling offer at the moment and I'm literally considering texting the old talent scouts and tell them I'm interested with their job offers now.

I damn need thousand---millions of dollars.

"No." I almost sing my answer. Zoe looks like she doesn't believe me. She's suspecting that I'm lying and that's insane. I swear, if I have that kind of project. I won't keep it a secret especially from them.

When the three of us gets out of the powder room. The whole Elixir is hype up of already. From where I'm standing. I can see Clyde Argus chillin' on the vip section of Elexir together with the twin owner of it. Gram and Ram Corpuz. Some faces around them is familiar to me. I met them in some of the social gatherings that I've been too. I just don't know them personally and by name.

I sighed and slap on a smile. I'm tensed, nervous and all. s**t!

How the hell am I gonna steal his attention when he's already busy with all of these girl.

The sighting made me came with a decision. I'll stay here in the counter for a while. I'll just watch him and immediately talk to him if the perfect timing finally come knocking in my door.

"This is not what I'll expect you will do here," Zoe whispered when she walked pass through me. My eyes run after her. She's with Gram Corpuz and looks like they're leaving already.

"Are you?" I asked with my eyes almost popping out. She gave me a flirtatious wink and I already know what it means.

Alright wild girl. Enjoy your night.

I bring my eyes back on the vip section. Panic spreads rapidly all over my body. Where is he? I couldn't see Argus on the vip section anymore.

Did he left too with one of the girls around?

Fuck! I should have come to him earlier.

I stand up from the stool. My eyes started to roam around the crowded dance floor hoping that he's out there. I look for him in every corner of these spatial place and still failed to see him.

"f**k Poppy. This is your only chance. You can't screw it. You won't be going home without talking to him!" I hissed at myself.

"Without talking to whom?" My hopeful heart turn to see whose talking behind my back. I expected it to be Argus. Like the usual scene I get to watch in romantic movies but this is not a movie and the one who speaks behind my back is no other than the stranger I met in the university's library.

I kept the same smile and greet him, "Hey."

"You're looking for him? Who? Maybe I know who it is. I can help you," he offered. I unconsciously look around to see if Argus is back within the vicinity. No traces of Argus.

I shifted my eyes back on the stranger and realizes how different he look tonight. I don't know. His black short and printed short sleeve top paired with a black socks and white sneakers made him look a lot like the boys on i********:. On the casual days, I'm sure this man will be a head turner but the type of clothes he's wearing didn't match with the club's ambiance. He still look good though.

"Pop?" he whispered my name. I blink my eyes and purse my lips. My body started to feel alive the moment it comes to my mind that this man is close to Argus. He could be the bridge that I need to get to Argus.

I smile more and give him my hands. "So what's your name? You know mine and I don't know yours. I can't be friend with someone I don't know."

And the bouncy smile is flashing against his lips again when he took my hand and shake it. "Kahlo," he said. I paused. His name sounds familiar. I just can't remember where did I exactly hear it.

"Al---"

"Argus!" Kahlo cut off. Upon hearing that mascular name. I turn to my back and there I saw the man that I've been looking for. He's watching both Kahlo and I with a hint of teasement.

"Poppy right?" his hand made a small gesture.

"You know me?" I asked when I finally get out of in the state of shock. Argus gives me a formal smile. "Kinda," he replied.

I smiled triumphantly. I should know. I mean, who wouldn't know the resident it girl of Starlington University? Why did I even forget about it.

"This party is boring me. I want to leave," Argus said to Kahlo. His bestfriend looks around and so did I.

I don't get it. This party is lit. Why would Argus find this boring? Argus definitely doesn't look like its his first time to experience something like this. Maybe he was hidden for some reason but I believe all his life. He's living it with luxury too.

When you're someone who grew up surrounded by old money. You can tell by gut feel if the people you're with came from old money, new money or if they're plainly pretending to be rich.

"Your guests will look for you," Kahlo countered.

"How can we celebrate your birthday if you're not here?" I interfere with their conversation. Argus gape at me with pure amusement on his eyes. He combed his hair then suppressed a smile, preventing it to reach his pair of almond-shaped eyes.

"We both know everyone here aren't really celebrating my birthday. They're here to show off and remain relevant. You know what I mean, right?" he scoff. Argus then tap his bestfriend's shoulder and made this hand gesture before he vanish before our eyes.

I gritted my teeth. I was close to bursting out of irritation. Fortunately, I was trained to keep my facade cool in a situation like this.

When my irritation subsided. I stave my eyes off the spot where Argus is standing potenly earlier and darted it to Kahlo instead. "I'll go too." For the first time. Except for Zoe and Solace. It felt like bidding a proper goodbye before I left is necessary to say to Kahlo.

While walking myself to the parking lot. I got this heavy weight above my chest. The same thing people who lose a million dollar bet would probably feel.

"The one you've been looking for. It's him? You were looking for Argus in the club earlier?" a familiar deep-panned voice speaks up from my behind. A small piroutte and I find myself facing Kahlo again.

I bit my lower lip and intends to not make an eye contact with him while nodding my head.

"I just..." I stuttered. I was sure I'm gonna lie to Kahlo and tell him that I am head over heel in love with Argus but when it's time for me to confess. My tongue and lips doesn't want to say it anymore.

"Just?" Kahlo trail off.

I sighed and look up to his eyes. I was taken aback after getting drownedu with his golden brown eyes. I couldn't concentrate anymore, damn it!

"Forget about it," I said barely audible. I shut my eyes. Poppy, you're such a pickle minded woman.

My feet moves again. I extracted air from my chest and, "I like him... so much. Please, help me make Argus fall in love with me," I said with my eyes half-close as I'm already feeling embarrassed.

Kahlo's freeze opened at my confession. It took him nearly ten seconds or more to blink his eyes and catches with the new reality. His forehead tangled up. "I know it," he declared while smirking at me.

It's my eyebrows turn to lace as one when he suddenly open his palm in front of me. Asking for something that I don't know yet.

"I don't have my car with me. I hop in with Argus on the way here and he left already. If it's fine with you." The carefree grin on his lips. Kahlo's signature smile started to widened. "Let me drive your car to the nearest McDonald's. Grab some burger and fries while we talk about your love confession for my bestfriend."

"Are you serious? You'll take me to McDonald's wearing this?" I made sure that he sees my point. I am wearing a sequined club dress. Is he out of his mind?

"Haven't you heard about drive thru, genius?" he mocked.

And he won. I gave him my car key and we're now heading to the nearest McDonald's for his burger and fries. Although we're quiet on our way there. It didn't feel awkward at all. I enjoyed it actually.

"I'll have a bacon clubhouse burger, large fries, 20 pcs mcnuggets, side salad and large coke." He ordered. Just by hearing all of those make me feel like I've already gained weights. That's carbs and carbs!

"Do you want anything?" Kahlo is polite enough to ask me but I am not. With unpaintable eyes and digusted twitching lips. I shook my head.

"Really?" I commented. Kahlo's currently enjoying all these patty food at the top of my car's hood.

"Why?" Kahlo hungrily took a full bite on his burger. "Burger and car's bonnet is a classic," he murmured the moment he's done chewing his food. I sat on the hood to, half meter away from him.

"Kahlo I've already let you use my car and get your burger now it's time for you to help me with Argus." He stopped munching his food and look at me with enough focus and sincerity.

"Okay. How? In what way?"

I delve my fingers inside of my clutch bag and fished my phone. I asked for his phone and save my number.

Kahlo's hell confuse as he watches me do it.

"First thing. I need to have his phone number too. What's his name on your contact?"

"Clyde Argus," he said casually. Right, I remember seeing it when he called Kahlo before. I saved Argus number on my phone and Kahlo's too before I handed his phone back.

"And then?"

"Then save my number on his phone. You can do it right?" Kahlo check my number that's flashing on his phone before he move his head once.

"Hmm. I think so."