To Remain On Top

Chapter 5

My hand touch the side of my dress to fix it even though there's nothing to fix to begin with. I'm just making sure that I look pristine. After all it's Aurice Montreál that I'm planning to meet and be close with. Base on the stories I heard about her before and my research too. She has this obsession with impeccability. The irony, she's in love and married with Gaisano Montreal, a filthy rich but sinful man.

With head held up high. I stride to the lobby of the prestigious Starlington Society Club. Mrs. Aurice Montreal should be here too anytime soon.

"Good morning, Miss Poppy." The familiar club assistant greeted me while she waits for my membership card. Upon handling it to her. A white Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped. All of the staff in the vicinity of the club quickly gathers up and form a line including the receptionist that's assisting me just now.

A woman whom I guess five years older than my Emillia Arganza emerge from the luxury car. Beside her is a two men in black looking bodyguards.

"Good morning, Mrs. Lancaster. You should have told us ahead of time that you're coming." It's The clubhouse supervisor. If he's out welcoming a member. It only means one thing. That woman right there is a super vip.

She doesn't even had to stop by in the receptionist table to confirm her membership.

How wealthy could she be?

"I'm sorry about that Ms. Poppy." The receptionist sounds too apologetic. I tore my eyes off the super vip and everyone who are following her as they heads inside of the club.

"She's owner of this clubhouse so... I hope you understand." My body froze. I know for a fact that Lancasters are the owner of SSC. I just didn't realize it immediately when I heard them call Mrs. Lancaster for I am too bus eyeing all the million dollar stuff she has around her body.

"Ms. Poppy?" the receptionist snap me back in reality. I give her a smile and questioning eyes. By the way her expression speaks something I couldn't fully understand makes my body tremble in cold sweats.

"It says here that you. Mrs. Emillia, Mr. Lonarde and your sister Amanda is no longer a clubhouse member." My cheeks burned. I couldn't look straight in her eyes.

I didn't see this coming. How come we no longer part of this club?

"I think there's a misunderstanding. Please check it again."

"But I've tried to re-swipe your membership card a few times," she said in her uttermost patient voice.

I sighed. I close my eyes out of embarrassment after I turned my back on her. Just when I was to go back in my car and leave the clubhouse. Another luxury car stop in front of the clubhouse's driveway. It's the woman I'm waiting for this time.

Like Mrs. Lancaster. Although she doesn't own this place. Aurice doesn't need to experience the fuss of confirming your membership in the club. With her one bodyguard that serves as her driver too. She walked inside.

"What's with this day? Why all of these high-maintainanced people are here?" murmured by a clubhouse fitness trainer.

I glance at the grand door of the clubhouse before I finally push myself to leave.

"You're early. I thought you'll be home late?" Amanda asked. She's in the middle of watering Mommy's orchids that she adores the most back when everything is still perfect for us. I look up in the second floor and search for the terrace of the master bedroom where she's probably drowning herself with alcohol. Taking over Daddy's old and bad habbit before he got arrested.

"Changed of plan. Do you want to visit him?" Amanda immediately put down the watering hose. She squeals and jump to give me her warm and tightest hug. "I thought you'd never ask that, Poppy! Of course I want to visit him. I missed Dad. He probably feels the same. Things may be hard for us but for sure. It's harder for him," she whispered.

We asked Mommy if she wanna come with us too but all that she say is, "I'd rather visit him in his grave."

"Put on a music," I said softly. Amanda remove her hand from her chin and take my phone but before she connect it.

"Why is Mommy like that?" she asked. "She doesn't love him. I can see it. I may not be as old as you but I am not that young to not understand what's going on either, Poppy. Mommy only wanted to become his becaus he's rich but now that Daddy is poor and helpless. She sees him as trash."

"Heather Amanda!" I couldn't help but raise my voice with all of these painful words.

"Let's not talk about things against our Mother. She's just upset with our situation. Once she started to cope up with this drastic changes. You'll see, you'll realize that she really love our Father." I squeeze her hand.

I'm actually hoping that things will turn that way too.

"That's your favorite pesto pasta and garlic bread. A freshly squeeze orange juice. Peeled fruits and..." Amanda in the middle of telling Daddy what we brought for him started tearing up. Gaisano stands up and hug her youngest princess.

"I missed you, Dad. I missed you so much."

I couldn't stand seeing my little sister and father cry their heart out. I looked away and secretly wipe my own tears.

This is the moment I get to confirm that I am the only Arganza who's not allowed to mourn over our situation. Everyone in my family are at their vulnerable state. The responsibility to remain strong and keep each and eveyone in my family to stick together is all mine now.

"Where's Emillia?"

"She doesn't want---" Amanda give me a what are you doing glare after I lightly kick her leg to stop her from saying the exact same thing that Mommy told us.

"She doesn't want to miss an appointment with your new attorney that's why she can't make it today but I'm sure she'll visit you soon." I lied.

Daddy nodded his head. I don't know if he actually believes in me or he's just acting like he do.

"I'll drop you home. Finish your homework or school stuff that needs to get done, Amanda."

"You're leaving again? Where too? I'll just go with you. I don't wanna stay in the same place with Mommy. She disgust me. I hate her."

I sighed exasperatedly. Amanda bit her lower lip. Eyes looking down and shoulder facing the same direction. I could say that she's already regretful about things she just uttered.

"Please don't." I smiled timidly. I don't know if I said those because I am asking her to keep her fate, respect and love for our mother or the other way around. Maybe I intend to ask myself the same thing. Everything is already hard for us and I believe things will be harder if this family breaks more and I want to prevent it from happening.

Amanda didn't respond. I lean to her and unconsciously kiss her forehead for goodbye and also good night. By the time that I'm home. I am sure she has fallen asleep.

Elixir still the same. The only thing that changes about this place is the dj and the people who are partying and enjoying themselves. Pretty much everything is the same.

"Pink Squirrel," said by the bartender as he serves me my lady's drink. After tasting it and feeling the heat that gush in my throat. I brought my eyes back on the second floor s***h vip section of the bar that I kept glancing and checking on since I came.

Clyde Argus is a party animal. It is said that Elixir is his staple place for hangout and I'm praying that he'd be hear tonight.

I'm ready to lay and use all of my cards. I need to get in to him tonight. I will waste no time and opportunity.

When my neck started to feel numb. I tore my eyes off the vip section and place it on my pink squirrel instead. I took it all with one sip and was about to call for the water when he serves me another one.

The end of my left brow rose up.

This is not new to me. I'm sure some lad buy me this drink.

My eyes automatically roams around to begin searching for him. Four stools away from mine. I've found the lad that I'm talking about. Sporting a flirty smirk on his lips that annoyed me. I made my eyes to move from him back to the bartender as my fingers pushed back the lady's drink.

"I don't want this tell him I appreciate it but no thanks." The bartender left to approach the guy and give him the drink that he bought for me.

In the corner of my eyes. I secretly watches his reaction. The stranger stands up from his stool after he angrily grabs the cocktail and drink it all at once.

"It's not a secret in the whole Starlington that your family is a big joke and a sinking ship yet you have the audacity to act like you're still untouchable and mighty?" he hissed. I rolled my eyes before I darted it back on the counter, ignoring him completely.

I didn't expect that what I did will intensify his anger. Though I am to pull on a I don't care about him and I'm cool facade. Deep inside of me, I was trembling in fear.

What if he gets back at me at the most unexpected time? Sure thing I am safe here because of the bouncers and guards but outside? Hell no.

"Sir." The bartender call for his attention. I'm sure that he's trying to calm him down this way but that's impossible. This stranger is drunk and is not on his right mind. He's intoxicated and slave of the alcohol that he had.

"Poppy---"

"What's the matter with my girl?" my world has shaken up after I heard that baritone voice. There's no way I can forget about it when he's all that I'm thinking.

Argus with his eyes one shade darker than the usual place his arms around my waist. I swallowed hard as I look up to him.

"Guide him out. Tell Gram and Ram that I don't wanna see that man here ever again," Argus commanded the pair of bouncer around us as if he's the one who owns this place and is everyone's master.

I cleared my throat and move away from Argus. "Thank you---"

"I'll drive you home." He cuts me off and lead the way out of the exclusive bar.

"Where's your key?" he asked. "Let's use your car. I'll uber back here later." The way he weave out every words from his mouth feels like he wouldn't accept another words of suggestion from me.

Things happens according to his will.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"Where's your friends? Why are you hanging out all by yourself in a place where you know men would prey on you?" he sounds strict. It's annoying to be honest. He's giving this aura that I think I can never deal with for the rest of my life. He's too controlling and that's what I hate the most.

I look in the window and said, "I was looking for you."

He sighs. "And why so?"

"I told you already didn't I? I like you Argus and in case you're not aware it's normal for people to always want to see the person they like." I lied.

"You should stop. I can't return the favor." I pouted my lips. Saying all of these won't make me f**k off. Argus I'm not gonna give up on you. You're my last resort.

"Why is that? You're in love with someone else---"

"I can't break bro code," he replied that left me puzzle.