Mine Alone

Chapter 7

While I was preparing, Dave called to inform me that we had been the topic in the Stallion's website in the last 2 days. That was our plan. I invited him in the party as a friend. I made it clear to him that we will deny the rumor in our parents, and he agreed.

I texted Shaye to ask where she is. In the sitting room with me is Dylan's date for tonight, and according to him, the one he's dating right now. She's been in her phone the whole time. I can't believe Dylan just left his date with me here. Where the hell is he?

Our parents arrived at 5 PM along with the biggest shareholders of the company. That was the last time I saw Dylan. While Karlo has been busy entertaining the guests arriving.

Shaye did not reply to my messages, so I called her.

"Almost there, Viel. Why are you in a hurry? The party's just about to start."

I can't even be honest with her that it's really awkward with Dylan's woman here. And I won't go to the party without Shaye with me.

"Good evening."

I stiffened when I heard the familiar hoarse voice. I searched the place only to find the owner of that voice looking devilishly handsome in deep blue tuxedo. Beside him is Dylan whose eyes landed on his woman. They're both a head-turner, I have to say.

"The sitting room must be honored to keep 2 gorgeous ladies tonight." I rolled my eyes with Dylan's appraisal. He went to give his woman a peck on the lips which I can't stand to watch.

I watched Zander stands gorgeously by the door. He changed his hair style for tonight making him stands out a little more. His suit defines his broad shoulder. Overall, he could make girls drool.

I have to take a breath to calm heart and the butterfly on my stomach.

But it's impossible to remain still when Zander's eyes went down on my dress. He made it obvious that he's scanning my white off shoulder dress that's 2 inches above the knee. It exposes a portion of my back, but it's quite simple compare to what Shaye picked. I chose a 3-inch red high heels to match my dress. The playful smirk in his face made me blush.

I felt the vibration of my phone inside my shoulder bag. I immediately get it thinking it's Shaye.

"Hello?"

"Baby, where are you?" My eyes widened when I heard Dave's voice. I forgot to text him.

"For a while, baby. I'm about to go out. Are you in the party already?" I made it sound sweet. That made me realize how good of a liar I am.

"OK, I'll be waiting." I ended the call.

I stood to leave the place, but Dylan said something that made me stop.

"Baby? You have a boyfriend now, Viel?" His voice became serious. I know he's surprised because all this time he was thinking that I'm all into Zander.

"Dylan, let's not talk about that now. I'll see you around."

"No. Tell me who that guy is. Why didn't I know about him?! How long have you been going out with him?!" His loud voice echoed in the room. I bit my lower lip because he's already shouting. I know he'll be this mad when he finds out, but I didn't expect that I'll let my guard down when that happens. It's embarrassing that Zander can see this.

"H-he's just a friend. W-we're not going out like..." I can't tell him everything because Zander will know as well that we are just faking our relationship. That will downgrade my pride.

"Finish your sentence." Dylan said in the same tone.

"I'm going out with Dave, my friend since highschool. I'll tell you about us more later. Excuse me." I had the courage to lie while looking directly at Dylan's eyes. I know he has more to say, but I prefer to hear his wrath without Zander.

In my peripheral view, I can see how Zander's eyes followed me as I walked out of there.

The garden is filled with colorful lanterns and a slow romantic song. People wear elegance from the way they smile to the way they talk. My eyes looked for Dave in the pool of people. Everytime I come accross with someone I know, I just smile and tell them to enjoy the party. I haven't greeted my own brother.

Before finding Dave, I saw many young bachelors around who offered drinks. None of them can be compared to Zander.

When someone hugged me from the back, I immediately turned to confirm it's Dave. His perfect set of teeth showed as he smiled. I shook my head and smiled in return to him.

"You're so pretty, baby." It made me happy hearing that from him and knowing it's not fake.

"You're gorgeous too, Dave. But don't you think hugging someone from the back could be a dangerous game to play in a party like this? What if it's not me?" I challenged him.

"I didn't think that far." He answered and pulled me in the waist. I removed his arm around my waist.

"Let's not steal the moment of Karlo tonight."

"Where's your brother, babe?" Babe has been a slip of his tongue, and I can't even tell him to stop.

I watched Dave as he searched the place to look for Karlo. For a moment, I had a thought that if it wasn't because of Zander, I might have been long fallen in love with the guy in front of me. He's responsible and comfortable to be with.

He caught me staring at me, and he smiled as his face gets closer to mine. He's acting as if he would kiss me, but I know he can't. I pinched his nose to push away his face. He laughed when I almost fell after losing balance.

"Viel..." Karlo's voice made me stopped from laughing. I turned around to see him. I ran to his arms with a smile.

"Happy 30th birthday, Karlo! I love you so much!" I whispered.

"Thank you so much, Viel. Thank you for the gift. I sneaked into it a while ago." I took a distance to see talk to him.

"Did you like it?" I asked excitedly.

"Of course. Anything that comes from you is definitely meaningful to me." He answered before facing Dave. They've been good friends since the time I introduced them to each other, and beside our parents are close.

"Happy birthday, dude. I can't believe I have a friend who in his 30's now." Dave said.

"That's not the proper way to say it. Anyway, enjoy the night. And please try to be less touchy to my sister." There he goes. Both of my brothers are too conservative. I rolled my eyes, and I made sure he saw.

The guy approaching Karlo caught all my attention. He walked in confidence. Zander totally slays everything in life. I wish I could be the wine glass he held in his right hand as he greeted Karlo. I watched him converse, and I can't find a single flaw in him.

Dave held my hand maybe to find a table where to sit. I allowed him to hold me especially when Zander's eyes fled from Kuya Karlo to our entangled hands. His eyes grew darker than it was. He even finished the wine in his glass. I smiled before leaving his sight. Just tell me that you're affected by this act, and I will be yours.

We sat with Shaye. Dylan is within the same table. I can't hide a smirk when I saw Dylan flirting with his girls. He seriously doesn't care if our parents see them. On the other hand, Shaye is busy with her phone. I think she's got some trouble.

"I'll get food for us," Dave said after a while.

Somewhere nearby, I smelled Zander's scent and at the same time, the music changes into a classic love song. I felt a goosebumps when he took the seat vacated by Dave a few moments ago.

I need to calm a little bit, or I will mess in front of him. The smell of tequila and his perfume mixed made my breathing uncontrollable. It's impossible to calm.

"PDA everywhere. Sucks!" I shivered when he cursed. I know those words are for Dylan, but my heart skipped a beat. I saw Dylan smiled when he heard that. He's proud that he's a big flirt.

I remained seated even my knees are trembling because of Zander's presence. The night is young, but he seemed to lose himself already in alcohol. He got another glass from the waiter who passed beside our table. I watched him take a sip.

"Take it easy." I whispered.

"I can take care of myself." I was surprised when he answered discreetly as if he didn't want the people in our table to hear.

"You haven't eaten anything."

"That's not for you to be concerned about."

"I'm just worried."

"Does your boyfriend know that you're worrying for me like this?"

I'm speechless. I can't tell if he's being sarcastic or cold. I took a deep sigh and try not to meddle with him. From the way Dylan looked at Zander, I know he noticed that he's drinking more than he can. Everybody knows that Zander has a high tolerance for alcohol, but he gets too much, he might not be able to pull himself together.

Dave didn't say a word to Zander when he returned and saw that Zander took his seat. He sat on my left after putting the food on the table. He also provided for Shaye.

"Thank you, Dave. This is so nice of you." That was Shaye when Dave told her to eat first before drinking.

We're just about to start eating when Zander stood still holding the glass wine. All of us in the table watched him as he tetchily walked away.

"Where are you going, Zander?" That was Dylan.

I saw how he snorted with that question. He might want to be alone because it's too loud in our table. Still, he should eat first.

"He's jealous." Dave mumbled.

I looked at Shaye and she smiled meaningfully to me. I don't know if I should believe Dave. I've been watching Zander for years, but I still can't predict him. His decisions only concern him.

Shaye started taking wine after we had dinner. She's no sober when the newest product of our company was introduced. My bestfriend got wild when she got drunk. Although I know that Dylan is watching over her, I'm still worried about her dallying with men. She won't remember any of these tomorrow.

After Zander left the table, I never saw him again the whole night. In the middle of the dance floor, I kept looking around hoping to meet his eyes even for the last time, but I was disappointed. I let Dave enjoy the night by hanging with his friends present in the party.

When I thought the purpose of that party has been served after the release of our company's newest product, Karlo staggered the crowd with his engagement announcement. Even our parents didn't know about that.

It's past 12 in the midnight when the loud music has been replaced by the sound of laughters. Only the closest friends of Karlo and some of our relatives stayed. Some of them planned to stay for the night.

I sat in the sitting room as I rest my head in the sofa. I could feel the pain in my legs for dancing all night. I took a deep sigh as I finished the Black Label in my glass. I've been wanting to sleep, but my heart wants to overthink on why Zander leaves early. Was he really jealous? Or he didn't like me meddling with his drinking?

"I finally get to be with you without an asshole around." I automatically sat straight when I heard his raspy voice. I looked straight stanchly at his sleepy eyes. You're so bad, Zander. You made me search for you all night, but now you're here standing in front of me with a mischievous smile on your face.

I am quite dazed from the all the alcohols I've taken, but his perfume mixing with the smell of tequila is really sexy. He must be very drunk by now.

"I thought you already left." That's all that came out from me.

"I wanted to, but I can't."

"So where were you the whole night? I was looking for you." My voice got worn in last sentence.

"And why would you look for someone else when you came with your boyfriend?" He's always on point.

"Yeah. Why would I look for you when I know you don't care for me at all?" There's no reaction in his face.

"How many years has it been, Francesca?"

I smiled with that question. He's stepping on my pride for his ego.

"3 years, Zander. You're playing with my feelings for 3 years now. You must be having fun."

His jaw moved as a smirk formed.

"And you never got a hint?" My jaw dropped with his question. Is he going to reject me for good now?

"What hint?"

"You made me a coward, Francesca. You made it hard for me to settle the feeling I have for you. You claim to love me for 3 years long, but you remained innocent of what kind of a man I am."

I stood feeling dizzy. But I have to get close to him to make sure that he's not just an imagination. Is he finally confessing to me?

"I'm sorry for confusing you for that long; I was questioning myself and not your worth. What did you see in me that you think I deserve you? I'm far from the man that can make you happy. I am obsessive, controlling and don't have the sense of humor that your guy friends has. I was insolent of your---" I didn't let him finished.

"I don't care about your flaws, Zander. I love you." I want to cry when I said the last 3 words without the fear of being rejected.

"You got me in your fake relationship with Dave. I knew it all along, but the way you call him babe and the way he touches you crushed me openly. That's unfair." He pulled me close to him. But we are both dizzy, so I fell for him who fell in the sofa. Thank goodness there was a sofa.

His face got close to mine as a playful smile flashed in his lips.

"You're mine." He claimed my lips with passion and longing. That was the first time I wished to be drunk forever. I'm finally his.