Birthday Party (1)

Chloe looked at the mirror for what she believed was the last time. After repeatedly changing her outfit, she felt this was better. Although it was a birthday party for her brothers, it was still going to be like a formal meeting, so she wore a modest blue dress that ended just below her knees. The dress had long sleeves and a round neck. The only piece of jewelry she wore was a tiny golden earring that Jeremy had gotten her before their college graduation. He had spent quite a lot of money to get it for her, not knowing it was fake. The earrings were already changing colour to black, but she didn't mind.

She didn't tie her hair this time instead, she left it to flow down her shoulders. She wore mild make-up and a three-inch heel. 

Her phone rang, so she picked it up when she saw it was a call from Jeremy. 

"You aren't on your way, right?" He asked immediately after she answered. 

"No. Why?" 

"Thank goodness! I'm coming to pick you up. Wait for me."

She scoffed. "Would have preferred to drive myself but whatever. Don't keep me waiting for too long." She said, feigning disinterest even though she could see her smiling face in the mirror. 

"Yes ma'am! I'm almost there." He said with a laugh before he hung up. 

Chloe checked herself again and began to doubt if she was truly looking okay. She decided to ignore it and go outside first. Since he was arriving soon, she didn't want to waste time inside.

Immediately she stepped out of her apartment, she stopped and looked at all the boxes on the floor in front of the apartment opposite hers. The door was also opened. 

A young man came out of the apartment wearing a vest and joggers. He was about to lift another box when he saw her, so he paused and straightened himself.

"Hi!" He greeted her with a 'neighbourly' smile.

Chloe didn't say anything and wanted to move when he spoke again.

"I'm new. Just moved in today. I'm Will by name." 

Not to seem rude, she nodded at him once before walking away. All she could think about was to get down before Jeremy would arrive so she would scold him for keeping her waiting. 

Unfortunately, she was just leaving the main building when Jeremy's car arrived, causing her to frown. 

He stepped out of the car and had a big smile plastered on his face. "I guess I disappointed you, my princess." 

He opened the door for her, and she entered while grumbling silently. If it wasn't for that stupid guy! 

When Jeremy noticed she still wasn't happy, he left her door open and took her hand in his. 

"What?" She asked curiously when he began to pull her out of the car. 

"Let's start again." 

She was still confused, but she stepped out of the car.

"Go stand there." He pointed at where she had been standing. 

"What do you think you are doing right now?" She asked in confusion.

"Just go there!" He ordered before he got into the car, started it and reversed. 

To say Chloe was confused was an understatement. He drove off and took a bend until his car was out of sight. When she saw him coming again, she understood what he was trying to do and a small smile appeared on her face.

He stopped the car in front of her and came out while looking apologetic. "Did I keep you waiting for too long?" 

Chloe scoffed. "Of course! I have been waiting here for the past 5 minutes for you!" She frowned at him. When he tried to touch her, she slapped his hand away and stomped her feet to the other side to open the door for herself before getting in. 

Jeremy joined her inside the car and turned to look at her. "Sorry, princess. My hair got stuck in the door when I was leaving the house." 

Chloe rolled her eyes before she burst into laughter while he joined her.

"You are crazy!" She said in between her fits of laughter and placed a quick kiss on his lips which took him by surprise and made him blush instantly. 

If he was blushing like this because of a kiss, what was going to happen tomorrow? Chloe wondered. She hoped he hadn't forgotten their plan.

"Should we leave?'' He asked, looking ahead. 

"Yes." She answered before he started the car and began to drive.

Chloe noticed he looked nervous and asked, "Are you nervous?" 

"No." He shook his head. 

"You are." 

He glanced at her for a brief second before looking ahead. "I can't help it. Your whole family would be there." 

"They are going to like you." She assured him.

Jeremy didn't ever mention the fact that her mother had visited him before and tried to have him stay away from Chloe by offering a job far away. He knew her parents wouldn't like him and the fact that more people knew now that he was an illegitimate son of Mr. Hank wasn't helping. Maybe to others, he was a lucky bastard to be affiliated by blood with a presidential candidate, but to the elites, he was an abomination. 

"Stop overthinking. I will be there. How can anyone not like you?" 

He turned to give her a little smile and said, "Maybe you haven't noticed, but I am not perfect." He winked at her making her laugh. 

"You've turned cocky, haven't you?" 

He laughed again and looked ahead. They were already at the King's residence. 

"Just keep cool. You will be fine." Chloe said when they stepped out of the car. 

"I am going to stay cool and mature." Jeremy said seriously.

Another car parked beside his and the person who stepped out was Mia. 

"MIA!" Jeremy called in surprise. It had been a really long time since he last saw her. Meeting her here was a pleasant surprise. When did she get into town?

Mia smiled brightly when she saw him. 

Chloe watched as the two friends hugged while Jeremy raised her from the ground and twirled her around while Mia screamed for him to put her down. 

"So much for being cool and mature," Chloe said to herself as she saw a lot of eyes watching the two.

When Jeremy finally put her down, some people recognized Mia from the TV and some political meetings she attended. But more people were more concerned about what she was wearing. 

What's that?