04

The dancers who were on stage just now were going in my direction. I gulped hard, sweating more than I had sweat earlier when people were staring at me. They stopped in front of me, however, the people they were talking to was not me, but the people behind me. That was so embarrassing! I really assumed that they were going to greet me when I didn't even know who they were.

As they walked away from my spot, I felt something hit my foot.

"Hey!" I yelled at the lady stranger. Despite my loud voice, she didn't hear me as she was too far from me. Not to mention that there were a lot of people and loud music here.

I turned around, only to see the people I've been looking for a while ago.

"Whose wallet is that?" Piolo pointed at the wallet I was holding. I inserted it into my pocket and just shrugged as an answer.

---

"Let's play a game, shall we?" Piolo suggested with a playful smile on his face. He raised his dice and pointed at the liquors on the table. The other two groaned whilst I smiled brightly. Now, we're talking!

I rolled the dice and it landed on six. What a start, ain't it? Piolo laughed and did the honor to put liquor in the shot glass. I didn't hesitate and drank all of it within a minute.

I heard Reinier and Gwynette giggling so I and Piolo went beside them and wrapped our arms on their shoulders and gossiped with them. "Aye, that's your crush, right?" I whispered to Gwynette's ear due to the thunderous music that was playing. She playfully hit my chest and I acted like I was hurt. She nodded, covered her face with both hands.

I pointed at the guy who was busy picking what to eat. Piolo understood what I meant so he quickly went in that guy's direction and did what he had to do.

I was distracting Gwynette and when I saw that Piolo succeeded to get the guy, I pushed her and he was fast to catch her from falling. I pulled the couple away from them. I made a salute sign to the guy, "Make sure to bring her back to us." And to Gwynette, "Thank us later. Enjoy!"

We continued playing and the three of us were already tipsy. I felt a familiar sense of feeling so I instinctively turned myself around only to see the lady stranger from earlier. I remembered her wallet therefore I made my way out of our game, didn't bother to tell the two guys that I'll be gone for a while, and just followed where the lady stranger was going.

She was walking too fast that I had to speed up or else I'll lose her, however, she suddenly slowed down and I was too late to stop myself from slowing down that I bumped into her.

"Are you following me?" She was looking at me intensely, her expression was fierce, looked like she was ready to fight me any time soon.

I raised my two hands as a sign of surrender, "Yeah," I chuckled nervously.

"What do you need?"

I reached for my pocket and took out her red wallet. "Here," Then I handed it to her.

"Oh, thank you! And I'm sorry for the rude approach! I thought you were some crazy guy." She laughed softly.

"It's fine. By the way, I'm Ethan Jace. And you are?" I offered my hand.

She took it and we shook hands, "Zyrine Gabrielle. Nice to meet you."

She walked fast again so I ran to keep up with her. I want to accompany her for a while.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" I held my mouth as soon as I said that. Why the fuck did I say that?

She stopped walking and faced me whilst her head was tilted. I know that was a stupid question, please don't point it out to me or else I'll be embarrassed in my whole life - I thought.

She looked away then back at me again, "No."

".....Then should I walk again?" She was fighting the urge to smile, however, my pick up line won that I had to watch her sweet smile and a soft laugh. Well, that was a win-win, I guess?

I was trying my best to have the conversation going when I saw Diana. I was about to turn around but I was late that she had to see me and bother me again. I was praying that she won't come here and make a scene but it was Diana - who needed people's attention every time, so she grabbed this chance to get what she wanted.

"You broke up with me for this girl? Oh please, Ethan! At least pick someone who's prettier than me!" She said it out loud so the people around us stopped doing their things to watch the live show Diana was making.

I grabbed Diana's wrist, "I told you to stop bothering me." She acted like she was hurt so I had no choice but to let go of her.

"And you!" She pointed at Zyrine, "Ethan is mine so back off!" She slapped Zyrine real hard that I and the people gasped at what she did.

"What the fuck, Diana! If you think doing these stupid things can make me go back to you, well, you're wrong!" I yelled, getting irritated. She scoffed and acted like she was hurt and slapped me, too. She ran away and the people made a way for her.

That's right, run. That's what you're good at.

I faced Zyrine and I was taken aback when she slapped me, too.

If shit hurts, getting slapped at hurts more.

"I was thinking of being your friend but I changed my mind." She rolled her eyes and walked out.