look at me

"....of course I would never forget about my dearest business partners achieving this success this far, I'm beyond grateful to work with you all. To my son who's indeed followed my every step in life and never disappointed me. Son, ...."

I didn't dare listen to his boring speech and just grab a glass of wine again and just watched as Jarred waved his hand at the crowd and stood next to his father. His father was quite young to look at but the way he talks proved me wrong. Both of them are almost alike with those raven hair, dark eyes, their jaw, the way they stood, and lastly their identical stupid grin.

I blew air as my eyes averted at the opposite side of the director where the monster stood.

Larrison.

He has that victorious grin on his face as if it was his first time being acknowledged by the crowd. It made my blood boils just by looking at him proudly standing there like he didn't try to kill my friends. I grabbed the wine and poured my glass till it was full and gulped it all down furiously. I was seated at one of the tables not far from the circular space provided for like a dance stage, facing the main stage where the emcee and celebrants stood.

"Maestro play a lovely piece please" I heard the emcee request and then a low melody and soft tone played. The music is strangely romantic and when a few couples gathered at the center, I can't help but feel lonely. Fuck this. I shouldn't have come.

I've gone tired of constantly pouring wine into my glass and so I decided to just drink on the bottle so I won't get bothered at all. This liquor tastes so good, I'll definitely snatch the wine on the next table since no one seems seated there.

"You looked wasted, come on let's dance for a bit and we'll go home" someone spoke in front of me.

"Dance you say? I'd rather stay he- hey! Let go! I don't know how to fucking d-"

"Shut up Khalil you're too loud" he hissed and I quickly shut up and glared at him. I let him pull me to the crowd where couples are dancing romantically.

He placed my left hand on his shoulder and held the other one. He started to make easy steps and I followed right away without averting my eyes on our feet.

"Eyes up here" he whispered in my ears as I noticed him leaning too close.

I look up but did not meet his gaze and just wandered my eyes everywhere possible.

"Khalil" he muttered with a hint of anger.

"Mm?" I replied turning my head to his face but looking at his lips.

I don't want to look at him. It isn't worthy, I wasn't worthy.

"Khalil look at me" he called and I thought it almost sounded like beg.

"I'm looking at you" I replied still not meeting his gaze.

Not expecting the next thing he did, I find myself rotating making the world spin around me causing me to almost trip but suddenly, an arm held me and quickly returned us into a dancing stance.

"You shouldn't be drinking too much on this occasion love" I heard the voice I loathed too much in my whole life that my vision instantly became steady looking straight at him

"We got shuffled, gladly" he muttered as he plastered a stupid grin on his face. I looked back to where I was earlier and found Jarred dancing with someone else but looking at me frowning

How the fuck did I end up here!?

"Roana" he hissed as if calling for my attention.

I stared at him coldly but my emotions were all swirling inside my chest.

"You have no right to call me by that name Mr. Sivan" I gritted then suddenly his fingers went to trace the band-aid on my cheeks making me flinch away irritated.

"What happened to your cheek?" He asked with a hidden annoyance that didn't go unnoticed.

"It's none of your concern-"

"No one ever touched your face and I know you're not that clumsy, tell me who did it?" He muttered

"Why do you care?! Stopped fooling around and give me back to him!" I hissed under my breath but he didn't listen.

"I wish you knew how much I wanted you dead right now" I hissed then a fucking single tear rolled down my cheeks before he decided to turn me over and Jarred was slick to catch me easily. He didn't move and just held me there still.

"Let's go home" he muttered his voice dangerously silent. I nodded never meeting his eyes and started to walk out of that place.

We walked in silence and I was still trembling in anger remembering Larrison's appearance and touches on my skin.

"Jarred" someone called behind us quickly making us turn to that deep voice.

"Grandpa" replied Jarred.

" going home already? He asked playfully and walked near us

"Unfortunately yes, is there anything interesting about to happen?" Jarred asked almost rudely to his grandfather, I just listened between them and didn't meet their gazes.

"Nothing at all, care to introduce her?"

"Oh right- Khalil, this is my grandfather, Grandpa this is my finance, Khalil" he introduced and I saw his grandfather offer his hand and so I took it right away raising my eyes at him.

A chill run down my spine as the strong sense of familiarity hit me just by looking at him this close. I didn't let go of his hand and gripped it eager to remember where I had seen him.

"Are you okay young lady?" He asked then my heart sunk in my stomach recognizing this voice I heard a very long time ago.

"Y-you, you're that man" I stuttered and again tears flooded out. I can't figure out what to feel first. Anger, longing, and confusion are dwelling in my head.

"I'm sorry? Have we met before?" He asked confused then a hand suddenly held my shoulder

"Khalil?" Jarred asked

"Uh, n-no, not-not at all, uh- nice to meet you, Sir, I'm sorry I -I thought you're familiar is all" I stuttered and finally released his hand.

"No, I'm sorry my child, I must've been a resemblance of that person to cause you to tears" he apologized softly, making my heart beat painfully fast in my chest.

"Please don't be sir, I'm all alright now" I bowed and wiped away these stupid tears.

"Please just call me Dennis" he requested that I shook my head right away

"No Mr. Dennis Giovanni, I shall address you with politeness" I replied and he just chuckled.

"Father, I need to take her home, she's quite drunk" Jarred interrupted and started pulling me with him.

"Sure kid, drive safe!" His grandfather bid and eventually turned around not before glancing towards me with a confused face.

He doesn't recognize me. A lot of questions are kept inside me and didn't utter a thing because something is telling me that something is wrong. I can't figure it out but I sense something is definitely wrong.

We arrived at the mansion silently and in a heavy environment. No one is talking, he seems as lost in his thoughts as I am. We parted ways when we headed to our opposite side rooms, I glanced at him briefly and he was walking straight into his room, I looked away and finally stepped into my room and immediately took out every annoying apparel and cosmetics with me.

I was too tired to put ointment on my face after washing and so I just slumped on my bed lazily and waited till I dozed off.