Chapter 3

Alitha's POV

As I finished my business inside the comfort room, I felt my cellphone vibrated inside my pocket. I am now facing the mirror when I answered my Mom.

"Mom?"

"Hello? Where are you?"

"School." I have the same face with my Mom but I got my Dad's fierce eyes. I don't wear make up or even lipstick, that's not my thing.

"We are already here. When are you coming?" They are already at Aunt Caroline's house? Too early.

"Soon, Mom. I am with Glaiza and we are waiting for Glen."

"Who's Glen?" Oh.. I forgot. She didn't know Glen.

"Glaiza's brother."

"I see. Okay. Come home early. We will wait for you."

"Yes, Mom." I ended the call and stared at my reflection in the mirror for a second. I open the bathroom door but only to stop when I saw someone who is also coming out from the comfort room of the gentlemen. Nikolai brat who is now looking at me.

I could see that we had the same reaction upon seeing each other. I close the door behind me and was about to walk. But I remember something and face him.

"Why did you punch Glen earlier?" He didn't expect the question coming from me. I could see that's he's shocked while looking at me but it was last for only a second.

"Who the hell is Glen?"

"The guy you punched earlier!" We are now facing each other and close enough to breath his scent. I am not afraid of him unlike the other guys but not swooning over his presence either.

"Who are you?" He asked me instead.

"What's with you?" He's towering me now. Didn't like the answer I gave him.

"Who are you to ask me that?"

"And who are you to punch each person here?"

He chuckled. And step closer to me. So I step back because I don't want to get close to him. "You don't know me?"

Of course I know him. But I won't tell him that I do. "No. Who are you?" I said looking up to him.

But he laughed, hard and loud. "That explains why. Maybe if you will know me, you won't have the courage to talk to me like this."

"Really?" I sound sarcastic.

"Yeah. A girl like you."

"A girl like me? What about a girl like me?"

"I saw you earlier, you know?" I didn't answer. Waiting for him to speak again. "And I don't like the way you look at me."

I smirked. "Did I look at you? Why couldn't I remember that? I can't even remember you."

He twitch his lips when he heard what I said. "I know that style. That's very common to every girl like you."

"Style?"

"For getting my attention."

"Excuse me?" I almost laughed. "I know what you mean but I'm sorry. You're not my type."

Again, he laughed so loud that I think my eardrums will be damaged anytime soon. The moment he step closer to me again, I abruptly step back also. But I feel alarmed when my back hit the cold wall behind me. Got panicked when he put both of his hands in each side of the wall. He is caging me. But I did not let him see that I am panicking.

"What are you doing?" I tried not to shook my voice but I failed. He lowered his head and held my gaze. He is too close I could smell his expensive perfume. The scent is so addictive I wanted to lean closer to him and breath in.

"I'm flattered I'm not your type." He tsked.

"Move away from me." I gritted my teeth when his hand move to touch the strands of my hair.

"Afraid now little kitten?" He whispered. I can already smell his fresh mint breath. His face is too close and his nose is almost brushing mine.

"Let me go!" I pushed him hard. Luckily, he moved away. That's my chance to stay away from him. I step backwards and almost run away from him. But he laughed louder forcing me to look back.

"Don't worry, kitten. You're not my type either." He shouted.

"F**k you!" I run but his laugh echoed in the hallway.

Wait! What? Did I just say f**k you?!

Oh my God, Mabel Alitha Dominique! What have you just said? What have you gotten into? Damn, but my heart is beating fast and crazy. I cupped my chest thinking that I could calm the wild beat. But it went insane when I still smell the perfume of that crazy spoiled brat in me.

"Ali?" Glaiza stood up as soon as she saw me. She's with Glen already and I bet they're already waiting for me.

"What took you so long?"

"Ahm, my Mom called. We talked."

"And why are you panting?" My God, Glai. Please stop asking.

"I run. I thought you already leave."

"Duh? I will not leave the birthday girl." I smiled. I simply look back afraid to see Nikolai. But the hallway is empty.

"Let's go?"

"Why are you in a hurry?"

"Mommy called. They're there already waiting for us." I hurriedly walk to the stairs and didn't even bother to wait for Glaiza and Glen.

"Wait up, Ali. Glen is not coming with us." I stopped.

"What? Why?" Thankfully we already reach downstairs.

"I have some important to do, Ali. I'm sorry. And ops, happy birthday!" He gave me hug and I patted his back.

"Thanks, Glen. I'm sorry for what happened to you earlier." Upon me mentioning that, I remember Nikolai and what he did just a while ago.

"Nah, it's not your fault. Sorry but I badly needed to go."

"Okay."

"Be home early, Glen." Glai said and give her car key to Glen.

"I'll try. Happy Birthday again, Ali!" He shouted. I was not bothered anymore because there's no other people in the hallway but us.

"Come on."

"Okay."

Glaiza is excited when we arrived at Aunt Caroline's house. She acts as if it's her birthday today. When we enter the wide and astonishing living room, I was stunned by the noise greeted me.

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you!"

A multiple number of people sang a Happy Birthday to me. I was surprised and speechless. Mommy step forward while holding a big cake for me. They did it every year for me but how come it didn't occur to me that they will surprise me today?

"Make a wish, sweetie." Mommy said while teary eyed. I close my eyes and make a wish. A long and peaceful life for each and everyone of us. That's my simple wish for everybody. I eventually open my eyes and blow the candle.

They clapped their hands as long as I finished. My parents are here and my sister Eden, Aunt Caroline, Uncle Dan and of course our bodyguards. Not to mention the maids who also wish me a happy birthday. With my best friend beside me, I couldn't wish for more.

The long table is full of my favorite dishes, side dishes and desserts. There's a different kinds of refreshments, soda, wine and alcoholic drinks. When we finished eating, my parents, Aunt and Uncle are now sitting in the living room. Mom and Auntie are now drinking their favorite wine. While me, Eden and Glaiza are still on the dining area. We're drinking wine while talking.

"We will be going to the club tomorrow night." Eden whispered to us.

"What club?" I know Glaiza is very interested about clubbing but we haven't done that ever since.

"There's a new famous club in the city. Haven't you heard that?"

"No. Not yet." I am only listening to them and not interested in going.

"The Hammers! They open last week and we have decided to go there tomorrow. So I am inviting you two. Consider that as your birthday celebration, Ali."

"No. I won't go." I said.

"Ali? I want to go. We will go." Glaiza gripped my hand and doing her puppy eyes.

"You're free to go if you want to."

"I won't if you're not going to."

"Yes, Ali. You should come. You're eighteen now and it's time for you to explore every corner of the city." Eden suggested.

"Dancing and clubbing is not my cup of tea. I hate that."

"You should give it a try. If you come, it will be your first time. Who knows maybe you will like it there."

"No." I said while waving my hands to them.

"Alitha? Come on. We'll give it a try. We're both at legal age now."

"Glaiza is right. You will just try it tomorrow. If you don't really like it, then don't come back."

"It's just one night, Ali. Please?" Glaiza stood up and hug me from behind.

"Hey! What are you doing? Let me go!"

"Please, Ali? Please?"

"Girls at your age are enjoying at this hour every night. While you two," Eden pointed us. "Your teenage life sucks. You should enjoy, go out and paint the city red!"

"Okay, Okay!" I said. Glaiza is hugging me tighter and I'm already hurting.

"Yesss!" Finally, she let go of me.

"Did you do that every night?" I asked Eden. She sips her wine first before answering me.

"Not every night. Bodyguards are with me and it's a shame."

"It's for your safety." I told her. We're not that close but she's still my sister. I care for her.

"Yeah, I know. That's why I never refused once Dad wanted me to bring them."

"How many are they?"

"What?"

"The bodyguard. How many are they?"

"Ten."

"Ten?!" Glaiza exclaimed.

"Yeah."

"That's too much." I said.

"And when Dad will know that you're going with me tomorrow night, for sure they will turned 20 then."

"I beg to disagree. Ten is enough."

"Tell Daddy."

Our conversation continued as we empty the new bottle of wine Eden opened. I enjoyed talking to them. When Glai's Mom called her, she bids her goodbye to us. After three hours, my family decided to went back to the palace.

"Happy Birthday again, sweetheart." Mom hug me while I walk them out.

"Thank you, Mom." And so as Dad.

"Aren't you going back to us?" He said.

"Dad, I will. If you're not the President anymore."

"Ah, that's unfair." He said and hug me tight. "We're incomplete without you in the palace. Though we know that Caroline and Dan take good care of you."

"You knew the reason, Dad."

"Yeah, yeah! You visit us there sometime. Okay?"

"Yes, Daddy!"

"Happy Birthday again, sweetheart." He hugs me again and kiss my forehead.

"Thank you again, Dad." He laughed and turned his back on me. But Mommy hugged me again.

"We can give you a magnificent debut party, sweetheart but you refuse it." She said.

"It's okay, Mom."

"We're lucky to have you, baby. I hope you can live with us now. Just think about it. Okay?"

"Yes, Mommy."

"I love you, sweetie." She said before she gets in.

"I love you, darling." Dad said and wave his hand. Eden did the same and motion her hand saying she will call me. I just nod at her.

When i went to my room, I saw the gifts in the corner. I've decided to open them later. I took a half bath and chose my favorite pajama. Once I settled my body in the comfort of my bed, the memories of Nikolai flash in my mind. His face, his expressions when he saw me. Especially the memory outside the comfort room.

I have to admit, while me, Glai and Eden were eating and talking earlier, I couldn't stop thinking of him. Not all the time but it's weird. It's really weird that his image will suddenly enter inside my brain. His face that I hated most. His smirk, his chuckle, his laugh, his fresh mint breath, his addictive scent, his hair, his eyes.. Jesus Christ!

Oh my God!

What was that?! No.. No! Erase.. Erase, Alitha! Don't think of him, my goodness!

I hardly hit my head with both hands. Ungrateful of what just happened. There's no way I would appreciate his appearance. No way! No fucking way!