TEA PARTY

[Music Recommendation: Ateş böceği - Mahallede Sevinç]

"Please don't let them see me..." mumbled Vilian. Her breath fanned over Astrel's chest. A sigh escaped as he held her in his arms.

"Good evening, Sir," She heard the united voices of the men.

"Did they leave? They didn't get to see me, did they?" She peered up as she heard the footsteps fade away. A frown etched her forehead, and she looked to her side only to feel her breath hitch as she gazed at the blue beads that could capture anyone the very moment they set their gaze. And his sharp nose led down toward his lips which turned up. He had a sinful smirk that made her throat go dry. She gulped down her saliva as her gaze was still on his lips.

'Vilian! come to your senses!' screamed her mind snapping her out of her trance.

Another servant came running right into them. Vilian ducked her head down, and after a while, she lifted her head, hitting Astrel's jaw.

"Sorry," mumbled Vilian in a low voice.

"What are you trying to do, little mouse?"

"Mouse?! When did I turn into a mouse?" she questioned, pouting her lips.

A low chuckle escaped from Astrel's lips, settling with a smirk as he asked her while he walked, "So... you have no problem that you're little and a kitty at that?"

"Aishh... I never said that, did I?"

"Well... You deny, that you're a mouse and left the little, didn't you?"

"Uff... You-" A loud gasp left Vilian's mouth as she looked past Astrel. She soon buried her face against his chest once again.

"Me?"

"Can we soon reach the garden? I'm enough of panicking," she mumbled.

"Are you trying to be a cat for real?"

"I didn't get you."

"You seem to me just like the cat that snuggles to its master," he said as he descended the stairs. Vilian clutched his shoulder tightly. "-or... must I say a Koala bear stuck to its tree?

"Koala? I love koalas. They're the cutest. So I don't mind you calling me that," she said as she grinned at him with her eyes twinkling.

"Hmm... Large round head, big ears, and a big black nose. Exactly resembles you..." He said as he laughed. Vilian punched his chest with a reddened face as she glared at him.

"Astrel Watson? Will you put me down now?"

"I've got sharp ears, kitty. Meowing in such a way is going to deafen my ears." He said, infuriating her. But his deep voice sent tingling sensations all over her body.

"Uhm... who told you to have it?" Her eyes spotted the black tattoo that peeked out of his shirt. She could only get a small view of it.

"What can I do? I have been blessed with it," he remarked narcissistically.

"Such a narcissistic devil," mumbled Vilian.

"Thank you!" he said, which made Vilian roll her eyes.

Vilian peeked up at Astrel, who had his focus ahead. Her curious little mind made her hand wander over the edges of his third button. She was trying to get a glimpse of his tattoo.

Astrel's lips broadened their smirk as he felt her hands wander over the button.

"What are you doing, darling?" he asked, tilting his head as he glanced at her.

"Ehe... Nothing. You see, my hair got hooked around your shirt button. I was trying to take it off," she said, stuttering a bit as she tried to make an excuse.

"Your hair or your fingers?"

"I must say that I sometimes like your humor... Ha ha ha... but it isn't anything like you think." Her heart paced fast as she laughed nervously.

"I'm glad you did, but may I know what I thought?" he asked knowingly.

"You?" It was more like a question to herself. 'Dear lord, why does the garden seem so far?'

"Do you see anyone else?"

"No... No..." she said immediately. 'Aish... Vili! You're digging your own grave. How am I supposed to say that I was about to take a peek at his tattoo? Not to say, a tattoo on his chest. Ahh... Vilian... Ahh... I swear I'm going to die out of embarrassment today.'

"So..." His breath fanned her face making her conscious of their position. Astrel saw her face turn red as he wet his dried lips. He soon but carefully slid her down onto her feet but held her by her waist as he started walking.

Silence engulfed them as they walked. Vilian felt him balancing her. He wasn't letting her weigh her body with much pressure. She realized her feet were barely touching the floor with light weight. Her lips turned up lightly as she glanced at him.

"I'd assume you've already fallen for me with that look," He said as he glanced at her.

"Pfft... No..."

"Anyone else?" His question silenced her

"Ah! We're finally here!" She exclaimed. Relief rushed all over her. "Mm, thank you for helping me get to the place.

"You sure you're going to get there all by yourself?" asked Astrel as he pointed to the direction where the ladies were laughing and having a gala time.

"Yep"

"I don't think so," he said as he waited for her to step ahead.

"Be positive-" she said, and the second step she took, she stumbled forward. Astrel pulled her back by her waist, and she landed back on his front.

"You have no choice but to walk with me," he said as he started to drag her along with him. They walked silently. None spoke a word. The ladies at the tea glanced at Vilian enviously as they gossiped and gritted their teeth.

"Isn't she going to get engaged to Eric?"

"And she's hooked in another man's arms. What a drama" giggled some of them.

As they neared the table where her stepmother was, she looked straight into her eyes, gracing a smile. Ms. Vivian was furious with her stepdaughter. She glared at her with a questioning look.

With a fake smile whispered to Astrel, "You can let me go."

"Are you sure?" he whispered back, taunting her as he looked into her eyes. Vilian gritted her teeth with the same smile.

"Look! It's not the time to argue. Just let me go."

"Ok," he said and let her. Vilian thanked him and sat as she greeted the ladies politely.

"Good evening Mr. Watson! What a delight to see you here!" The ladies refused to not get him their track.

"Apologize for my lateness. I had a small accident that got my leg sprained." She lied with a sad look, amusing the man who stood beside her.

"Oh, dear! That would have hurt badly," said the lady sitting next to Vilian. "Mr.Watson, why don't you join us?" she asked politely.

"I've got no time to lurk and gossip he said as he walked back to the mansion, heading toward the exit. Gary had sabotaged a part of his factory, so he had to look into it.