The members of the room watched in silence as the girl in the wedding dress sung her heart out. She changed from one genre to another like switching channels. If it wasn't for her good vocals she would have long been kicked out of the room.
Mark watched in delight as Alina strutted around the dress singing with a mic in her hands. As expected she was fun to watch.
A whack suddenly hit Mark's head. He was ready to swear at whoever hit him but quietened down when he saw who it was.
"Hi, Zander!! How do you do?"Mark switched his colors like a chameleon.
The man just rolled his eyes as if used to the antics of the manchild facing him. The childhood friend and most eligible bachelor of the country-Zander
Zander Kyle was the youngest son of the Leylon Clan -one of the oldest clans in the world and heir of Koral Corporations. With his dark black orbs and handsome face, girls were attracted to him as male bees fell for the queen bee. But unfortunately, he was not interested in girls or in general anybody. His first and foremost love was his job and he was committed to it like nobody else.
'Sigh, what a waste of good looks!!' Mark thought as he was reminded of how he had to face the brunt of all of their female fans since young. But to be honest he quite enjoyed this attention.
Zander sat on the couch with the elegance of an emperor, even a normal couch looked much more luxurious when added with his actions and mannerisms.
Mark beckoned a waiter and ordered Zander's regular drink. As Zander sat on the sofa laying his head backward, a sweet melody entered his ears successfully attracting his attention to Alina who was currently belting out the lyrics to Lewis Capaldi's Someone You Loved. Her singing successfully captured the deep feelings and sadness of the song.
Zander stared at her for a few seconds before turning to Mark with a blank look.
"Her wedding was called off and she was drinking her ass off in the bar and me being the kind and responsible person I am escorted her to a safe place so no one could take advantage of the poor girl."
Mark explained his reasoning to Zander in one breath with an awe-inspiring look on his face, as if he had done the kindest act in the world.
"More like you bought her upstairs for your own entertainment."
Zander stated tearing down Mark's facade. Mark acted as if he heard nothing and righteously ignored him.
"She was drunk and sad and wanted to sing. So I brought her up here so she can sing and drink until she drops dead with no fear of being taken advantage of. So I guess me watching her is not considered bad considering the fact I am not touching a single hair on her body."
Zander closed his eyes and laid his head back on the couch relaxing. He knew his friend well. No matter how beautiful the girl was he knew his limits and never crossed them. That's how they were brought up since childhood.
A completely drunk Alina tired after her performance returned back to the lounge area flopping onto the couch next to Zander with her face and body facing the couch.
The actions attracted Zander but seeing that she didn't cross her limits he let her be.
Alina suddenly sat up on the sofa startling Mark. Zander like the calm person he was examined her. Now that he looked up close she was pretty good-looking.
"Do you guys think I am stupid?" Alina spoke with a very sad look on her face. She looked like a rabbit who lost its precious carrot. Mark and Zander listened as the girl poured out her most hidden thoughts.
"I know that Xavier was my Fiance since young. But he too has the right to fall in love. I feel like I did the right thing by calling off the wedding as it would have been hard for both of us if we continued with it. But also at the same time, I feel like why did I have to make such a big decision embarrassing myself when Xavier himself did not take any actions? Was I wrong in taking this decision?? Would it have worked out in the future if I had not taken this decision today?? All these what-ifs and possibilities are hurting my head."
"Do you think what you did was stupid?"
Zander asked breaking her out of her self-doubting session.
Alina's mind went blank for a second. Xavier's relieved and grateful face. Their parents and Lisa's both thankful and heartbroken expressions filled up her mind. Realization dawned upon her, the process was quite painful and embarrassing but the end result was worth it!!.
"No, I don't think so. Thank you!!" Alina replied gratefully to Zander.
Mark watched the scene before him muddled. He thought Alina was quite lucky to get a piece of one-to-one advice from Zander.
"Hey, Mark! Have you seen any Korean Idols when you went to visit Korea?"Alina asked with an excited expression on her face dismissing the previous depressing atmosphere.
"No" Mark replied completely diminishing her excitement.
Alina cast a dirty look completely disappointed in him muttering 'What a waste?' under her breath.
Mark felt offended at her actions, so what if he never visited Korea. How could that be a reason for someone to sneer at him?. He felt that he shouldn't have taken pity on her.
Zander looked completely amused by the situation happening before him. Even though he didn't show it on his face. The slight upward curve on one side of his mouth revealed his amusement.
"So, I guess this is the right time! In the name of self-healing, I can take some time off from the company and have a vacation. 3 months, 6 months..... No, I should make it 1 year." Alina nodded excitedly clapping her hands in happiness. She already felt happiness replacing her somber mood.
'No medicine was better cure than Hot boys.' she thought.
Mark watched in horror as the girl switched personalities in instant. He looked doubtfully at Zander wondering whether she had split personality or bipolar disorder.
Zander realizing his friend's thought shook his head refuting his thoughts.
Mark had finally met someone whose skin was thick as his.
"What is the time, right now?" she asked looking at her wrists realizing that she hadn't worn her watch.
"It's 3:30 am," Mark replied glancing at his wrists.
Alina stood up stumbling and disoriented, patted her gown, and readied herself.
"I guess, it's time to leave," she stated with a bright and sincere smile.
Mark was concerned at the fact how she would return to her home. But his worries were all for nothing as two big and sturdy bodyguards arrived and stood at both her sides.
Mark finally understood why the girl had the guts to act so boldly and fearlessly in a bar. Even he would act lawlessly if he had such bodyguards protecting him.
The girl who was leaving with the support of her bodyguards suddenly turned around and hugged Zander startling him.
The always calm and cool Zander froze at the embrace of the girl.
"Thank you!!" she whispered softly in a painful voice into his chest as she hugged him tightly.
Zander initially wanted to push the girl away but the wetness on his shirt's chest stopped him.
A very baffled Mark watched in horror as the scene progressed before him. A girl was hugging Zander. A living, breathing girl and Zander hugged her back instead of burying her under some sea in the middle of nowhere.
Alina wiped her tears and smiled at them before leaving with her bodyguards.
"Hey!!! Why don't I get a hug??" Mark yelled complaining.
Alina waved her hand without looking back shouting"One, you are not handsome as him and two, you didn't give me any valuable advice"
Mark felt his jaw open at her revelation while Zander sat back on the couch closing his eyes. If it wasn't for the slight curvature on the corner of the lips no one would realize that the ice-cold prince was smiling.