RAFE:
Who does she think she is?!
Yea, I've been asking that same question for the last few days. Since our heated conversation and me losing my grip on things, she has completely blocked me off on the note of being busy. It's already been two days since I've called her for the hundredth time. All I ever get is a text back informing she's busy.
I don't really care what she does but I can't affort to let her slip off me and that's all I care about.
Tomorrow is our first fashion show and we're hell bend busy and even then I tried to call her which she obviously ignored. I only wanted to invite her to the show. To be honest, I did go over the board that night and couldn't just manage her calmly. I admit I should've kept my tongue in check but she wasn't any less either. If I plan to keeping her tied down I need her to know who she needs to listen. I can't have her all wild and mouthy around me because I might just lose it and do something we'd both regret.
Although I can't get over the fact why her being with my brother bothered me so much. I mean obviously he wouldn't just have a fling with my date but why was she so jolly around him. She's almost always in check and careful with me. But it was not my eyes playing me when I saw her laughing with Leo. It's not like I care but its bad for my plan. She almost seemed to like him. I mean he is no less than me in anyway and if need be she can just ask his help too, if he wants to help that is. But from his behaviour that night and how he clung to her. I just simply can't get my mind around it.
Adding fuel to fire, he left with her. Like I was done by that point. I have no idea what the hell had happened but why did he leave with her when he knew she was with me. And why did she leave with a total stranger. Though I did notice how Leo seemed to know her. Did she remember him from somwhere? Do they know eachother? If she did, she'd have acted like it, right?
After our dance and her blast off, she left my visual zone. Talking with my investors and then Rimela following me everywhere, I missed her. But only to find her leaving with my brother followed by Cynthia and my stupid friend Mark who in the end came back which meant he didn't drop them off; Ciara and Derek left together and so did Cliris with her husband. All in one group, though I'm pretty confident all left in separate cars. Including Leo who never came back, probably was with Viviana.
"Rafe, Rafael?" I blinked from my computer screen which I've been staring at without a drop of work.
"Aren't you going home? It's almost 8." I looked up to meet Mark by my office door.
"Are you leaving?" I asked which made him shift a little. Okay, that's weird even for him.
"Yea, well, I have some plans. I just came to check since Maze told me you're still working." He said not looking at me directly.
"And with who?" I asked slowly trying grasp if I'm just being paranoid or he's acting weird.
"Um, some friends." He let out. He has friends other than me and Derek? This nerd has other friends? Why do I find that unbelievable.
Maybe he has a date woth Cynthia.
"Which friends?" I asked propping my hands on my table. He instantly glanced at me just to move it again.
"Why does it matter? And why are you asking so many questions?" He asked which made me shift a little.
Right, why do I care anyway.
"Yea, just curious. Forget it. Have fun, I'll leave in a while." I replied looking back into my screen.
"Cool, bye." He said and was immidiately gone.
Something is wrong and I can't get my mind around it. Like something is fishy here. Suddenly I felt the urge to call Derek who also left early today.
"Hey Rafe?" He answered in a jolly vibe as usual but there were many background noises.
"Where are you?" I asked curiously.
"I told you I have plans with some frineds. Why, you need something?" He asked loudly over the noice but then I heard a familiar voice.
"Derek, cut the damn call. Cyn might actually kill you this time." If I'm not wrong that's Ciara's voice.
"Yea, but boss guy called, he might need something." He argued as I kept quiet and listened.
"DEREK!" I heard a loud shout which probably felt like Cynthia's voice.
Why's he with her? Isn't Mark is going to meet her?
"Oh god! Fine, fine. I'll cut it. Yo, Rafe, if you don't need anything more I'm cutting. If you do, just text me. Bye." He said as I heard the call end.
So, he's with Cynthia and Ciara. And they're probably at a club or something. Nothing unusual but then there's something to take point. Wherever Cynthia is, Viviana is also there. Like two peas in a pod. So if I'm not wrong they're all somewhere including Derek, Ciara and Cynthia included, and Viviana might also be there. Mark just left in a hurry and since he's been hanging around Cynthia so much, she definately invited him. So in short, I'm the only one left out of their party.
This is a joke right?
Why would they leave me behind. I mean, okay, me and Viviana might be on the wrong ends now but they are all my friend, excluding Cynthia that is. Or maybe she invited them and cut me off. That makes sense. Yea, it's fine. There's nothing wrong with it.
Just as I was settling my mind, I still felt a bit annoyed. And thus I couldn't concentrate. Call me all stuck up but my friends have never left me out. In all my life this have never happened. In fact, before this Viviana girl, many things have never happened in my life. Being rejected, being ignored, insulted, warned, mocked, and now left out. I know not all of what I felt after she fell into my life is bad, I mean she's one hell of a hot and attractive girl that can arouse you on another level, but most is worse outcome and that makes me hate her more. She's the core of problems for everyone including me.
Suddenly my phone rang bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Hello?" I answer as usual through my earpod.
"Hey, Rafe, it's me!" I heard the all ever known high pitched voice.
"What do you want Rim?" I asked a little frustrated to deal with her.
"Stop acting like I'm your ex." She whined as I let out a scoff.
Well you are one.
"Why'd you call?" I asked again ignoring her comment.
"Wanna hang out tonight? We got a free gig in the hottest club you know. Me and my friends are here with some of your bussiness clients. There are designers here too." She informed as I thought about it for a while.
"Which club?" I asked getting up.
"TAO Downtown." She replied confidently knowing I've heard of it.
I do need to get my mind off things, so why not.
"Cool, I'll be there. I'll call you when I arrive." I informed cutting the call without letting her reply.
It's just a night out, who cares.
I drove there easily since the traffic has cooled down a bit. I know this club cause it's famour for its amazing venu as well as seperate restaurant and VIP section. And I like it cause I don't have to sit or mingle with the sweaty crowds.
When I reached there and went inside, I called her as she came out in a perfectly fitted short red dress. Her blonde hair styled and perfectly put in place. Although I wonder, isn't her feet cold.
"Hey, Rafe!" He said hugging me which I don't really care for.
"Aren't your legs cold?" I asked simply.
"Ah fashion is the real problem here honey. No one cares if we're cold or not." She sighed.
Well, no one forced you and this isn't a show.
But I didn't reply and we simply walked inside. The section she, her friends and some of my acquaintance sat was larger than most and in a good position in the club. You could see everything from here.
"Ah, look who's here. Rafael Sinclair. Havn't seen you enough these day." One of them joked.
"Why, you like my face a lot?" I sat down ordering a drink.
"Well, people do. You havn't made the magazine in a whole month and it's astonishing." Another replied.
"He's been a good boy, huh Rim?" One of Rimela's friend said giggling.
"Maybe, who knows." She mumbled by her drink, but her look said something else.
Her legs completely in view for everyone there and her red stilletos shining under the lights. Attracting everyone around while twirling on her hair curling the pale locks.
We were talking and laughing but I wasn't really paying much attention. It was honestly boring me and it's been a while since neither Derek or Mark is around. Well, they decided to cut me out, why would I care. At some point the music slowed down and there were cheers downstairs. Somehow I got curious to what's going on. And surprisingly I wasn't the only one, many more were too.
I slowly got up without pulling much attention on me and walked toward the railings. Then I heard a loud strong girl's voice speak up on the mic.
"Hey guys! Remember me?" She said as the crowd cheered louder on her and I took a closer look and was surprised.
Is that Ciara?!
"Guess what, my baby sis and her friends are gonna give us a rare opportunity to enjoy their talents, on the occasion of a certain someone's birthday." She announced.
As I tried to look at the people surrounding her, it was harder since all the lights were on her and it was too dark surrounding her. But then my eyes met with the only most familiar face I knew, my brother and my friends.
What are they doing here?
"Round of applause for Ty, Sym, Cynthia, Nick and our own birthday girl tonight Vivia!" She let out as the crowd cheered again.
I felt my body go rigit at the name.
And then the woman who have been lingering on my mind for so long walked on the stage or more like forced as her friends pulled her as she hid her face. Then a slightly blonde, tall and good boyish guy whispered something to her as she giggled and followed him on the stage. Who is that? I recognised all others but who the hell is that.
But then she looked up and I felt my entire body heat up at the clear sight of her. She looked exquisite in a black lace jumpsuit with her usual stright hair looking eye-catching as ever and when my eyes fell on her lips, I almost lost my grounds. Red as the blood and plum as barries. And as to how can I see and feel it so clearly, I do not know.
But then she closed in on the earlier guy as he kept making her laugh and smile from time to time. Who the actual hell on earth is he?
Then Cynthia passed a box to her which she opened and a beautiful smile graced her lips as she turned to that annoying guy again and he nodded at her. She then pulled out something that looked like a violin and following her he took a guitar from somewhere. The Symphony girl went over to the drums, Cynthia to the piano as they all positioned themselves over the mics. All in a line. Who's the singer then?
But the controlled raging fire in me split open when she opened her mouth. Am I hearing things? Or have I finally lost it?
"Hi, um." Her voice sounded so good over the mic. Soft yet clear yet melodic. I cursed at the sudden urge to go to her.
Get a holds of yourself, you idiot.
She cleared her throat and let out a shy chuckle.
"Personally I'm litereally having a stage fright. I'm only here because Ciara forced me to be. She said I have to pay her and others here for this surprise party." She smiled.
I've never seen someone look so beautiful smiling as her. And why is that guy still staring at her, damn it.
"This is all for our bestfriend here who have literally sparked our life yet have been away from us for 7 years. She owes this to us." Symphony laughed saying.
"We've been friends for 10 years but she ignored me for 6 long years now. Who ignores their bff like this? This has to be repayed, right guy?" The guy who have annoyed the crap out of me and now made me hate him, said and the crowd cheered.
So, he's her friend but why do I get the wrong vibe here.
"This is to the girl who is about to have her first live show and a gift from all of us. Happy Brithday, Vivia." Cynthia said kissing her.
Hang on, it's her birthday?
"So, now I'm asked to embarrass myself. I havn't sang for almost 7 years. I cannot assure you how I sing but I can assure you my friends here are all brilliant. Please excuse us if we make any mistakes. And thank you for being patient." She said looking behind her then nodded at her friends and smiled. Why does her smile make me like this?
But before I could comprehend the situation, her lips parted and the melodic voice set out and I was hit by the shock I couldn't stop myself to understand why.
I'm f*cked.
🌟🌟🌟
VIVIA:
Today when I woke up, for the first time, I found Cynthia out. She simply left a note on the fridge that she went out with her sister because she called. It wasn't anything unusual but she just never left so early in the morning without telling me.
When I reached my office, I noticed Sam all dressed up which made me a bit curious. So I asked why, she told me that she has a plan tonight. I mean it's okay; but then it was past lunch when Cynthia didn't come back and Sam acted completely fine. I got worried and asked Sam about it, who told me that she took the day off. Now that was the most unusual news I've heard in years. She took a day off and didn't tell me anything. I called her a lot which mostly got ignored. I then called Ciara who also seemed busy. I gussed maybe she's with Mark and didn't want to explain.
The stupid guy also called and made my mood sour as well. He's been very annoying the last few days too. I've been ignoring him since that night. It was supposed to be an interesting night but he turned into an asshole as I've always thought he was.
The night turned foul for me after that dance. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse. That Rimela Tark girl thought of a way to make it worse. She spilled her drink on me, thankfully I was wearing synthetic velvet and it didn't get wet much as I went to wipe and wash it off immidiately. Oh that's not all, when I came out and was getting a drink at the bar, guess who graced me with his face.
That idiotic Paul F*cking Fernando, and also dared to make a pass at me. I had to hold back from breaking his balls. But then his friends graced my presence and I almost lost it.
Like, do I look like an easy target to you. Doesn't men get it when I say to leave me alone? Well, I almost punched him when Leo noticed while passing by and stepped it. And stopped me from grounding them, litereally.
Although he did make sure to laugh his ass off while driving all the way to my home, which he insisted once he noticed my dress having wet patches from the men's drinks I just almost killed. Like that my dress took the worst beating ever.
Cynthia drove my car who said she has to be somewhere which I have no clue where while I went to his car, which was weird but he insisted that we catch up on our conversation away from his brother's eye shot. And it was a good decision even though Leo teased the hell out of me the whole way home. But it was good because I found some things interesting. And that is, the so called senior girl who always went head to head with him have also made him head over heels in love with her.
But I knew something he didn't. That senior girl is actually Nick's sister. I knew her up close since I hanged around him a lot. She was one power girl and the coolest woman I've ever seen. She was actually his cousin but her relationship with her single dad wasn't good, so she litereally grew up with Nick's family. Who knew she'd be the god forsaken crush of Leo. I heard she left soon after but I wasn't sure since I mostly blocked most of my memory on my senior years of college.
Around 6 today , Leo suddenly popped up in my office like it's a usual thing. The faces of my employees were a sight to behold. Sam almost fainted and also had a heart attack knowing I know him personally. He invited me to a club which confused me to his sudden invitation. His reason was that he needs to know something from me. But I didn't refuse since I also knew something and a good news to give him which I missed that night.
I told him I need to at least dress up which he approved and I took him to my apartment to wait as I changed. Throughout he made annoying sexist jokes to annoy me trying to provoke me, one of his old habit.
I wasn't going for much but since he told me we'd be going to a club, I decided to just go with one of my nice jumpsuits.
Black as my soul as usual. Straightened my hair since I don't need a bird nest and picked out a red lipstick since it popped up my eyes. Once done I came out which Leo made a slight remark by whistling. It was hilarious how he acting like the drunkards from the party.
What did surprise me was when he gave me a hand accessory at the club. It was bracelet attached to a ring, said it was one of his latest collection going to be launched tomorrow. And obviously I got confused and asked what it was about with the sudden gift. He told me it's for my birthday as which I almost threw up my drink.
I had totally forgotten the date and when the hell my birthday was. Last year I got a fever around this time and didn't celebrate it. So it completely missed by me. When I asked how'd he knew, he look behind me as I got the shock of my life.
The most gorgeous blond man I ever knew smile at me boyishly. Nick, my second most closest person on earth, Nickel Hollad showed up behind me just like that, almost giving me a heart attack.
"Missed me?" He asked in this usual cute smile.
The moment my eyes met his blue eyes, I was a pubble of emotions. His usual dark blonde locks are still mermerising and made him handsome as ever. Although he has build up but his childish manners still remains. His most eye catching smile could catch anyone off guard. He still looked handsome as ever and dresses up in semi casual did it's job as every women surrounding us had their eyes on him, and obviously also at Leo too. I definitely have a thing for handsome men or something, don't I?
Next to Cynthia, Nick was my soul friend. I never wished to get a better friend and partner than him. And by partner I mean my parter in crime and games. He was bestest guy friend you could ask for. Truth be told, there was a time, I even had a crush on him which never was revealed since we both got into a relationship in our highschool senior years and completely forgot about it. But god, did I miss him.
"Please tell me I'm not seeing things and you have not murdered me yet." I let out as a whisper.
"You're not and I freaking missed you too, Vi." He said engulfing me in a hug that I really did miss for so many years.
"How're you here?" I asked as I felt my eyes blur up.
"Same way you are?" He asked propping one of his eyebrows.
"Quiet joking, I meant seriously." I hit him wiping up my eyes that almost made me turn into a panda.
"I got called to fly over for a very special girl without whom, I'd have had a terrible school life and childhood." He grinned as I again gave him a hug that he took and chuckled.
"You must be Nick." Leo said as I let go and they shook hands when Nick nodded as reply.
"I am. Even though I know you, I've heard about you from my Sis too." He said which obviously got Leo perked up.
"S-Serein?" He asked slowly as I looked shocked. Am I hearing things or did Leo the Lion just shuttered.
What have you done to him, Serein?
"Umhm, she's in L.A now. I was there too." Nick said looking at both of us.
"She's a designer there, right?" Leo asked knowingly.
"And model who also is an activist and volunteer in many dangerous things as usual." He laughed which made me giggle a little. She's as wild as ever.
Then surprise was when Cynthia showed up along with Ciara, Sam and the annoying Derek followed by Mark a little later. Then Sym and Ty pooped up along making my stone heart turn into a mush. It's been years since I saw all these people together since college. It was a heart felt moment for me.
"As always you look amazing, Vivia." Mark clicks his drink with mine.
"Yea, buttering me up won't help if you hurt my friend." I reply back smugly.
"He won't need you, your frined would be enough to kill him on stop if he even has the guts to." Derek replies laughing only to het hit by Mark.
"And you need to stop annoying us and get laid." Cynthia said moving her hand over my shoulder.
"Too busy and too bored to get into called relationship, sweetheart. But I'll take that advice on getting laid litereally." He replies eyeing girls around us.
"God, fuckboy vibe or what." Cynthia whispers making me smack her to quiet down.
"Do I look like I care, sweetheart?" Derek smirks and nudges her. Mark instantly comes between and pushes him away.
"No, now go and sweetheart other women. Shoo, be a playboy somewhere else."
"Hey I'm not only one here." Derek points at Leo who was talking with Nick.
"Yea, I'm not as worse as you. Thanks. Got a reputation to keep unlike you, Derek." Leo replies making al of us laugh.
"Please ignore my brother, he isn't worth it." We all look up to see a short blonde walking up to us with a awfully cute smug look.
"Yo, Ashy, you made it!" Before we could understand anything, Ciara jumps on her and kisses the hell out of her which answers to our question as to who it is.
Such a small world, huh?
"Guys, this is the infamous Ashley Brook. My-" Ciara tried to introduction gets cut in.
"Girlfriend, were aware by the amazing TMI scene." Derek says making us laugh.
We introduce outself to her, she seems much of a calmer person than Ciara who is the definition of wild. She does not sit quiet even for a moment.
And guess what, the good news I wanted to give Leo, Cynthia already traded that information for the help he did. Telling him about Nick and told him all about his relationship to Serein. I wonder when Cynthia and Leo kicked off so well. Back in college, she always ignored him, calling him a player.
After the so called mushy mushy moment passed, Ciara gifted me a pair of earrings which I just had to change right there and then. Slowly the gifts came in from everyone as I felt overjoyed by every thoughts from them. In the middle, everyone almost strangled Cynthia when she informed that she brought nothing but I knew why. But then the only thing that caught me off guard was Nick's gift.
A black and white violin, in brush paint and handcurved perfectly. I once remember mentioning this when I saw it in a show being heartfeltly played by a little girl. I was so obsessed with it that it went on my top bucket list back in college. But since I left playing, I forgot all about it. I was suprised that he remembered it after so many years.
Suddenly, Ciara clapped her hands, bring me back to reality.
"So, I got another better surprise for you." She said making me confused. What could be better than this?
"Like?" I asked curiously.
She didn't reply just told me to follow her as I noticed how everyone was glancing and smiling. They are planning something again. But before I could realize what, Ciara was off to the stage where the Dj was and I realized the setting kept there. I instantly let out a curse when she made her announcment as all eyes fell on me.
"You're gotta be kidding me!" I let out more to myself when Ciara pulled me on the stage.
"Remember, Vi, you promised us a show once. Payback time, babe." I heard Nick say as I let out a smile. I did promise him that but that's when I knew how to play.
"I don't remember how to play." I replied pulling back.
"Sure, like I'll believe that after the amazing smile you gave seeing the violin. Come on, between you and me, don't you wanna give it a try?" He whispered back closing in as I let out a mumbled laugh. Aw, he knows me all too well.
"Fine, once." I said stepping in with him as he laughed and nodded at Cynthia who brought in the Violin.
Opening and glancing at it really did make me smile. This was the only thing I came to love whole heartedly in my life. Although I was good at my job and programming, but while Cynthia liked hacking, I was more into the Violin. It was my escape from everything and the world.
Once I concluded how I'm going to probably embarrass myself and apologised for it first, Cynthia started with the first tune amd I immidiately recognised it. I know this because it was the last song we played together. And I'll forever remember it by heart.