Loud. That's the only thing I can describe this party at first glance.
The whole hall is crowded.
I'm here at the second floor of this hall. The ground floor of the hall is full of nobilities.
The loud chattering from below was resonating the whole premises.
I was just here taking glances below. I don't plan on interacting with them.
"Hey." I faced the direction to see the person who caught my attention.
I smiled. "Hey."
Tyler walked towards me and embraced me with his warm hug. I responded to his hug with a tap on his back.
"Did you just finished working?" I asked since I noticed that he's still on his office attire.
He nodded. "Yeah."
He chuckled. "I missed you. When did you came back?" He whispered before breaking our hug.
"Yesterday." I answered.
"Why didn't you contact me?" He pouted. "I should've fetched you in the airport." He puckered his lips even more.
I suppressed my laugh. "Stop that."
"But I missed you." He went closer to me and clings into my arm.
"We weren't that away for so long. Stop being overdramatic, Tyler." I slapped his arm.
"What do you mean?! We're away from each other for 'five' friggin years!" He hissed at me with a disbelief look on his face.
We laughed.
"But, hey." He eyed me from head to toe. "Why aren't you dressed for the party?"
I looked at my outfit. I just wore a simple white crop top and a cargo pants.
I shrug. "Who says I'm gonna party with you guys?"
His eyes widened. "Hey, don't tell me you aren't joining us."
I shrug my shoulders.
"You can't be serious! The twin's gonna be so sooo mad!" He was doing exaggerated movements to appeal to his words.
I bit my lips, trying hard not to laugh at his expression.
He noticed my expression. "You're just screwing around, aren't you?" He looked at me directly in the eyes and stared blankly.
"Homie, I arranged this party and traveled for a couple of hours just to waste this opportunity?" I shook my head. "Dumb as ever." I mumbled.
"You're a meanie!" He pouted. This time, while glaring at me.
"Azalea."
We both faced our backs after hearing someone calling my name. We saw Pops wearing a tuxedo. He was approaching us.
He was eyeing me while walking towards us. "What's with your attire?" He raised his eyebrow at me.
"What?" I furrowed my brows.
"Why are you not wearing your dress?" He asked while fixing his wrist watch. He looked at me suspiciously.
"I'm gonna change later, calm it Pops. I ain't gonna escape, okay?" I rolled my eyes.
Tyler faked a cough.
Pops looked at him, surprised. "Oh? Tyler! I've missed you, young man!" Pops hugged him. Tyler hugged him back.
"Hehe, I've missed you too, Pops." Tyler chuckled.
They broke their contact and fixed their subtly wrinkled coat.
"I'm glad you came. Were you not busy?" Pops asked in concern. He must have noticed Tyler's attire and realized that he came by just after finishing his job.
"If it's for the Hemlock's, I always have time to spare. It's an honor to be invited to such a grandeur party." Tyler smiled with sincerity.
"Such a gentleman." Pops gave him a wink. "Anyways, gotta go now young one's. Granpa duties." He said and walked towards the dressing room of the twins.
"Hey, the party will start in an hour. When do you plan on fixing yourself?" Tyler faced me.
"An hour would be more than enough to fix myself." I retorted.
He shook his head. "If you say so. I still need to do my hair. My stylist is waiting for me at my waiting room. See you later." He kissed my forehead before walking away.
This hall is huge. The second floor has more than 12 rooms in total. Only special guests like Tyler is permitted to enter here at this floor.
I stayed there for a couple of minutes before finally entering my dressing room.
The moment I entered the room, I saw a silky red dress with thin laces on the top of my chair.
I saw a sticky note stuck at the mirror.
'Hey, I threw the lame dress you bought. Use this.'
Love,
Alexandra
My brows furrowed on its own. "What the..."
I picked up the red dress and checked its every details.
"... Fuck."
I instantly roamed my eyes around to see if she really threw my dress. I checked every corners of the room but the box is gone.
The box of my dress is gone.
I closed my eyes and suppressed my anger.
Alexandra. If only this isn't your day... If only....
I heaved a deep breath.
I have no choice but to wear the red dress that she left behind for me. The dress hugged my body perfectly. It fits every curves that I have. Everything seems so fine, but what bothers me is the laces. I know that this dress is made from top tier materials, but I can't help but feel like it might rend even from unforced movements.
This dress is backless and the only thing that keeps everything intact is this thin thread-like laces that crosses my back and shoulders.
I sat in front of my mirror and started doing things on my face. Since my dress is red, I wore a red lipstick and tied my hair into a messy bun.
I saw another note on my make-up table.
"Red stilleto for you, hehe."
— Alexandra
There's an arrow pointing at my left. I saw boxes of shoes in stack. There's another letter stuck at the very top of the boxes.
"Wear this! Love you!"
— Alexandra
I seized the top most shoe box while shaking my head. Alexandra really loves toying around.
I sat on my chair and opened the box. Inside it was a very shiny red stilleto. Just by the appearance of this shoes, I already know that this costs a lot. Knowing Alexandra, she loves expensive things.
I wore it and I needed to put my hand on top of my make up table to retain my balance.
After I adjusted on wearing the shoes, I stood in front of the mirror to see myself.
Something's missing...
I looked carefully at my face and an idea instantly popped up. I messed up my make up kit to find that thing.
"Ah, yes. Eyeliner." I smiled.
I was satisfied after seeing myself with an eyeliner on. "There."
I opened the door to leave already but I was surprised upon seeing Tyler who's just about to walk past my room.
We were both frozen on spot.
"Hey." He was the first one to recover from the shock.
I blinked. "Hey."
"You look gorgeous, Az." He approached me.
I smiled. "You too. Nice hairdo." I complimented him. His hair is brushed up in one side. He's wearing a different tuxedo also. He looked totally different compared awhile ago.
"You're mesmerizing." He eyed me from head to toe. "I never thought you would wear something like this."
"Well, yeah. Alexandra threw my supposedly dress today and replaced it with this." I motioned my hands over my body to show him my dress.
"Sounds very Alexandra." He chuckled.
I just laughed a little.
"Let's go?" He offered me his hand and I gladly took it.
"Yeah."
We went down the ground floor and a crowd instantly welcomed us.
Their heads are turning towards our direction.
"They are awed by your beauty." Tyler whispered to me.
"Shut it, handsome." I rolled my eyes while suppressing my smile.
We walked towards our table. Tyler and I are on the same table. I arranged this event so I have the most control over this event.
"Hey, Sweetie." Pops, together with his business friends, approached us.
He kissed me on my cheeks. "Good to know you didn't run away." He joked making his friends chuckle.
I forced a smile. "Why would I?" I awkwardly laughed.
I hate interacting with aristocrats.
Tyler held my hand and intertwined our fingers. He gently squeezed my hands to inform me that he's just beside me, ready to support.
We talked a little about businesses until the emcee appeared on stage.
We went to our respective seats to start the event.
The emcee started saying things. I just faced in front but not paying attention on what she was saying.
"Hey." I felt a poke on my arm.
"What?" I faced Tyler.
"Problem?" He looks worried.
"None, why?"
"You seems too preoccupied. Something's bothering you?"
"Don't worry, it's nothing. I'm just tired." I faced in front to end our conversation.
He didn't bother me anymore and focused his attention in front. He wasn't totally wrong. Something is really bothering me. Gio haven't called me since yesterday's call. It's so not like him. He's the type of person to update you to each and every action he's doing. But since yesterday, ha hasn't called me once.
I shook my head. I shouldn't think of anything else aside from the twin's birthday. I should focus here. I came here for them.
I payed attention to the speaker in front and remained my focus. Later, the speaker called my name to give the twin a speech.
The people started clapping their hands while I walked my strides towards the hall's platform.
I held the mic with a standee closer to me. "Uh..." I looked around the place. I suddenly got a stage fright.
Fuck events.
I roamed my eyes until it stopped on Tyler's place. He just smiled at me and gave me an encouraging nod.
I cleared my throat before speaking. "Hello, good day folks. Before I start my nagging about those two's actions, I just want to say... enjoy your fucking meal." I started.
I almost slapped my forehead for cussing, thinking that it would add humor to my speech. The people gathered here are aristocrats, they don't know the word 'humour'.
"Uh—" I was about to take back my words and apologize but I got surprised that a lot of them laughed at my words.
I felt relieved. I heave a sigh before continuing my message. I successfully made everyone laugh and smile at my prepared speech for the twins and that made me feel light. I suddenly felt that a huge burden was lifted away from my back.
I was half way through ending my speech when my eyes landed on someone's position. A guy is standing near the hall's corner where there's a less group of people.
I furrowed my brows. I disregarded it for a moment to end my speech. Everyone applaud at my message and I gladly thanked them.
I got off the platform and went to the person who caught my attention awhile ago.
Pops and Tyler gave me a questioning look after I just walked past our table. I motioned my hands towards the restroom, pretending that I'm just going to fix my make up. They nodded and focused their attention to the new speaker in front.
I walked towards the guy who's just wearing his playful smirk while watching me walk towards him.
"Hey beautiful, what's up?" He asked after I stood next to him. He has a goblet on his hand and the other is inside his pocket.
"The fuck you doing here, philanderer?" I hissed while still remaining my gaze in front and trying to act natural to avoid catching attention.
"Am I not invited?" He asked. "And hey, my name isn't philanderer. It's Zeke."
"I organized this party, and I never sent you an invitation. How did you get past the guards?" I ignored his last retort and gazed at him for a second.
"Really? You set up this event? Then who sent me the invitation card if not you?" He asked, acting innocent.
"I never did."
He chuckled. "Oh c'mmon. Just admit it."
"Admit what?" I raised my eyebrow.
"That you like me and you badly want to see me so you sent me an invitation." He shrugged his shoulders.
My eyes widened. I faced him. "Pardon?" I asked in disbelief.
He turned his face at me. He stared for a second before putting up his annoying smirk once again. "Now I know your plan."
I creased my forehead. "What plan?"
He exhaled. "I can't believe you sent me an invitation and pretends that you haven't done it to catch my attention. Tsk tsk tsk." He slowly shook his head.
"Whut? Are you nuts?" If there's a feeling about confusion beyond confusion, then I could say that, that's what I am feeling right now.
"Tell me..." I breathe deeply. "Are you on drugs?"
He immediately faced me. "What?"
"Are you high?" I looked at him suspiciously.
"Huh?! What?! No! Where did you get that idea?" He glared at me.
I squinted my eyes at him. "Come with me outside for a second." I walked first towards the hall's garden and he did followed me.
"Now what?" He asked.
"Who sent you the invitation?" I faced him.
"You said you're the one who sent the invitations, so why are you asking me?" He seems confused as much as I do.
"But I never sent you an invitation!" I'm starting to lose it. This is so stressing.
"I did."
We both faced our backs after hearing someone interfere with our little talk.
"Pops?"
"I invited him." He stood beside Zeke and gave me a smile.
"What's up with this, Pops?" I stared at him, baffled.
"He's one of our business partners now, Azalea. It would be rude of us if we didn't invited him."
"Oh, it is such an honor to be recognized as one of your business partners, Mr. Hemlock." Zeke faced Pops and slightly bowed his head.
Pops tapped Zeke's shoulders. "You're always welcome, young man."
I just stared at them with a lot of questions in mind but it was cut off after my phone rang.
I seized my phone on my right leg under my dress. I always have phone holster on my leg since I find purses and pouches inconvenient.
I saw Zeke taking a peek of my exposed skin and I just glared at him telling him to fuck off. He saw my glare so he instantly averted his gaze while still wearing his authentic smirk.
I clenched my teeth. I wanna erase that fucking smirk off of his face.
I just shook my head before answering the call. It's Giovanni.
"Hey, what's up?" I asked as I distanced myself from Zeke and Pops.
"Girl, we have a huge problem." He sounded so bothered.
"Yeah? What happened?" I felt nervous after hearing his bothered voice.
I heard him taking deep breaths. "Okay, listen carefully here girl. First, take a deep breath—"
"Fuck you! Just get to the point!" I hissed. I can't take this suspenseful situation anymore.
"Okay, okay! So here's the tea sis. You can't open your exhibit here anymore." His voice weakens on his last words but I was able to hear that pretty clear.
"What?" I drawled.
"All the top tier studios that we could rent here have already been leased by the same person."
"You mean 'all' of it?" I was surprised.
"Yeah. 'All' of it. With the same person." He repeated. "After we planned on signing a contract with the studio owner, minutes later and the owner will inform me that 'this' person rented it for a greater value. That goes for the rest of the studio owners that we've contacted. And oh, I'm tellin' you girl, this is no coincidental situation."
I grasp my hair. "So, you're saying that this person is prying into our business?"
"Yeah. Totally."
"Who's 'that' person?" Why does that person kept on meddling with our business?
"You won't believe me." He sounded so miserable.
"I'll believe you! Just tell me!"
"It's Mr. Hemlock, Az..."
I froze.
He sigh. "Your Granpa."
I was silent for a second. "Pardon? I think your mouth is broken, Gio. Fix it."
"The fuck?" He cussed.
"Are you sure it's him?" I asked and threw some subtle stares at Pops. He was busy talking with Zeke.
"Yeah. When did I ever lent you some fake informations?" I can visualize him rolling his eyes at me.
I gritted my teeth. "Okay, thanks. Bye." I immediately hang up the phone.
I walked towards Pops.
"Why did you do that?" I stared sharply at him.
The two stopped talking.
"What?" He asked me. His forehead's lines are becoming more visible because of him, creasing his brows.
"Stop acting innocent Pops. You know what I'm talking about." I glared at him.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Sweetie."
"Gosh, Pops! Why did you do meddle with Gio on finding me a good studio to exhibit my photographs?!" I wasn't able to hold back my voice.
He looked like he already knew what I was talking about. "Oh, that? I just helped my friends to find a good studios for their businesses." He smiled.
I scoffed. "How can you be that kind to others and be this terrible to your own granddaughter?"
He got silent for a second. Zeke distanced himself to give us some privacy.
"You mad?" He asked me.
I scoffed. I can't believe he just asked me that.
"I've been preparing for this all my life, Pops. I've been doing all your orders for the past few years. I haven't thought of myself once. It's all just you and you and you." I can feel my chest tightening.
"I have always been that granddaughter you wanted me to be. I always follow your orders and forget about myself. I always prioritized your happiness before mine. I became your robot." I felt a lump in my throat.
"Azalea, apo—"
"Can't I decide for myself just this once, Pops?" I cut him off. Him calling me 'Apo' which means his grandchild doesn't seem so right as of now.
I looked at him directly in his eyes.
"Your happiness is mine also. But why does my happiness seems to be your blue?" I bit my lip.
He tried to reach for my hands but I step back to avoid him.
"Don't touch me." I mumbled. "Tell the twins and Tyler that I went off because I wasn't feeling well." I said before turning my back at him.
He called my name a couple of times but I ignored it. I went to the hall's parking lot and entered my car.
I breathe deeply before starting the engine. This day isn't supposed to be like this. I know I should have at least bid my farewell to the twins but I can't handle the toxicity there any longer.
As soon as I've revved up the car, I stepped on the gas to pave my way through the road. My sight is getting more and more blurry but I was able to prevent my tears from falling.
I will never cry. I will never waste my tears for them.
I breathe deeply to calm my nerves. After I went inside the Hemlock Villa, I spent my time thinking about my future plans.
I made sure to build a concrete plan for my future.
This time, I won't let them manipulate me and my dreams.
—