Everything suddenly fell silent and became blurry. April and Gregory were drowned by the crowd and never saw them again. I remained frozen, unconsciously pushed by the drunk and the hyped. My breath was constricted against my will as I tried to rewind the event that I just witnessed: my friend kissed the guy who almost kissed me. To whom should I be angry at? At April? At Gregory? Or at myself?
Then, it dawned on me that I have absolutely no right to be angry at anyone except myself. April was drunk and I absolutely have no business with whoever Gregory lands his lips at.
I started to feel suffocated since I decided to be angry at myself for feeling this way. I immediately ran outside and went directly to Jason's car. In rage, I forcefully kicked his car's tire until I felt hurt and tired. When I saw my reflection on my dark tinted car window, my tears fell down for no reason. I realized how pathetic I was for trying so hard tonight. I even dressed up. What was I trying to prove? Was I actually craving for someone's attention? Gregory's? Why did I even try? I will always be the weird girl. I have always been. To Mum, to Jason and to everyone else.
It is just so sad how someone so insignificant could break me down and question my self-worth without even trying. How did I become so fragile?
In pure anger, I punched my reflection on the car's window. It didn't leave any crack but I heard my fingers did. I pinched myself to stop crying like how my mum always did. I stared back at myself, wiped my tears dry and promised to not ever feel the same thing again.
I took out my phone to text Jason with my trembling and bruised hand. "Chillin outside. Will be waiting when ur done."
There was a pathwalk near the shore across from the club. I walked the dark pathwalk, only illuminated by the dim street lights which are too far distanced from each other. It was freezing but I tried to tolerate it for a brief peace of mind. A puff of cold air appeared as I breathe and listened to the harmony of small waves crashing the shore.
I woke from my depressing trance when a warm fabric covered my trembling body. Then, a heavy arm dropped along the length of my back shoulders and a warmish hand squeezed my shoulder at the end. I looked up and it was the last person I expected to be at my side this time. Gregory.
"Are you trying to freeze to death?" He spoke in slow reverb then let out a small chuckle, that evil chuckle probably the thing I hated the most right now. I could only see the shadowed side of his face, a perfect silhouette made by the street light on the far end. And he also stinks of alcohol.
My body must have loved to betray me when it didn't budge to move and wanted more of this. But my hurt ego was screaming in pain. I pushed his arm dropping to his side. I faced him trying to hide the unsolicited pain in me. I took off his leather jacket and gave it back.
I tried to look away from his face and started to walk away. "Are we going home now?"
He didn't answer but I was surprised when he softly grabbed my shoulder. "Are you okay?" His voice was husky maybe because of the cold.
"Why would I not be?" I turned away from him again.
"You just disappeared and you stayed here freezing in this cold." He said as he tried to catch up with me.
"I was not feeling well but this cold made it better."
I found Jason leaning by my convertible car like how a drunk man would be. "I sent my driver to get April home. I believe you're sober enough to drive us home." He has surprisingly clear speech in his drunkest state.
"Of course."
Gregory hesitated, "Wait, are you sure?" Worry was evident in his face.
I walked at the straight edge of the sidewalk in front of him. "See? I'm sober enough to take you home safely."
Jason was already lying down in the back seat when he was acting like he was going to throw up. Gregory sat in the passenger seat. As I started the engine, I opened the roof. "In case, you wanna throw up without ruining my car." I reminded my drunk brother.
We were driving on the silent highway. My thoughts drifted along the warm orange lights by the streets and the cold wind brushing through my hair. I realized that I was acting wrongly the whole time. It was just so immature to be hurt by something superficial. It isn't Gregory's fault that he was born with a pretty attractive face but it was definitely my fault that I let myself fall for it. I take back that Gregory was an asshole since I was the one who let my guard down to a guy who just spending his youth the way it should: careless, free and dumb. If I was caught in between, the blame is on me. I take back my tears, the pain and hurt ego. It wasn't worth it.
Maybe I was driving too slow for me to realize that Gregory might be staring at me the whole time. My one hand was on the wheel and the other on my head leaning on it.
"Hey, are you sure you can drive?" He finally spoke.
I smiled. "Oh, late-night drive makes my mind drift somewhere. Sorry." I stepped on the gas more to gain speed.
"Yeah, this is too romantic." I forgot I was driving two drunk guys.
"Not at all romantic."
"I'm drunk but I know what I mean," he argued.
"Oh, yeah?"
"It feels like the world is suddenly just for the two of us."
I choked at the cheesy thought. Seriously? I am not getting into that dangerous trap of yours again, Gregory.
"You sure have ways with the girls."
"It comes naturally, I guess."
"I hope you haven't left any broken hearts at the club tonight." Well, don't count mine.
Gregory, who's half-asleep already, smirked. "It surely wasn't my fault if that happened. I'm just me."
I take it back. Gregory is a certified world class asshole.
---
It was already two in the morning when we arrived at the villa. Everybody was probably asleep. I shook Jason to awaken him. Mr. Hudson, the house manager, emerged from the door.
"Mr. Hudson, I am sorry for waking you up."
"No problem, Miss." Mr. Hudson assures me though he was still in his pajamas. He's been with us ever since I could remember. He was already in his fifties. Old yet still strong as a horse as he says.
"I got two dead bodies and I don't know what to do with them," I explained, trying to make light of the situation. He chuckled in response.
Mr. Hudson called two more helpers to help us get Jason and Gregory to their rooms. I assisted one helper with Gregory.
When we reached the guest room, we dropped Gregory on his bed. The helper left us after she set everything up. I noticed that she was still groggy so I thanked her and sent her away.
Seeing Gregory sprawled in his bed, I couldn't help but to get disappointed by how flawed his character is. He knew very well how privileged he was and he used that as an excuse to treat everybody like trash.
Still can't get over how awful he was, I took out his pillow and hit him with it. Surprisingly, he was dead asleep and didn't budge. So diverting all my rage to him, I continued to beat his body with the pillow. It was so intense that I was out of breath. I dropped to his side momentarily when a hand pulled me on top of him. He rolled over and I was now beneath him. He was so heavy that I was being crushed beneath his weight. I tried to push him aside but he was snoring loudly as he dropped his head on my chest. His arms started to envelop me.
Then, a lady in white appeared just outside the door that she left. In panic, I pushed Gregory forcefully and he rolled to his side. I immediately jumped out of the bed and chased the woman outside the room to the hallway. I found her on the open balcony. It was mum in a silver nightgown and she was smirking. I tried to avoid her but she called out to me.
"This is the first time I am not disappointed with you, Artemis."
I turned towards her. "Whatever that means, mum. I don't care." Whatever she thinks of me, it is not my business.
"I thought you'll give me a hard time with my plan with you and Gregory."
I frowned at her with my eyebrows crossed. "And what is it mum? Whatever you saw, it didn't look that way."
She started to walk towards me. "I only saw one thing. That you and him are a perfect match."
"What do you mean, mum? Gregory and I meant nothing. I'm sorry but it won't happen." I almost shouted in anger.
She grabbed my arm firmly and pulled towards her. She looked at me directly in my eyes.
"You can't find anyone like him, Artemis! This is your chance at a secured future. Are you not thinking? Once you settle down, what you need is a rich man."
I pulled my arm away from her painful grasp. "I am the rich man, mum. I don't need anyone. After everything I've done for the company, you still see me as nothing but someone you could marry off for money. It's you who needs to secure your future, not me, mum."
"How dare you talk to me like that! I am still your mother. I am just looking out for your best interest, Artemis. Why do you think I had you under my wing? If I had let you in your ways, no man would ever turn their head to you. You were a spoiled, dowdy brat. And I wouldn't let you bring shame to me and to this family anymore!" She said fuming while pointing her finger at me.
"I don't think marrying someone I truly love will bring shame to you or anyone. I let you control my life because of Dad, only until I get what was left for me. After that, you have nothing to say about what I'll do with my life!"
"Why do you think I married your father, Artemis? I'm sure it wasn't love. Love was never an option. Life is a cruel business. If you don't play your cards right, you'll end up nothing. Take it from someone who had to crawl the way up here. You think you can take it living without everything you have right now? Your privileged ass won't last a minute. All I'm giving you is leverage in life, you ungrateful woman!"
She held her hand up to slap me but I was quick to defend myself.
I looked at her intently. I will make it my life mission to never let her plan happen. I will never ever marry Gregory. Cross my heart, just kill me if I did.
I left her and walked away crying. Then, I saw Gregory standing by the doorframe of his room, looking at me with worry and pity.