RUTH
I never actually thought that I would meet my new addiction like this. Well, today's encounter has both good news and bad news. The good news is I don't have to go around and fish him out and the bad news is he is Erwin's best friend.
Well it's not like I care about that at all. All I care about is whether he is or not involved in that incident. I just want to know if he is a scum just like his best friend. If he is then he will have a tough time with me and if he is not then he is just gonna play with me until I am satisfied with him.
"Hey, why did you leave your friend's side?" I approach John who is helping himself to get a drink, when he sees me he grabs a glass for me too.
"Well, you see, Erwin is more than capable in handling these kinds of situations. And other than that," He passes me the glass of wine, "For some reason, I don't like Leo's family that much." He shifts nervously on his feet.
"Well, me too." I grin, "I don't like his family all that much, either."
"Huh? Why?" A look of surprise flashes into those pitch black eyes, "Aren't you his best friend?"
"Even if I am, it doesn't necessarily mean that I have to like his family members too." I drawl lazily, "They are all scums. Except for Jules, Leon and Tina, I guess."
"Oh, and who are they?" Leo asks, curiosity gleaming in his eyes that are blacker than the night sky.
"Jules and Leon are his big brothers." I patiently explains to him, "Jules is three years and Leon is four years older than him. And Tina is his sister-in-law."
"So, one of his brothers is married?" John asks further.
"Well, it is not his brother, who is married but his sister. " I correct him as I continue the family queue of my best friend, "She is seven years older than him."
"I see… Quite a big family I must say." John commends.
"Do you like big families?" I ask him and I don't even know why but I do anyway.
"Well I do." His lips curve up into a faint smile and the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. "It seems nice to have so many people who care about you a lot."
But who will tell him that they don't give a shit about Leo? Well I am not gonna tell him that though.
"Then we can make a big one." I blurt out unconsciously.
John looks at me, his eyes widen in shock, "What?!" He stammers. Just then realization dawns on me.
What the fuck did I just said?!
"I am just saying that you can make a big one with your family." I unhurriedly explain myself, careful not to show any of my internal crises that will make him wary of me.
"Oh." He blows as he easies up a little, "By the way thanks for the other day. If it weren't for you then I am afraid I would still be searching for my brother."
"Oh, it's nothing actually." I wave dismissively. "Well, there is the thing I want to know, if you don't mind of course."
"Yes, yes. What is it?" John says.
"Is he your brother and not son?" I ask him with a confused, "I mean, he is so younger than you…"
John sputters a laugh, "Well, well, I get that a lot. But believe me he is my brother who just looks like me. We both have got this face from our mother. And don't you think I am a bit too young to have a child?"
"Anything is possible." I shrug.
Just then I notice that John hasn't even touched his drink. He is just showing everyone that he is holding a glass which means he is drinking.
Is he being weary around me? Or is there some other reason?
"Oh I think Erwin is done with greeting his in-laws." John looks over my shoulder to take up the situation in the middle of the hall, "I will get going now, thank you for accompanying me for this long." He slightly nods at me before stepping forward to his best friend.
There is a bitter taste in my throat as if I have just swallowed a lemon. Why does that bastard get all the best things the world? True enough. He has a partner like Leo, whom even the royalties want to marry. And a best friend who smacks your head if you do anything stupid and say: "You are an idiot. This is wrong!"
.
It is not like that I don't have a best friend like that. Is it just right now even that bastard is not paying me attention either.
***
"Why did you make me dance with you?!" I demand, dismay clear in my tone, "I could've have a good chance with him!"
"Shut up!" Leo purposefully steps over my foot, "You said you will not let Erwin know about your ulterior motive! And now look at it! He is already so wry of you!" He snaps at me.
"Alright, I am sorry." I puff, "I think I got carried away a little."
After a long pause Leo slowly asks, "Ruth, are you sure?"
"About what?" I reply with a question though I already know what he means.
"About John." He clarifies himself, "He is a guy, Ruth. He is a beta over that. He is not like all the girls you have fucked before. He has what you have too."
"Look who's talking." I snort, "And it is not like I am marrying him, so why are you so worried?"
"Yes, right." Leo blows but it seems like he wants to say something more though he doesn't. After a brief silence he quietly says, "Just don't force him into anything that will break him. He is a good guy." His gaze fixed on my chest as we move among the dancing figures slowly.
"Hmm? How can you say whether he is or he is not?" I peer down at him as he at last decides to meet my gaze but I silently shudder as I see the look in his dull deep black eyes.
Sorrow. This is unlike the very few emotions I have seen in these eyes.
"How can I tell?" He blunts, "because I have quite the experience in that field." He smiles and this is the saddest smile I have ever seen anyone wear. My heart shutters.
I am sorry…
***
"What are you doing out here?" I ask John as I lean at the railing of the specious balcony, "It's so cold out here."
"Well, I just needed a bit of fresh air." He inhales a deep breath.
"Are you not accustomed to this kind of party?" A slight frown appears between my brows.
"Well, I am but I don't like it when you guys release your pheromones." He says softly, clearly the moment of tranquility, "Even though I can't feel them, it is very uncomfortable and suffocating."
"I see…" Suddenly something lights up in my mind. "Then can I have a dance?"
Bewildered, John asks, "Where did it come from?"
"Just 'cause" I shrug and offer a hand to him, "so may we?"
His lips quiver as he hesitantly takes my hand. I tug him toward him and he crashes against my chest. I wrap my around his small waist and start to move slowly. My movements seem to have caught him off guard but he quickly pulls himself together though he doesn't look into my eyes as I bore a hole through his head with my stares.
There is a black small mole a few centimeters below his eyes. Though it is quite small, it is very visible because of his pale skin tone. That mole is not staining his beauty but it is multiplying his beauty.
He is so captivating.
"Um," He at last decided to break the defending silence though still refusing to look me in the eyes, "I heard about you from Erwin. I am so sorry for what he did back then. I wasn't around when he did all this nor I could've stopped him."
"If you are sorry then treat me to another meal." I hum.
"Pardon?" He squints as he peers over me.
"I don't repeat words twice."
"Well, I think I should get going now, it's getting late." John suddenly let go of my hand and steps away, looking at his watch.
"Let me give you a ride then." I offer.
"Thank you but I have a car with me, so you don't have to bother with this." Then he greets and leaves as I stand there and watch his fine back disappear among the crowd.
Why do I feel like the prince in 'Cinderella'? Well at least I am not as unfortunate as him, who didn't even know her name, the name of the love of his life. Or am I even more misfortunate than him?
***
And I ended up staying at the hotel because I got carried away and had drunk quite a bit. But the worst part is I got the room across Leo's. I couldn't sleep even a damn blink. Those brazen moans and screams are still buzzing in my head as I roll out of the bed with difficulty.
That bastard Erwin. Did he do it on purpose for me to hear? Gross.
Just thinking about my best friend having sex with someone makes me sick let alone with Erwin.
I get out of the room, enraged. I plan to give Leo an earful for his lack of restraint of himself but I am greeted with the last person in the world I want to see right now as I open my door.
"Ruth, let's talk." Erwin says, his face surprisingly contoured with seriousness.
"Okay."