"Jade!"
Sarah calls me, one of my block mates.
"Hey!" I greet back.
"There's a party later, will you come? Roxy invited me, it's her older brother Ali's birthday." I processed the names.
The last name rang a bell inside my head but I also can’t remember where I heard it.
"Oh! Isn't your brother coming? Aren't they a group of friends with Ali?" he added.
"Ahh!"
The spark of light seemed to come alive in my mind.
"Yeah! Yeah. Of course I know Ali." I laughed. I remember that. Ali on the beach house.
"So… Just go to the address, huh? I'll send it to you."
I just nodded and smiled sweetly. I really had no intention of coming. But then, Ali is Jax's friend which makes Ali is Erato's friend too.
"I'm so smart."
I said while walking down the corridor. There's a possibility that Erato would be at that party. There's no reason for me to say no to that. The whole day passed and I got no message from Erato.
My face was wrinkled and I could not speak. I tried to turn my attention to the flood of quizzes, but I didn’t know if that helped or made it even heavier. I couldn't help but think of what Olivia had told me. His absence has nothing to do with that right? Because if it's a yes, I don't know how will I cope up with something I wasn't expecting.
"So you're telling me that you both have a thing all along?"
I just nodded to Olivia softly while just staring at the cellphone screen. I didn't do anything and I told her about my set up with Erato. I was so bothered that she cornered me here in the Oval while we waited for our next class.
"What the? When is that? Why didn't you tell me right away?"
"Just this summer." my withered answer.
"Summer? But how about the kissing galore in the parking lot?"
I just sighed because I didn't feel like talking to him. As long as I've said the right thing, that's it.
"Wait, I can't process this. Give me some time."
She fanned himself with the hand and still reacting to what else I told her.
"Did you agree? Did you really agree to be Erato's toy?" she shouted angrily afterwards.
I stare at her with no emotion. She hissed at my reaction.
"I know you're dead set on that man. But for goodness sake, I thought you were better than that."
I was a bit struck by what she said. I smiled bitterly.
"I thought so too."
She sighed heavily. She didn't speak for a long time, it seemed like she was really processing everything as well.
"Does Jax know?"
"I think so."
"How about your father?"
I shrugged.
"Ugh! You're so complicated. Don't tell me you're no longer a virgin?"
My eyes widened at him. With everything she said, that woke me up.
"No?" she confirmed.
"Of course I am!" I said defensively.
"You knew Erato. If you haven't done that yet, you're probably going there as well." she spat.
I blinked as I realize what she just said.
"T-that's where we're going ...?"
She looked at me annoyingly.
"Of course! Where else? With the amount of woman he had slept with…" she even crossed her arms.
I swallowed and fell silent as I looked at his name on my phone. Right. I was too preoccupied with my fantasies coming into life that I almost forgot about his reputation.
Did I got too carried away by her kisses? With his simple gestures so that I don't realize that maybe that's all he's after me?
"Oh? Why are you silent?"
I did not answer. If that day would come, I doubt if I can even refuse him. When I was young he was the man in my life. Even with a young heart, I clearly understand what my heart has been telling me. If he wasn’t for me, I’m not gonna regret giving myself to him.
"I know you're dumb. I'm not against your feelings for him. But Jade, as long as I can preach you, I will. Okay fine go ahead, do whatever you want. Just don't come running to me, huh?” She said.
I smiled at her but it didn't reach my eyes. I was just laughing. Because I know that no matter how angry she is, she will still accept my stupidity. I didn't received any texts from Erato. I tried to handle it as a normal matter. It's also because of the sermons I received from Olivia that I will not live by either. Who is a fool who loves to listen whenever there are sermons?
"Daddy's home?" I asked a house help.
"No ma'am. He haven't come home yet."
I nodded in awe. Still not coming home? I think he’s at the City Hall and still busy. But it's already evening. When night falls, he goes home immediately and he continues his work here at the study. But anyways.
“I texted daddy. He's not here yet. But e already knows."
I thought I couldn’t get past my driver. But fortunately he believed my reasoning. The truth is I don't know if daddy will agree or not. But for sure he will, especially if Erato is there.
The trip was a bit long due to traffic. I'm late at the time, add that I left a little late.
"Can you turn down the aircon please.”
Even though I’m wearing high waist jeans are cropped sweetheart top, I can feel the cold because we have been stuck in traffic for so long. My phone vibrated and I saw Olivia calling me.
"Yes?"
"Where are you?"
"Close. There's just traffic at the stop light. Why?"
“Maybe it’s better if you’ll just go back?" My forehead furrowed. Huh?
"What? I'm on my way, I’m literally at the vicinity."
"No! Uhm ..."
Suddenly my chest throbbed. I want her to suddenly tweak this style of this woman.
"Whatever you want to say, keep it to yourself. Talk to you later."
I rolled my eyes.
"Fine! All right, and go ahead. I'll wait for you here, I’m with Trish’s."
I ended the call after her information. Arriving at the venue, I saw how the party had already started. Of course, the always late Jade Fuentabella can't relate.
I immediately looked for Olivia's table. I spotted them on the far side, on the dark side where there were well trimmed grass. People scattered all the way inside the house, I bet.
"Hey!" I called Olivia.
She looked constipated from afar and her expression became worse when she saw me. I came to her and sat beside her. I smiled at the few people that were on the table.
"What happened to you? Why do you look constipated?"
She clenched her teeth. She won't say any words to me.
"What?" I was confused.
She moved her eyes into a different direction and with just that I immediately knew what to do. I turned my attention in the direction he was looking and a cold splash of water poured into my soul seeing the group of people somewhere from the opposite side of the pool.
"See? I fucking told you, Jade. He actually brought his fiance here. Erato is such a mother fucker!”