birthday party

Chapter 3

I approached my vanity mirror and sat there. I looked at the make-up and other beauty products one by one. I just sighed. Do I need to put make-up on my face? But suddenly, the handsome face of that guy crossed my mind. His long and curly eyelashes, his pointed nose and reddish lips. His Adams apple that went down and up.

I shook my head violently because why do I still clearly remember his face? Even if it didn't take a few minutes? Why can I master his face so quickly? Okay, I admitted. He is indeed handsome and his sex appeal is strong. Just looking at you will make you nervous. Your heart will beat faster.

But maybe with other women, their bodies don't react like that. I just don't know what's happening to me because it's just so weird.

In the end, I only applied light make up on my face and simple pink lipgloss. I sprayed Black Opium on my body and clothes.

I also wore one set of accessories, a violent diamond necklace, earrings, ring and bracelet. I took a black pouch and put my cellphone, credit cards, and business cards in it. Black ankle strap heel sandal three inches high. After I cleaned myself up, I went out of my room.

I remembered Mama. I just can't get to him now. Because my stepmom didn't let me anymore. I'm sorry, Mama... I could visit him another day, but today is really different. I wish... I wish I had canceled my appointment this morning just so I could visit his grave and not be stuck in my current situation.

"Sister! Let's go together!" I was still holding my chest because of the shock. My brother immediately greeted me as soon as I came out. She's wearing her blue evening gown, it's mermaid style. It's beautiful and as far as I know, Mommy did it on purpose just for her. "You didn't wear your dress? But...you look good there, Sister. You look sexy. Let's go!"

It's also undeniable that Arveliah and I are siblings, because we have a great bond. Only our personality is different. He, hyper and carefree. I'm not like that, I always control my every move and even my emotions.

"Let's go to the main door, Arveliah," I said because he chose to enter upstairs with stairs down to the hall. That gets more attention because he's just in front of a lot of visitors by chance. I hate attention.

"No. They should also see how beautiful my sister is and Mommy said we'll go in there," he insisted and when he pulled my arm I couldn't do anything but go with him.

For some unknown reason, the nervousness returned to my chest. Especially when I remember that man again. I just hope he got lost in our mansion and never came back. Because I was more nervous to know that he was there. My feelings are just weird. But I left him with Arveliah, she must have brought him.

"Hi, tell them that the birthday girl is about to enter the ball room, and of course with my big sister," he said happily.

"Yes, Ms. Arveliah," replied my brother.

"Nah, don't do that. Just don't tell them my arrival. It doesn't matter," I refused. There is no need for that. It's not my birthday.

"But Sister..."

"This is just my request, Arveliah. If you're going to tell them that I'm coming with you. I will escape again. You can see and I'm serious," I threatened and he was immediately taken there. He nodded slowly and when the door was opened he entered. I even heard the announcement of Dad's staff and I felt relief that it was no longer connected.

But that was what I thought, because Arveliah was already holding the microphone, he just grabbed it from the MC and it's too late to back off. 'Just as I entered he spoke and to my surprise I stopped.

Many pairs of eyes immediately focused on me and the camera flashed, even on him. However, I didn't let my guard down. I'm still emotionless and I just watch my sister. I didn't even pay attention to the people around me.

"Ladies and gentlemen, eyes here! I am Arveliah V. Vallejos, I'm with my big sister May Ann, she is one of our Dad's heiress and now she is able to run one of our company. I know most of you guys didn't meet her. She's so aloof and hardworking. So, we were all lucky to see her tonight. You know what? She is my role model and the second woman I admire in this world. That's why you should know one of the reasons why I became successful, except for our parents, of course. That's it and thank you very much for attending my birthday. Enjoy the party!” After he said that, he came to me smiling and hugged my arm.

I just stared at him because my brain still couldn't process what he said earlier in front of many people.

"You know what? She is my role model and the second woman I admire in this world. That's why you should know one of the reasons why I became successful, except for our parents, of course." He was sincere when he said those words to me, that's why something in my chest caressed there. But my treatment of him will not change. It's still the same as before.

I hope he didn't say that. I'm not a good sister. There are also chances that I make him cry.

"Mom, Dad, hi. I'm with Ate May Ann now," he said and I looked up. Instead of looking at our parents, it turned to someone else.

He's this...man who pointed the flashlight of his phone at me earlier. My heart sank when I saw where his eyes were focused. On my chest, before it moved to my face. What is there in my chest and he is looking at it?

I bravely met his cold gaze. I didn't even look at him for long because I could see him more clearly now. There is a light around and he just became more attractive in everyone's eyes and wait a minute...

Why are Dad and Mom together at this table? And why him?

"Good evening to all of you," Arveliah greeted them with a smile and I looked at them. I just avoided looking at the man, but next to him was another man who had a lot of similarities to each other. Maybe it's his brother.

I didn't even look at it for long because his attention was also focused on me. What do these two brothers have? My eyes moved to the one next to him, I think he is the same age as Dad but the handsomeness is still visible on his face. Maybe...if it was still young, it might look the same as the other two boys and finally.

To the old man I met earlier, Don Brill. His smile was so sweet that I was also infected. Now that I have met him, I feel good about him.

"Good evening," I greeted them formally and even managed to bow.

"Good evening too, pretty ladies," Don Brill greeted us. “Venus and Daimor, you are very lucky to have been blessed with two beautiful daughters. Look at it... It's perfect."

"Ah, yes. Thank you, Don Brill," said Dad, his voice full of joy at the compliment.

"But we only knew one before. Your youngest son, while you still have an eldest son," he said and I didn't even look at my parents' reaction.

"I'm sorry for that, Don Brill. My daughter is a workaholic and if it's not important, she doesn't leave our company," explained Dad.

"Nah, no need to explain that to me, Daimor. Sit your children down."

I just watched as Dad pulled out a chair for Arveliah and he even supported her to sit. Mommy is next to me and if I happen to sit next to me, I will be facing the man.

"Thanks, Dad," my brother thanked our father.

"What are you doing, Mergus? You also pull Ms. Ann has a chair,” said Don Brill.

"Grandpa?" It wasn't the command that surprised me. But to know that this man's grandfather was Don Brill?

"Be a gentleman, grandson," he just said and it was as if he was against his will to obey his grandfather's order.

He walked closer to me and my heart was confused again so to prevent him from approaching me I refused.

"No need," I said but quickly took my hand back because he grabbed the chair and I grabbed his hand.

I hid my hand because I felt the electric voltage. What was that?! Where did that come from?!

I also saw that he looked at his hand in surprise. I'm not sure if he felt that too. He cleared his throat before he pulled the chair for me.

"Thank you," I said softly as he turned to me. He raised his eyebrows.

"I didn't hear," he also said softly. I just avoided looking at him and sat down.

I'm the type of girl who doesn't repeat what I've already said. So why should I repeat that to him? What if he didn't hear? Is that my problem? I have already said what is important to me. Whether he heard it or not, I don't care anymore.

"Here, May Ann. Eat," said Mom. I just nodded but I stilled when he leaned into me just to whisper. "What are you wearing? Why are you only wearing a crop top and a paneled skirt? This is a formal birthday party, May Ann. Do you want to embarrass your Dad and me in front of our guests?" he asked me with a hint of anger.

There was nothing wrong with what I wore. Because if you look at it from a distance, it looks like a dress and only the part of my navel is open. Because the fabric is still hanging down my skirt.

"I'm sorry, Mom," I humbly promised. Those are the only words I say when I make mistakes, but I don't often disobey them.

"Hey. You really have no respect for your brother's birthday. Instead of him being the one to notice tonight, you're the one who got everyone's attention. Especially the Brilliantes clan. I made the mistake of going here. I hope...you just go to your mother's grave," he said coldly and I couldn't stop looking at the people he was referring to.

The man Don Brill had earlier called Mergus. Is his name Mergus? Then to our guests as well and I admit that their attention was focused on us. But I'm not sure if they're really looking at me.

"Let's drink this whiskey, Daimor." I looked at Don Brill. He calls my daddy on a first name basis and they are obviously close to each other.

"Yeah."

One by one they raised their poco grande wine glasses and I was the only one who didn't because I wasn't drinking anything today.

I still felt Mom elbowing me so I reached for the cherry glass that was only filled with water and I raised mine as well. 'It hit the man's glass right. I just looked at him without emotion.

"Cheers, this is for you Arveliah. Happy 25th birthday!” Don Brill happily exclaimed. I heard Arveliah giggled. If I were in his position now, my parents might scold me. They are so strict that even laughing you have to stop but when it comes to me...

"Thank you, Don Brill!"

"And also, for the merger of our family," Dad said next and I turned to him.

What does he mean by merge of our family? I can understand if he is referring to our company but what family? What is that?

"Yes, cheers to my future granddaughter-in-law," Don Brill uttered and he glanced at me.

My hand trembled and a loud thump rumbled in my chest, because I felt like I got what they wanted to convey.

They agreed on something and I guessed that.

To Be Continued...