Vain
It took us a while to get into the place we’re going to. At first I thought we’ll be going to the Lounge since that’s the only thing I knew. But Aciel told me that one of his friends just got back from the navy and their group of friends threw a party for that friend. .
That’s one of the things I realized from Aciel. He has this extensive range of people around him. Aside from his friends and colleagues, he knows a lot of people, maybe because of business. And that’s the reason why I am so nervous right now that I’m with him.
He is well known. You try to type his name in the search bar and you’ll see a lot of results. Of course, people would wonder how a person like me would be with someone as high as him.
”Don’t be nervous. You’ve met some of them before.” he whispered as he brushed his lips to my ears.
The house is almost above the hill. I saw cars parked at the extended garage and at the other side is the infinity pool, just below the two storey modern house. I saw people having fun already. It’s not that many as I expected.
”This is Rocco’s property. Parties often happen here.” he explained, guiding me to the few steps to the actual house.
Getting nearer, I already hear people calling Aciel’s name. He’s right. I’ve met some of them, way back when we’re in Long Beach.
Aciel fist bomb some of them and greeted some of the people that’s in there. I just sighed heavily and shrugged on the side while waiting for him. I can feel people’s eyes on me, slightly making me uncomfortable.
”Baby,”
”Oh,” I gasp because I didn’t realize that Aciel went back to me right away.
”I’ll introduce you to them.” he uttered. I smiled lightly.
We faced the people and I tried to be friendly as much as I wanted to. Some of the friendly faces greeted me, most of them are just the people that I’ve met already. While some are embedded with obvious curiosity and awkwardness.
Aciel bid his good bye for a while because we haven’t reached the inside yet. I think he’ll greet more people inside.
”I’m sorry if I wasn’t too friendly. I’m afraid that they might think of something else with my aloof actions.”
He smiled lightly. “It’s fine. They shouldn’t give a damn. And besides, I would still want you in any way.”
I pouted and raised a brow. He just looked at me with a smug look before greeting the people inside. I saw Hugh and Molly inside, the most familiar one.
”Oh my, Alia!” Molly delightedly greeted me.
I’m glad to see her here. She’s really friendly and easy going that’s why I got her vibes as well.
”You’re here!” she exclaimed.
We chatted for a moment, and I just couldn’t thank her enough because I have someone to talk to here besides Aciel. She told me some stories about the past few months that we didn’t meet and basically just about anything.
While we were talking, the group we’re at became a bit loud greeting someone. We were here on the twelve seat white couch that’s in the middle of the house, and it’s not that many people here so when there’s noise it will definitely get your attention.
”Aciel, man!”
I stared at the man intently who has this upfront and straightforward vibes. I saw Molly who’s sipping on his champagne like he’s so used to this. Aciel, as of the moment, is having a brotherly hug with that man.
”That is Rocco.” said Molly.
”Oh, the one who came back from the navy?”
She nodded as an answer. I just watch them with all the noise and the side to side greetings that’s going on. One more thing about Aciel’s group of friends is that they can look intimidating sometimes. Not because of their broad bodies and handsome faces, but just by being them.
”Everything alright? Do you need anything?” Aciel asked me.
We’re now both on the couch and the night gets deeper as well. I’m fine drinking the wine Molly had given me. His friends are just composed and casually talking to each other. Just like a bunch of bachelors chilling.
Unlike the party outside who’s way more loud and cheerful. They are serious and mature.
”No. I’m fine.” I sighed.
”Hmm?” he sniffed my hair.
I shrugged feeling so shy because some eyes are looking at us, though they seem not to care.
His hands are on the back of my seat while his other hand is holding a glass of rum. On my side is Molly whom I’m talking to and on her other side is his husband, Hugh.
”I’m alright.” I convinced him and even held his legs to assure him. He looked at my palm and his jaw clenched in a harsh way.
I don’t know how many times I’ve thought of how grateful I am that Molly is here, because for the rest of the time I’m just talking to her.
”I mean you look so pretty today. Don’t get me wrong, you’re always there but compared to the last time I saw you, you seem glowing.” Molly complimented me.
I chuckled shyly. “Thank you.”
”You styled yourself?”
”Uhm, pretty much it.” I looked at myself. “Aciel gave this dress.”
Her lips parted like she heard something amusing.
”Oh,” all that’s left of her mouth. “Aciel changed a lot when you came, do you know that?”
”Hmm?”
She smiled and removed her gaze to me. I glanced at Aciel once who’s smiling a little while fitting in with his friend’s conversation. He glanced at me as well and held my legs, slightly caressing it.
”He changed. I didn’t meet Aciel that way.”
”What do you mean?”
She sighed, contemplating. “He’s… cold? Aloof, if I must say. He’s more like the workaholic man which we knew. And always-always mad.” she giggled.
”Why do you say so?”
”Well, you can ask everybody here.” she shrugged and glanced at her husband. “Right?” she asked him. He seemed not to know so he just kissed his wife’s forehead and continued talking with the group.
”It’s just, that’s how Aciel was. And we completely understand him. Maybe that was his way of coping up since he’s alone and had no one in his life. And not to mention all the hardships and traumas he’d been through? We can only sympathize.”
”Traumas?” I asked even though I knew where she was going.
”Yeah.” she cautiously eyed everyone before leaning on me and whispering. “This is almost like a prohibited topic, alright? But his parents were killed when he was still young, right? So that’s just it.”
My mouth made an ‘o’ when she leaned back again and giggled. She drank her champagne. She looks tipsy now.
”Going back. I just really think that he has all this improvement. From hating people to liking ‘you’ only.” she laughed. I laughed as well.
”But really. Thank you for being with him. Hugh and I would always talk about him before when he’s still living in vain. But now, looking at you both, he seems happy and well changed.”
My heart melted when she said that. I couldn’t answer her and I just looked back at Aciel. Seeing his smile, and how his eyes gleam with genuine happiness, it hurt me. Because I’m afraid that I might just hurt him in the end.
