I always swallowed hard to hide the pain. Minutes have already passed but still, Dawn is still with that lucky girl. If only I knew that this would happen then I wouldn't be here. I don't even know and haven't met the birthday celebrant though.
“Helly,”
I turned my head to the one who gave me a glass of water. It was Ethann. I used to get disgusted by this man but now, I think that I appreciate him. I appreciate him for staying with my immature attitude and always being there for me.
“Thanks...” I muttered as I finished sipping the whole glass of water.
“Seems like you're not used to this kind of crowd, huh?” he turned his gaze to the whole crowded venue.
He is not ugly though. Ethann has the looks but for me, Dawn is more handsome. Goodness, I hate him now. His skin is tanned, his eyelashes are long and his eyes are stunningly grey. He is also tall, like maybe, six-footer. One of the players on Suneast. I think he is the MVP?
His nose is pointed. However, Dawn is more masculine than him. Of course, he is older than us.
“No, I'm just feeling cold.”
Which is hella true. Maybe because of the air conditioner here or because of the emotional feeling I'm feeling right now inside me.
He looked at me and I could see pity in his eyes. He clenched his jaws and went nearer to me. I almost stopped him when he just suddenly removed his suit and put it on my shoulders. He is now only with his white long sleeves.
I just smiled and played with my fingers because Dawn is still occupying my mind. What the heck is this man?
I turned my head again trying to find him but he lost my sight. I swallowed hard as I still didn't see him. I don't know where he will go. Don't tell me... I shook my head and closed my eyes firmly to erase my thoughts. I am starting to overthink.
I get my phone from my purse to see if there's any text or missed calls from him but there's none. I just turned off my phone because I got pissed. How dare he.
The event already started so I just chose to focus myself on it. But someone's really occupying it.
“You're still feeling cold?”
I saw Ethann with a concerned look. “No, don't worry. ``That was completely a lie. I regret wearing this kind of stuff because it made me feel chills and unexplainable cold.
“You're so beautiful now Helleon so just erase your negative thoughts. If you have a problem then you can count on me. I won't call myself your suitor if I'm not caring about you. ”
I glared at him as I tried to figure out what he just said. I don't know what to respond to as if it's like something's zippered my mouth.
“Thank you Ethann. Uh, don't worry about me. I'm really okay.” I assured him a smile which made him a bit shocked.
“Hmm, it's up to you. I know that you really don't like me Helleon and I'm not forcing you to like me too. I'm just trying to make you mine which is very hard to do. I know you like someone else and I can't stop you because I'm not in the right position to do it. I'll just support you and love you from afar.”
I swallowed hard as his words hit me. I suddenly felt the chills down to my body as I figured it out. I've been so rude to him since then just because I don't like him without knowing his care for me.
“I'm sorry Ethann. You know, I actually appreciate your actions. You've been protective to me not just because Daddy asked you to do it. I know he didn't ask you to court me. ” I said to him with my fullest sincerity.
He smiled at me and when I looked into his eyes, I saw the pain. I know it because I've been through it too.
“Don't feel sorry. I completely understand you Helleon. That is how much I love you. But please let me continue what I'm doing. Let me love you like an unreachable star.”
I still want to tell him many things, mostly my gratitudes for him but someone just appeared on our scene here.
“Son! There you are! I knew it, you two are together now? ”
I looked at Mr. Richard Gladstone who's now sitting with us. He is Ethann's father and the owner of the company—Hadley Corporation's big rival on the biggest Corporations in the country.
“Uh, no—”
I didn't finish my word as Ethann cut it off. “Yeah. Kind of, Dad. ” he chuckled.
My brows furrowed at what he just answered. I want to clear things out for his father but I don't know-how. It would be rude.
Richard's eyes widened. “Congrats, son—to the both of you! Looking forward to you to marry each other in the near future.” he let out a laugh, as well as Ethann. While me, I'm just sitting pretty here but I looked like a potato.
Minutes passed by, finally, Daddy also appeared on the scene. Good thing he immediately went beside me so I was able to cling my arms to him. I want him to save me from the thoughts of these two boys.
"Where have you been, Dad?” I was the one who's scolding him this time.
“Just having an acquaintance with my friends before.” He whispered.
Oh, hopefully, you didn't find someone who will replace Mommy in your heart!
The two boys continued talking to each other and Richard Gladstone forced his son to marry me. The heck what's with these people?
“My Helleon is still so young for that, Richard. Just let them be and marry whoever they want.”
I want to thank Dad for saving me. He seemed to know what I'm feeling right now because he held my hand firmly. Anytime now, he might lose his temper.
“Oh relax Tim, I didn't say that they have to marry right away. And if they are going to end up with each other soon, then that would be a pleasure for the both of us and for our businesses, right?”
“Yeah but I want my daughter to choose her own path. Yes, you're right. That would be a pleasure for our businesses but what about their personal lives? Is it right that we'll only put our concern on things like that?”
My heart was racing so fast as I could feel the tension on both sides. Hopefully, they won't make a scene here. I tried to turn my gaze and wonder how unlucky I am. I saw Dawn laughing with that girl.
“Yeah, I get your point but I just want you to know that we are in a world in which material things really matter. It's for their own good, Timothy. I hope you know that.”
I played with my fingers as my heart was beating so fast and I didn't know how to control it. I looked at Ethann but it seems like he is having fun watching the two men arguing about our so-called marriage in the near future. Gross.
I turned my gaze to Dawn again and I almost fell on the floor when our eyes met. It became darker and colder which made me uneasy and trembling again.
“Dad, I'll just go to the shower room.” Daddy nodded to me and he might think that I just want to escape from their argument.
I then grabbed my purse and immediately headed to the shower room. In the hallway, I even saw a group of girls who's talking and fantasizing about Dawn. I immediately want to kick their ass.
I don't know how I look now and immediately felt conscious when someone is glaring at me.
I went inside the room and checked myself... I'm still gorgeous though but I can't deny that I now looked like a potato. I retouched my face and when it became well, I smiled to myself.
Dawn appeared in my mind from out of nowhere. I want to get mad at him for making me jealous but why? I don't know what to label on this thing about us. We kiss but we're not a couple. Funny how he scolded me before because I kissed someone who's not even my boyfriend.
I left a heavy sigh and held the doorknob.
Speaking of Dawn, I immediately felt like I would lose my breath anytime now as I saw him leaning against the wall behind the shower room's door.
Maybe he is just waiting for someone I guess?
I tried to walk away but I felt him grab me and cornered me at the wall. I simply groaned in pain but I got scared on the way he stared at me. Those dark eyes became darker as—oh my gosh.
My knees began to tremble as well as my hand. I felt tenser when he just went nearer to me and clenched his defined jaws. What the heck Dawn. Is he teasing me?
“If only I knew that you'll be with that boy, then I shouldn't let you come here,” he whispered to my ears.
I raised my brows to him. “Acting like you didn't flirt with someone, huh. ” I secretly rolled my eyes. I want to punch him now.
“She was just Eriesyl's friend, Helly. ” He looked at me now and I raised my brows again.
“I don't care. ”
“Are you jealous? ”
“The heck! No!” I defended myself.
Instead of feeling intimidated because of my raised voice, he let out a sweet chuckle.
“Yeah, my girl's jealous right now. ”
“I said no Dawn—”
I didn't finish my word as he grabbed me again and his lips just met mine. Those were gentle and became hotter the second I passed by. My eyes widened and didn't respond to it. Hah!
He pulled me near to him to have easier access to my lips and kissed me like my lips are the sweetest candy in town.
I can't help but hold on to my arms as I feel like anytime now, I will sink to the floor. I gasped for air but he was so consistent in kissing me. I half-opened my mouth and supposedly found oxygen but his tongue went in. He is kissing me well and I can't deny that I began to like it. As I responded to it, he left my lips.
“Dawn!”
Oh, I sounded desperate. He sighed down and embraced me. He buried his head on my neck. My knees are trembling again. It might collapse anytime now.
“I'm sorry...” he kissed me there. “I love you Helly...” he whispered.