One

Mich Dan Ferico picked up the glass cup of wine with his right hand and brought it closer to his lips, sipping from it.

Hmmm.

He hummed as he savored it in his mouth, trying to get the taste. He knew he had tasted this somewhere.

But where?.

He thought and let some fall into his mouth again.

Hmmm!.

Pinot Grigio! The Italian wine. One of the best Italian wines known to be dry and easy, dry with brilliant acidity with a bitter almond note, the color is a pale yellow with a sight of a greenish hue.

He liked it.

He gulped more down as he stared at the big room, decorated beautifully to suit the event. He knew Pan Sandro must have spent a lot of money on this cocktail party and when he had asked that Mich come, he just couldn’t refuse.

It was a dress-up party and from where he sat, he could see how much effort the others had put into their dressing. Unlike him, they went down to every little detail. Mich, however, didn't look bad too, in his White wide-notch lapel suit and a pair of cuffed pants. His Black mask sitting on his face, leaving just his lower face free.

“ I didn't think you would come,” Pinky said in her sweet voice, her eyes resting on him.

“ Hmm.” was all he could reply with. He didn't think he would see her here, nor did he ever plan on running into her.

“ I tried calling Ummm last night but you wouldn't pick up.” She said, her voice sounding rather sad for information.

“ Oh!.” He exclaimed and silently hoped she would get the hint and leave. The hint that he didn't want to talk to her.

Pinky was an old-time friend who had a thing for him ever since they were in high school. He had let it slide the day she had opened up about liking him on prom day because he believed that she would snap out of it with time. Years havepassed and still, l nothing changed so he knew better than to keep her near.

“ I....” She was saying.

“ Mich Dan Farico!.” A male voice said as he stepped closer dressed in an all Black tuxedo.

“ Pan Sandro!.” Mich returned with a smile on his lips. Pan was a buddy of his from high school with ‘a fun to be with’ personality.

Pan laughed warmly as he stepped closer and stretched his hand out, patting Mich on his right shoulder.

“ Good to see you again Buddy.” Pan said warmly and laughed, taking back his hand.

“ You too man.” Mich responded still smiling.

“ Oh! Pinky. You came too.” Pan said, his eyes now resting on her as he opened his arms wide apart to pull her in an hug.

“ Yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world.” She said sweetly and smiled, returning his hug.

They broke it off some seconds later and Pan turned back to Mich.

“ Since you both are here, why don't you join the rest of us at the table over there?.” Pan informed and pointed to the big table on the other side of the room.

Mich turned around to look in the direction and soon looked back at Pan, his eyes raising questions.

“ It's more like a school reunion. You should join.” Pan notified.

No thank you.

Was the only response he had in his head but would he want to turn Pan down, today of all days?.

“ Okay.” He found himself saying then sipped his wine.

“ Excelente!.” He exclaimed in Spanish, bringing his right thumb and second finger to make an O. “ I need to go attend to the other guest. I will see you...later.” He added and winked with his left eye gently before exiting.

“ He seems better.” Pinky said as she watched him leave.

Mich didn't know what she meant by that but he certainly didn't care one bit. He was the type to never try to meddle in other people's businesses. The only thing he knew and loved about Pan was his love for languages, trying so hard to speak a little of French, Spanish and Italian.

Mich hummed in response and shoved down another round of wine.

“ We should go.” Pinky let out, her eyes on him.

We!.

Mich laughed in his head at the echo of that.

Was he to inform her that there was no ‘we’ in his book and neither was there ever going to be one?.

He wondered.

“ Pan would love to see us at the table.” She added on seeing that he didn't respond.

Us!.

Not again young lady.

He whispered in his head, hating how easily she attached herself to him.

“ Okay.” He replied and dropped the cup he held back on the table. If that was Pan’s wish then he would have to do it just for this night plus he wanted to get rid of her too.

Mich stopped up from where he had sat and walked away from the table, his hands in his pants pockets. He didn't bother to ask her along but could hear the sound of her heels as she ran behind him.

He stopped and pulled out a chair, settling in it. Pinky soon arrived and took a seat near him, breathing heavily as she tried to catch her breath. He felt their eyes fall on them but he ignored it, pouring himself another wine. One whose taste he wasn't familiar with.

“ I see that the mighty Mich came to this humble party.” Chris said with an hint of mockery in his tone.

Mich ignored, gulping down his Red wine.

“ Hi guys.” Pinky greeted with a smile sitting on her lips.

“ Hi Pinky.” He responded as his eyes accessed her. “ I can see you are still Mich’s little lost puppy.” He mocked then let out a loud dry laugh.

Pinky looked down at her hands, nervously playing with her nails.

“ Oh! You still love Pink. Funny how I thought you would have outgrown your childish likes.” Chris continued, his eyes accessing her Pink gown, Pink heels and White mask.

“ I see you didn't outgrow your childish manner too.” Mich cut in, sipped his wine then brought it a little bit lower to send him a glance. “ Guess we all need some growing up to do.” He added, eyed him then looked away back at the empty space.

“ Oh! Mich. I see that you brought your mouth with you. How about I help you punch it?.” Chris said within clenched teeth, as he faked a smile.

“ Chris, this isn't the right time for this.” Pinky chirped in, not wanting them to ruin in the reunion.

“ I should tell you that, Pinky.” He snapped. “ It's time you wake up from this dream of yours, from this imagination, this hallucination that makes you believe that this ‘monster’ here will ever love you.” He was saying then scoffed. “ What made you think he would? Uh! This monster that never even got to experience his mother's love. I wonder if his Father hates him too.” He said rudely and paused on hearing Mich hit the table with his palm with the cup in his hand.

Mich faked a smile and brought his cup back to his lips.

“ See, he doesn't even care about you.” Chris pointed out.

“ Chris! Just stop it. You are embarrassing me.” Pinky muttered angrily, sending him an hard stare.

“ I am...you mean you think I'm the one embarrassing you whereas...Pinky you need to wake up. You need to understand that I love you and he doesn't.” Chris went on, his eyes on Pinky while Mich perfectly ignored them both.

“ But I don't love you Chris. Never did and never will.” Pink responded angrily. “ I love him so get used to that.” She added and looked at Mich before holding on to his arm.

“ This ‘animal’ is incapable of love. He murders everyone and anything he loves.” Chris roared loudly.

Angrily, Mich slammed his right palm into the table, squeezing it so right. He wanted to push him. He had this great urge to push Chris. Have all his teeth falling right out of his mouth right into his palm but he didn't. He controlled himself for Pan. He didn't want to ruin in the party.

But maybe Chris was right.

Maybe he was incapable of loving anyone.

Maybe he was a monster.

Maybe that was just the words she needed to hear to finally hate him. Finally let him be.

“ I’m sorry...” Pinky was saying before Mich peeled off her fingers from his suit and placed them on the table. He turned around to send her a fake forced smile then picked up his wine and gulped it down before exiting the table.