29
"Hi?" I narrowed my eyes at the two strangers. "Do I know you?"
"Oh God. It's you," the masked man groaned, standing closely behind the unmasked one. "Brother brought you here too?"
"Wren?" I questioned looking at the man as my heart started to throb in fear. My hands began shaking violently from the memory of our last encounter. How could I forget that he would possibly be at this party? How ignorant could I be?
"You two know each other?" The man furrowed his thick eyebrows in confusion.
"Augustus," Wren placed a hand on the man's broad shoulder and said, "She's the reason I got this," he moved his grown out hair away from his forehead, revealing a nasty scar. I'm pretty sure I busted his balls not his head though.
"Oh," Augustus dragged out the word for a while and continued, "she's the one, huh?" A smirk similar to Leo's formed on his face. "I see what brother sees in her. She's gorgeous, but he's quite capable of landing a prettier girl than her now."
"Excuse me?" I snapped, my hands shaking I'm rage this time. "Don't..."
"Don't try anything with her," Wren interrupted, stopping me from going off. "He'll kill you."
"He won't kill his little brother," Augustus retorted, his hazel brown eyes still fixated on me. Another brother?
"He'll hurt you just as bad as me." Wren pointed at his wound again.
"Well, you're adopted, so it doesn't matter. I'm blood." Adopted? Oh God. What the hell is going on? Wren glared at him and stomped away vanishing into the crowd without looking back. "So where were we?" Augustus turned his attention back to me as his smirk widened even more.
"You were babbling shit and I was leaving." I lightly picked up my dress and starting walking away, clicking my short heels against the white polished marbled floor.
"Are you from Japan?" He shouted from behind me compelling me to stop.
"Do I look from Japan?" I scowled when he appeared in front of me, blocking my path with his huge frame.
"I was asking because I want to get in Japanties." He went into a fit of laughter just to earn more scowls from me. I was completely baffled at his stupidity and the urge to punch him was quite tempting.
"What the hell..." I started to speak, but got interrupted again.
"Gus, leave her alone." Leo's deep voice ordered, walking up behind the man.
"Brother!" Augustus turned around delightedly and embraced Leo. "It's been too long."
"It sure has." Leo smiled while patting his back. "It's good to see you finally."
"Yup," Augustus pulled away. "You'll see a lot more of me now."
"I hope to," Leo turned his gaze to me. "Arie, I'm guessing that you've met my brother, Augustus."
"Yeah, I just did," I glared at Augustus.
"This is Arie, a friend who'll be staying with us for a while," he introduced me to Augustus. "And don't try anything because, A, she won't fall for it, and B, she's off limits."
"Arie? Unique name. I like it." He walked closer to me and took my hand in his. "You can call me Gus." He lightly pecked the back of my hand and placed it back down next to my side. "I hope you didn't mind what I said earlier. I was just trying this new pickup line. Usually girls melt for me and I wanted to see if you would too, but guessing by the disgusted look on your face, it clearly didn't work. You're the first one," he chuckled, turning back to Leo. "You've finally got a good one after..."
"Okay, player!" Leo stopped him before he could go any further. "Go meet the others. Enjoy!"
"I'll see you around, Ms. Arie!" He winked and strode out of our sight.
"Sorry about that," Leo apologized.
"You always apologize on the behalf of your brothers."
"Well, I guess that's my job being the oldest sibling and the sensible one." Leo slowly gazed me up and down, taking in my appearance. "You look incredible. Absolutely amazing."
"Thank you!" I said, trying to suppress the huge grin that was threatening to form on my red lips. "You don't look too bad yourself with that mask," I giggled.
"Was that a compliment from the Ms. Noelle?" Leo teased, smirking wide.
"Oh, shut up," I slightly nudged his shoulder. "By the way, how many more siblings do you have that I don't know about?"
"I'll tell you under one condition." Slowly, a goofy smirk formed on his smooth lips.
"And what is that?" I asked coyly, ready for the condition with a smile plastered on my face.
"Dance," he blurted out. "Ms. Arie Noelle," he held out his left hand. "Would you kindly honor me with a dance?"
"Dance?" I chuckled. "You know how to dance?" It was quite surprising to know that a man like Leo knew how to dance.
"You'll find out if you come to the dance floor with me."
"Ah, I see."
"So, is that a yes?" He asked with hope glimmering in his beautiful eyes, his hand still waiting for me to take it.
"I can't say no to those puppy dog eyes," I laughed, gaining a little glare from him. "I absolutely can't miss a once in a lifetime opportunity to see you dance."
"I don't have puppy dog eyes," he growled.
"At this moment, you do." I placed my hand in his and spoke, "Take me before I change my mind." He smiled and escorted me towards the dance floor where people were moving to Thinking Out Loud.
When we came to a halt, he gently placed his right palm on the small of my back and pulled me closer, while my left hand shot up to his shoulder, gripping it tight. His left and my right hand intertwined and locked perfectly like a puzzle.
"Alright, so tell me."
"What do you want to know?" He asked as we swayed slowly to the music.
"Why didn't you tell me that this is your birthday party?"
"Because it's not just my birthday party," he removed his hand from my back and twirled me around, pulling me even more closer to him after it. "It's your graduation party too."
"What?" My pupils dilated as my mouth parted slightly. "You're kidding, right?"
"Nope," he retorted. His sculpted face was extremely close to mine that I could practically hear his heartbeat while his chest rose and fell at a steady pace. "People don't know this, but this is more in honor of your graduation."
"But why?" My confused eyes gazed up at him.
"Because I'm proud of you and you deserve it," he cupped my face with his left hand and grazed his thumb lightly over my cheek. "You really do."
Again, he placed his left hand on my lower back as he did previously and took my hand in his other. "Ready?" Before I could contemplate anything, he lowered my body and tilted it as he hovered over me. Past him, I could see the gold lining of the ceiling around the chandelier suspended above us.
"Oh God," I laughed.
"Still doubt me?" He asked as he pulled me back up.
"A little move like that doesn't make you a dancer."
"Don't test me," he warned. "You'll regret it."
"Is that so?" I arched my brow. "I'd like to see you try," I challenged him.
"Hold on tight," he commanded. I locked my hands around his neck, waiting for his next move as he smirked and tightly grabbed my waist. "Here we go."
Sweeping me off my feet, he lifted me into the air like a weightless doll and twirled me around and around gaining a pitchy squeal in return. "Oh my God. Put me down." I could sense plenty of eyes on us, staring at Leo's preposterous and... somewhat adorable moves.
Placing me on my feet, instead of stopping, our bodies danced in unison. Guiding me with his frame, my figure moved front to back and left to right, twisting and twirling. Our bodies spun around across the floor, gaining more attention from the guests. Our eyes refused to unglue themselves from each other as they focused closely.
He tightened his arms around my waist and picked me up again while my hands race to his face, caressing his stubbly jaw slowly. "Oh God," I chuckled. Slowly and gently, he lowered me down onto my feet, his sparkling blue eyes still gazing into mine, bursting multiple butterflies at the pit of my stomach.
Applauses broke out throughout the room, ripping us out of our trance. Now that I looked around, the entire dance floor was empty leaving us two in the middle of it while everyone else were on the sidelines, gawking us. I imitated Leo as he bowed mockingly and took in praises from everyone. Heat rushed up to my cheeks, reddening them like a tomato out of embarrassment.
"How about now?" The ends of his mouth wrinkled a little as his lips curled upward into a gorgeous smile.
"That was," I shook my head, trying to take in what all just happened, "Incredible. It was freaking incredible." I snickered. "I've never done anything like that or never thought I would."
"I'm glad you feel that way," he flashed that million dollar smile of his. "Stick with me and you'll do things you've never done or even imagined doing before."
"What kind of things?" I questioned flirtatiously with butterflies beginning to rise high in my belly again as I anticipated his answer. What's wrong with me? I'd never been or felt like this. This sudden adrenaline rush was driving me crazy.
"Good, fun things. Things you want to do." He came closer to my ear and whispered, "I'll be unpredictable."
"Is that so?" I queried, playfully.
Leo pulled away immediately as someone cleared her throat behind me.
"Well, well, well," a girl clapped gracefully. "That was something!"
"Evelina!" Leo chirped up, looking at the little girl sweetly who looked young with her baby face and soft features. "You made it!"
"I had to practically beg father to let me out of that hellhole early. Eventually, after a few fake sobs, he melted as usual," she shrugged.
"You little manipulating one!" Leo laughed out.
"Yeah, I know." She ran and jumped up on Leo who brushed her little body off the floor, hugging her tight. "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you more." He placed the girl down onto her feet after a peck on her cheek. "You're staying, right?"
She lightly raised her fluffy navy blue gown and said, "I wouldn't be wearing this if I were leaving anytime soon."
"I meant for the summer break," he retorted.
"Yes, I'm staying. I did my finals early, so summer break it is!" She pumped her small fist in the air, hyping herself up even more.
"Great," Leo snickered.
"So, are you going to introduce your dance partner?" She asked, her brown eyes staring into mine.
"Oh, yeah." He put his hand on my back and pushed me in her direction. "This is Arie. And Arie, this is Evelina, my little sister." Another sibling? How many more is he hiding?