First Reaching : I like...

Chanelle Du

I'm fucked. 

That's what I told myself the moment I realized how my heart beat crazy towards him when we locked gazes a while ago. When we locked gazes even though we were both across the room, with a couple of elites dancing to a slow music in the middle of the room. I knew that it was not because of the ambiance or the vibe in this suffocating gala since we have been attending this stuff since we were children. 

I immediately looked away. Gasping for some air and tightly clenching my hands, probably creasing the gloves I have on. 

"Dear, are you okay?" my mother asked. Father and an acquaintance of ours, the head of Xu and his wife, looked at me concerningly. "Dear?"

I manage to let out a polite smile despite my stomach churning and my head spinning with this unexpected revelation. "I'm fine, Mom. I think I just need some air. I probably..ate a little too much." 

My mother gave me a knowing glance but I paid no mind and just smiled and left. 

Thank heavens that I spent several nights dancing and socializing in this huge mansion or else I would probably be lost as I made my way out to the greenhouse. 

The only place I can think of that not many attendees enter. 

"Oh, sh*t." I let out a curse, something I usually did not do. I wanted to bite my nails but my gloves stopped me from doing that. 

I can't believe I will fall for that guy. 

To my childhood and closest friend! Of all people, why Arkanghel? 

"Is this karma from speaking trash to that novel Maria recommended to me? Is it?" If I was in my sound mind, I would probably tell myself off for being ridiculous. Few 'criticism' to the cliche "I fell for my best friend" troupe of that book won't bring karma to me. If it would, I would be facing a lot of karma from all 'criticisms' I made to Maria's other book recommendation. 

I don't believe in karma from that book but I knew that's the root cause of my problem! That book probably planted some ideas in my head. 

"I should have not read that book no matter how bored I am." I stated as I made my way on the bench. I sat myself and sighed as I looked up to the sky visible through the glass roof of the greenhouse. 

Wow. 

There are really no stars in this place. 

Maybe that's why no young couples or attendees enter here. This place, despite being a glass greenhouse which should be a popular romantic place according to Maria, lacks the romantic vibes although it houses beautiful flowers. 

I usually hang around here when the gala starts going on the boring way or when I'm being asked around when I should marry. 

What a load of crap. I'm only in my early twenties. I'm not at their age where they get married around that age. 

"Hey." Great. The man I ran away from is here. 

"Hello, Ark, my angel." I greeted with a smile.

  His stoic face grimaced and he sat beside me. Unlike his regal posture a while ago at the gala, he looks rather disheveled right now. His coat was on his arms, his ties loosened and his hair was, of course, still well-kept. 

Why the hell did I really fall for this boring and stoic guy? 

Like, if he would go for what he calls a "disheveled look" he would have messed his hair too! What disheveled look is this if his hair is still well-kept and untouched?

"I wont mess with my hair, Chanelle." he said. "No matter how much you trash talked about the state of my hair."

I scoffed. "I still think that if you're trying to go for a disheveled look, you should mess up your hair. You just look like an uncle when he gets off from work, you know."

"Exactly. Disheveled." I grimaced at his statement. God, what kind of disheveled was that. 

Silence reigned over us. We just sat there, probably listening to the distant music from the room or the silent brushing of the leaves as it swayed along the cold night breeze. 

As we sat in silence, I had the time, and the courage, to think about why I fell for the man who was beside me, a little longer. 

Arkanghel is a very good looking man. The best from all the guys I have seen, and I have seen his father, his other uncles and my father too. And I'm not just saying this because they were close to me but they were "hella", as Maria often said, goodlooking. 

And aside from his looks, his athletic ability is also second to none. I don't know if it was the genes talking or he is just a prodigy but I never saw him lose the matches from every sport he got interested in. Pair that up from his academic ability, and everyone will understand why he is so popular. 

Not only is his name angelic but it seems that he was given everything else. Really blessed. 

Well, aside from his attitude. 

But even so, I find it cute. 

"I like someone."

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Well, really, fuck marriage." I blurted out.