I looked at Ariana who seemed to be praying that she wouldn't open the door. It's a humiliating event for a woman to have a man talk to her about their performance.

I adjusted my seat and took a sip of wine. "That's all. You're expensive, she's expensive. Both of you are expensive!"

"Okay. As you say so," he said. Ariana and I breathed a sigh of relief when she stood up to join the conversation with Larry's group.

"When have they been close?" I am talking about Cloud happily talking to a group of men.

"Just a moment ago. I told you, Cloud is good. In company and in bed!"

My eyes rolled automatically. "Tsk. He is feeling cool. Guess who's cool. Not very handsome."

Okay, I lied. Because he is really handsome. Only the body is still beautiful, it's good to kiss.

"What are you, Victoria? Have you lost your taste? He is so cool!" She hit me on the arm then drank alcohol again.

"He's not. For me, he's like a stone man with a big head full of air!"

Once more, I lied.

"You're so mean!"

"I am mean all the time, and all the time, I am mean," I mumbled to hide my admiration for the man we were talking about.

-end-

I snapped back to reality when I heard Cloud's voice again.

"Where are you going?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why do you want to know?" And then, I rolled my eyes. "Will you come with me?"

He slowly brought his face closer to mine. It was as if his face was moving slowly towards me in slow motion. Will it kiss me? Fuck, why is it taking so long? Like, shit. What wonder am I thinking?

Later I felt his breath in my ear and whispered. "Sure. Are you still?"

My fist clenched in annoyance. Just to answer, does he need to whisper if there are only two of us here. Sounds silly, huh?

Shet. Am I disappointed? Of course, no. I don't care if he caresses me or not. He is not the only man.

"Why do you need to whisper? You can say it straight on my face."

He laughed out loud. "Are you expecting something?"

"I have something in your face, you want?" I immediately signaled my fists ready to punch. But he raised his two hands as if surrendering to the police.

"Easy. I was just joking. So, where do you wanna go?"

"Anywhere, just— Oh, my God! My dad!"

My heart beat fast when I saw the black car approaching our place. I know Dad's car very well so I can't be wrong. I also saw him leave the mansion earlier so I'm sure it's him.

My heart pounded even more when Cloud pulled my hand and immediately blocked himself from the oncoming car. He pushed me slightly causing my knee to slide on the rough concrete.

A few moments later we were both on the side of the road, both gasping for breath. We breathed a sigh of relief when we noticed that the car we were avoiding had come straight.

But how did he know that I was avoiding seeing Daddy?

How did he know I had to hide? I was surprised to see him. There was concern in his eyes.

"Are you alright?"

UNDER THE bright moon that gives light at night, next to the huge trees that have been the witness, in the company of the cold wind that touches, and in the middle of the dark surroundings that is ours is ending... I witnessed her beautiful eyes— her worried eyes.

He is really familiar. I don't remember where and when we met, but his eyes... I know, I saw it already.

"Are you okay?" He repeated the question, noticing that I had been staring at him.

I immediately withdrew my gaze knowingly. "Y-yes, yes. I'm o-okay..." I averted my gaze because his stare seemed to drown me. It's like it's absorbing me towards him. And I hate it.

And wow, Ria! Why do you stutter? Are you getting younger?

"You sure?" Well, don't ask any more questions. Feeling concerned about. Who is this idiot? Why is it scattered here?

"Yes! Wait. Don't touch me!" I whined when I saw Cloud holding both of my shoulders. I patted both his hands. "You don't need to touch me just to ask!"

I quickly stood up. He was going to support me but I immediately stopped him. I managed to stand up and didn't wait for me to be guided. I'm an adult. I am no longer a child to be supported when I stumble.

And I don't like that he supports me. I just don't like it.

"Fuck!" I gasped when I felt the pain in my knee and palm.

There is a wound.

"You should go home and clean yourself," Cloud suggested. I turned my back on him then rolled my eyes.

"Are you stupid? You know when I hid Dad and then you sent me home?" I asked him to snort. I patted my clothes that were filled with dust. "Where's my wine?" My eye searched for it and found it broken not far away.

What should I drink? Annoying! The convenience store is also far from here. And I got tired of walking there and then just getting thrown out.

"I'll take you to my home. If it's okay with you," he said. I glanced at him, I saw that his two hands were again in his jersey shorts.

I thought about what he said.

With so many men I've been with, I still get nervous at the simple proposition. I just had second thoughts about going out with a guy I don't know very well. Whereas, I'm very used to going with men whose nicknames I don't even know.

"So that your wound can be treated." He even glanced at my red knee. I was quiet in thought. "It's fine if you don't—"

"Who said I don't want to?" I will stand up to him. "Come on. Hold on!" I added.

I led him to walk. I winced when I felt the pain of the wound. I still heard his laugh.

"You're a beautiful woman, you talk so much," he teased as he felt himself following me.