Chapter 8

Mari's POV

"You're not going outside, not at this hour..." I turned around when I heard my Dad's voice. His legs were parted as he sits like he was still in his twenties. He was watching something and I heard my mom's laughter as she walks from the kitchen, a bowl of sliced apples in her hands. 

"Dad, you agreed last time!" I exclaimed, stopping from my tracks as I was supposed to head outside. It was only nine in the evening and I don't have classes tomorrow.

My father raised his eyebrows as he looks at my direction, my Mom now sitting on his lap feeding him those apples. Ge'ez!

"Yes, but that's when you said you'd be out at 5 and will be home by 9. I know how to read time, Mari, do you? And are you going to the beach?"

My legs parted a little as my right hand landed on my waist. "Dad, please..." I whined. My Mom laughed at my father's words and hit him on the shoulder.

"You don't know about fashion, Grey, please,"

My mom looked at my direction, a proud grin plastered on her face. I was wearing a black halter top showing the piercing on my belly. Mom and I have one because she went with me when I decided to have them last year on my birthday. I paired it with tattered loose boyfriend pants while a huge white cardigan covers my body. My cap and shoes were white too.

"Dad, I promised Shay I will be there on her birthday. You said yes!"

Biting my lower lip, I turned my puppy eyes towards mom who just winked at me.

"Let your daughter go. She needs to socialize. It's not like she's going with some strangers," I watch as my Mom put down the bowl of sliced apples on the table. In just a few seconds, her hands were already caressing my father's arms. Lord, I just can't imagine what will happen next.

The moment I heard my father groan, I knew it's game over.

"Who's going to be with you? Mah Ri, you're not going to drive under the influence. Don't even lie, I know you're going to drink," he added even before I can utter a protest, a grin spreading wide on my face. My father really knows me very well.

"I can call Z to pick me up," excitement started building up inside me. I knew Z will pick me up.

A smirk slowly formed on my father's face, "Are you two together?"

"No, Dad. I'll be going alone and will just ask him to fetch me,"

To my surprise, my father ended up in fits of giggles.

Yes, the Golden maknae of kpop is giggling in front of his wife and daughter.

He leaned a little, arms wrapped around mom's who's also smiling, and grab his phone once again.

He was now busy on his phone, probably messaging my other uncles for God knows what reason. So after bidding my mom goodbye, I went to the garage and it wasn't even five minutes and I already took off with my precious car.

My body is convulsing in excitement. It's been months since I last got drunk and I kind of miss hanging out with a few of my friends.

I'm not really a party girl but I know how to have fun. I'm in my teenage year and somehow, it's hard to do whatever you want when you're a daughter of a former kpop idol. Though our parents are no longer that active on the scene, there are still so many eyes following us.

The moment I went out of my car, the loud blaring of music filled my ears, my smile immediately turning wide.

Pulling up my phone, I started typing a message to tell Z where I am. I haven't told him about this party and Dad will be mad if I don't follow his conditions.

"Z, I'm out for a drink. Fetch me later. Don't bring your car coz I brought mine. I told Dad you'd drive me home,"

Z can probably find me any time since all or phones are locked in through GPS, for our safety but I still sent him the address. He's going to get really mad at me. I know he's watching his favorite game. 

Once I step on the garden, Zara, one of my friends screamed at the top of her lungs. I know she did because I can even hear her voice despite the loud music.

"Marigold, I'm glad the star has arrived!" she teased and I pulled her for a hug.

"Shut up, idiot. I won't let this party pass. I need some booze!"

"Are you alone? Where are those kids?"

My brows furrowed at her words.

"If you're looking for Xander, I'm not even sure where he is, probably at home or Lan's. Seriously, when will you get over him?" I pinched her cheeks as I swung my other arm on her shoulder, a wide grin showing on her face.

"Never!" she answered and I just laughed.

Too bad, Xander will never lay his eyes on her. I don't exactly know what's going on between Xander and Lan but I'm not stupid enough not to notice how the former looks at my friend.

When we enter the house, we were all greeted by the loud cheering of the girls and guys. Some, I am familiar with, most of them, I'm not.

At one point, Ceriz turned down the volume of the music so we can all hear each other.

"The Simons is in the house!" she screamed and I waved my hands to them.

And as expected, everybody cheered. I'm a 'Daughter of a celebrity' after all.

"Mari!" a lot of people had greeted me.  There were probably around more than fifteen people, still few actually compared to that party they did last month but I guess these are her acquaintances. 

One of the people I know pulled a chair so I can seat with her. 

"I was kind of hoping you'd bring your brother, " she whispered in a flirty tone and I scrunched my nose and tried my best not to glare at her.

"Bitch, I won't accept you in our family," I teased and she giggles.  

"And why is that?"

A sweet smile emerged on my lips. "You're too good for my brother.  That idiot is one little piece of shit.  Save yourself," I answered and she just rolled her eyes.  She's so used to me saying bad things about my brother.  

In reality though, as much as I know Lath will only break her heart, deep inside, I will always feel like no one will ever be deserving of my little shit too. Latch, as much of a troublemaker he is, is my baby. I won't tolerate him hurting or playing with girls but I won't let him be with a woman who doesn't deserve him too. He's still my precious brother after all. 

The moment I was settled, I scanned the room and noticed a few guys at the far end of the table. They were a few of them I know. When I turned my head on my right, my breath almost hitched when I locked eyes with him, that guy I saw walking around with Xander and Dimitri the other time. 

He was staring at me intently, his dark eyes pulling me in. His face screams seriousness and like the first day, I noticed how he wasn't afraid to stare at me - openly. And then I noticed something. What was it, was it confusion written all over his beautiful face?

"Why are you here?" 

His deep voice resonated with my whole system and I felt like I was being thrown into a deep well or some sort. I noticed how his cheeks were already crimson red due to alcohol. He was wearing a black turtleneck sweater that fits on his whole body which made him even more attractive. Yes, He's borderline attractive almost the same level of Z's and everyone else from my group. Wait, scratch that, he's just so beautiful I suddenly wanna question my parent's genes though I was sure they were of topnotch. 

I was out for a second, simply staring at his beautiful face that what he said didn't exactly register to me so when he snapped his fingers in front of my face, my cheeks immediately blushed red in embarrassment. 

Fuck. 

"Are you okay? Are you sick?" 

There it was again, his deep voice. And for some reason, I feel like chills were running through my body. 

I was startled when he suddenly lifted his hand, feeling my forehead. My eyes watch as his brows furrowed, his lips twitching a little and I felt a sudden sensation running through my body. 

He tilted his head a little, leaning a bit forward. And that's when I was finally waking up from that trance. 

"I-" I stopped midway, unsure what to say. I avoided his glance and grab the nearest glass in front of me, drinking whatever was on it. I grimaced the moment the alcohol greeted my lungs, fucking booze!

"That was my glass, you know," I heard him snicker before turning his attention away from me. 

"Shit," I murmured to myself. What the hell?

I felt like my body was suddenly paralyzed and all the noise was suddenly blocked by my system. Oh God, this is so embarrassing!

The girl from my left took my glass and gave me something to drink and I just smiled in return. 

Mari, you weren't even able to answer any of his questions!

I wanted to scold myself. This guy, there is something about him and I simply can't point it out!

I don't even know how long it had passed and he didn't bother talking to me again. Instead, he turned towards his right and listened to whatever the guy beside him was telling him. 

I felt my cheeks burning, unsure of what to feel. For the first time in my life, I was confused as to what is happening and I wasn't sure of what to say. Why did I stutter and why did I even act like I was daydreaming in front of him? And I don't even know his name!

Between those hours, I just turned my back on him and chatted with my friends. That's what I am here for anyways. 

"Mari, do you know Lennox? He's Xander's classmate!" Zara giggled from the opposite table and I smiled awkwardly. I removed my cardigan because I was starting to feel hot. I saw how a few of the guys turned their attention to me. I raised my eyebrow a little and stopped myself from grinning. I know I can turn heads like that. I wasn't a Jean and Manoban for no reason. 

"Girl, do you even eat? Damn, I'd kill for those abs!" She added and I just laughed at her words. She then turned to the guy she called Lennox and I decided to do the same. 

And once again, our eyes met, and again, I was at a loss for words. 

Why does he always look at me like his eyes were piercing my soul? 

"Lennox, do you know Marigold? You're friends with Xan, right?" 

Lennox turned his eyes back to Zara and just shrugged his shoulders not even bothering to answer. My lips twitched a little and somehow, what he just did make me grab another glass of alcohol and drank it straight on. 

I felt a surge of pain on my temple and that made me close my eyes a little. a groan coming out of my lips. 

Suddenly, I felt someone grabbing the glass away from my hand and I turned to him and saw his dark expression. "You do realize this is vodka you've been drinking since earlier, right?" he sounded angry for some reason and my lips parted in shock. 

He put down the bottle and grab another glass and I was sure it has only juice on it. He put the glass in front of me and that started to fuel the anger inside of me. What the fuck is he doing?

"I'm not a child!" I glared at him but that didn't even faze him at all. I scanned the looks of everyone and realized that nobody is paying any attention to us know. 

"Whatever," he then turned his back away from me. 

This Lennox is really getting on my nerves!

I was still drinking but this time, I just grabbed a flavored beer and decided to ditch the vodka. It's devil alcohol, I know and though I don't easily get drunk, as what I know, I still want to watch how much I drink especially since I'm not with the other guys.

My hands started fanning my face because I'm starting to feel really really hot. 

"Yow, Gold! Jeff here wants to know if you're available on Sunday!" 

My eyes shifted to the far corner of the table where a few guys were teasing an awfully red-faced guy who looks like he's about to pass out. I raised an eyebrow and saw how they were pushing the poor guy, teasing him endlessly. He can't even look at my direction. I'm no stranger to these kinds of scenarios. I get love confessions occasionally, and I all turn them down in one minute. That is after I ask one question. 

"Sure, but he's got to go to our house and ask for my Dad's permission," I smiled cheekily and they cheered even more. However, the guys' face turned even paler. My dad is so kind but being known as a legend in the industry makes him very intimidating. 

If they can't ask my Dad's permission, what right do they have to even try getting close to me? 

I felt another surge of pain on my temple and I wanted to curse. I checked my wrist and had a hard time reading the time. How long was I been drinking?

Getting quite dizzy, I brushed my hair backward after removing my cap. I used the cap again to fan myself. Feeling the need to go to the restroom, I tried to stand up only to almost fall straight to the ground if not for the hands that were swift enough to wrap around my waist. I was too shocked that my hands automatically pressed on his chest, my eyes were basically wide in surprise. 

"I told you to stop drinking!" I heard his stern voice and his face being a little close to my face didn't help. That made me realize how my descriptions earlier gave his face no justice. 

We were still in that position when I heard someone calling my name, the music was already low so I heard his voice clearly. 

"Marigold," 

As if it was magic, that familiar voice woke me up from whatever I was drowning me and closed my eyes for a moment. And once I opened them, a realization hit me. I was still in the arms of a stranger. So with all the strength left in me, I tried pushing him away from me a little. He looked a little hesitant at first but the moment I felt another pair of familiar arms on my back, Lennox released me from his grasp. 

I lifted my gaze and was met with Z's beautiful face. His hair was messy and still wet as if he just took a shower and despite wearing a simple black shirt. But for some reason, he looks so different, something I am not used to seeing him. His expression was dark, his jaw clenched and I was afraid he was really mad that I asked him to fetch me. 

I felt his arms wrapping around my waist in a more secure manner and I felt his palm pressing on my tummy. He wasn't looking at me though. 

"Good, please send her home. She doesn't seem to be really good at listening after I told her not to drink that much," I heard Lennox told Z then suddenly, Z's eyes landed on my direction, his hooded eyes made my knees weak for a moment. My lips immediately pouting. His expression suddenly changed and I wanted to reach his face and apologize for ruining his night bt I was too drunk to even apologize to my best friend. I leaned forward and buried my face on his chest. 

"Yeah, she's only good at listening to me,” I heard Z answered and I didn't bother listening to half they were talking about. I just closed my eyes and just clung my hands in Z's clothes. 

"Can you walk?" he asked and I hummed in response. Damn, I will never drink vodka again. 

Suddenly, I felt my body being lifted from the ground. He was carrying me bridal style so I clung my hands on his neck. I heard him saying goodbye to them and I just heard collective 'okay's' as a response. They weren't used to Z talking to someone else except us. He's not like Y who's more friendly. 

"You should have called me if you wanted to drink. Y kept on pestering me to drink with him," I heard him whisper but I didn't answer. 

I was almost drowning to unconsciousness that I can't even understand half of what he was saying. Instead, I just buried my face on his neck even more and I heard him curse. 

And I was sure I heard him mumble something but I must be too drunk to even decipher them correctly. 

"Damn Mari, what am I going to do with you, baby?" 

Those were the last words I heard before I indulge myself in the darkness and fell asleep. 

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