Chapter 40: Chapter 40
And he did not touch me for the whole night. I woke up feeling empty as the space next to me was already cold.
I could see Ajax was already up as he put on his shirt, “Get up. We’ll return now.”
I silently went to the bathroom to wash my face and get ready and before long, I was saying goodbye to Snow and the others.
But Snow, being cheerful as ever, grabbed my hand and gave me puppy eyes, “Are you going to leave now?”
I nodded my head and she pouted, “Awe, can you postpone it for a bit? I want us to sing together in a karaoke!”
I glanced at Ajax, who was avoiding my eyes and Hannah came to his side.
“Come on, Ajax, please? Just stay for an hour.” She pleaded and Ajax sighed.
Silence followed, and we were waiting for Ajax to decide.
“Fine. But just an hour.”
All of the girls first bumped and instantly dragged me to the nearby karaoke house they found.
We went into a room and all of us huddled together.
Snow, Emma, and Hannah were the first ones to sing. They were singing some Britney Spears song, Baby One more time.
Sereia soon followed with her Back to December entry by Taylor Swift.
The two silent girls, Hira and Isleen didn’t dare to sing as the microphone was stolen by Phoenix, Sereia’s husband, forcing Eion to sing.
Eion, the owner of this resort and Snow’s husband looked like he would rather be anywhere than stay here. He was looking at their other friend Aiden, Isleen’s husband who was just laughing at them.
Soon, Phoenix managed to make Eion say yes but with the condition that he have to sing too. Just from their teasing, I could see how introverted Eion is and how Phoenix is an extrovert.
Both of them sang Thousand Miles, and Snow and Sereia were laughing at their husbands, taking out their phones and starting to film them.
“Alright, this is enough. We want to hear Ellaina’s voice now.” Said Leroy and Dax, Emma and Hanna’s husband.
I blinked, “What? No-“
“Oh c’mon. Any song you want to sing?”
I sighed, looking at the songbook and seeing the song that reflects my mood now, I input the numbers.
Snow and the others started to cheer for me, clapping and yelling eagerly.
I cleared my throat, feeling nervous from the sudden attention but I took all my courage.
The song started and I instantly opened my mouth to sing.
“You by the light is the greatest find
In a world full of wrong you're the right thing
Finally made it through the lonely to the other side.”
As soon as I said that, everyone got quiet.
I couldn’t help but glance at Ajax and see his expression. He looks indifferent and still not in the mood. Good, I’m glad I picked this strong, Terrified by Katharine McPhee.
I started to sing the chorus.
“You said it again, my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark
And I'm in love
And I'm terrified
For the first time and the last time in my only life
This could be good, it's already better than that
And nothing's worse than knowing you're holding back
I could be all that you needed if you let me try
You said it again my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark
And I'm in love
And I'm terrified
For the first time and the last time in my only
I only said it 'cause I mean it, oh
I only mean 'cause it's true
So don't you doubt what I've been dreamin'
'Cause it fills me up and holds me close whenever I'm without you
You said it again my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
Watching the shadows burning in the dark
And I'm in love
And I'm terrified
For the first time and the last time in my only life, life, life
In my only life”
The whole song was finished and Snow instantly embraced me.
“Omg! You have a nice voice! Gosh, I like you girl.” She said excitedly.
“You could have been a singer. Why didn’t you take it?” Asked Hira, the girl that was silent all night until now.
I shrugged, “I guess I like being a model better.”
We chuckled at that and I could feel Ajax going to my side.
“How about another song?” Asked the other quiet girl, Isleen, which surprised me at her request. It might have been our first time talking since yesterday...
Ajax suddenly cleared his throat, grabbing our attention, “Alright, one hour is up. We need to go.” He said.
I sighed, giving a look at Snow and she nodded understandingly.
Ajax then left to grab his car.
“See you next time! We had a great time with you!” Sereia exclaimed, giving me a piece of paper.
“Here is my number. If you need anything, you can contact us.” She winked.
“We’ll add you to our group chat so we could plan our girl’s trip there.” Hannah came, grinning at me and giggling.
I smiled, feeling so welcomed. They are so kind to let me in their group. I feel like I’m in high school again being added to a squad of pretty girls.
“Yes, and let’s make sure not to include the boys, they only turn our mood sour,” Emma said, glancing at Ajax who was driving the car to us.
Ajax then honked the car and I got inside. We waved our goodbyes and it didn’t take long for us to get back on the road again.
It was just quick but I consider them my friends now. They seem to be lovely to be friends with.
Silence fell, and since I was seated in the passenger seat beside Ajax, I didn’t dare to move or make eye contact with him. Instead, I looked at the view outside.
“You had a great time with them?”
He suddenly started to speak and I nodded
“Good.”
After that, Ajax was driving me back and the ride back was too silent. No one was daring to say anything, even when we reached my house.
“We’re here.” He suddenly said and I hopped out of the car. Ajax then parked the car outside and I knocked on the door.
“Mother! Sister!”
Hearing no sound at all, I opened the door and stopped when I could see my mother and sister talking with a stranger.
An old man wearing a hat and an old woman dressed in fine jewelry and carrying an expensive handbag.
Except they were not just any random strangers.
I could tell by the looks that these were Ajax’s parents….
“Mom? Dad?” I could hear the frustration on Ajax behind me as he looked at the view.
“Hello, my dear son.” Greeted his mother, “And hello there, Ellaina, we heard so much about you.”
Ajax suddenly grabbed the hand and gritted his teeth, “What are you both doing here?”
He was shaking in anger, and I softly patted his back to comfort him.
He then turned to me and whispered so I could only hear it, “If they send you anything, make sure to reject it.”
“Sit down my child.” Said his father.
Ajax stood still, “Get out right now. You are disturbing the Ramirez family.”
“We came here to visit you and to pay our condolences to Ellaina’s father.” His mother said.
Ajax greeted his teeth, “How did you even know where I am…That damned Theon…”
“Calm down, Ajax. Let’s talk with them, they are your parents and they must have missed you so much.” I spoke up and Ajax pursed his lips.
“Awe, listen to her. She’s such a good girl.” They both complimented but I only heard it as an insult.
“Come, Ellaina. Let’s leave them for a bit.” Mother said and grabbed me and my sister and she directed us upstairs.
I know it's bad to eavesdrop especially since it's a family matter but I worry for Ajax.
I could only hear Ajax’s loud yelling at them and some bits and pieces about how his father wanted him to stop messing and just settle down.
I see, I could grasp the situation now. I could understand how Ajax must have been frustrated as his parents are pushing him to marry and have a child now. I also listened to how Ajax had a little sister that died because of his father, that’s why he hates him.
Well, I couldn’t bear to listen more as his mother called for me.
I went down and saw that Ajax was gone.
“Where is Ajax?” I asked, my hands trembling from nervousness as I am in front of the powerful family. I’ve been with powerful people in the past since I see them at parties, but not like this.