Chapter 13: Chapter 13

The gigantic hotel boomed with loud music as guests trooped into the place in their numbers.

" Oh my Geez! The gown is out of the world ". Cindy exclaimed wrapping her hand around Kapella's neck.

" It's sparkling... You look like an Angel".

"Are there female Angels?". Kapella asked.

"Gosh!, You're such a bad vibe".

"Maybe there's nothing more In my mind than who's Mr. X".

"Probably Lovely".

"Definitely not, he doesn't even know about the party.. Birthday".

"But you have the dress on". Cindy said.

"I tried every possible way to resist but I fell into the temptation and here I am in a pretty dress, a necklace that cost millions of dollars and a golden wristwatch, all from unknown source". Kapella said looking around.

"Probably secret admirable, Um let me guess Chubby Joe".

"Are you normal?". She cursed.

"Do you hate him that much, I could ask him out for you".

"You're a pain in the ass Cindy, I've to be on the stage, so nervous". Kapella said and breathed heavily.

"And what are you singing?".

"Phoenix.... My first freshman self composed song". She whispered and how time flies, in minutes she was already in front of the huge crowd, staring at new faces and trying her possible best to concentrate.

Gonna rise like a Phoenix

Burning

Love is not bought

Love is earned

I'm never gonna be tamed

Never Gonna be tamed

You're never gonna pull me down

All because I'm gonna rise...

Rise like Phoenix

Kapella sang loudly to the sound of the music.

It was two minutes live performance before she finally ended.

There was a loud cheer and a standing ovation for her as she walked down the stage.

Nancy hugged tightly and there were camera flashes all over their faces.

"Congratulations you've finally extended the celeb scope". Cindy said and guards around stopped the big crowd of reporters from going after her.

"Why is everyone staring at me?". She asked.

"Because you just beat Rihanna".

"Don't flatter me". Kapella said laughing.

"Seriously? You sang so charmingly like a Mermaid".

"Mermaid.. Haha.. Isn't there another simile you could use". Kapella said smiling.

"Mermaids are said to have charming voices that send the brain of men spinning 360° then my dear you're a damn Mermaid". Cindy said and they laughed but Kapella's slowly diminish as there was a flash in her head.

She could see herself breathing underwater in the pool.

"Kapella are you alright?".

"Yeah. Perfectly, can we sit somewhere, my throat is so dried up".

"Over there". Cindy said pointing to a vacated table.

They drew the chair and sat.

"Hey!". Cindy called out to one of the attendants who was serving drinks.

"You shouldn't be here". He snapped moving toward them.

"Excuse me". Cindy said.

"You should look before you seat, this is a VIP table not low lives".

"Excuse me, Did you just insult us, no offense but is there an invisible VIP on the table". Kapella asked angrily.

"It doesn't matter if you just sang beautifully on the stage, I could throw you both out". He threatened.

"I can see you're not under the influence of drug but stupidity". They heard a voice and turned to see a teen boy in a red suit moving toward the table.

He was so breathtaking in his perfectly styled hair.

Not ignoring his blue eyes and his tall height.

"Boss". The attendant hailed and bowed with his tray.

"You're fired".

"Boss?".

"I asked Matt to employ polite and welcoming creatures, not some streetwalker, how could you not have a tiny atom of respect for guests?". He asked.

"Boss they're on a VIP seating".

"And so?".

"It's for Mrs. Grey and her husband".

"Doesn't give you the license to treat some lady unruly, no big deal in informing them politely".

"We'll just find some other seat". Kapella said and rose with Cindy.

"Seat". He said and they stared at each other before they sat again.

"I said you're fired, you shouldn't be standing here".

"Boss, I didn't mean to, My girlfriend broke up with me and that got my head spinning all day, I don't want to lose this job, please!".

"One more chance, I got my eyes on you, now when Mrs. Grey comes, she can have my table".

"But sir your table was specially.....". He said and paused mid way.

"Alright boss... what's your order ladies?". He asked.

"Don't stare at me". Cindy told Kapella.

"Something non-alcoholic". Kapella said.

"Same". Cindy said.

"Boss?".

"Same". He replied as he sat.

"A minute". The Attendant said and left.

"Thank you for your intervention". Cindy said.

"It's alright, My apologies also, they're new and haven't know the basic ethics yet".

"It's alright, Are you kind of the host..?". Cindy asked.

"Yes".

"Wow!, He called you boss".

"Now if you're thinking I'm the president's son, no am not". He said as he relaxed on the chair.

"He's Korean, right? So also, you definitely ain't and no offense but you're too young to get married". Kapella said.

"Young?". He asked and laughed.

"If my parents decide on an arranged wedding right now, I can do nothing but accept".

"Why would parents do that?".

"Beneficial Contract, for their gain but anyway I ain't getting married soon so cheers to me, where the hell is....".

"I'm here boss". He announced hurriedly to the table and arranged the drinks on it.

"Would you love some Tequila? boss?". He asked.

"No, I'm fine". He said.

"We would have love to move to some other seating since someone booked this place already".

"Well, I said seat".

"Seriously? I hate troubles that's all". Kapella said and a woman in a black suit walked up to the table.

"I hate to be interrupted, Yelena". He said.

"It's urgent, Boss".

"And what could be so urgent?".

"We have guests who seek accommodation here". She said.

"Guest from the party?".

"No Boss".

"C'mon Madison, I've said it over and over again, no accommodation for anyone today except the guests at the party, we have that planned out already, right?".

"Yes, boss but it's someone important". She said.

"I don't care if it's the president of American, they can fvck off, accommodation is for the guest here, at the party ". He said.

"It's the Jobs Family ". She said.

"Alright... How many guests are in for accommodation and how many rooms left?". He asked as he walked away with Madison.

"He's nice despite his status?". Kapella said and gulped in the drink in her cup.

"Are you falling for him already?". Cindy asked.

"C'mon Cindy, can't I compliment good people anymore, I know I'm not supposed to believe any guy, not tonight, they're just moved by the voice and beauty, nothing more, so I know I'm gonna have a lot of suitors tonight, just let me be Cindy". Kapella said and she gulped in content in her cup again.

"Do you think he's wooing you?". She asked.

"Me, me and me Cindy, you don't ever get to mention yourself".

"He's obviously here for you friend".

"Hush!".

"Yeah. Disadvantages of two single friends staying together especially at a party, a guy smiles at you and you wonder who, a cute dude moves to your table and you wonder who and then at the end, you end up dragging the same dude, it doesn't happen in movies alone".

"Should we split?". Kapella asked rising to her feet.

"Will you get your ass down?, I'll rather marry you than split to find a suitor especially in a place full of playboys".

"Are you drunk?". She asked.

"I think so".

"I thought this was non-alcoholic?".

"It's Tequila babe".

"What?".

"Just kidding, if it were Tequila, with all the shots you've taken you'll be dancing on the table right now ". Cindy said and she laughed.

" So what did I miss? ". He asked and returned.

" My friend was wondering if you own the place? ". Kapella asked and Cindy stepped on her foot.

" I'm afraid so, I'm the CEO ". He announced.

The girls stared at themselves and back to him.

"I'm not too young, if that's what you're checking out, I'm nineteen already but a high school student". He said.

"You still go to school?"

"Of course I do, It's fun". He said and poured the wine into his cup.

"You haven't told me your names?". He added as he dropped the bottle.

"Um.. I'm....".

"She's Elena, I'm Stella". Cindy cuts in sharply.

"Elena, Stella, nice names". He said and gulped in the wine.

"You ain't gonna tell us yours?". Kapella asked.

"Call me L".

"L, Los Angeles, Vegas or Big L, what L?". She inquired.

"Excuse me". He said and moved to Madison who was heading for his table already.

"You're falling already". Cindy said pulling her cheek.

"Can't I be jovial, he just wants to talk".

"Hey!". Nancy said moving to their table.

"Nancy!".

"VIP table". She said and poured wine into one of the cups and gulped it in.

"Damn, Where did you get this?". She asked.

"What's wrong?". Cindy asked.

"Don't you feel the taste Cindy, we call this The Saint-Emilion Wine". She said raising the bottle.

"It's pretty expensive and only served for high-ranking delegates, how did you get your hands on it?". She asked and gulped in another cup of wine.

"It must be the dude who came over, CEO of the hotel or something like that ". Kapella said.

" Oh Lovely, that's nice of him, he sat here with you? ".

" Did you say Lovely or..... Forget it, yes ".

" He's getting along then, hardly associate with people, always keep to himself at his table, your voice must have been so powerful ". Nancy said.

"Don't flatter me".

"I'm not, my sister was getting scared you were gonna steal her fiancee.. She's happy you're here and sends her regards although she can't see you herself, she's returning to Korea".

"That's alright".

"I gotta go girls, I need to escort her to the airport". Nancy informed and turned to the empty seat.

"If he's truly speaking to you then you get to grab that one opportunity, he's fun-loving and I can say not a playboy, you grab with your teeth like a shark and don't let go, bye, be a good girl". She said tapping their back.

"I think I'll have this". She said and took one of the bottles and walked away.

"Or two". She said as she raced back, took one more, and went off.

"Nancy!". They called out laughing.

"Sorry I left again". He said and he returned.

"Not at all".

"There were eight bottles here". He said.

"Our friend kidnapped two, you know Nancy don't you". Kapella asked with open eyes.

"Nancy?".

"Benjamin Nancy, the look on your face says you know her". She said.

"Um... Yeah... I do, Sister of the birthday girl".

"Lovely". She said staring at his hand that was placed on the table.

"Oh, my watch, Just got it from Dubai, thanks". He said smiling.

"I meant lovely with an uppercase L, not an adjective but a noun ". Kapella told him.

" Kapella, Are you drunk, it's wine, not Tequila ". Cindy said.

" You can disguise your face, voice, and every other thing but you forgot to take off your ring, Lovely ". She whispered.

Cindy's eyes trailed to his hand as he looked down as well to his golden ring that had the symbol 'L'.

He scoffed and gulped in the remaining wine in his cup.

" Kapella, Cindy, we meet again ". He announced and dropped his cup.