Chapter 5: Chapter 5

"You're going with Adrian?" Rainy asked from her place near the balcony of my room.

"Yep,"

"Are you sure you'll be safe with him?" Rainy sounded doubtful.

"Yep,"

"Mabel, I don't think it's a good idea for you to go if you don't want to." Rainy finally stood up and approached me.

"I want to, Rainy." I objected to her statement.

Rainy seemed to be thinking about something. Does she really not want me to go?

"Why do you look so worried? Don't worry, Adrian won't dare to hurt me."

"It's not really that..." Rainy gave me an uneasy expression.

So Rainy isn't worrying about me?

"I mean Ashton and I will be there too, and if you are there too..." Rainy paused for a moment, giving me an uncomfortable look. "Then Ashton's attention will only be on you, you know what I mean right?"

I gulped at her explanation. Rainy doesn't want me to snatch Ashton from her? That's more or less what it means, right?

Again, I covered up my feelings with a smile. "I won't let that happen. I'm with Adrian after all,"

"You're so kind," Rainy hugged me. "I don't know what I would be without you,"

Later that evening, we were busy picking out the dresses Sarah had bought for us. In total, there were up to twenty dresses of different colors. I let Rainy choose which one she wanted to wear first. And to be honest, I was kind of tired of waiting because she was having a hard time making up her mind over a dress.

I chose to dry my hair first. From the reflection of the mirror, I could see Rainy standing behind me, scowled at each dress. She looked weird when she was upset or maybe I had never seen her expression on this one.

"I need your advice, Mabel."

I got up and leaned closer to her, gazing at all the dresses.

"Which dress do you think Ashton will like when I wear it?"

"Hmmm, he's never had a problem with women's dresses." I nodded, because to my knowledge, Ashton didn't care what dresses or accessories his previous girlfriends wore. The man was only care about how the woman he wanted, had fallen into his trap.

"Just pick one for me,"

I pointed to the red dress which I had loved since its first arrival. The dress is knee-length without straps, made of silk, and exposed the back of the chest.

"Perfect," Rainy smiled. "Thank you, Mabel!"

Rainy ran out to her room to get ready. I sighed and then chose the rest of the dresses. Just as I was confused, my phone rang. Without seeing who the caller was, I picked up the call and put it on speaker.

"Wear a navy blue dress,"

"What the-" I took out my phone to see who the caller was. Actually I also already knew who it was through his deep voice.

"Don't forget to save my number," Adrian continued.

"You're peeking at me right now, aren't you?" I panicked.

Adrian laughed on the other side. "It means my instincts are right that you're confused about choosing a dress. I suggest navy blue,"

I grabbed the only navy blue dress. "Why?"

"Because it's my favorite color," Adrian continued. "Just kidding. My suit for tonight is navy blue. Let's just match it,"

I looked at the dress after Adrian ended the call. It was different from the red dress I had chosen for Rainy. It's a high slit satin formal dress. Adrian's choice wasn't bad either, though he just chose the color. But how come I just realized that this one dress is more glamorous than the rest?

I smiled and got ready.

I styled my hair in a half-up hairstyle. Then I applied makeup on my face, usually I asked my father to send a makeup artist to do my makeup, but tonight I want to prepare everything myself. Staring to the mirror, I felt nervous. I had never liked parties, did i make the right decision?

I sighed just as Rainy came into my room without knocking. Through the reflection, I could see she was very much ready, just waiting for Ashton to come pick her up.

"Mabel!"

I turned when I found Rainy gaping at me. "Your dress is so beautiful. By the way, I wanted to wear that navy blue dress, but you said this red dress is prettier."

I didn't understand, but why did I feel Rainy's irritation?

"I'm only wearing what's left," I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Hey, girls!" Sarah came in with a tray of two glasses of warm milk. "You guys look amazing. Ready to slay the party?"

Rainy only gave her mother a small smile, before going back to her room without a word.

"Here's for you, Mabel." Sarah handed me that. "Wait a minute, I'll be back. I just need to talk to Rainy,"

I nodded and put the glass of milk on my dressing table. I looked back at myself in the mirror. What's wrong with Rainy? Is she mad at me? I meant, I would never have told her to wear that red dress if she hadn't asked for my advice herself.

The sound of a car horn from below made me peek out of my bedroom window. A black Bugatti car entered the parking area of ​​my mansion. I knew very well who owned the car. I sighed as Ashton walked out of there. The man seemed to style his hair in a slicked back.

I grabbed my phone the moment Ashton stepped inside. After that I also heard a voice from Rainy's room. It seemed that she already knew that her prince had arrived to rescue her.

Now it's my turn to wait for Adrian, why hasn't he arrived yet?

"Mabel?" Sarah returned after Rainy had gone downstairs. "Sorry, Rainy suddenly left the room like that. She was just nervous,"

"I get it," I nodded and fell silent again.

"Ashton is downstairs. If Adrian comes late, you can go with them."

"I'll just wait for him..."

"Ashton already knew you're going there too. So it's okay to go there together," Sarah coaxed.

I tried calling Adrian. Where is he? He didn't pick up his phone.

"Just go with them," I forgot Sarah was still in my room, watching me now.

"I better not go..." I whispered softly.

Sarah came closer and rubbed my shoulder gently. I had never felt a mother's love, and now that I did, I felt worthy. "You're very well prepared, and look absolutely stunning tonight. Too bad if you don't go just because Adrian didn't pick you up,"

Damn you, Adrian! I lowkey cursed that man.

Sarah accompanied me downstairs. I heard my father and Ashton laugh about something. They had been friends ever since. Especially when Ashton's father, Mr. Valley, had to be in jail for an accident that killed a woman. My father was the only father figure Ashton had.

Sarah cleared her throat, taking over all the attention of the people in the living room, including my childhood best friend. Ashton turned to me, and his eyes deepened when he saw my figure.

"Mabel, my little princess." My father spreaded his arms for me to hug him. "Come here,"

I smiled and walked over to him.

"You look so beautiful tonight," My father hugged me as I hugged him back.

"Thanks, Dad."

"Adrian can't pick up Mabel, I guess it's okay if she goes with you guys?" Sarah opened her voice to her daughter as well as Ashton.

Rainy glanced at me briefly, before finally just giving a nod. While Ashton immediately stood up, asking permission to immediately take us to his friend's party.

It felt so strange when I sat in the back seat of Ashton's car. Usually I sat next to him, but now Rainy took that place. Actually it was okay, because Ashton's partner tonight was Rainy.

I was just enjoying the night view, and the glow from every street lamp. I didn't dare to look into the rear-view mirror, because I felt a pair of eyes watching me over and over again. Ashton watched me.

"Adrian doesn't come?" Rainy asked, scrutinizing. I knew Rainy didn't want me to interrupt her night with Ashton, so she was probably already getting irritated let alone thinking Adrian wasn't coming.

I smiled faintly. "He's just late,"

"What if he doesn't come?" Rainy sounded genuinely curious, as if my presence or absence at the party was so important for her to know.

"Mabel could join us," Ashton answered. Ah, this one best friend of mine really knew how to save me.

Rainy looked at me intensely through the rear-view mirror. But when I looked back, she quickly averted her gaze.

Every minute, I checked my phone screen. But Adrian still didn't call me. He was the one who invited me to come, so why isn't he showing up now?

Ashton noticed my annoyance, but he didn't say anything. I also forgot to tell him about Adrian. I was sure he got a lot of questions in his head right now.

"How's your day, Rainy?"

I pursed my lips when I heard Ashton ask Rainy.

Rainy smiled shyly. "It's going well,"

Ashton smiled, still looking straight ahead. "By the way you look sexy in that red dress,"

Did he say sexy? I almost wanted to throw up.

"This dress was Mabel's choice. She chose it for me," Rainy's fingers began to play with each strand of her loose hair.

Ashton made no comment when my name was mentioned, he was talking about something else. "When will your mother's wedding take place?"

"Soon enough," Rainy replied, looking at Ashton. "They're still looking for a good date,"

I leaned against the window, not wanting to disturb the two of them. Even though I felt ignored by Ashton, as if the world only belonged to them. They forgot that they were giving me a ride!

"How about-" Ashton's question was cut off when my phone rang. I suddenly picked up the call from Adrian. I bit my fingernails, 'cause honestly I was worried.

"Where are you?" I asked out loud. Ashton and Rainy were now silent, listening to my responses to everything Adrian said on the call. "What?"

I took a deep breath. Adrian sucks! He had arrived earlier, and he was intentional not to pick me up.

"Are you okay?" Rainy looked at me while I was still trying to catch air.

I nodded slowly.

"Did something happen to Adrian?"

"He's fine," I stared straight ahead, realizing Ashton's car had entered the park area of a mansion. Many luxury cars lined there, as well as a few people in formal attire.

I got out of the car after finding Adrian's figure talking to someone. "Thanks for the ride!" Ashton just looked at me away. His face showed displeasure when I just left.

Adrian stopped talking when he saw me walking towards him. He showed me a mile-wide smirk.

"Are you crazy?" I cursed him straight away. "I was waiting for you to come! But you left me and went here first!"

"Shhh," Adrian took my hand and kissed the back of it. "I'm sorry, darling. How about I make up with you by getting you a drink inside?"

I was surprised by Adrian's gentle act, but I realized there was a purpose behind it. Ashton was standing some distance from us with Rainy, but the man's eyes were piercing right into us. Good job, Adrian! I'll be dealing with Ashton again because of him.

I walked in hand in hand with Adrian.

"Don't let go of my hand," Adrian whispered into my ear.

I just gave him a mocking expression. "Ashton isn't around us," I whispered back, raising my head to see his facial expression from the side.

"The people here are not all ordinary people like you. Some of them are dangerous," Adrian whispered, his tone sounded so serious. So that's what he meant. I thought he was purposely trying to make Ashton angrier.