Chapter 5

• My hair was a mess due to the crowd eager to watch the practice. I pushed through, leading Clara and Japs by the hands, until we reached the front.
• I didn't care about the people I displaced as I pushed my way to the front, as all my attention was fixed on the stage and nothing else.
• It felt almost like a pre-concert event, but for them, having an audience during practice seemed normal.
• My heart raced as Rexon strummed the guitar to tune. The screams that erupted inside the covered gym were deafening.
• I gasped as he began playing the intro:
• Look at the stars
• Look how they shine for you
• and everything you do
• yeah, they were all yellow
• I came along
• I wrote a song for you
• and all the things you do
• And it was all yellow..
• The screams around me grew louder, especially when he looked towards the audience as if searching for someone to sing to.
• I held my breath tightly as our eyes met..
• Your skin,
• Oh yeah, your skin and bones
• turn into something beautiful
• you know
• you know I love you so
• you know I love you so..
• His soothing voice transported me elsewhere, causing me to swallow hard with parted lips.
• "OMG! He's looking at me!" a girl behind me squealed.
• "Hell no, he's looking at me!" another one retorted.
• I shot them a fierce look. The tension almost led them to a scuffle.
• "Hey, stop being so ambitious, my Daddy Rexon is looking at me, not you! It's crazy!" I confidently interjected as Japs joined in from the side, eliciting shocked looks from the two girls.
• They just rolled their eyes, choosing to avoid Japs, who was bold when it came to confrontation, perhaps inheriting his assertiveness from me.
• After finishing the song, he strummed another piece, this time singing in Tagalog. The band began playing, captivating the audience once again.
• Once more, I was mesmerized by his beautiful voice, his perfect face, his captivating eyes, and his figure that could easily rival famous models.
• As I walked towards my car, I heard a male voice calling out to me.
• "Belle!"
• I didn't turn around. None of my classmates or acquaintances called me by my second name, so I continued walking towards the parking lot.
• "Belle!"
• Filled with annoyance, I quickly opened my car to get in, but a swift hand blocked me from doing so.
• My eyes widened to identify the audacious individual. With so many men calling out to me, why this one?
• "What's your problem?" I raised my eyes challenging him. If I were tall, he was significantly taller, with a bigger, well-built physique. His jet-black hair and sharp nose added to his powerful presence. In short, handsome!
• Many raised their eyebrows. Some whispered and even glanced at me with disdain, but I chose to ignore them. Instead, I got into my car and drove off campus.
• "I'm home!" I exclaimed loudly as I rushed up the stairs to my room.
• "Why are you so late?" I heard Manang Pasing shout from the kitchen.
• "We had a group activity, Manang!" I replied as I quickly threw my shoulder bag on the bed, unknowingly dropping something from it. I swiftly changed into shorts and a plain sleeveless shirt before heading downstairs to the dining area.
• As I sat at the table, I served myself rice and viand.
• Manang approached me with a glass of juice.
• "Thank you, Manang. Would you like to join me?" I offered, knowing that, as usual, Mommy and Daddy were not around due to their busy involvement in our family's business.
• Dad was frequently absent, often out of the country. It was rare for me to have a meal with both of them; I could probably count those instances on one hand.
• "Dear, I already ate. You came home too late," she said before heading back to the kitchen.
• I shrugged and continued eating. When I finished, I went to my room to prepare for bed.
• However, I was interrupted by a call from Japs.
• "Hello, Lara?!" I was nearly deafened by his loud voice, along with the blaring music in the background.
• "Oh, why did you call?!"
• "We forgot to tell you that Christine is throwing a party tonight, and we're invited. Come over, there are so many handsome guys here!" he exclaimed excitedly.
• "It's late, Japs. Maybe next time," I replied lazily.
• "Oh, too bad. The Logistic Band is here performing, and I heard they are well-paid for their gig tonight. They'll be playing all night long." He tried to persuade me.
• I quickly stood up and said, "Wait for me at the gate, 10 minutes, okay?!" I hung up the phone and hurried to my walk-in closet to choose an outfit.
• I opted for a form-fitting long red dress paired with flat sandals. I tied my hair up, letting loose strands fall on my cheek and neck.
• After applying a pink lipstick, I pouted in the mirror before grabbing my key from the nightstand.
• "Oh, where are you off to?" Manang asked, holding a bag of trash.
• "Just to a birthday party, Manang. I'll be back by midnight, don't worry!" I waved before getting into my waiting car.
• "Oh no, if your mom finds out about this, I'll be in trouble again!" She scratched her head in worry.
• "Don't worry, Manang. I'll behave." I closed the car window and manoeuvred out.
• After a few minutes, I was already in front of Christine's mansion. The opulence of her house was conspicuous from the outside; one could only imagine what it looked like inside.
• "Lara, over here!" Japs waved at me, and I quickly approached him.
• "Come inside, Clara and Terry are already in there," he said as he led me in.
• "Why wasn't I informed about this party?" I asked as we walked.
• "It was a sudden decision. Her Dad finally allowed her to throw a party in their grand mansion at the last minute, and guess what, her parents flew to France so there's no one watching over us here!" he explained.
• I just nodded in response. Christine was a year ahead of us and popular in school, always winning in Miss Intramurals. She was friendly to everyone and I knew her because she was Terry's cousin.
• Upon entering, the grandeur of the mansion was no joke. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, inviting you to ascend the two grand staircases.
• The guests were scattered around as there was a swimming party happening at the back.
• "Lara, you're here!" Terry called out to me, with her boyfriend Alex by her side.
• They walked me towards Christine.
• "Happy birthday! Sorry, I didn't bring a gift. I didn't know it was your birthday today," I said.
• "It's okay. I didn't expect my Dad to allow me to have a party like this, so I kept it low-key." she replied modestly.
• She looked stunning in a white off-shoulder dress, exuding elegance with her loose brown hair.
• "I'll attend to the other guests first. Enjoy yourselves, take care of them, Terry," she instructed before turning away.
• "Okay!" Terry replied, then turned to Japs while leaning on her boyfriend, Alex.
• "Hey, you, let go of my boyfriend if you don't want to feel my fist!" Terry restrained herself from saying more.
• "You're just jealous because Papa Alex is sweeter to me than to you!" Japs retorted sassily.
• "You wish, come on!" She said as she pulled her boyfriend away, smiling at the playful banter.
• We headed to the backyard and were amazed by the crowd. I scanned for Rexon and found him among the crowd, happily engaged in conversation.
• "Lara, there's Rexon, let's go to him!"
• I couldn't refuse when Japs pulled my wrist. As we approached, they turned to us, along with their group mates.
• "Hello?" Japs greeted them with a smile, then pulled me forward to join them.
• "Ah, I'm Japs, and this is Lara, my friend!" I noticed their puzzled looks, perhaps wondering why this guy suddenly introduced me.
• "Hi, I'm Jeff," a member of the group introduced himself to us.
• "And this is Zack, our drummer, Sky our lead guitarist, and Rexon, our handsome vocalist!" They each waved at us, with Rexon extending his hand towards me.
• "Hi, you must be Lara Belle, my classmate?" His words left me tongue-tied. I couldn't even raise my hand to shake his if Japs didn't nudge me.
• "Yes, I'm Lara. Nice to meet you!" I reached out my hand, feeling his soft and gentle touch.
• I was getting amused by his gentle hand when suddenly someone snatched me away.
• "You're being called on stage to sing," Dawzon interjected abruptly, staring straight at me.
• "So, guys, see you later?" Jeff said with a wide smile. Rexon just nodded at us.
• They quickly left, and I watched them head towards the other pool area.
• It was then that I noticed Dawzon's tight grip on my wrist, which I quickly pulled back.
• "I warn you, my brother doesn't appreciate that move." His whispered words sent shivers down my spine before he walked past me.
• I was left reeling from what he said. Why? What's wrong with befriending his brother? Why does he always appear just when I have a chance to get close to Rexon?
• "Lara, are you okay?" Japs asked, concerned.
• "Not really..." I replied softly.