Arrogant

[Crystal’s POV]

“Why did you do that? Why did you lie?” Alex asked me as we stepped out of the ICU.

I could tell he was extremely mad. He broke free of my hold and stood his ground, waiting for my explanation.

Rolling my eyes, I awkwardly cleared my throat. “Um, well, you know—”

“That you are still not over him? Yes, I know that. But, did you have to do that? Just to prove a point!”

I glanced up and saw him give me a disappointed look. Crap. He was beyond pissed.

“That’s not—”

I didn’t even have time to defend myself before the elevator doors opened. He stepped in and turning to face me, he shook his head.

“God, you’re hopeless.” He sighed as he pressed a button and the doors closed.

“Ugh, you little brat,” I cursed at him as I realized that I needed to get in that elevator as well.

Pushing the call button, I stood there thinking, Am I really hopeless? I didn’t do anything stupid. I knew exactly who Rayan Parker was. I was well acquainted with his arrogant nature. Hell, when we first met ten years ago he didn’t even try to make a good impression!

10 years ago...

"Cheers." Three glasses filled with beers bumped together and the three guys in their fancy style cheered wholeheartedly.

A waiter placed the beautiful birthday cake on the table. And seeing those young men in a good mood, the manager of this Empire Hotel humbly approached the table. “Good evening, gentlemen. Mr. Parker, is the cake to your liking?”

Rayan glanced down at the cake and then at the groveling man before him. Irritated at being interrupted by this sniffling buffoon, he hummed as he scowled down at the cake.

“To be honest, I don't care for the design. Also, the flavor is vanilla and banana cream, yes? So, can you explain to me why there are cherries all over it? I hate it.” He wrinkled his nose and looked at his friend. “Nick, what do you think? Should we send it back? It’s your birthday.”

“No worries, Rayan. John loves cherries so it’s all good,” replied Nick as he patted on his friend's shoulder.

John smiled cheekily and reached over to pull Nick's cheek. “For the first time in decades, you are surprisingly right. I love cherries.”

Rayan sneered at the manager when he finally left. Rolling his eyes, he asked, “Hey, where’s Daniel?”

“How the hell should I know? That lazy bastard promised that he wouldn’t be late, so your guess is as good as mine. By the way, is there an event going on here today or something? There are so many girls!” Scanning the club, Nick’s lips parted as his gaze stopped on one woman. “Oh my God! She’s a goddess!”

Rayan and John laughed as it was a very rare occasion that Nick was at a loss for words. Following his friend’s gaze, Rayan saw the woman and he felt as if the room went silent as his heart started beating uncontrollably in his chest.

She wasn’t just beautiful, she was exactly how Nick had described her—a goddess. Standing by the bar in her two-piece red dress, she ran a delicate hand through her long brown hair. Her cerulean, almond-shaped eyes moved about the room as her beautifully formed lips smirked as she listened to her friend yell at her.

Rayan mentally had to slap himself. He was never one to fall for just a pretty face. Many women had approached him for his money, fame, or family prestige. All the women he knew were shallow and worthless, except his precious sister. But, why did he feel such a strong pull towards this one woman?

Averting his gaze from the girl, he cleared his throat. “Fake!” he asserted.

“Dude, you need to go see an eye doctor,” replied John. His eyes were still fixated on the girl.

“Want me to prove it? I'll go over there and sit. Within three minutes she will start talking to me.”

Frustrated with their friend’s arrogance, John and Nick looked at one another. Rayan was always so confident that every girl in the city was out for his money. They wanted to see him get knocked off that high horse of his, just once.

“It’s a bet,” they agreed in unison.

With a curt nod, Rayan stood up and made his way towards the bar.

“Crystal, did you seriously come with me just to sit here alone?”

Sunbin glared at her best friend as she held a glass of wine in her hand. Crystal rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“I’ve told you a thousand times that I hate places like this. You should have just asked Alex to come with you instead!”

“Take my advice, love. Don’t ever bring a boy with you to go dancing. Unless you want to stay single forever? If that’s the case, then by all means you do it your way.” Pursing her lips, Sunbin placed the wine glass on the table and took her friend’s hand. “Come on! Let's go dance.”

 Crystal immediately shook her head and held onto to bar stool with her free hand.

“For the last fucking time, I'm not going. You go if you want.”

“Then have fun sitting here, grandma.”

Sunbin rushed to the dance floor without a backward glance.

Feeling her phone vibrate, Crystal fished her cell out of her purse. Relief swept over her as she saw the name on the screen.

A soft smile curved on her lips, as she answered, “Alex.”

“Where the hell are you? Why is it that music so loud? Did Sunbin—”

“Yep! She did and I'm really impressed this time. You always understand the situation even before I can explain. Very time efficient.”

 “Ugh, honestly that girl is going to drive me into an early grave. Which club did she drag you to?”

 “We’re at the Empire Hotel.”

“Did anyone… did you see someone there?” he asked in a low tone.

 “What do you mean? There are so many people here.”

“Did you see yours and Sunbin’s crush?”

“Oh, Daniel? Was he supposed to be here?!” she almost shouted as her wide eyes scanned the room.

Alex sighed, “He should be there. It's his friend's birthday and they’re throwing a party there.”

“I didn’t know that he went to clubs. I always thought that he was different,” she said disappointed.

 “He’s a flirt, Crystal. Of course, he goes clubbing. Now, stay where you are. I'm on my way to come to get you.”

Disconnecting the call, Crystal's brows furrowed together. She didn't like what she had just learned about Daniel. Turning away from the person who just took the seat next to her, she grabbed a glass from the counter and downed it in one gulp. She coughed as she felt the liquid burn down her throat. Glancing down at the glass, she picked it up and tried to smell the remnants of what she had just drank.

“What is this?” she muttered.

She froze as she inhaled the scent of alcohol.  Covering her mouth with her hands, she repressed the urge to upchuck. Turning to the man who had just sat down, she asked, “Uncle, do you know... the washroom?”

The guy almost coughed at the way she addressed him. Uncle? Really?

“Excuse me, miss. I'm not an uncle. I'm the heir of the Empire Group, Rayan Parker and I’m currently a student at Empire State,” he clarified.

 Studying her, he realized that she wasn’t paying any attention to what he was saying. Shaking his head in disbelief, he heaved a deep sigh. “The washroom is down the hall to the right, miss.”

 “Thank you, uncle.” She gave a curt nod and rushed to the bathroom.

 Rayan started to massage his temples. “What the hell? She called me uncle?! Do I look that old to her?”

 Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Rayan felt his headache increase.

 “So, I heard someone call you uncle?” teased the deep voice.

 “Shut up, Daniel.”

Rayan glared at the man as he dragged a stool over to sit next to him. When Daniel’s smirk became a full-on smile, Rayan asked, “What's so funny?”

“Who was she?” he asked grinning.

 Rayan shrugged as he stood up. “I don't know.”

Making his way back towards Nick and John, Rayan shoved his hands into his pockets. Daniel chuckled and followed him, murmuring, “Well, someone sure is in a bad mood.”