[5] Slapping bitches

 Maze hid from Ryan about the invitation of attending Ian's birthday party.

Not because she didn't want him to come with her, rather she'd love his company. But she did not like his unreasonable exaggeration so she was forced to hide it from Ryan despite her will. 

◔ Maze ◔

I got my work done by 4 o’clock and ask for leave. 

Oh, God!! 

I never dreamed that my leave demand would be granted so easily. 

Fred's face was worth seeing. 

But glad that he let me go one hour prior cause he was very pleased with me due to the sudden promotion of our shop on social media, unintentionally done via me the day before. 

I took farewell from Jesha and hurried home.

When I got home I took a quick bath and put on whatever I could get my hands on. 

Within twenty minutes I was ready to attend the party. Actually, there was nothing much to do. 

Just slipped into stripe wide pants, and a cropped denim jacket over a white t-shirt, styled with a pair of white sneakers.  

I took a quick look at my reflection in the mirror. And I must admit that I was quite satisfied with my appearance. 

**Shy**

I checked the time, and unfortunately, my clock was ticking five-ten. 

I quickly packed my belongings in a purse, locked the door, and headed for my destination.

I reached Roasters Bistro by 5:30 pm.

Gosh, I was late. I don't know when I'll be able to give up on being indifferent to time.

I prepared myself a nice apologetic speech that I may need to present before Ian. 

Standing in front of the door, I was engrossed in the thought that I didn't realize that I had blocked the entrance. 

At the formal solicitation of a doorkeeper, I returned to my senses.

I was embarrassed and repeatedly apologized to him, the frown on his face showed how irritated he was with me.

I could feel his awkward stare on my back while walking. Ignoring him, I hurried through the aluminum-framed door and entered. 

 It's a quite big and lavish restaurant. I got fooled by the name of the cafe. I thought it must be some roadside small restaurant but it wasn't.**Again embarrassed**

I entered the restaurant. Big dark walnut tables were placed in the large room keeping enough space to move. I looked up to see the beautiful crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling illuminating the whole place. It was way too amazing.

Girls and boys of my age, dressed perfectly for the birthday party, were swarming and twittering around. 

I could recognize one or two faces among them. The reason for knowing them or all the memories I had with them was not pleasant at all. They were among the people who always bothered me at school. In a word, the place was full of rich and affluent bullies.

I started to had a second thought on whether to stay or leave as early as possible.

I took a large breath to keep myself steady. I can't be weak like this. And moreover, I can't leave without meeting the person I was here for.

Suddenly I noticed a familiar blonde girl walking towards me.

Is it her? I squinted my eyes to clear my brain.

Shit !! 

She was here that means Ryan would know everything soon.

Let me give a bit brief about the person I got panicked about. Amanda, one of Ryan's friends aka full-on sycophant. 

She's one of them who doesn't like me at all neither did I do.

She fancies trading words from one to another. Except for this flaw, she is awesome. And yes one more, she hates me unnecessarily...cause she loves Ryan.

"Maze why are you here?" her corny voice dragged me back to reality.

"Ian invited me" I mumbled, while my eyes lingering on the crowd.

"Good that you're here. I was getting bored around those chicks" 

I was caught off guarded. She sounded sarcastic as we both knew how bitter and sour our relation was. Yet I gave her a moderate smile. 

"By the way how do you know him?" She asked, doubt ringing in her tone.

I turned to the crowd answering her, "Nothing important"

"I knew that already. You are not eligible to know him..."

My brows met passing her an offended look.

Amanda overlooked it, and asked while trying to peek around searching for someone, "By the way where is Ryan?"

"He is not here," I replied coldly.

Her tone hardened displaying her motive of approaching me here was over, "Ohh...."

I laughed inwardly hearing her disheartened sigh. But her later remark nervous me.

"Don't tell me he doesn't know you're here," Her smirk stated she already got on my thoughts.

"Shit," I mumbled inwardly. As she moved past me, I wanted to plead her not to inform Ryan but my pride reprimanded me of doing such things.

Besides, around her, I was getting bored to death.

To occupy me I glanced throughout.

Here maximum seemed familiar not friendly just regular passing by faces as all of them were from our college. Rather than a birthday party it more seemed like an annual gathering. And none of them passed me a friendly vibe neither I did.

As my eyes were lingering all over the place, suddenly it got stuck on a familiar tall figure. Yes, the one who invited me here, Ian. He was looking great in his party suit.

As our eyes met, he smiled at me.

Getting away from the group he was talking to and walked over to me with a wide smile plastered on his face.

"You look beautiful" He whispered to me as he moved by my side.

I just felt uncomfortable as he was being really close to me. I slowly took a step away from Ian.

"Thank you" I mumbled stiffly.

"Come" He urged me to walk sliding his one hand down my waist giving me no chance to get away .

I tried to dismiss his grasp from my waist but he didn't care to pay attention to my struggle.

All were looking at me. Some were gossiping about me.

"Isn't it Ryan's Girlfriend? Shit !! this girl can't help but wonder around all handsome boys" the most quarrelsome girl of my class, Clover, said. I don't know why she hates me the most.

"I hate her..but the bitch really has a pretty face," Her puppet,Leah, said.

"That's her MasterCard. In this way, she seduces all the boys" Clover taunted, her voice was enough to reach my ear.

"Don't know how many men have fucked her.." Leah giggled.

Tears pooled in my eyes. Holding back my tears I pointed myself obviously and narrowed my eyes at her. 

Was she on drugs?!

I pretend to ignore them...But they were crossing their limits.

Except for Ian, everyone was looking at me as if I was some animal from Zoo.

I couldn't hold myself anymore from throwing a hard slap on her freaking shit spitting face.

She grabbed her throbbing cheek and stared at me widening her eyes.

"Don't even dare to speak nonsense about me, Do you think here no one knows about your shitty nature of fooling two at a time. Or you want me to let everyone know about your list of so-called boyfriends?" I asked pretending curious.

Like seriously, what was her problem? Did she have mental issues? 

crap! 

I didn't even want to respond but bragged for it.

 So the slap was her payback. 

After all "Karma is a bitch".

 If I wasn't a respectful person enough then I would have slapped her even before she could say those disgusting words against me.

A burst of laughter sounded all around me. Everyone's eyes were on us.

Ian tried to stop me. But I was not willing to stop. I shoved him aside and strode towards Leah.

I wanted to hit her face but a sturdy hand pulled me out of the room. 

The boiling ire inside me blinded my eyes, that I couldn't see who it was and threw few punches at the person's abdomen in a row.

As I was calmed enough I noticed who it was. 

I covered my face to hold the yelp leaving my mouth.

"Ryan, What are you doing here?" 

I was more concerned to know why he was here, rather than asking about his pain that I just cause.

He took a few moments to stabilize his condition and made me sat in his car.

He seemed angry. I regretted coming here without informing Ryan.

"Phew" Hope he would not exaggerate this matter.

He kept driving without telling me where we were going. I didn't dare to ask as I was at fault this time.

He pulled the brake of his car over a streetside food stall. He darted me a hard glare stating me to get off his car. I sighed and get out as per his instruction.

"Ryan, I am s..." 

He raised his hand in the air motioning to stop, holding my hand he said, "Let's eat Meatball Sub Casserole and Braised Beef"

Hearing his word my jaw almost dropped to the ground, yet I nodded my head to agree with him.

He smiled and walked towards the lined up stall at the roadside in a row.

" Hello" the food seller greeted us. I was too excited to greet him back, so Ryan had to greet him alone and pass the food order, " We want Meatball Sub Casserole and Braised Beef.. Three of each" 

The food-seller smiled and asked us to wait for ten minutes to prepare the food.

I dragged him in one corner and whispered, " Why did you order so many foods? Who would eat them?"

He smiled proudly gesturing that he would. I rolled my eyes and giggled at his silly act. I know why he brought me here, I love to eat whenever I am stressed. My eyes moistened thinking about my dumb bestie who was doing his best to cheer me up.

Soon the food was ready for us to eat. 

And we jumped on our food. After finishing eating neither of us could move anymore as the food was too delicious that we eat more than necessary.

After taking a rest for a while we get back to his car and start moving to my house.

While staring at the bright sparkling bustling streets my eyes got teary. In the midst of such a dense crowd around me, I felt alone as if there was no one beside me. A lingering pain was mounting inside my chest.

Ryan noticed and pulled the brake of his car by the roadside. 

"Shhhh. Come here" He unbuckled his seat belt and then mine...He gave me a light hug, I was still sobbing..

"Maze you are too innocent to handle the world. I really worry about what would happen if I am not there for you."

"I know," I said hurriedly pulling myself out of his embrace and wiping my wet eyes. 

"Silly girl. I really wonder whose luck is going to doomed by marrying you"

I chuckled at his word...I leaned over the window and started seeing the passing trees and houses. Soon I fall asleep emerging into deep thoughts pondering nothing.

◔ Meanwhile somewhere afar ◔

The room was as serene and cold as a graveyard, with three people sitting in the middle of a huge dark room. 

"Why do you think she needs to spy on a normal girl?" a heavy voice murmured to himself biting his lower lips.

"Did you find out who the girl is? or any information about her? why is she being spied? or anything?" another guy desperately asked aiming the man squatted a bit away from him.

"I don't know, Should I find out?" the other man asked raising his one brow.

"No need, I will go there alone by myself. I need to see the reason all by myself" the heavy voice owner replied in a more deep tone.

"Seems fun," A playful voice proclaimed inducing both of their attention.

The heavy owner smirked at this remark, "Let's see"