014

~KRISTEN~

Suddenly, I wasn't looking forward to the night's event anymore— the mistletoe moments as they called it. An event where couples gather to have a romantic evening to revel the almighty mistletoe. 

I didn't know why, but I felt a little coldness slipping into me—mixed with dread— especially after meeting with Regina.

That warmth that glinted in those blue eyes that day I rescued her at the pool was no longer present. She was no longer this lady who found it hard to talk around me— an act I found cute.

Gone were those sparks in her eyes when our bodies and lips met. It was replaced with an angry gaze, which left me wondering whether I had done something wrong. But I wasn't able to find out before that annoying boyfriend of hers showed up.

I wasn't really looking forward to attending the event at first, but right now— as Billie and I walked down the hall hand in hand— I tried to hide the bored look that I could guess was plastered on my face.

The evening was going to be a torturous one, especially not knowing where I stood with Regina. The realization was killing me. But I couldn't pull out on this one.

The mistletoe moments would simply be a gathering to familiarize and romanticize. But aside from that, I didn't know whether they had anything surprising planned.

I had learned from experience that Manhattan Island was full of surprises. But one thing was sure— there would be kissing under the mistletoe, whether planned or unplanned.

As I guided Billie inside the door— holding the small of her back courteously— I stylishly looked up at the entrance, checking if there was any mistletoe dangling above us. 

To my heart discontent, there was. But thankfully, Billie didn't waste a heartbeat at the door— the only situation that would allow me to stand toe to toe and necessitate a kiss. 

The various couples that gathered around tables in the hall in pairs and groups chatting over the soft danceable music emanating from the speakers placed at strategic corners of the hall seemed not to pay attention, but I knew that they were partyofficials with their preying eyes looking for victims that would unknowingly stand under the mistletoe together and

Even if it were ladies... That kiss must take place. I had gone to a couple of events like this to know how it worked.

I doubt whether Billie was aware of the significance of mistletoe. This would have been another avenue to steal a kiss from me.

But seeing the way she was rushing to greet a fellow heiress whom she met over dinner last night, confirmed my suspicions.

I also noted the way the lady walked past the mistletoe dangling below the chandelier near the chocolate fountain to avoid Billie meeting her there and warranting a kiss to ensue.

A small smile crept across my lips. She sure understood how this whole thing worked.

As Billie reconnected with her fellow rich friend, I darted my gaze around the hall, taking in couples of different shapes and sizes— either standing on the dancing floor, feeling the beat of the music or sitting at different tables.

I sighted Karina latching against Clinton on the dance floor, and the smile that was slowly fading away from my lips broadened.

From the looks of it, Karina was crazy about Clinton and he felt the same. At least, one of us found someone lovable and rich at the same time. 

The smile faded at that thought. I felt an irrepressible need to talk to someone. Apparently, Regina and her boyfriend hadn't gotten here yet. But would I talk to her in the presence of her boyfriend and Billie? 

I mentally shrugged. "As far as I am concerned, there is nothing wrong with that," I concluded within before snagging a glass of champagne flute from one of the servers who was hovering around here, carrying either drinks or appetizers.

Instead of standing here or sitting at a table alone— possibly longing to see Regina's face— I decided to cross the remaining distance and disrupt the connection flowing between these two— temporarily though.

I took a small sip as I strode forward, ignoring some weird looks most of the ladies were throwing at me. I couldn't decipher why they were looking at me like I had a smudge or mole on my face.

But quite frankly, I didn't care.

I couldn't be having a shitty evening— before it had already even started— and my little sister was having the time of her life without interruption. I wouldn't have it.

"Lovebirds!" I tried to sound cheerful as I tapped them each on the shoulders. First on Clinton, before going over to Karina's back. She was still lost in Clinton's embrace and probably in the music when I tapped her.

Their bodies broke contact immediately and turned in my direction. Karina's face lit up as her gaze rested on me.

"Hey, bro! How is it going?" She was talking about the evening, I knew that. While Karina was the more outgoing type, I preferred solitude most times, except, of course, I want to be with the love of my life— which— in this case— I wasn't.

"Not as great as yours?" I pointed my chin towards the two of them. Her mouth formed an 'O' before she ducked her head playfully.

"Where's your date?" She darted her eyes around for her but missed where she still stood with a flute in hand, chatting with the other heiress.

"That's her," I pointed in the direction where she stood, admiring the sugar plum Chanel bag that the other lady was brandishing in front of her.

I bit back a hiss. Some ladies could be quite vain— Billie being one of them.

"You guys have a table though, right?" Karina's gaze was filled with concern and worry for me as but she evaded my gaze for a minute, and glanced around the fully occupied tables, but she knew best not to discuss problems that concerned our family to a third party— at least that was what I considered Clinton, despite being her boyfriend.

"Not yet." I smacked my lips in a bid not to appear pissed. "I'm waiting for her glamorous to get done with her greetings." In a low whisper, I added. "Which didn't seem like it would be ending anytime soon.

She stepped forward, batting her eyelids. She always did that when she thought I wouldn't like whatever she was about to say. "Go on, say it." I urged softly.

"You can sit at our table. We chose a table of six." 

When I was about to ask her why a table of six, I caught sight of the actual 'her glamorous' making her entrance with that annoying boyfriend of hers in tow.

My heart started pounding erratically against the walls of my chest. At the same time, my mouth went dry. Despite my state of being affected by her sight, my gaze couldn't stop wandering over her body. Damn! She was too hard to ignore.

Karina cleared her throat, bringing me back to the present. I turned sharply to her. "I was about to say that we are also sharing our table with Regina and her boyfriend."She finished with a smile.

My thudding heart intensified and a mysterious noise buzzed in my ears. She was joking, right?