" Whispers Before the Party..."
I was sitting alone in my room,, the soft rustle of the curtains the only sound in the stillness. Outside,, the sky was dipped in the fading hues of dusk,, but inside,, my thoughts were anything but calm,, I stared blankly at the wall,, mind buzzing with a single name—Adrian...
Why was I thinking about him again?? I let out a sigh,, brushing my hair behind my ear.
"Do I… actually like Adrian??" I murmured, cheeks heating up as the thought took a solid form. "No,, no. This is nonsense,," I said to myself,, standing up quickly as if the motion could shake off the ridiculous idea.
I paced in front of my mirror,, a pink blush creeping across my cheeks. "It's just… an illusion,, Nothing more,, I don't have time for this."
Just then,, my phone buzzed,, Once. I ignored it,, still caught in my own storm of emotions.
It buzzed again.,
Still no response.
The third time it rang louder,, more persistently,, pulling me from my daze. Frustrated,, I grabbed it and snapped,, "What??"
Lily's voice came through,, confused. "What,, huh?? Rude much?? Anyway, can you come down and help me??"
I frowned. "What happened?? Why do you need my help??"
"Wait,, are you okay??" she asked.
I hesitated for a second. "Yeah,, I was… sleeping." A harmless lie,.
"Oh!! Sorry,, didn't mean to wake you. But I need your help,, Can you come down to the main floor??"
"Okay,," I said,, already grabbing a cardigan. "But what is it??"
"Well… Mike forgot to call the decoration team,. Can you maybe call your friend—what's his name again??—Lucas??"
I blinked. "Lucas?? The decorator??"
"Yeah,, yeah,, him!! Please??"
"No problem,, I'll call him,. He'll be here with his team."
"Thank you so much,, Rimi!! You're a lifesaver!!"
I called Lucas right away. As expected,, he picked up almost instantly.
"Hello!! How are you,, stranger?? Long time no calls,, huh??" His voice was warm and playful.
"Yeah,, sorry,," I laughed. "I've been busy. I'm fine. You??"
"Doing great!! So what's the crisis??" he asked,, and I could hear the grin in his voice.
"There's a pre-wedding party today,, and someone forgot to call the decorators."
"Ah,, classic Mike,," Lucas chuckled. "No worries. Send me your live location,. I'll be there with my team in 30 minutes."
"You're the best,," I said,, smiling. "See you soon."
As soon as the call ended,, I rushed downstairs. I spotted Lily deep in conversation with someone,, so I waited patiently at the end of the hallway.
When she noticed me,, she smiled,, quickly ended her conversation,, and hurried over. "Is he coming??" she asked breathlessly.
"Yeah,, but he'll be here in 30 minutes. We only have three hours to get everything ready,, so we should start preparing."
"Oh yeah!!" She smacked her forehead. "I totally forgot you used to help him decorate places back in college."
"Let's get moving,," I said,, leading the way to the VIP party room.
Once inside,, I paused,, taking in the untouched space. "Shouldn't the hotel staff be decorating this??"
Lily's smile faltered. "They offered,, but I kind of… turned them down. Rudely,. Now I'm too embarrassed to ask them for help."
I blinked at her. "Seriously??"
She looked away,, clearly guilty. "Yeah…"
"Never mind. Come on,, let's get to work,," I sighed,, rolling up my sleeves.
We began unpacking the supplies,, arranging what little we had before Lucas arrived. Lily excused herself,, saying she'd call Mike and Adrian for extra help...
I nodded,, too focused on measuring the curtains.
I climbed the ladder to hang the first curtain,, carefully balancing as I pinned one side. The air felt different—like someone was behind me. I paused,, half-turning.
Suddenly,, the ladder shifted...
I gasped,, my balance slipping,, my body tilting backwards.
Before I could hit the floor,, strong arms wrapped around me.
I looked up,, breath catching in my throat.
Adrian...
He held me close,, his gaze locked with mine. Time stopped,, I could hear his heartbeat,, feel the warmth of his arms around me. I didn't even want to move.
I blinked slowly,, unsure of what to say.
We stayed like that for a moment too long—until someone called my name.
Startled,, I turned and saw Lucas standing at the door,, smiling.
Adrian gently set me down,, his touch lingering for a second longer than necessary.
I rushed to Lucas and hugged him tightly. "You made it!!"
"Of course,," he laughed. "Wouldn't let you down."
As we pulled apart,, I caught a glimpse of Adrian.
He was glaring...
"Adrian,, what's with the look??" I asked,, half-teasing. "We're just friends."
Lily appeared behind us and smirked. "Yeah,, just friends."
"Lily,, stop it,," I hissed,, cheeks flushing.
I turned to Lucas. "We've only got two hours,, Let's get this place done and then get ready."
He nodded and got to work,, his team following his lead.
Adrian stood rigidly for a moment,, then turned and stormed out of the hall.
I followed him instinctively.
"Adrian!!" I called.
He stopped in the hallway,, turning sharply. "What are you doing here?? Go back to your friend..."
"What's wrong with you??" I snapped. "Lucas and I are friends... He's been a part of my life for years!!"
Adrian looked at me with a conflicted expression,, then finally said,, "I know. But the way he looks at you—I hate it..."
I softened. "He doesn't have feelings for me."
Adrian stepped closer,, lowering his voice. "Maybe not,. But I do."
The silence between us was deafening.
"I… Adrian…" My voice faltered.
He looked into my eyes,, like he was searching for something. "Let's go back."
"You're really a kid sometimes,," I said,, laughing nervously.
"Only with you,," he replied.
He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear,, Our faces were so close,. I could feel the tension—the longing—the things we both wanted to say but were too afraid to voice.
I took a deep breath. "Adrian… do you know anyone named kai Quill??"
He froze...
His eyes turned cold,, distant. "No, I don't know him."
And just like that,, he walked away.
I stood frozen. I could tell—he was lying,. But why??
What was he hiding from me??
I returned to the party hall,, heart heavy with questions.
We all worked together,, decorating the room until it was shimmering with lights and elegance,, Lucas was incredible—he transformed the space effortlessly.
As he packed up,, he turned to us. "Sorry,, I've got to go. I'm running late for another event."
Adrian, almost too quickly, said,, "Yeah,, no problem. Bye."
Lily leaned close and whispered in my ear. "What magic did you do to him?? He's so jealous."
"Lily,, stop teasing me,," I said,, rolling my eyes.
Lucas waved and left,, I rushed to my room to get ready.
As I sat in front of the mirror,, my phone rang.
"Rimi,, we've reached,," Mom said warmly.
"Great!! Go to your room and rest. I'm getting ready."
"Alright,, darling."
I hung up and stared at my reflection. My thoughts spiraled again.
Why did I follow Adrian??
Why did it hurt when he lied??
Why was I thinking about him so much??
I shook my head and focused on getting ready. I slipped into a sleek black mini dress,, paired with silver heels. My hair cascaded over my shoulders in soft waves... I applied my makeup,, then stared at myself in the mirror.
Beautiful,, yes. But confused.
I stepped out into the hallway,, As I passed Adrian's room,, I saw him talking to two older people. They looked familiar—but I couldn't quite place them.
There was something warm about the way the older woman touched his arm... Something… parental.
I tilted my head,, trying to remember.
But Lily kept calling my name,, so I rushed toward the elevator.
There was no time to think...
But deep in my heart,, I knew.
This night would change everything....
To be continue...