A Rose, A Ring and A Promise: Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

“Well, if it isn’t Bryce! This is certainly a surprise! Right, Tristan?”

“Definitely, Chris.”

“You two did send me an invitation. Why be surprised?”

Sapphire glanced at her ‘escort’ and bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. It was just like Bryce to drop a comment like that.

They were in the Mendez twins’ mansion. Bryce was in his usual grumpy mood. Truth be told, he was in that mood since the day he said he would be her partner for the night. She had a hunch that it was because his friends kept teasing him about that declaration.

This time, she couldn’t stop the amused smile that bloomed on her face at that thought.

“Oh! Could you introduce us to this lovely lady beside you Bryce?” Tristan took her hand, breaking her trip down memory lane.

“Are you our birthday present?” Chris moved closer to her.

She wasn’t surprised at the two’s blatant flirting. After all, the two were known to be very playful. To be honest, she was even a bit flattered with the twin’s attention. Earlier, she was beginning to think that she wasn't that pretty because no matter how Amanda had gushed at how beautiful she was, her own escort seems to think otherwise. Aside from not giving her even one compliment, he seemed to avoid looking at her unless it’s absolutely necessary.

But she was startled at Bryce’s reaction at what Tristan and Chris did and said.

He pulled her hand from Tristan, protectively stood in front of her so that she was slightly hidden from the twins’ view and glared at the twins.

“Stop harassing Sapphire,” he said in a deadly tone.

“Possessive aren’t we? We were just being friendly, Mik-mik.” Chris said grinning.

“Don’t call me Mik-mik.” Bryce’s brows furrowed and his frown deepened.

Her eyes grew wide.

Mik-mik? Did I hear it right? He has the same nickname as my childhood friend? Could he be…

She glanced at Bryce, noted his dark mood and shook her head.

No, no. They just have the same nickname. There is really no way he and Bryce are the same person.

“It’s Sapphire, right? Did we offend you?” Tristan asked her apologetically, seeing her smile disappear.

“Huh? Oh, not at all. I just thought of something. Happy Birthday, by the way,” she smiled to reassure him that he didn’t offend her in any way.

 “I think I understand now why Bryce is so possessive of you. It’s because of your smile. Any man would do everything to have that smile directed only to him.”

“Why thank you for the compliment but I don’t think that applies to Bryce.” She glanced at Bryce who was busy arguing with Chris not far away from them. “He’s not possessive of me. He probably just got used to being protective of his sister that’s why he became protective of me as well.”

“So you two are not an item?”

“No. That’s the most absurd thing I heard. Me and him? That’s impossible.”

“Really?”

“Really. We even live in the same house but–”

“Wait. You live in the same house?” Tristan interrupted.

She blushed. She didn’t realize she said that aloud. “Just for now. It’s a long story but I assure you it’s not what you’re thinking.”

“Well, I love to listen to stories.” He turned to Bryce and Chris who was still arguing about something. “I’ll borrow Sapphire for a moment. You can’t say no, Bryce. It’s my birthday.”

Bryce looked like he wanted to protest.

Tristan snapped his fingers towards the direction of the band and music flooded the place on cue with that signal.

“May I have this dance?” Tristan asked her.

At the corner of her eye, she saw the ladies around them throw her murderous glances.

She smiled indulgently and placed her hand in his. No matter what the others are thinking, she knew he just wanted to talk to her.

Tristan guided her to the dance floor. Other pairs followed their lead.

While they were dancing, she told Tristan why she was staying at Bryce’s house. She just told him she just came from Los Angeles and didn’t know anyone in the Philippines aside from Em and Bryce and that it was convenient to stay with Bryce.

They were chatting and dancing for quite a while when she suddenly remembered what her role in that party is and that is to be Bryce’s partner.

And here I am dancing with someone else. Granted, that ‘someone else’ is the birthday boy but Em would still kill me if she knew I left Bryce alone after all we did to convince him to make me his partner for tonight.

“I’m sorry Tristan but I have to look for someone,” she said, her eyes already searching the place.

“Sure, no problem.”

She thanked him and walked around the place, hoping to have a glimpse of Bryce. He was nowhere in sight.

Don’t tell me he left already?! She thought in horror. Em told her it wasn’t unusual for Bryce to walk out of a party.

She was still searching for Bryce when she bumped into someone.

“Hey! Look where you’re going!” The woman she bumped into exclaimed irritably.

“I’m sorry. I was in a rush. I didn’t notice you,” she said apologetically, looking past the woman to check if Bryce or the others are near. She noticed that a big part of the woman’s dress was stained by the drink the woman was holding. “I’m really really sorry.”

“Just because you’re Bryce’s date and Tristan danced with you, you’re acting high and mighty. Hah! I don’t get why Bryce would bring a kid like you to this party. Even if he wanted something to play with, he should find someone suitable, someone in our level. Not like you.”

Why, the woman was rude! And to think, she even felt sorry for her ruined dress earlier. “Miss, I already said I’m sorry. There’s no need to insult me,” she said then finally looked at the woman.

Sapphire tried to hide her surprise. Of all the people she would bump into, why did it have to be Bryce’s ill-mannered ex-girlfriend?

“If I were you, I’d leave now. Because a mere child like you wouldn’t be able to compare to the ladies here, not to mention to me.”

She raised an eyebrow. Okay, so she wasn’t exactly supermodel type like Stacey but that doesn’t give her to treat her like that

“I know I look young but really, that’s not my fault. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you the age-defying methods I know. You look like you need it,” she said calmly, with an innocent smile but her eyes were mocking.

You messed with the wrong girl, Stacey. I didn’t hang out with Em for years without learning a thing or two about verbal insults.

Stacey splashed her remaining drink to her. “That’s what you deserve, bitch!”

She silently wiped her face and smiled sweetly. “Based on psychology, people only react aggressively to things that are true to them. If you can’t understand that, then I’ll make it simpler. You’re guilty that’s why you’re reacting like that.”

            I didn’t graduate at the top of my class for nothing!

           “Why you little–” Stacey was about to slap her but she held her arm and slapped her instead.

Stacey looked at her with eyes burning with rage. If looks could kill, she’d be in heaven right now.

            “No one gets away with slapping me!” the enraged girl declared then pushed her so hard, she fell to the floor.

            She tried to stand up but the sudden pain she felt stopped her. Looks like she twisted her ankle.

            Great! Just when I was planning to have a grand exit.

By this time, they had attracted attention and a small group of people surrounded them but no one went to help her.

“Sapphire!”

She saw Em hurriedly walking towards her. Amanda, Ken, Nat, Brad and Bryce were behind her.

            “What happened?”

            “Can you stand up?”

            “Who did this to you?”

            Brad, Amanda, Ken and Em asked all at the same time. She didn’t know which question to answer first so she chose to glance at Bryce who was kneeling at her side. She was taken aback by the emotion she saw in his face. Worry and concern was clearly there.

            “What's happened, Babe?” Albert, who just came, asked his girlfriend, causing the six of them to look at them.

            “So it’s you,” Em said to Stacey.

            “How dare you hurt my brother’s girlfriend!” Amanda looked like she wanted to hurt Stacey but Ken held her wrist to stop her.

            “Bryce, I just defended myself! She slapped me, look!” Stacey said to Bryce, teary eyed. She showed him the red mark her slap had left on her cheek.

            Great. Now I'm the bad guy. Is this girl an actress or something?

            She looked at Bryce, hoping that he wouldn’t believe her lies but she was disappointed when Bryce silently stood up and went closer to Stacey.

He seemed to believe Stacey.

He must still be in love with her.

Sapphire’s heart ached at that but she convinced herself that she was just sad because he was a being a fool, manipulated by Stacey all the time.

            She saw Stacey suppress a triumphant smile.

            “She started it, Bryce! I was just talking to her but she suddenly slapped me! I don’t know what’s wrong with her!”

“Drop the act, Stacey. Sapphire would never do what you’re accusing her of. She would never start a fight without a reason. I will let it go this time but if you ever dare to lay even a finger on her next time, I won’t be as forgiving.” Bryce’s voice was cold and serious.

He turned her back to her and then walked to Sapphire.

“Why are you so protective of her Bryce?!” Stacey shouted angrily.

Bryce didn’t even bother to look at Stacey when he said, “Because she’s important to me.” Then he took Sapphire and carried her like a princess.

“Stacey, c’mon. I’ll take you home.” Albert accompanied his girlfriend out.

            “Well, let’s leave these lovers by themselves, shall we?” Tristan, who noticed the commotion said, gesturing to them.

            “Let’s party!” Loud music followed Chris’ exclamation and the people went back to their own business again. Even Brad, Amanda, Ken and Em left them.

            She tried to wriggle out of Bryce’s arms but he just held her tighter.

            “Stop moving. You’ll hurt yourself.”

            “I think I can handle myself now. You don’t have to carry me.”

            “Your ‘I think’ isn’t enough to convince me. Besides, you hardly weigh anything.”

            “Well, lucky you.”

            “Yes, whatever. Just be quiet okay?”

            “Don’t want to.”

            Bryce sighed in frustration.

            She chuckled.

“Let’s just go home.”

Sapphire’s mind told her that Bryce didn’t mean anything by that. It was simply a statement, telling them to leave the place.

But her heart begged to differ.

“Yes, let’s go home,” she said softly.

To be continued~

Note: Another encounter with Stacey. But no one is allowed to kill her yet, okay? We still need her in the story. You can kill her afterwards XD