A slight smile escaped my lips as my gaze flickered over the reflection of my body in the mirror, I liked how the black dress I was wearing wasn't hugging my body except for the fitted waist, and how exceptionally-ideally it reached just a little above my knees. Seeing myself in this dress reminded me that I should thank Nayla for this, the rare moment of me wearing a dress came, but ironically I had none in my closet. So, I could only turn toward my ones for all; my assistant. As I promised Ben, that after finalizing my project with Carlocles, I'll give him a few days off. So, he went off to enjoy and all the work fell on Nayla, but I never hear her complain.

As my gaze flickered back toward my reflection, a flashback of me wearing those tight bodycon dresses but more slutish and short, passed through my eyes. What bothers me isn't how I look, but how I didn't even know that I wasn't myself. Shaking my head I tried to dismiss the thought, although countless times my past self went to the Z'nA, I wasn't able to have the entry pass of the opening night, no matter how much I was willing to spend. A bitter smile appeared on my face, this time I didn't even have to try.

Life sure has funny ways of playing.

Not wanting to waste further time, taking a tissue I lessened the redness of my lips, which was itching me as too much, dabbing them to even the color I applied a light layer of gloss, and finally, it looked decent enough to my eyes. Picking up my clutch, I left the room and walked toward Kai's room. Today was Saturday and he was busy playing video games because he can sleep till late tomorrow.

'Shoot him! He's hiding behind the tree! Shoot!'

Before even stepping inside his room, I could hear his shouts that were too loud to ignore. As I reached his door, pushing it gently, I stood in the doorway, chuckling at his shouting and jumping. I tried to call his name, but he wasn't responding, probably the headphones he was wearing were too loud for him to hear anything else. Not wanting to step inside his tousled and messy room, I attempted to pick up the cushion lying on the nearby couch to the door and threw it at him.

"Ah!" He shouted too loud, and in an instant turned to face me standing behind him, pushing off his headphones he gravely scowled at me. "You could have called my name! I-I thought I got shot, my opponent was shooting me and I thought..."

When he apprehended his rambling, he shut himself up. Seeing him like this, I laughed, "You seriously thought someone shot you, dumb-boy, you're playing a game."

"Whatever..." He tried to dismiss his embarrassment and changed the topic after staring at me all dressed up, with a confused look urged, "You're going somewhere?"

"Yeah."

He pointed at the dress I was wearing and with the look of, you-never-wear-anything-except-a-suit- asked, "Some party?"

"A club opening."

"Is Elijah going too, with you?"

Elijah left for Boston yesterday, where he was going to meet his parents in a private hotel room and discuss the demands they have threatened him with. According to them, they wouldn't stop spreading the news that he, Elijah, took all the money from his parents and left them to live in misery. When he earned the money and the time came to return their debt, he refused, suppressed them, and whatnot.

Ah~ the exaggerated lies. I wish I was there to strangle them, well, on a serious note, I know Elijah will do this on my behalf. If they think they can blackmail and pressurize him, then they are way wrong. In past years, Elijah faced no controversy, anything that could threaten his fame or reputation, the reason was he never did any such thing, not because he was afraid of scandals or controversies.

Holding Kai's curious eyes, shaking my head negatively, I responded leaning against the doorframe, "Nope, he's busy with something else."

Hearing my words, I noticed how his expressions changed, from thoughtful to him bitting his own lips as his gaze doubtfully met my eyes and asked timidly, "Can I come with you? It's a party right, I have never seen one."

I shrugged, "Probably," his smile broke into a wide smile, which didn't last long when I continued, "When you're responsible enough."

He grimaced and I struggled to keep my smile locked, "Are guards going with you?"

Rolling my eyes at his never-ending questions, I quietened him, "Shut-it with all the inquiry. I'm here to tell you that, don't stay awake too late. I want you to sleep at eleven, although I believe I will be back till then." Two hours are enough to spend in that club but if due to an unforeseen reason I couldn't make it back home on time. I want Kai to sleep on time, he's too young to stay awake till late.

"Allea, I have heard people mix strange things in the drinks, don't drink if someone offers you something." He warned me, completely ignoring my proceeding words, and continued with his precautionary narration instead of the inquiry.

"I'm not a kid unlike you. Now, tell me you'll sleep on time."

"But first you tell me, you won't take anything from anyone?"

Folding my hands in front of me, I narrowed my eyes at him and warned him with my tone, "Kai."

"Okay, okay...I'll sleep on time."

Smiling at his softly-pouting face, I too stated, "I'll not take anything from anyone except the bartender, of course." He returned my smile with a huge one, "Now go back to your game, stupid-fool."

Nodding his head vigorously, he turned to face the PlayStation, I too was going to leave, when I recalled the other reason I was here for, "Kai," Turning his head side-ways with his eyes now fixed on the screen, he hummed for me to continue, "How do I look?"

He completely faced away from me, I thought he wasn't going to answer, shaking my head with a smile, I was going to leave his room, when instead of an obtuse response, I heard him say, "You should wear dresses more often."

My smile slightly widened, as I left his room and proceeded toward my car waiting for me along with my driver and two security guards as I rarely go out alone without security at night, especially when I have none of my assistants. Nodding toward them, I stepped inside my car, with guards in the other one, and the driver started the car.

Not long into the ride and my mind already was drifting somewhere else. Now that Kai reminded me of Elijah again, I couldn't help the nagging at the back of my mind that kept bothering me from yesterday and before I could stop my actions, I was already dialing Elijah's number.

On the third call, he picked up, "See, you just can't stay away from me. One day, and you're already missing me," and the first thing I heard was him bragging playfully.

I internally sighed, "Now don't go above yourself, I think I was dialing some other Elijah on my contact list...but mistakenly it reached yours."

A blunt lie, but it's not like I wasn't obvious about it.

In return, I heard him chuckling, "Whatever you say, Boss."

A moment of sharing his amusement, my smile evaporated as I struggled to ask directly, "So, how's everything in Boston?"

Silence fell on his side and I heard him after a long pause which I also didn't interrupt, "I'm willing to give my...that man whatever he spent on raising me, -sighing- and that woman, she won't get anything from me."

I don't want to dwell further on this topic, so I smoothly tried to change the topic, "Good, when are you coming back?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Then it's final, let's have dinner at the mansion tomorrow."

"Done, it's been long since I saw Kai. Um...weren't you going Z'nA tonight?"

"Yeah, on my way there."

Again, after another pause, he responded, "Oh...take care."

"You too and see you soon."

As the call ended, I felt the feeling of relief rushing through me. Leaning against the seat, I looked out from the window, and the passing sight of the gleaming city in the darkness of night that was enveloping it reminded me of the destination I was heading to.

Under the shadow, the vague reflection of my face in the window showed the ambiguous smile my lips were curved in.