Riley's POV
What am I saying? I am embarrassing. What if Rye thinks of me like I am a dirty guy because of my mouth. Well, my inner thoughts are. But I can hide it well. My soul is pure.
"Should we return to our seat now?" I asked Rye when the music ended.
"Okay."
He keeps glancing at his brother.
"Just let him enjoy, will you?"
"Enjoying in the corner?" He asked.
"It looks like he is having fun with his boyfriend." Well, I must say that Aki's taste is excellent. That guy looks good. I also have the same bag as him in my collection.
Rye continues drinking. I don't want him to be drunk tonight. I can't stop him since we are at my party.
I feel tired now. I was so busy with everything earlier.
He placed a bar of chocolate on the table. "Eat that."
"This is my favorite brand," I told him.
"Coincidence. I love that one too." He answered.
Why the hell would he bring chocolate to a party?
I love that he gave me this, but this is not the right time to eat chocolates.
He was looking at me, waiting for me to eat it. I need to take a picture of it since he gave it to me.
"Wait, I need to go to the restroom first." I made an alibi.
I took a picture of it. My first chocolate from Rye. Ready for my scrapbook. I already have the photos of the cans of soda given to me by Rye. This is not an obsession. I just appreciate it since it's very special for me.
I met some of the guys on my way back. They talked to me, and I didn't know how to tell them I needed to go back to my seat. Rye must be bored there now, or maybe not... Since I see a group of girls talking to him. Fine! Let him enjoy the party. But if someone flirts with him, then good luck.
I joined my friends at their table. I checked Aki and his boyfriend's table too. I don't think I am welcome there. Their spot is very quiet. They have been just holding hands since they arrived here. Weird.
They are supposed to have fun. Now, I feel like my party is boring because they are not enjoying it.
"Gel, do you want a drink?" I asked.
"No, he doesn't want. Thank you." Aki answered.
"Do you need anything? Are you okay here?" I am such a lousy party host.
"We are having fun here. Thank you." Aki answered again.
"I am asking your boyfriend."
They looked at each other. I saw Gel smile.
"We are fine here. Don't worry. You have such a wonderful party." Gel answered.
But it's the opposite of what you are making me feel.
"Tell me if you need anything."
Shilo pulled me to the dance floor.
"You are drunk already. Did you bring your driver? I'll call him to pick you up."
"No. I can stay longer. I am not drunk." Shilo is kind of touchy now.
I don't like it.
"Shilo, stop that. I will hate you if you ruin my party. You know that I will never invite you again if you mess up tonight. Stop drinking and return to your seat now." I don't want him to be added to my blacklisted guests.
"Riley! Like me! You made me so jealous earlier. I was there beside you, but why did you pick Rye instead? I wouldn't be hurt if I wasn't near you, but I was there too. You could have chosen me." Shilo is disappointed with me.
I moved closer to his ear. "Because I like Rye, and I want to dance with him," I whispered to his ear.
"Heartless! You are heartless, Riley!" He can still control his voice.
"Please don't be like this. When I said I want to be friends with you, that's true. Okay? Return to your seat. Stop drinking now." I asked him. Shilo is kind; he is just drunk. I know he wouldn't say these to me when he is sober.
"I need to go now." Rye tapped my back.
Damn! I don't want him to go yet.
"I thought you'd wait for Aki."
"He can manage. Thanks for this party. I enjoyed it." He told me.
"Rye, I'll text you." I gathered the courage.
"I'll reply to you."
Fuck me! This is just an expression again. At least I didn't say it out loud this time.
The party ended around 4 AM. I still want to chat with him, but I don't think he is awake. 'Are you serious, Ri? You are dead tired, but you are still thinking of messaging Rye?'
"I am sleepy, baby." I want to send it to him. Send or not? Send or not?
"Riley!" My nanny called me, and it startled me.
"You scared me!"
But what shocked me more is that I fucking sent it again. Damn it!
What excuse am I going to tell him again?
Unsend. My fingers are shaking while pressing the unsend button.
"I was taking a shower. What was the unsent message?" Rye asked.
"Hahahaha. I thought you were sleeping already. The party just ended."
I replied.
"So what was that?" He asked again.
"Just a meme. But it's not that funny, so I unsent it. I am quite tipsy. Sorry for disturbing you."
"Sleep now." Woahhhh
"I am not sleepy yet, Rye."
There goes the top 1 in lying for the sake of my love life.
"Sleep. Did you see the time?"
I still want to chat with him. I can stay up for another hour.
"Just 4 AM. It's Saturday today, and we don't have class."
Sleepy Riley replied. Wake up!
"You were so busy earlier. We can still chat tomorrow when you wake up. Don't reply and sleep."
"Ahhhhhhhhh!" I screamed in front of my nanny!
I hugged her tight.
"Riley, are you drunk?" She asked me.
"Just be happy with me! Rye told me to sleep."
She hit my butt.
"What's there to be happy about?" She asked me. She thinks I am crazy.
"Let me sleep first, ma, and I'll present to you tomorrow 100 slides why I am so happy about sleeping today."
Rye told me not to reply anymore, but I am still itching to message him good night. But as an obedient future boyfriend, I'll sleep now.
I woke up around 9 PM. Damn! I checked my phone. There is no message from Rye. Who cares? I'll message him first.
I sent him a funny meme.
"Did you just wake up?" He asked.
"No, I woke up around four in the afternoon earlier." You can't be obvious that you are a flirt, Ri.
"Alright. Did you see the photo? Maru posted it." He told me.
I immediately checked my IG account, and out of all Maru's posts, ours has the most likes. We have a page in IG related to the parties we are organizing. Maru, like me, loves parties too.
Damn! We are like a couple here. I hope this is true.
"Is it okay? I am sorry about the comments." I asked him. Actually, the comments were calling us the newest couple.
I swear, to have Rye and Aki made our party so fantastic. Many are asking me about the next party. The next will be in our bar.
"Why? It's fine, Ri."
We continued chatting about anything.
Four days have passed, and it's still the same. I am still waiting for him to like me or whenever he is ready to be in a relationship. Maybe he hasn't moved on from Elaine yet. I am fine with that. I can wait.
I haven't talked to him in person since that day because we are in a different department. I saw him twice in the cafeteria, but it's just weird to go to their table without reason.
I missed him since I was sick yesterday. I was absent and fell asleep earlier than usual.
I was in the hallway when Elaine stood in front of me, acting like a real bitch. "So, what did you do to make Aki and Rye attend that cheap party of yours?"
I am still not well. I am not in the mood to argue today. Just wait for me tomorrow. I'll deal with you.
She spoke again when she saw me shrugged.
"Stop dreaming! You are just a cheap gay. They won't like you. Stop dreaming. Rye is mine. Aki is mine."
The delusional said. My focus is on the guy walking towards us. I was shocked when he pulled Elaine's hair from the back.
"Wait! Stop! Not here." I asked him. Actually, I should be thankful for he put in action what I am doing with Elaine in my imagination.
"Aki is yours? Who are you?" Gel asked her. He looked so sweet at the party, but Elaine made him angry.
"I am Elaine. Don't you know who my boyfriend is? You are dead now. I'll call him. Just wait!"
"Elaine? Rye's ex? Oh, I expected much. I saw your pictures before. Were they all filtered? Sorry, this is funny. I am Nigel. Aki's future boyfriend. I am only here to bring his lunch but I didn't expect to hear you claiming Aki too. Now I know why all of Rye's family hate you."
Woahh... So Aki and Gel are not boyfriends yet?
Elaine is pressing her phone, maybe calling Rye. I thought they broke up already. Was it a lie?
They keep on arguing, but I can't focus. Are they still together? Rye? Is it true.
Probably they are.
...since I saw Rye walking towards us, looking angry.
Of course, Elaine is hurt. He would be angry with me again. You can't be broken, Ri. It's fine.
"Babe, look! They...." Elaine couldn't finish what she was saying when Rye grabbed my arm.
"I didn't do anything to her. I promise."
Why do I feel like crying?
I expected that we would be close already. Is he still concern with Elaine?
"Where is your phone?" He angrily asked.
I pulled it from my pants and handed it to him.
Don't cry, Ri.
Don't act weak.
"Did you see this? 18 miscalls since last night? You are not replying to me." He uttered every word with conviction.
Wait, what?
Isn't he here because Elaine called him?
"Babe, I messaged you. They are teaming up on me." Elaine told him.
"Were you sick?" He is still looking at me.
I nodded.
He touched my forehead.
"You should have told me. You made me worried."