"J– just let me embrace you tightly, Halora. I... I don't know exactly what happened but to tell you honestly, I am thankful for meeting you on that day."
Sebastian caressed her cheeks while she remained silent, holding back her breath. It confused her to death but she didn't want to cause any trouble against him and Sandra anymore.
"W– what a– are you talking about? W– why... why would I take you as a present?"
At that moment, her mind stopped functioning as his deep stare was quite intimidating. She has no idea what he meant until he chuckled all out of the sudden.
"Come on! Don't look at me that way because I bought something for you as well."
She bowed, nodded her head in awe, "H– how did you know that today is my birthday?"
"Someone told me earlier. But, it doesn't matter anymore!"
Halora gave him a short, bitter smile, looked at his bluish eyes and she replied, "S– shall we eat?"
But secretly, she was waiting for someone else who saved her life too. Halora called as she invited Roy to come over to her house for a simple celebration.
Until now, he kept her waiting for his presence like they used to be when they were young.
"Let's go!" said Sebastian shortly.
Right then, Halora hesitated to go to the kitchen and prepared for her guest. She didn't expect that Roy lied and broke his promises because of Sebastian.
And these past few days, she noticed that the two of them had finally got the chance to know each other and acted like they were friends for almost 12 years.
She gasped, told him to wait for a moment as she took one plate for him and a glass of water. While he watched her silently and he felt the same strange feeling the day he met Halora.
"My heart recognizes you like we've known each other for so long. You would always flattered my heart, make it stop beating and giving me butterflies on my stomach." he thought as he didn't know that he was smiling widely like a stubbornly in love." he thought as he slowly realized things very clearly.
However, when she was about to call him to the dining table, they heard loid voices that came from the main door.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes as he has strange feeling about it. He looked at her, "Stay here. I will check out the main door by myself." he said.
"Wait! I'll coming with you, Sebastian!"
Halora felt a sign of trouble with the loud disturbing noises came from the outside. She walked back and forth, hoped that nothing happened while Sebastian went out to settle things down.
"Huh, the thought of them makes me more afraid than what I've thought! I... I shouldn't have called Roy if it's only be the cause of an argument." Halora pressed her palms, walked into the fridge and get a glass of water.
Somehow, it cooled down her system for a couple of seconds. But the moment she seated, the door suddenly banged up, heard loud footsteps that brought goosebumps on her body.
Her eyes widened, her knees trembled out of fear as the cold breeze blew up to her hair.
"What do you think you're doing? Can't you see, you are not even invited but still, you came here with a bundle of flowers and chocolates! Huh, as if she will accept that!" spoke Roy.
His lips was bleeding while Sebastian was nowhere to be found at the moment. It frightened Halora as she hurriedly ran closer to the door until she saw him behind Markus who looked exhausted.
"You're doomed now! I... I've warned you but you didn't listen to me, asshole!" Sebastian choked Markus through his solid arms.
He twitched it tightly that made Roy burst into laughter. He said, "Look at you, you look like a pitiful kitten that needs to be saved by your mother!"
"I... I am not lying! Halora was the one who invited me tonight and I should be the one who's asking the both of you, specially you, Sebastian!"
His words only led Sebastian to be drowned and devoured by the strongest darkness in his body. He punched Markus's waist angrily that brought Halora into reality.
She breathed deeply, ran closer to Markus as she couldn't believe that he was beaten by Roy and Sebastian.
"Markus!"
"A– are you okay? Goodness, I didn't know that you arrived too early!" she told her that surprised Roy and Sebastian who both confused of her actions.
It was strange, but none of them asked her at the moment. "Your best friend stopped me from seeing you. I know I promised one thing to you, but I had no choice but to tell him that you were the one who invited me here."
"Shut up, asshole! I know you're up to something and you're only using Halora for your business!"
Sebastian smirked, rubbed his chin and he replied, "Roy is r– right! And why would Halora invite you on her birthday? You are merely a stranger to her and she didn't even know your real colors!"
Loud, alarming noises and voices brought Halora beyond her limits. She never obliged to explain her side, ask for someone's permission on decision making.
She then looked at Markus's eyes, took a deep sigh and told him to get inside as she will check his waist. But Roy grabbed her arms that triggered her suddenly.
"What are you doing, Roy? Let go of my arm if you don't want an argument between the two of us!" Halora stared at him differently, her brown eyes glinted like a flickering, dangerous fire.
Markus looked at him too and he said, "You heard her right. Let go of her before I punch your face until you beg for mercy."
"Asshole! What did you do to my friend–"
Halora was tired of all fuss that happened for how many times. She only wanted a simple, peaceful life but when she met Sebastian, everything turned outside down and became her life complicated and surrounded with fights and arguments.
"Why can't you accept my decision? Yes! Yes, I invited Markus and you, Roy on my birthday, but you failed to keep your promises!"
She sighed, "If you don't want to celebrate with Markus, the door is wide open and the two of you can leave anytime!"
Halora seemed to be different that surprised Roy and Sebastian.