Bubble Gum Kisses

**Kapittel 64**

***Vanessa***

**"We've arrived, "** Richard announced once the vehicle came to a halt.

The old gentleman was swift and the door opened in less than a millisecond. He was looking at me with a warm gaze and a gentle smile. I nodded at him and picked up my bag.

"Right this way, Ms. Hatherne," he said, guiding me indoors.

"It's Vanessa," I corrected him. It was uncomfortable hearing someone whom I've treated like family suddenly calling with an unfamiliar name, one that was particularly an implication of a strict border between us both. "Ms. Hatherne." He shook his head in response. God, I forgot that this guy was stubborn sometimes.

"Say it right."

"Ms. Hatherne." "Right."

"Ms. Hatherne." "Sir Richard!"

"But..." "Please?"

Finally, he sighed in defeat. "Right this way, Ms. Vanessa." Damn. I felt something in my chest twisted. Obviously, it was because he retained the "Ms.", and the that came along to it. It was like I was pushing to return things to how they used to be. Rather, how I wanted it to be like before, but couldn't even reach it.

It hurts to desperately reach onto something that you once held onto tightly, but could never even graze a finger on once lost. I left many meaningful relationships behind when we left, so it was expected that I wouldn't salvage the broken lines. But it just hurts. I'm glad that I got to reconnect some though.

Richard led me to the front landscape. The de Vries estate contained a monstrous landscape that led to the house, should I say mansion. I took the opportunity to look around, The place looked the same as I had last seen it, except that there were a few additions to the furniture and there were renovations in the garden. It astounded me how it looked so brand new. It must have cost a fortune for yearly maintenance, but of course, that's a dime for Friso's family.

It was completely serene, everything looking aesthetic and things seeming to be in their right places. Along with the breathtaking man-made ambiance were the maids and servants who silently yet efficiently worked, their footsteps light as if they floated on air.

However, one thing didn't match the outdoor's tranquility. A party music that was blasting out loud.

The music was getting louder as we were getting closer to the entrance of the house. I raised a brow and realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. Oh God, was Friso throwing a party?! And at this time of the day?! I didn't expect that he'd become a party animal of all sorts.

"Seriously?" I asked with arms crossed, looking at Richard who was wiping his sweaty temple with a handkerchief. It seemed like he wasn't proud of Friso's initiative.

A maid appeared out of nowhere and whispered something to him which made his eyes go as wide as saucers. He turned to me, bowed his head slightly, his hand on his chest. "I apologize, Ms. Vanessa, but I have to leave you here. There is an urgent matter at the servants' quarters. The Young Master told me to pass on that he is lounging in his bedroom. I believe you remember where it still is?"

"If he hasn't changed rooms through all these years, then yes." I nodded. The room behind the only black door on the second floor, as far as I remember.

"Then I shall excuse myself. Again, I apologize." He bowed his head again before going on his way along with the maid.

When he was gone, I sighed and looked at the wild rave through the windows. The music was blasting out loud as if it could break through the windows, I could see familiar-looking people dancing to the beat, some were playing drinking games and plainly chatting, and others... well... were exploring their sexual exploits. Bottom line? They were having the time of their lives.

I've been to house parties before, and oh boy, just hearing the music was enough to drain my social battery, even my friends had a hard time reviving it. And right now, it was starting to drain. I pulled out my phone to text Maxim, asking where he was before putting it in the pocket of my hoodie, heaving a sigh.

I mustered all the energy I had left and opened the door.

Thankfully, no one seemed to notice my presence entering. With both of my hands in my pockets, I casually strode indoors, passing by each person that came my way. They were all wearing casual clothing, which was a good thing since I was wearing something good enough that I quickly blended in.

I spotted countless aroma diffusers, but they weren't enough to cover the smell emanating from body sweat, particularly from unwashed armpits. Adding into tingling my senses aside from the deafening beat.

I saw mostly recognizable faces. Faces that I've seen in school. Schoolmates that I've passed by and sometimes glanced at. Since it seemed that almost the entire school was present in this abode, it wouldn't hurt to assume that Georgia was here as well, or even Asher. Other familiar faces I've seen were influencers that I've seen when scrolling on social media websites, actors in movies, and singers- Oh my God, is that Beyonce?! "Van?" a voice called for my name.

"Lazarus?" I turned to the direction where the voice came from, identifying it.

Immediately, I was face-to-face with an old friend. He was looking at me with a wide smile on his face and a look in his eyes that I could liken to a puppy seeing his owner was home. "You're here, homegirl. Sweet! Friso's gonna be stoked, you know that?" he exclaimed, clutching my waist with a sweaty arm.

However, I was not over from being starstruck. Beyonce is here! "D-Did I just?" I stuttered as he was dragging me past the crowd. I held my breath upon seeing a set of popular faces. Oh my God, I think I just saw Doja Cat through my peripheral vision. Also, is that The Chainsmokers behind the DJ booth?!

Lazarus, being his usual amiable self, chattered happily as we pushed through the sea of people. But I couldn't focus on what he was talking about. I had been looking left and right. Celebrities and people that insanely popular individuals were appearing before sight like mushrooms. I was astounded, I had just seen people that I didn't expect I'd see in real life. Was this party a celebrity hotspot perhaps?

"Hey, look at who I've found!" Lazarus announced, making me jolt on my spot. I turned my head away from the celebrity that just passed by. I was now in front of people who were staring holes in my face. I almost gasped. I hadn't noticed we were now in front of a lounge.

"What the fuck, you've only gone for a while and you already brought your new flavor?" one guy stated, chugging on his beer cooly.

"Hey, watch your words. She ain't no ordinary girl," Lazarus quickly clapped back, glaring at the guy who was now cringing in his seat. I remained on my spot, frozen that I was suddenly in the limelight.

"Oh, it's the girl who punched Friso." The long-legged, brunette beauty whom I've recognized as Madison butted in with her arms crossed. She was beside a guy who had his arm slung around her shoulders. I figured that he was part of the varsity basketball team.

"The one and only," I found myself retorted sarcastically, masking my growing anxiety. God, I felt like some prey that just stepped into a wolf's den.

"Daaamn!" all the guys exclaimed while the chicks only rolled their eyes at me. Well, that is expected from all the scorn I've been getting.

"Aren't you tired of being on your feet? Let's sit!" Lazarus suddenly said, and the next thing I knew, I was in the center of the lounge which was converted into a hot seat.

I expected awkward silence to befall me because of my presence, however, as soon as Lazarus bid adieu, they began to prod me with questions, with most of them inquiring about me punching Friso. "Huh... what... wait..." I wasn't drunk, but I was slurring my words because of the wave of confusion that went over me. I didn't know which question I should answer or evade!

"Yeah, yeah. I did give him the knuckle sandwich and it sucked." I was out of my wits and finally decided to give them the bottom line whether what was in the video was true or not. I needed to find an excuse to leave here, but there was no good opening.

I could feel the hairs on my nape stood frozen. The scrutinizing gaze from the guys intensified while the girls' glare just got more heated.

"What are you talking about? It was awesome!" one guy said, thrill conspicuous on his face. Weird.

"Did you see the look on his face when you left? It was hilarious!" another said and swung a fist in the air.

"Right..." That was all I could respond to.

"Lazarus was right, she's not an ordinary girl. She's a cool one." Finally, a girl entered the conversation.

Her statement freaked me out. I was a thorn in the school's female population because I was the one who damaged their king's prince, and there wasn't a single day that they failed to express their hatred towards me. I had been thinking anxiously if I was going to be roasted by this clique, especially by the girls. But this one, she was doing the exact opposite!

Following her statement, the chatter had become rowdy.

"What the fuck do you mean that she's cool?!" another girl, whom I've noticed to be glaring at me for a while suddenly butted in. Okay, this was what I was anxious about. "Ain't she?"

It seemed to me that the boys in this clique weren't fond of Friso.

"Obviously she's not." She crossed her arms and glared my way. I simply ignored it.

"Hah, you're just offended because Drew got a knockout, especially from a girl!"

"Excuse me, do you have a problem with a guy being knocked out by a girl?!"

"No, what I meant was that it was awesome!"

"We totally wanted to see his ass kicked, acting all high and mighty just because the soccer team brought more trophies and medals this year."

"She's only cool for you losers because y'all can't handle Drew!" Another femme couldn't handle the bad-mouthing against Friso and rose on her feet.

"Whatever, Bailey. We all know that you and Diane are one of Drew's bitches that's why you're so into defending him. What? Can't wait to bounce on his dick?" "So what? You're just jealous because your captain's fucking incompetent."

"Shut the fuck up. You don't talk about my boyfriend like that."

"Whatever, Sophie. But it's the truth and you can't deny that."

"This bi-" Oh fuck. Don't tell me a fight's about to ensue!

** **

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