"What? You're joking right?" I furrowed my eyebrows, uncertain if I would be amused or rather nerve-wracked as I pull my luggage away.

Hence, my bewilderment only made Red laugh on the other line, currently on call. "We're so fucking serious, Vin! We will throw a party for you tonight, and she's so gonna kill your ass if you don't come!" He cackled, pertaining to Rubini.

"Still... I'm really not into parties."

"Damn, mister, you just passed the architectural board exam you took in Germany! The whole La Salle fam should celebrate this moment!" He exaggerated, having me pout and roll my eyes. "We already reserved a hotel, and we have no plans of canceling it. Just go and enjoy the moment, today is your day!" I chuckled when he seems to be more excited than me.

Though, he has a point. "Fine. I'll just drop by La Salle for a moment to grab some documents. Send me the address later." I said before hanging up.

It's been quite a hectic year for an architectural student like me, but I guess the outcome was worth it. After all, the only thing I ever do for the past few months was studying, so I demand a whole week vacation after passing through that hell. "Maybe a party wouldn't be that bad..." I mumbled to myself, leaving the airport.

Along the way to La Salle, I took a grab taxi first 'cause I left my car at the parking lot of my condominium. What should I do? I have left with no other choice but to commute since my parents were still in South Carolina, and I also didn't want to bother any of my friends and housekeepers. Hypothetically, I'd rather just sleep than go to that party. A sixteen-hour flight is a no joke if you'd ask me. It made me tired as hell. My back aches from sitting long hours, too. But on top of that, I didn't want to waste their efforts.

"Just drop me to that fast food chain." I told the driver of the grab taxi before he began parking straight off the other side of the road.

The long trip made me hungry all of a sudden, so I thought of eating lunch for now. The usual, I ordered two burgers and a course of meal. The university was only a few blocks away, that's why there's no need for me to rush. After finishing, I went to the university to grab some important files that I left when I flew to Europe. Bizarrely, almost everyone who saw me walking at the hallway greeted me.

I found out later on at the group page that the post where the university congratulated me went viral. "Why the heck?!" Is my reaction after seeing it.

Seriously, though, I just did my best to grab as many opportunities as I can. It's not that surprising, at least for me.

"Vincent?" Someone called me.

Curious, I looked behind to see who it was and was welcomed by the epitome of the English department, Charity. "Oh. Long time no see, prez!"

Charity then patted my shoulder, acting a bit proud. "I heard you passed the board exam in your first try. That's a pretty big achievement, Vinnie. Congrats!" She greeted and took something out from her bag. I almost choked by that nickname, though. "Here. Have some chocolate. Its cacao content is 50%, just as you like." My lips formed a smile instantly after she mentioned the cacao content.

"Thanks prez, but why?"

What I said made her burst into laughter as if I told some kind of joke, and it somehow confused me. "Are you dumb on purpose? To congratulate you, of course!" She teased. "Besides... I have an errand today, so I won't be able to attend your party. But I'm glad I saw you on my way. Maybe this is fate. See ya'!" Charity raised her hand and waved it a little before running in the hallway.

I grinned and waved my hand back at her. "The professors will scold you from running!"

She paused and looked back in the middle of the hallway. "And they will scold you from shouting!"

"I know they won't!" I smirked and left the building as well after getting the documents.

Looking at the time, it was only half past one, and I still have a lot of free time when I checked my schedule. To us archi students, free time is a trial to heaven. That's why I didn't waste any minute and went to go shopping in Trinoma. Some of my clothes were already worn down, so I needed to buy something new. Something casual, like a pair set of polo and jeans. Or something formal, like a blazer or a turtleneck top. I may not look like it, but I like fashion more than anything.

A few hours later, I went inside my condominium after my shopping spree to prepare something to wear for tonight. I also wanted to wear something simple that will fit my personality. Just wearing casual wear is enough, and I wouldn't like for people to think that I went over board when picking something to wear. I'll just wear a branded sweatshirt and some black jeans. They can't judge me, it's my party!

"Damn, whatever." I hissed.

Red texted me the address of the place a few hours ago, and I was shocked to know that it was in a very luxurious hotel. It wasn't even near what I had expected, I just thought it was a simple get together party!

But why would I even complain? What an ungrateful asshole.

"Oh, there he is! Vincent!"

As soon as I got to the venue, I was greeted with a lot of compliments and some other kinds of rumors. Yet, what really caught my attention the most once I stepped inside the reservation room was that... why in the world are there so many people?! Though, I have no choice, I had to greet each one of them. If I have to be honest, I only knew at least one fourth of their population. Some of them were my colleagues and classmates, I even saw Kiel here, which genuinely surprised me. I haven't seen him for years. While some of them were socialites and even CELEBRITIES, wait, was this even my party?!

"Red, who invited all of them?!" I whispered in his ear while pulling him away from the crowd.

He only let out a forced laugh as he scratched his neck awkwardly, making me glare at him. "Who else did? Haha... I mean, me?" He pointed a finger at himself.

"Where's Rubini?" I asked, still frowning. "Don't you think you have some explaining to do? I haven't, not even once, stopped hearing those crazy rumors about me and her being in a relationship together as soon as I got here! Oh god, how did they even conclude such thing?!" It's not that I'm totally mad about it or anything, but Rubini... she had a girlfriend.

And her girlfriend would surely kill me if she heard about these crazy rumors.

"You see... they already fought." Red averted his eyes to where Rubini is. She's sulking over there at the bar section, drinking some alcohol.

"I'll go talk to her." I sighed and left Red. When we first met, I thought of him as a reliable friend. Yet, after five years of being friends with that guy, I could only say 'fuck him' as a friend. "Hey, Rubini. What's up?" I asked immediately once I sat beside her.

"I... feel shit." She yelled. "Why doesn't she just trust me... even for a little?" The next thing I knew, she started ranting and venting out her anger due to the alcohol.

That's what she gets for dating an alpha female who were as red as her scarlet eyes. "Sorry. I can't relate, since I've never been in a relationship before. Not gonna lie, though, you're pretty. You can easily grab some fish in the sea with your looks and status." I shrugged. "Don't stick to just one, stick to four instead-" I froze when someone pinched my cheeks.

"Is that how a topnotcher student give advice to someone else's girlfriend?" Of course, she heard all of it.

"I was just kidding, Queen Elizabeth." I said jokingly and made a face. "If you don't want to see your girlfriend crying, treat her better!" Sometimes, I wish I could just slap her for making my friend feel worse every time.

Though, I can't just do that, it's against my moral high grounds and principles. Plus, my image as the 'respectable student' were already ruined as well because I curse a lot, drink alcohol, and even go to clubs sometimes. My brain is the only thing that's left for me and without it, I'll be doomed.

"I'll go outside to get some fresh air." Suddenly, the atmosphere inside made me suffocate. And it wasn't easy to leave just like that, a lot of people started talking to me before I could even reach the exit. Contrary to that, some people even tried to flirt with me.

Sorry, but I'm demiromantic.

"Finally." I groaned once I got to the rooftop of the skyscraper.

No one can change my beliefs, I really do hate parties. Only extroverted peeps who won't shut the fuck up likes them.

"Hey. Want some?" I raised a brow when someone offered me a cigarette out of the blue. My eyes looked up to see who that was, and I was astounded.

"I'm not a smoker, old hag." I smirked. "Took you long enough to come meet up with me. Is your pride worth for six years?"

Aunt Fidesse chuckled. "Shut up."

"In fairness, you look blooming. Back in that house, you always looked tired and haggard. I almost didn't recognize you." Again, that was a compliment. "What brings you here, anyway?" Her face then turned serious as she swayed her brown wavy hair because of the wind. I also noticed that she's wearing a long black waist down coat, she must've had an errand to attend to.

"I received that letter... six years ago. Why did you send it to us? Even though, you said you would hate this family forever..."

"I did, and I still am. However, it bothers me that no matter how dysfunctional our family has become... I won't stop on worrying." Unconsciously, I took a glance at her radiant eyes for a short while, and then tilting my head to take a good look of the city. "Perhaps... I just wanted to feel at ease, that's why I sent those letters. I wanted to make sure that you won't lose your way just because your heart hinders your mind." What the hell am I even saying?

"I guess you're right." She agreed. "Vincent, I'm leaving and will never come back here anymore... with my husband." My eyes suddenly widened for two freaking reasons, the fact that she's leaving and the what? A husband? "I know. I know. It sounded nothing like me, but we're already married for eighteen years."

So that means, even way back then... "You? Marrying someone? I find that hard to believe."

She only laughed from my reaction even if I wasn't joking, while leaning against the stone fence. "Well, think whatever you want. I just came here to say goodbye to you before my flight tomorrow." My lips pursed, smile forming.

"I could only wish you the best."

"You, too." As my heart felt a sudden warmth as we reunite after six years, it unravels memories that bring nostalgia and peace. "And by the way, congratulations." I guess there's nothing for me to worry about... now that the facade which we used to conceal ourselves finally ceased.

"Thank you, auntie." Our farewells made a bittersweet sensation similar to what I had to let go from the past, yet It made me so relieved.

My heart aches, but I felt free.

The end...