PIERRA'S POV

I paced by the sidewalk of the Milimani Complex dreading the six flight of stairs that would lead me to the top floor where my brothers party was. The car he had sent to pick me up had just dropped me off and I didn't want to go up there. I didn't drink, smoke or like loud music and those three were the main ingredients of the party upstairs.

I looked at my outfit and had to admit that I'd outdone myself. I was wearing a white spaghetti strapped dress that ended mid thigh, white strapped heels and a small white handbag. My make up and jewelry were minimal and I'd straightened out my curly hair for the special occasion.

My brother had chosen a red and white theme for the party, gents wore red while the ladies wore white. It was a stupid idea if you asked me, just let the people wear what they wanted but it was his party not mine.

My phone rang in my hand and I saw that it was Bishop calling.

"I can see you from the balcony so get your ass up here."He demanded and I didn't even bother to look up for fear of hurting my eyes.

"Fine."I snapped hanging up the call.

Taking a deep breath I mentally prepared myself for the long walk up. I finally felt ready so I turned around and walked into the building. Thankfully I was fashionably late so I didn't run into anyone on the walk up. No one needed to see me heaving the higher I got. I would have preferred to spend my Saturday night curled up in bed with a movie and snacks as I got over my broken heart but then I'd have to tell my stupid brother about me and Andrew and I refused to have that conversation with him. Andrew had broken my heart but he didn't deserve Bishops wrath if he found out what had transpired between us. Maybe I would try to have fun at the party, get over my stupid feelings and try to have a good time. My brother was turning twenty four and he deserved his sister to be happy and cheerful for him.

I finally made it to the top floor so I took a few minutes to compose myself and catch my breath. When I was ready to go I walked through the door lined with streamers and was immediately hit with a wave of heat and the mixed smell of sweat and alcohol. The music was not as loud as I'd anticipated which did not actually help in easing the feeling building up in my chest. The party was in full swing with people dressed in their appropriate colors already having a blast. My parents always sent us a huge amount of money on our birthdays so that plus all his weed money, Bishop had spared no expense. There was a lot of alcohol, food, snacks, weed and of course shisha for those who liked partying in style. I was sure there were other recreational drugs floating around but I didn't even want to find out what they were.

I saw my brother approaching me witch Whitney attached to his arm. A king didn't have a party without his queen by his side. No matter my hatred for her I had to admit that she looked really good and my brother was living up to his mobster reputation. Whitney was in an asymmetrical design dress that wound around her body hugging her curves. It was designed to leave her mid riff bare so she accessorized it with a gold waist chain and her extra long braids fell below her perky ass. Red nails, red lipstick and gold strapped heels, she was the perfect queen. My brother was wearing black slacks and an ankara red shirt with black sleeves and a gold watch.

"Nice of you to finally show up sis."Bishop commented sarcastically and I ignored him leaning closer to hug his broad frame.

"Happy birthday big brother, getting closer to the grave I see."I teased with a smile and he just chuckled.

"You look beautiful Pierra."Whitney complimented and for the sake of my brother and his special day I plastered on a smile for her.

"You too Whitney."I replied and she light up.

Wow, desperate much.

"Sis we have to go say hi to some people but don't you dare leave until we've cut the cake at midnight. Have fun, just not too much and stay away from boys."He demanded in a playful tone but I knew he was dead serious.

"I wasn't planning to anyway."I replied with an eye roll."Wait you said midnight and its only nine. That's three hours away."I whined.

"Happy birthday to me."Bishop cheered ignoring my complains while Whitney just gave me an apologetic look.

Bishop dragged his girl away leaving me there gaping like a frog feeling played. I thought I only had to be there for an hour at most meaning I had to figure out how to waste three hours in a room full of drunks and intoxicated university students.

I walked towards the bar and found an empty seat at the far end. It was busy so it took a few minutes for me to get served. I'd have used the 'Im the birthday boy's younger sister' card as everyone who ran in Bishops circles knew who I was but there was no need, I had all the time in the world according to Bishops timetable.

"What can I get you beautiful?"The young and cute bartender asked.

"Your number and anything non alcoholic."I replied attempting at flirting.

I did say I was going to get over Andrew and the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.

"I'll get you that drink but I love my life so no to the number."He replied pointing a picture tapped to the wall.

It was a portrait of me with the words DANGER at the top in dark red letters and the words KEEP OFF at the bottom of the picture. Bishop could be really extreme at times as proven by the picture. He made sure that no guy would hit on me at the party and that ruined my mood making it worse than it already was. I liked innocent flirting and then kicking a guy to the curb when I'd had my fun. Bishop had taken that away from me and I wanted to walk out of the party and go back home in retaliation but I held myself back. That would only cause me future problems so I restrained myself.

The bartender came back and handed me two unopened cans of sprite. I took them with a smile and got off the stool. I found my way to the balcony where it was quieter and less crowded. An empty arm chair in the corner end called my name so I not so gracefully dropped myself on it. At least the dj was good at his job and was playing some good music so I retrieved by phone from my bag and started scrolling through Instagram as I sipped on my soda.

An hour later my sodas had run out so I went to get a refill but made a detour by the washrooms first. On my way back after relieving myself I ran into Cass, Cliff and Alfred who had been flirting with the girls leaving the bathroom.

"Pierra, looking good girl."Cliff commented with a whistle and I laughed.

"Hi guys, I didn't know that you hang out in the same circles as my brother."I commented remembering how they expressed their fear of him the first time we hang out together in class.

"You don't know?"Alfred asked and the other two elbowed him making me frown.

"Know what?"I asked wondering what they were hiding from me.

"You tell her, you brought it up."Cliff demanded shoving Alfred towards me.

"I'm not going to tell her, you tell her."Alfred denied stepping back.

"One of you better spit it out."I demanded getting tired of their games.

"Your brother hired Andrew to cover the party and extended an invitation to us through him."Cass blurted out and my eyes widened in shock.

I has assured myself that his fear of my brother would keep Andrew away but I hadn't considered the possibility of my brother hiring him for the party. I'd been holed up at the balcony since I arrived explaining why I hadn't seen him. I hadn't gotten over Andrew not even close, so seeing him a week after he stomped on my heart was not going to end well for either of us.

I pushed past the three friends and the throng of people making my way to the VIP lounge to find my brother so I could have a word with him. I found him licking salt off Whitney's neck before taking a shot of tequila. The stupid fool having the time of his life while mine was crumbling around me.

I tugged at his arm and he turned to face with a scowl probably from being interrupted but it immediately fell when he saw it was just me.

"Hey sis, come to join the fun side of the party?"Bishop asked and I rolled my eyes at him.

"No thanks, why did you hire him?"I demanded getting straight to the point.

"Hire who?"He questioned a look of confusion on his face.

"Why did you hire Andrew to be your photographer for the night? There are more than ten photographers around campus, why did you pick him?"I enquired.

"Because he's good at his job and he's a classmate. Only felt right to give him the job."Bishop explained making me pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration.

It made sense why Bishop hired Andrew but it didn't mean I was okay with it. Yes he was good at his job but he had also broken my heart and I wanted to avoid him at all costs.

"Why did he do something to you? I will fire him and throw him off the balcony if he touched a hair on your head."Bishop threatened getting up.

I held him back when I realized I'd triggered him and he would harm Andrew for no reason.

"No I'm okay, I haven't even seen him. I just don't like him."I muttered lamely hoping my excuse was plausible enough.

"I can still fire him."Bishop assured me and I shook my head.

"No don't do that. I'll just avoid him."I assured him.

"Okay but if he bothers you, tell me immediately and I'll have him dealt with."Bishop demanded and I nodded.

"I will. Go back to your fun party."I demanded playfully trying to diffuse the situation.

It worked since Bishop smiled pulling me into a short hug before he kissed my hair then sat back down. I walked back through the crowd and made my way to the bar. I got the bartenders attention and held up three fingers. He nodded in understanding at what I meant as he walked towards the fridge to get my drinks. He brought me the cans and I took them from him.

I backed up from the bar running into someone making me drop one of the cans. It slid across the floor and disappeared under a table. I turned around to give the person who ran into me a piece of my mind but my words disappeared from mind when I came face to face with an apologetic looking Andrew. He didn't seem shocked to see me which meant it was not the first time he was seeing me during the course of the night. It was my first time seeing him so I was definitely surprised. He had cleaned up since the last time I'd seen him by trimming his hair and shaving off the beard. He looked good in a red hoodie, dark jeans and red sneakers with his camera wrapped around his neck and his backpack strapped on his back.

"Ivy."He whispered and but I caught it because of our proximity.

No one called me Ivy, people didn't even know that it was my second name so it was a shock hearing him call me that. I was already starting to get affected by his presence which was not a good sign

"What did you just call me?"I asked trying to diffuse my feelings.

"Nothing. I'm sorry about the drink. Can I get you another one?"He asked and I felt like punching him.

"No need. They are all free anyway."I replied and he nodded.

We both stood there awkwardly looking each other. I had so many questions to ask him but it was neither the time nor the place and if I was being totally honest with myself I didn't want to talk to him. I turned around to leave him but he took my wrist holding me back. I looked at where he was holding me and instead of feeling butterflies like the first time he held my hand, I felt a burning sensation. Guess the magic was lost. I yanked my hand away but didn't move wanting to know why he stopped me.

"I'm sorry."He breathed looking very apologetic but I was having none of it.

"For what?"I asked.

"Everything."He replied.

"The time to be sorry was a week ago. So take that sorry of yours and shove it up your ass."I insulted before turning around and storming away.

I changed my mind last minute and walked towards the bar. A guy had just received his bottle of Smirnoff so I yanked it off his hands. He was about to protest but the glare on my face and the recognition as to who I was shut him right up. He turned back around and ordered another one.

Andrew was following me with his eyes the whole time so he watched me unscrew the cap and take a long swig of the burning drink. I rarely drunk alcohol and even when I did it was wine with my mom on special occasions. But when I looked at the clock and realized I had an hour and a half till mid night I knew I needed something stronger than wine to get me through the night. I'd never had vodka before but it was my brothers birthday, a night to celebrate. I was celebrating getting my heart broken by my crush who said that our date had been a mistake.

Andrew looked at me with a hurt expression on his face but he masked it pretty fast.

"Cheers."I mouthed to him as I made my way back to the balcony so I could drown my pain in alcohol and attempt to forget Andrew and my stupid crush on him.