Chapter 37
Third POVNôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
Not long after, the party started. There were a lot of activities but unlike Isa who actively participated, Sydnee just sat on the corner while silently watching the ongoing activities. Her eyes squinted when she saw how Isa accidentally kissed her guy partner when the latter tried to lift Isa.
She bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing. Isa had her brows furrowed and her eyes frequently throw daggers to the guy who held her. When the contest was over, Isa and her partner did not win which made Isa frustrated. When the guy realized how bad the girl’s temper was, he immediately fled to the crowd.
Sydnee’s lips curved into a sweet smile when she saw Isa walking back to her direction. Then she looked around again. Anthony was still nowhere to be seen.
“That bastard!” Isa cursed under her breath then looked at her. “You should participate!”
She shook her head. “Sit down and watch them play games.”
Isa snorted then pulled the chair beside her to sit down. She noticed that Isa was looking around. Maybe she was looking for her partner who she accidentally kissed. Sydnee chuckled and did not tease her further. She had noticed that Isa was really in a bad mood.
Not long after, the next contest begin. Isa tried to push her out of the chair to participate but Sydnee kept still. Isa snorted then stopped pushing her hard.
When the contest was ongoing, she finally saw Anthony in the crowd. He was walking towards the corner where the teachers were sitting at. Then she noticed that he looked around. When their eyes met, he smiled. Sydnee smiled at him too. He turned around and sat on his chair.
“Hopeless,” Isa muttered.
She took a glance at the grumpy girl beside her and she noticed that Isa was looking at her, then looked at Anthony. She cleared her throat. “What?” she asked.
“Don’t smile at him. He’ll creep me out when his lips curve.”
She shook my head and did not bother with Isa. Her eyes darted towards the participants of the contest.
Minutes passed by and the emcee announced that it was time for the evening dance. A slow melodious music filled the air. Then a boy walked towards where she and Isa was sitting. She noticed that the boy was staring at Isa.
He stopped in front of her and then offered his hand. “May I ask for a chance to dance with you, princess?”
Her eyes travelled towards Isa who was pursing her lips. She thought that she would deny the boy, but her mouth dropped when Isa extended her hand and put it on the boy’s hand. She then turned towards her then gave her a wink. She mouthed, ‘I’ll be back’ then she walked to the center of the hall with the boy.
Sydnee sighed and looked around again. Anthony was missing in his chair. Where did he go?
The dance had started and many of the boys had asked the girls they like to dance with them. As seconds passed by, the center was filled with pairs dancing with the music. Some of the teachers had their pairs and they too danced with the music. There were only some of the individuals who was still sitting on their respective chairs. One of them was Sydnee.
Not that she dislike to dance, but no one had offered her their hand for a dance. It was not a big deal for her but the occasional glances of some girls towards her made her blush in embarrassment. She was the only one sitting on the chair on that part, so anyone would notice the lone girl at the corner when they look in her direction.
Some of those pairs laughed when they looked at her while some had a hint of pity in their eyes. Sydnee swallowed then stood. She looked around and then walked towards the small door where the waiters were going in and out. She wanted to go outside for a walk first because she could not stand those disdainful glances. The huge hall entrance was filled with securtiy guards and she believed that she would not have a chance to exit in that door while the party was still ongoing.
She silently walked towards the corner then entered the door. She stopped when she noticed that she went inside a kind of green room where beverages and food were stored when its ready to serve the guests.
“Girl, you’re blocking the way,” a man said.
Sydnee snapped back into reality then she immediately gave way to the waiter. The men were busy doing their business that only the manager had noticed a lone girl in the room.
“Girl, why are you here?” the manager asked then walked towards her.
Sydnee looked at the man in his thirties. He had a gentle smile on his lips and he was studying her. So Sydnee smiled sheepishly at him. “I’m looking for the restroom…”
The man pointed the door at the corner. “Just walk straight into that door and you’ll find the restroom.”
“Ok, thanks!”
She immediately walked towards the door and entered in. There was a long hallway before Sydnee saw two entrances. One for the restroom while the other is for exit. Without thinking, she walked right into it and exited the building.
The night breeze brushed pass by her and she closed her eyes. She stood still under the moon and stars. Behind her was the lively building filled with melodious music. The rhythm was carried into the air as the wind blew and the leaves rustled around her.
Soon, she heard footsteps coming towards her. She looked onto the left and she saw a shadow of the man walking towards her. The silhouette was familiar to her and when the man stepped under the dim streetlight, she held her breathe.
It was Anthony. He was still wearing the suit he wore for the party but the mild breeze messed up his hair, though it increase his masculinity.
“You should not be here,” he said with his husky voice.
Sydnee was confused. “You are here either. What are you doing out there?” Then she took a peek in the dark where he came from.
Anthony reached for her shoulder and tried to ushered her back to the building but Sydnee stayed rooted on her spot. Anthony noticed it so he looked back at her. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I don’t want to get inside.” She sighed and looked away.
There was a moment of silence hovered between them for a few minutes, before Anthony let out a sigh. “It’s cold out here. You should get inside.”
“I’m okay.” Sydnee stole a glance at him before she looked away. “You seem… down tonight.”
“Just a tiny problem,” Anthony said. He stared at her longer than usual before he asked, “What are you doing outside? Was someone bullying you?”
Before she could answer, a sudden burst of applause was heard inside the hotel. Then a voice was heard in loud speakers, welcoming Rogie and Lisa as guests of honor, and some other officials.
Sydnee face changed when she heard the introduction. Now, she did not want to go back anymore. If there’s a chance, she just wanted to go home as soon as possible.
Maybe Anthony noticed the change in her vibe so he just ushered her towards the other side, where a small park was. He let her sit on the swing and he swung it.
They had not said something to break the silence around them. They were busy thinking of the things that they had been handling over the few days.
But suddenly, a slow and sweet music hovered around the air. It came from the hotel not far from where they were. It enveloped the whole sorrounding that even Sydnee had stopped being in a daze.
She then looked at Anthony who was staring at her!
A sudden jolt made her stood and smiled at him. “What’s the matter?” She hid her embarrassment in her smile.
Then Anthony held out his hand. “Dance with me.”
Those words made her mind went blank and heart beat fast. She stared at him in daze and it was when he smiled that she woke up from her stupor. She immediately put her hand on his palm.
Anthony then pulled her into his embrace and started dancing under the moonlight. Sydnee had been biting her bottom lip and not daring to look into Anthony who was staring at her face. She felt hot in both cheeks but dared not to meet his penetrating gaze.
“Look at me,” Anthony suddenly whispered.
But she did not obey. Anthony did not force her but she noticed how tight he was holding her and that he pulled her closer to him.
She gasped and finally raised her head to meet his deep gaze. “Y-You’re holding me tight,” she complained.
But Anthony smiled and without a word, he spun her around. The hem of her skirt played in circle and her hair followed the mild wind caused by the motion. It had created a good visual that made one to look approvingly.
Just then, before the music stop and within a heartbeat, Sydnee uttered words that made her life change drastically.
“I like you…”