ROSALYN
After my brother drop it like that, It was now hard for me to see him again face to face. Why does brother have to say that?
I don't have any valid reason to not attend the dinner later.
I just don't want him to know it too that I develop a habit like that.
What will he think of me now?
So, to not think of it again. I buried myself on work on those hours. When it was almost 6, I then take a cab and went to the venue first. The staffs got surprise since they thought that everyone already arrived since they are still in the middle of preparing. My stomach was grumbling while I was looking for the menu. I already want to eat.
“Miss, we are still not done. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine, don't mind me.”
“Then, what can I serve to you?”
“A juice would do, thank you.”
“Yes. You give Ms. Deogracia a juice, make it faster.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Can I take a look around for a second?”
“Yes, you may.”
I got entertained while I was looking around when I suddenly got tired and since my juice is already served I sat down and look at menu.
"You’re already hungry?"
It sent me shivers and my eyes widened when I saw Nicholas standing behind me. I held the menu tightly, why do I feel like my knees will gave up in any moment when I am already sitting in the first place? I stare at him for a second, he was now wearing a black shirt and I can smell his expensive perfume.
Why does he have to whisper that near to my ear?
"Why are you already here?"
I asked and look around and see no one around.good thing no one saw that.
But why is he already here?
"I do not work late, I always make sure I clock out at exactly 6." 
I gulp hard and take off my eyes on him. He does look good on black…
"I see." 
I then close the menu and sip on my juice when he sat down in front of me.
"What food do you like?"
Then he snap his fingers and a waiter rushed to our side.
"No, I'm fine. I can still wait until seven."
"Are you sure? There is still 30 minutes."
"Yeah."
"But, I can still hear your stomach grumbling from here. I'm just worried that someone might hear it."
My eyes then widened and I rolled my eyes at him.
"I'll have two slices of pizza and lemonade juice. Thank you."
Nicholas then grinned and I rolled my eyes at him once again.
"Yes, Ma'am. I will serve it in a minute."
"Still the same Rosalyn."
I frowned and look at him straight in his eyes.
"I'm now Elris. Elris Deogracia."
"So, that means since you already have a new name, you have now a new personality? Are you not anymore the Rosalyn we knew since when we are still kids?"
His eyebrows raised and I cleared my throat.
"Of course not."
"Mm... How are you then? It’s been a while."
"Yeah, I'm good. What about you?"
"Same. Did you have a hard time adjusting on your new home, the university?" 
He asked softly and I nod and laugh when I remember those times.
"I will lie if I said I didn’t, Dad and brother was very considerate towards me that I feel like I didn’t deserve to have their attention. I was so lucky that I meet Luke, if he was that not friendly I’ll probably be a loner."
"Luke... Then you also learned how to party because of him?"
"What’s wrong with that? Dad and brother was not against of me going to bar to party together with Luke."
"So, if they forbid you, you’ll stop?"
"Of course not."
His face remained blank after that and I was glad that the pizza is already serve. I can’t continue to stare at him like that.
"Here’s one for you."
Then I gave the lemonade and one slice of pizza to him.
"Thanks."
"What about you did you three enjoy your college life?" 
I asked and he look at me.
"Like yours?"
"Yeah, party and booze."
"Nope. You can say that we are busy to do that."
I then shut my mouth and he sighed.
“You won’t ask questions anymore?”
Well, I’m busy too, but I make sure to do party so I can forget some problems.
"I’m good. It’s not that I am not interested but I just feel like… don’t mind it."
"Did you ever tried to visit us?"
"What answer should I say to you, a sweet lie or an honest one?"
I raised my eyebrows and he chuckled in the end. I was surprised by that reaction that my mouth dropped.
"What’s with the look, have you fallen for me now?"
"For a moment I thought you are Luke, stop joking around."
"I am not your Luke."
He grumpily said and finished his pizza. I just watch him looking annoyed.
"I think you two will be good friends."
"And what made you think of that?"
"First you two are both good-looking and smart. Both of you are that attractive on your own way and famous. You’ll caught everyone’s attention." 
I said that in a calm voice but I was trembling inside. Luke will tease me if he happen to hear this.
"Nope. We won't get along I'm so sure of that. I’m curious Is your friend single?"
"I think Luke was courting someone. Yeah, I'm sjre of it, I heard him talking to someone."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, or maybe not. Why did you ask?"
"Nothing. And you’re not this someone?"
"Silly, Nico. Hmm why are you asking question like this?"
His frows furrowed. Why is being grumpy again?
"I told you it was nothing."
"You keep saying that it was nothing but your actions were different."
"It’s because I…"
"I, what?"
"The truth is I was not being nosy."
"Sure."
I laugh and just another minute I spotted Uncle Kiero and Jasper outside and was talking to the manager.
"They were already here."
I said and fix myself first before I stand up.
"It was nice talking to you again, have a nice dinner Nico."
"Why don’t you join me?"
"Huh?"
"I still have many questions about you, let’s talk it over dinner."
"I thought you’re not curious at all?"
I raised my eyebrows and he then stand up. My eyes widened when he leaned towards me and smirk.
"I thought you already knew how to figure out what’s lie and not? So, I was wrong all along."
"I really can’t understand you."
"We are on the same page, Rosalyn."
"It was Elris."
"Sure, Rosalyn."
"I hate you." 
He still haven’t remove the smirk on his face and once again this familiar feeling brings back memories.
"Yeah, I hate you too."
I don’t know why I did feel irritated the moment he chuckled. Another why series.
“Why are you acting like this? This is not so you.”
I suddenly blurted that and he was surprise about it. I did pushed his chest and sighed.
"Forget it. Let’s go welcome them."
"Do you want to know why?"
I look at him again and gulped.
"Stop teasing me. They’re already here, let’s just talk later."
After that Uncle Kiero together with the other board members get inside and saw us. I smiled at them and they greet me.
"Elris, nice to see you here."
“Good to see you, Elris.”
"It was nice to see you too, Mr. Dewey, Mr. Steel."
"You’re not present on your Mom’s birthday last week?"
I remained the smile on my face and nod my head.
“Got busy on my new project.”
“Ah, I see. Please send my regards to your mother.”
“So, you three already knew each other. It’s good.”
Uncle Kiero nod his head and I said yes. I meet Mr. Steel last year, it was my Mom’s birthday and she did introduce me to everyone. While Mr. Dewey was my previous client.
"I once became her client.”
“Yeah, me too and she is the daughter of my friend. I also would like for my son to date her but she said that she would like to focus on her career first."
"I though you already have a boyfriend?"
Then Uncle look at Nicholas. I then shake my head and Mr. Dewey snapped his finger.
"That engineer, Am I right?"
"Engineer Luzres?"
"Luke? No, He’s my friend. We do not share that short of relationship."
"You two look good together."
"Psh, Why keep a lowkey relationship?"
"She already said that they were just friends. Rosalyn won’t lie about that, right?"
Nicholas suddenly interrupt our conversation and my eyes widened before I said yes to them. I then look at Mr. Dewey who was still shock.
"Gentleman, why don’t we sat down now?"
Said Uncle Kiero and l smile and nod.
"Yeah, right. Let’s now start the dinner. I know you all have so many things to talk about."
“Yes, let’s do that.”
-IAmRoseee