Music.
It could be vocal or instrumental or both that produce harmony and could even express emotions.
"Music could make people feel different kinds of emotions just by hearing it. Some music could make us feel alive or dance to the beat; some could make us cry or sad, to where we could relate to the lyrics; there is also music that could make us feel inspired and empowered or even relaxed and there is also some that could make us wanna fall in love. Music is powerful. Powerful enough to move people's hearts."
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JIMHUESH didn't expect the sudden attention he attracted when Kassandra headed his way and offered her hand for the dance. He had just arrived at the party and the last thing he wanted was a situation like this. He faked a smile and took Kassandra's hand as he led her to the center.
"I hate you," Jimhuesh murmured as he placed his free hand on Kassandra's waist and pulled her a bit to lessen the space between them.
Kassandra giggled as she put her left hand on Jimhuesh's shoulder. "I know you don't mean that."
As soon as Kassandra left those words, Jimhuesh plastered a smile on his face and the music began. The sound of the piano complemented the sound of the violin. The talented musicians were playing "Beautiful In My Eyes" by Joshua Kadison.
Kassandra and Jimhuesh both swayed to the rhythm of the music, slowly sliding side to side, their feet almost not moving.
"This is your punishment for always being late on my birthdays," Kassandra said as she pulled away and made a spin, then back to Jimhuesh's arm.
Jimhuesh chuckled. "Just make it quick, you know that I hate events like this."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, this will only take thirty seconds since I have to do this twenty-one more times." She sighed. "See, we're now done. Lead me to Rychie, he's next."
"Happiest birthday, Sandy." Jimhuesh smiled. He did what Kassandra asked for and gave her hand to Rychie--who obviously didn't like the idea of being the center of attention, too, by how his smile was so forced.
Rychie glanced at Jimhuesh who just shrugged and chuckled, as if he meant to say, "now is your turn, Ry." The spotlight on Jimhuesh moved to Rychie.
Rychie gave him a sneaky piercing glare and returned his attention to Kassandra. They went to the center and danced.
"Another fifteen minutes and we'll go home," Jimhuesh mumbled to himself as he glanced at his watch.
Thirty seconds was done and Rychie came back. Jimhuesh was about to tease him but what Rychie had said made him halt.
Did he hear him all right?
"What did you just say?" Jimhuesh said, brows furrowed.
"She's here. Ms. Senthie is here," he repeated.
Jimhuesh's thoughts couldn't process what was happening. Why would Ms. Salvador be here at Kassandra's birthday party? Did they know each other?
"That's unlikely. Why would--"
Jimhuesh was cut off when he followed Rychie's gaze. His eyes widened. Even if the woman was a bit far, he knew that it was indeed her. Ms. Salvador was here and their eyes met! Jimhuesh averted his gaze right away and turned around. "What is she doing here? And why is she looking this way?"
For some reason, he couldn't face her. The way Senthie looked at him seemed nothing but a pure coincidence, yet he felt uneasy and guilty as if a criminal just made eye contact with the police.
"Hey, Jim. Do you still feel guilty about Ms. Senthie?" Rychie asked, now in front of him.
"It seems so." Jimhuesh sighed as he placed a hand on his mouth--his index finger under his nose--and the other hand on his waist.
"I thought she has accepted your apology?"
Jimhuesh folded his arms. "Yes, that's what she said, but I don't think she has truly forgiven me since she doesn't want to see me again... So, it won't be good if I suddenly break my promise to her. After all, I'm a man of my word."
"Come on, Jim." Rychie patted his back. "Just talk to her, I'll make it happen."
"How are you supposed to do that?" Jimhuesh asked, smoothing his pink blazer before he put his hands on his white trousers.
"I'll take the lead. I will talk to Ms. Senthie first and then you wait for her on the balcony."
Jimhuesh sighed before he nodded. He agreed to Rychie because he would always trust him when it came to relationship problems, not only romantic conflicts but more than that. Rychie seemed to know what to do best to fix a broken relationship, or so, how to prevent a failing relationship. Jimhuesh would always wonder where he picked up his ways or how he could always make the best advice, though he would not talk about himself--about emotions. His own emotions that he would always avoid. Jimhuesh was only aware of how Rychie would face head-on any problems before they could get out of hand.
The idea of sending flowers to Senthie until she forgives was from Rychie. And now, another idea of his was about to take place as the emcee invited the guests to the dance floor. Kassandra and her last dance had already finished. Jimhuesh didn't even witness how it ended since he was busy practicing in his head what to say to Senthie once he finally had the chance.
"All of Me" by John Legend was the song that continued the music played by, of course, the musicians. Rychie began his plan and made his way to Senthie. He finally stood before Senthie and Jimhuesh could picture Rychie's face with a small and forced smile. Jimhuesh peeked at them while he began to walk, at the same time, hiding his presence from Senthie's sight, but his heart almost bounced out from his chest when Senthie's head turned to, perhaps, his way. He ducked immediately to hide behind a random woman and then checked again to see if she was still looking, fortunately, she was now talking to Rychie and seemed to be cool with it. Jimhuesh wondered if she had really forgiven him as he saw her smiling and nodding at Rychie, or could it be, she still had feelings for him?
Jimhuesh shook his head and laughed at his own thought. He started to walk towards the balcony--several meters away from where he was and further from Senthie's position. He grabbed a glass of wine when a food server passed and then sipped a little and halted his steps.
"No way," he muttered after he swallowed the liquid. "That was too long ago. Surely, her past feelings for Rychie did not ignite again, did it?"
Jimhuesh brushed off the idea and turned his heel to the balcony. He opened the massive sliding French door and the cool wind caressed his face as the few strands of bangs on his forehead flapped. He breathed in relief when he didn't see anyone on the balcony. He waited for almost ten minutes and wondered if Rychie hadn't succeeded with his plan. He kept on glancing at his watch, counting how many minutes had passed. It was now twelve minutes, and Jimhuesh was already tired and bored of waiting. He was about to leave when the door slid open.
He gasped as his hand automatically covered his mouth. He let out a nervous laugh and walked backward as he let Senthie enter the balcony.
"Ms. Salvador," he muttered as he clasped his hand on his back and pressed his lips together. He had almost lost his chance to clear his guilty conscience.
Senthie smiled--he didn't know if it was genuine or just a sarcastic one, but he did find her very pretty.
"Mr. Anderson," she paused and then walked towards the railings and put her hands on top. "Your friend told me to meet you just this once."
Jimhuesh came near her, now beside her a few feet away. Senthie looked at him, facing each other now, and then she added, "do you have something to say?"
He put his right hand on the top railings and let out a nervous sigh, inaudible. Jimhuesh nodded. "Yes. But please forgive me for breaking my promise this time and please know that I'm very thankful that you have agreed to speak with me again...this once."
Senthie stared at him and smiled a bit, but didn't say anything.
"I wanted you to meet me here so that I can make a decent apology. I wanted to apologize to you but I also like to keep my promise, that's why I just sent you flowers with a letter." He sighed and then placed his free hand on the top railings, now facing the ground, Senthie in his side profile. "I'm really, really sorry. I know that it was rude of me to pry into your private life but I did. There is no excuse for me being an arsehole but..." He trailed off and then stood straight as he looked into Senthie's eyes. "But please forgive me. I mean, yes, you can hate me, but I... I am hoping that you have truly forgiven me and maybe someday we can go back to zero and you'll see me only as the Vice President of GMC again...not an arsehole one."
Jimhuesh waited for Senthie's response but what he received was just a blank stare, so he became disheartened and said, "I'm sorry, I was asking too much. Forget that I said that."
"Fine. Let's go back to zero."
His eyes widened.
"What now?" Senthie chuckled. "Didn't expect that?"
Jimhuesh nodded, still stunned.
Senthie giggled. "Let's not get back to that time and just move on. I've already accepted your apology and I wasn't lying when I said that. But make sure you won't do it again unless you wanna feel guilty for the rest of your life."
She ended the conversation with a smirk on her face as she proceeded to come for the sliding door to open it, but Jimhuesh ran for it and instead made a request to her as he opened the door for her.
As though the musicians knew how to perfectly time the entrance of the two to the party, the song "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri was played as Jimhuesh held out a hand to Senthie. "May I have this dance, my lady?"
Senthie laughed and then gave her hand to Jimhuesh. "It would be an honor, my lord."
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Hello, Noomiells!
Thank you for reading this chapter. Hope you liked it. :D
What do you think is the relationship between Jimhuesh and Kassandra?
Do you like parties?
What do you think of Jimhuesh's apology? (For me, the way he apologized to Sen was cute XD)
I would like to know your opinion. Please, let me know! :D