12 Chapter 12

After I did my assignments, I went up to my room and locked myself inside. Something's bothering me. I don't know what is it. I feel like I don't want to see him. I feel like I can't handle his presence.

I took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. My chest is tightening. My heart is throbbing inside its cage and my feet are wobbling in an unknown reason.

I knocked off from my trance when someone knocked on my door. I fidgeted as I ran towards the door to open it for someone. And when I opened the door, a familiar face came into view.

"Nanny," I called out under my breath, feeling relieved.

"Why? Are you expecting someone?" She asked as she peeked inside.

"None," I sighed in relief and whirled around to go back to my bed and I felt her following me.

"Why aren't you dressed up? Aren't you coming over?"

I frowned in sadness as I sat beside my bed and she walked towards me while wandering her eyes around.

"I'm... just tired. Mom knows I'm going to attend a party." I folded my arms over my chest and looked at her straight who's looking at me now.

"I guess it's just a brief conversation. I heard Royal's going to announce something."

"Do you have any cue about it?" I asked quickly, contracting my brows in curiosity and I brought my hands down.

"None, dear." She said with a sigh and took the space beside me. "Why? Is it bothering you?" Her eyes are screaming grief and I looked down, feeling totally worthless and unwanted.

Tears threatened to fall but before they'd do, I stiffened and rubbed my eyes. But I knew it's no sense at all 'cause I broke down into tears.

"I-I don't know what to do, Nanny." I said between a sob and looked up to face her. "I'll be moving to Italy. I know it'll hurt him but I have no choice. If only I have a good relationship with people here, maybe I will stay here forever."

"Shsh." She shushed me soothingly and in a moment, she clung her arms around me, so did I to her. "I'll be okay, my dear. Give yourself a time and space. They said time heals wounds. You don't have to stay if you can no longer endure the pain."

I loosened up from her and gulped once as I turned to her.

"He told me he understands me, Nanny. But lately, he became cold which I don't understand."

Nanny remained silent instead of answering me then she held my hand and looked at me straight.

"You must be in love with him." She concluded, but more like she stated her line. And she placed my hair behind my back, some are behind my ear.

"Yes, Ny." I said in a low voice. Tears pooled over my eyes as I could feel my heart slowly sinking. "But I know he's not yet fully recovered from Ria. Maybe he's just trying to move on from her by loving me."

"No," she quickly disagreed with a shaking head. "He loves you, sweetheart. I have witnessed it eversince. I just don't know why he has a girlfriend."

"'Cause maybe I'm too young for him." I answered and looked away. "Or maybe..." I sighed in pain and looked down, feeling dejected. "My parents trust him so much so he has to see me only as a younger sister."

"Maybe," she agreed and I sighed again. I don't know what to do.

Five o'clock when mom and dad drove away. They didn't wait for me since I told them I can go by myself. Good thing they agreed. I have a driver, anyway.

"What?! Don't tell us you won't come?" I heard Janrez blurted out as I told my friends I have to show up inside Royal's house 'cause my parents might kill me if I'll defy them.

I'm still inside my room, pampering myself with beauty products. Honestly, I don't have any plan of going somewhere. I feel like I just want to cage myself inside my room for the whole night. I don't want to see any faces but I have to. I have to go and meet Royal.

"Of course I will." I said, reassuring them. "Dad told me I can go once the announcement is done."

"But, how sure are you you'll join the party with us?" I heard Trixie asked worriedly and I faced them in torpor.

"Kill me if I won't show up." I told them and they sighed because they have no choice. "Promise, I won't take long. Wait me until 9."

"Just make it sure, Alraine Raphaela." Angelika stated in her warning voice and I chuckled at her.

"Yeah, sure." I said and wiggled my brows.

I wore a caged halter top, floor length circle skirt and pumps. I wore nude make up to look more presentable. I suddenly wonder what is the announcement all about. Is it really important because we have to be there just to hear it?

After everything, my driver took me to Royal's house. I didn't miss his compliments. He told me I'm blooming. He asked me as well if I'm in love. I just told him I have to look presentable 'cause that was what my mom told me to do so.

As I marched the entrance, a familiar face of a man showed up before my eyes. Wearing his beautiful eyes, I can't help but adore him. He looks good tonight and I think it's my very first time to see him wearing a white tux. His hair is slicked back, which makes him more gorgeous.

"Hey!" I greeted him between my smile and scanned his body. He looks matured enough.

"H-hi," he stammered as he can't look at me.

"I think this little reunion is very important." I stated. "We all are here. Who else?"

"Alpha!" Someone called me in a beam and I turned to him, who's wearing his glowing smile while walking towards us.

"Rocco..." I called out in a smile and scanned his whole body. Just like Riley, he's wearing a tux but a color black.

"I was looking for Riley when I saw you." He stated and looked at me from head to toe. "And I thought thrice before I made a conclusion that you're Alpha."

"Ows," my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

"You look stunning. I suddenly wonder if you're in love with someone."

I noticed Riley's silence so I turned to him.

"Riley looked beautiful too." I said in a smile and turned to Rocco. "And of course, you."

"Thank, darling. Anyway," he turned to Riley. "Ria's been looking for you."

My lips parted in disbelief. Did I hear it right? Ria is here?

"S-She's... here?" I asked and unconsciously gulped once. Then Rocco turned to me with a smile.

"Yup." He simply said. "Aren't you informed?"

I scrunched my brows.

"Nope." I plopped the last sound of my word as I shook my head. "In fact, it's too late when I knew about this. I was planning to attend a school party."

"Oh," he murmured under his breath. "Yeah, about that... I guess I can't come."

"But why?" I quickly asked. "Everyone will enjoy the valentine's party. I-I mean..."

He chuckled at my reaction.

"Nevermind." I said under my breath.

After our short conversation, they excused themselves because Ria's been looking for Riley. Trixie's image suddenly lingered inside my head. She told me Riley will dance her on the dancefloor. But what about now? Knowingly he's here and I guess he has no plan in joining the party.

What about Trixie? So sad for her if Riley won't show up.

As the program started, we settled on our seats while listening to the emcees. It's a program but they assured us that it's just a short program. After revealing the announcement, everyone is allowed to go home if they want to.

Riley sat in front of me while Rocco took his seat beside me. He's with his girlfriend, Talitha. And I know Talitha because she was once my classmate in high school. And I'm happy that she got Rocco. They look good together.

"Do you have any idea about the announcement?" I asked Rocco.

"None." He simply said but I knew he was lying. I can see it in his eyes.

"Your boyfriend is lying, Thali." I whined as I scowled at Rocco.

"Yeah," she answered. "Kick his ass if you want to." Then she bursted into a soft laughter.

"Hey!" Rocco whimpered at his girlfriend then turned to me. "It's too private, Alpha. And I don't want you to spoil the moment."

I frowned at him but he just gave me a teasing smile. When I turned to Riley, he looked away which made me frown more. I hate it when they are keeping secrets from me. I feel like something wrong will happen.

"And for the most awaited moment..." the emcee knocked me off from my trance. I sit up straight as I ready myself to listen. I'm still clueless about this announcement. "Let us all welcome... Rourke Yalenati Mocetti. A round of applause please." After that, a familiar physiques came before my eyes. My breathing twitched as I saw him wearing a black tux and oblong eyeglasses. My heart palpitates as my feet are triggered to run away. I can't help but pant in silence because it feels like it's my very first time to see him that way.

"Good evening, everyone." He greeted between a smile. I can feel him fidgeting because of something I don't know. Maybe he's nervous and excited at the same time. "Before I'll proceed to the main reason why I invited everyone of you here, I would like to thank all of you for coming." Everyone clapped their hands, except me whose heart is sinking. Seeing him so happy scorches me so bad. I feel like he doesn't need me to be happy. That he's okay if I'll leave 'cause he can handle himself. "Okay..." he chuckled softly which made my tears pool over my eyes. I hate this thing. Why am I even here?

He took a deep breath and everyone's waiting for his next line. Then suddenly Rocco shouted.

"You can do it, bruh!"

"Yeah," Royal smiled heartily. "Anyway, may I call the girl of my life?" My breathing hitched as my heart hammered inside my chest. I know what will happen next and my feet want to run away but my butt is nailed on my own chair. So I pinched myself as I strained not to fall apart. "Marianne Venturi." He added and I totally fell apart.

A stunning girl with pinky white skin stood up with her smile. I can see overflowing happiness written on her eyes like she's entitled to be the most beautiful woman in the eyes of Royal.

What the hell are you doing here, Alpha? You should run away by now!!!

Everyone clapped their hands as they welcomed Ria with pleasing smiles. Then Royal gladly accepted Ria's hand as he gently pulled her girl closer to him.

Ria has an overflowing happiness in her heart. I can see it in her eyes.

She's wearing a red laced up suede halter crop top, high waisted navy blue jeans and a chunky pair of heels. She looks sophisticated with her simple outfits.

"I don't know how to start my words." Royal chuckled under his breath, so as Ria who is grinning. Her hair is tied in a messy bun.

Royal jerked up at someone and in a few seconds, Gero came into view. He's damn good looking man with his white tux, just like what Riley is wearing.

Gero took the microphone from Royal and placed it under Mocetti's jaw as he held Ria's hand between his smile.

I look away, feeling whipped. I strain to hold back my feelings, so as my tears, 'cause I feel like in any moment, I'll break down into tears.

Oh, Goddess Alpha. What a pathetic creature.

"As I have promised to love you unconditionally, I will always remain in love with you through ups and downs of our relationship."

Few people shrieked at Royal's statements. Ria, in the other hand, started to cry. Maybe because she also knows how this scene flows. And just in a moment, Royal knelt down in front of her, smiling between his tears of joy.

"I've been wanting you to tie with me, Ria. And now the time has come, I would like to ask you to be my lawful wife in front of everyone."

Ria chortled, making her dimples come into view. She's really goddamn beautiful like a goddess of fire.

"Will you be my most beautiful wife who is willing to take my last name?"

Ria broke down into tears as she nodded many times and I pursed my lips as tears are drowning my eyes. My heart is aching so bad and I want to go home and lock myself inside my room.

Royal stood up and hugged Ria in his unexplanable smiles. I have never seen any smile like that.

Everyone clapped their hands and some of them stood up like the two newly engaged got an award.

Royal slid the engagement ring on Ria's ring finger and he kissed her with all of his heart.

Just like I said, it's too impossible if Royal is in love with me. Look at him, Raphaela. He looks so in love with Ria. Methaphorically speaking, his heart is floating in the air while yours is drowning in deepest trench.