Chapter 2 First Kiss

I was staring at my reflection in the mirror once more and felt everything was perfect. I was wearing a pink sleeveless dress that was slightly puffy at the bottom, with prominent floral embellishments.

In dress, I don't like sexy clothes and too many open parts here and there. My mom smiled with a gleam on her face, I looked at her with a cheerful smile, but I was actually having an extremely nervous bout.

"Mama can't wait to see you get married; put on a wedding dress and be the prettiest," she said, and the melancholy started to come out; I took a deep breath and rolled my eyes, seeing her teary eyes. I got up from my seat, then turned around to face her; I hugged her affectionately.

"Mama will surely see that day and be happy, too," I comforted, but my heart suddenly became restless. Marriage is not on my list right now. Unravelling my embrace, then we both went to the living room.

"Sean, sorry for taking so long; take good care of my daughter, huh?!" Mama ordered with a smile; Sean smiled reverently, and I, standing next to Mama, was stunned by the beautiful scenery that I presented at this time. Mama nudged me in awe, then nervously walked over to Sean; as we were about to pass through the door, her hand touched my waist.

I felt like that touch electrocuted me, so we headed to his Mercedes Benz. As I sat in the car, I pressed my chest as if it was about to explode from my pounding heart; then Sean appeared and sat in the driver's seat.

Silence fell over us, but I didn't want to start a conversation either because I didn't know what to say.

"Sorry to surprise you with this engagement." He opened the conversation between us by apologizing; I looked down at my fingers that I was slowly twisting.

"I-I don't want to rush things," I stammered nervously.

"Me too," he said, the silence taking over us again until we reached our destination. Instantly, I stiffened in my current seat, crowding in front of the entrance. I don't want to bring up news that shocks everyone; I'm not ready.

"W-what!? There's no other entrance??" I asked nervously, mixed with panic. Oh, my God! Please save me, I bit my inner lip from nervousness and worry. If the media manages to see me with Sean, nothing will be able to save me from the news that will spread, and I don't want that to happen.

"We'll go through the side door of this building," he answered, then turned towards the side of the very grand building; there was an entrance with no crowds, only a security guard. Sean parked the car, got down first and opened the door for me. My body seemed to lose energy; he stretched out his hand to me; I looked at his hand doubtfully, then looked up at him; he gestured for me to return the helping.

Nervously, I put one of my hands in his, then he grabbed it, and I got out of the car. His grip was warm, and then he pulled my waist close to his body and entered through the door guarded by security. The two men guarding the door bowed respectfully to us; I bowed as we entered the building. This ballroom is spacious, and many people, of course; this atmosphere is increasing my nervousness closer to the highest level.

"Sean! Come here!"

Someone called Sean; I lifted my face to look at the caller. A beautiful Middle Eastern Indian woman was smiling, and we approached the woman. When we almost arrived in front of the woman, she seemed to cover her mouth with both hands, looking like she saw an amazing thing.

"Oh, Sean, you're so lucky," she said loudly; she came over and hugged me hard as if he wanted to squeeze my body; I gasped and was confused with this woman's treatment; she kissed one of my cheeks.

"Mama is right, and you are not wrong; you have to mingle and show off your affection; I want the world to know that this handsome but stupid Sean will marry a beautiful girl with a golden voice."

I held back my laughter at this woman's comment. How dare she say Sean is a stupid man? She must be someone very close to Sean.

"Ranila! Come here!" someone called, and the woman before me turned around. I also got an explanation out of my curiosity. So this is Sean's brother; I didn't expect his reaction to me like this; I was nervous because I knew what Sean's family was like, wealthy and classy, while I wasn't included in that list. I am a singer, but my fame is not comparable to Sean and his family. The woman called Ranila said goodbye before leaving us to approach a handsome man; they kissed for a moment before embracing each other. I'm guessing it must be her husband.

"Would you like something to drink?" I turned to look at Sean, then nodded, smiling; I was thirsty now because of my excessive nervousness. My Inner Goddess fanned her face with her hands; her nails were red, and several people in this room stared at us, making me nervous.

"Follow me," he said, combined with an order; he bent one of his elbows, and I looked at him confused; he motioned for me to take him; hesitatingly and shyly, I took his arm and walked to the dining table.

"What do you want to drink?" He asked again; I looked at the stemware, filled with red and clear liquid; there was also a dark blue colour. I know it's wine, but I don't drink alcohol.

"I don't drink alcohol," I refused; I formed my lips in a straight line. Do I have to die of thirst during this party?? That's ridiculous; I don't want to be in the news with the embarrassing topic 'Our newcomer singer Ariana Alexandra was found dead of thirst at a party'. My Inner Goddess looked disgusted at what I had just thought of while my senses spat forcefully to the side as a sign of humiliation and repulsion. I saw Sean take a glass filled with orange liquid; I think it was orange juice. He also handed me the drink; I immediately breathed a sigh of relief when I smelled the citrus aroma from the drink; thank God, I'm not dying of thirst here. When I drank my juice, I looked at Sean, who was also looking at me with his eyes that managed to make my heart skip a beat. Can this man not look at me like that?? There were many things in this room that he could gaze at and that were more interesting.

"Excuse me, are you Ariana Alexandra?" asked someone who cut off our stares; I took the glass away from my lips and turned to look at the questioner; I nodded and smiled. A rather handsome man, a fan(?) I was a little proud but turned disappointed after he said who he was.

"Hi, we're in the same management now; my name is Ariel," he explained, then reached out to me and shook it for a few seconds.

"Hi, Ariel, nice to meet you," I replied, trying to be friendly; Ariel turned to look at Sean and greeted him; Sean smiled lightly, and after talking for a while with Sean, the man left. The man seemed familiar, but I did not think about it any further.

"Want to dance?"

Sean turned my mind; I looked nervously at a group of people dancing with their partners near a group of musical instruments in the corner of the room; I nodded weakly, and then Sean grabbed my hand and held it; I followed him to dance. He put his hands around my waist while I wrapped my arms around his neck. My face must be blushing; my cheeks feel hot, and we move slowly left and right.

"Have you ever danced before?" I know he's trying to make small talk; I'm currently looking down at him. Oh, God! Really! He is very handsome.

"Never," I whisper, embarrassed but honest.

"Really? With a man not, though??" Sean looked disbelieving. I smiled shyly and shook my head; how ignorant I was. We stared at each other in silence, I was lost in his golden net, and unexpectedly, he kissed me; oh no! He took my First Kiss right here in the crowd.

At first, I was surprised; when he teased my lower lip, I was lulled and returned the kiss with a movement that I knew was very amateur. It was so sudden and intoxicating; his hand pulled my waist so it pressed against his body, and one of his hands pressed against the nape of my neck to deepen our kiss. I felt a strange sensation, flowing like water, vibrating me from within and reacting to my groin.

"Do you guys want just to get married without getting engaged? It seems you guys are impatient."

The voice stopped our kiss; I looked down in shame and awkwardness; Sean snorted in annoyance and sighed heavily.

"C'mon, Mom, what's wrong?" Sean asked with annoyance; I peeked at Aunt Ramia from behind my eyelashes. The elegant woman in the black dress sighed.

"Your wedding is next week."

Suddenly I immediately raised my face to look at the woman. I was just about to protest, but Sean preceded me.

"It's up to you, Mom," said Sean.

Wait. WHAT??

Has he gone mad?? Oh no! What should I do?? My tongue is dry; I can only swear in my mind.

"Okay then, Mama will talk to Aunt Alina again to cancel the engagement and replace it with marriage," concluded Aunt Ramia thoughtfully; I saw her smiling happily when the woman passed before us, and I turned to look at Sean.

"Why don't you refuse?" I asked with a bit of annoyance. Why am I just a little annoyed?? What is wrong with me??

"I want you, Ariana."

I'm in shock; what did he say?? Does he want me?? But I don't know him. It's like bringing up a new puzzle for me.

"Why??" I asked again, and he smiled.

"You'll find out later," he said, and I felt there was something behind his smile and words.