32 Chapter 32

Ana Louella

I don't know if Ace is avoiding me, but I haven't seen him in the university since the day I told him that I will try my best to enter his world. I often see the other two devils, especially Drake, but they didn't approach us which is quite surprising.

I honestly don't know what Drake's problem is. Every time he sees me, he would always scowl at me and then he would walk away. He could have just told me what the problem is, so we can settle it, but he is just avoiding me.

"That dimwit." I mumbled to myself.

I placed the cute heart-shaped pink box where I put my present for Jandi inside the paper bag. I honestly don't know if I should come to her birthday party or not, but I still prepared a present for her.

The devils will surely be there, and I don't want to see any of them at this moment, but I don't want to disappoint Jandi.

I guess I'll just post this gift to her place, but I don't know where their house is located.

"Right!" I exclaimed.

Drake is popular, and I'm sure, I can find his address on the internet. I took out my phone from my white sling bag. As I was searching for his information, I heard a series of honks, but I ignored it. I haven't found his address, so I just placed my phone back in my bag.

I stood from the couch when I heard the doorbell rang. I went towards the door and twisted the doorknob open and there, I saw Drake who was wearing a prince's outfit. I was so surprised that I couldn't even utter a single word.

'What is he doing here?' I asked internally.

"Are you deaf? I was honking my car for God knows how long!" He snapped as he scowled.

I rolled my eyes at him before replying.

"How am I supposed to know that those honks were meant for me?" I asked, and he furrowed his brows before replying.

"Dimwit! I even stepped out of my car and walked up to here!" He barked.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as calmly as I could.

He might do something bad to me any time. I should have brought my phone with me and called Andrei.

"Come with me." He said without looking at me.

"Why would I?" I asked confusedly.

"Louella, will you just come with me?" He snapped.

"Never." I said as I rolled my eyes at him.

"Fine! Jandi won't start her birthday party without you, dimwit!" He barked.

I'm having a debate with myself whether to come with him or not.

'Should I?' I asked innerlly.

I shook my head to remove those thoughts in my head.

"I won't come with-" He cut me off with his glare, and the next thing he did surprised me.

He picked me up as if I was a sack of rice, and I instantly wriggled free from his hold.

"Put me down, Drake!" I screamed.

"Don't worry, it's a princess-themed birthday party." He said.

"Why would I trust you? You almost killed me last time!" I snapped.

"Just shut the fuck up Louella! I wasn't even planning to kill you, so why the heck are you accusing me of something that I didn't even do?" He yelled.

"You-"

He opened his car's door and placed me on the passenger seat. He was about to close the door, but I stopped him.

"I need to get Jandi's present." I said.

"Don't you dare get out of this car, or I will kill you." He threatened before he closed the door.

"What have I gotten myself into?" I sighed.

After a few moments, he went inside the car and gave me the paper bag where I placed Jandi's present.

"Did you lock the door?" I asked.

"What am I? A dimwit? I'm not like you." He snapped.

I didn't respond anymore. He started the car's engine and then we drove away in silence.

'Is this the right thing to do, or should I ask him to stop the car?' I asked innerlly.

I shook my head. Knowing Drake, he won't stop the car, so what is the use of fighting him? More than that, there is no other way I could give my present to Jandi.

'Let this journey be safe.' I prayed as I stared at the trees that we were passing by.

I was uncomfortable during the whole ride. Thankfully, we have already arrived at their house... or I must say, their mansion. I think four or even six families can live in their mansion. That is how gigantic their house is.

He led me to their enormous front porch where Jandi's birthday party was set up. The front porch was filled with things that can be usually seen on tea parties. There are few elegant round tables surrounded with chairs, cute floral-patterned teapots and teacups, and different kinds of pastries and sandwiches. It was as if I'm really at a princess' tea party.

There aren't many people here, and I was surprised to see no child beside Jandi. Doesn't she have friends at school whom she can invite? Perhaps, she is home-schooled... but what about her cousins? Sadly, her parents aren't even here.

I counted all the people including myself. We are only eleven, but we are surely enough to make this little girl happy on her birthday.

I looked around to find Jandi and when she saw me, she immediately grinned at me and ran towards me.

"Ana!" She exclaimed as she hugged me.

"You'd come... I knew." She said as she grinned at me.

"Of course, I will." I said and smiled back at her.

"Princess... you look like." She said as she ran her hand on my pastel pink tulle dress.

"And you look more beautiful than a princess." I said and she instantly grinned at me.

"But where's your tiara?" I added.

"Broken." Jandi sobbed.

"She threw it on the floor when she didn't see you." Drake added and I looked up to look at him.

He scowled at me before sitting. He took a cookie and shoved it in his mouth.

"What?" He snorted as he munched the cookie.

I ignored his question and looked back at Jandi.

"Hush now. I bought a tiara for your present." I said.

I kneeled and took out the box from the paper bag that I'm holding. I opened the box and took out the tiara. Then, I placed and secured it on Jandi's head.

"There you go." I said, Jandi gave me a sweet smile.

"Happy birthday, Jandi. Don't ever forget that you are always beautiful." I added as I kissed her cheek.

Jandi kissed my cheek and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you." She whispered.

I stood and held her hand.

"Shall we start your birthday party?" I asked.

"No... Tea party!" Jandi exclaimed, and I chuckled before replying.

"Oh, right! Shall we start your tea-rrific tea party, Princess Jandi?" I asked, rephrasing my previous question.

Jandi nodded and smiled at me. She tugged my arm and led me to a table where Drake was sitting on one of the chairs around it.

"Let's start!" Jandi exclaimed.

The people started taking their seats and made themselves comfortable as they ate pastries and drank some tea.

"Sit, Louella." She said.

I was about to sit two seats away from Drake, but Jandi stopped me.

"No... next to JD, please." She said, and I slapped myself mentally.

I don't want to sit next to a devil!

"Will you stop calling me that?" Drake snapped at his sister.

"Let her be." I snorted as I sat on the chair.

"Shut the-" Jandi cut him off.

"No fighting, please." She said.

"What have I missed?" Someone asked, and we turned our head to see who it was.

Ace and Dane who were wearing prince's outfits were standing behind us.

"Dane! Ace!" Jandi exclaimed and then she kissed both of their cheeks.

"We already gave your presents to your nanny. You can open them later." Ace said.

My eyes were immediately glued on him the moment he came, but he wasn't even looking in my direction, so I just bowed my head in shame.

"Thank you. Sit, please." I heard Jandi say.

"Ace, Dane... This is... Ana, my friend." She added.

"Ana." She said as she tapped my shoulder, and I looked up to see her.

"They're JD's friend... and mine too." She said, and I smiled at her weakly.

"Nice- nice to me- meet you guys." I stammered out of nervousness.

"Cut the crap, Louella. You know them." Drake snapped.

"Really?" Jandi gasped in wonder, and I nodded at her.

"You guys friends?" She asked and for the second time, I mentally slapped myself.

"No."

"Yes."

Drake and I answered simultaneously. I answered yes because I don't want to ruin her birthday, but Drake ruined the moment.

"I believe, Ana. JD's mean." Jandi said as she smiled at me.

"He's mean... but for now, my prince… JD." She said and then she turned to me.

"You have no prince." She said.

"I-" She cut me off.

"Ace... Ana's prince. Let's dance!" She exclaimed.

I looked at Ace for a moment to see his reaction, but he was wearing a poker face. I saw Drake scowling in my peripheral vision.

What is wrong with them?

"Come on, Ace." Jandi said as he tugged his brother's arm.

"I'll be her prince. Right, Louella?" Dane spoke out as he turned to me.

I looked at him, but I honestly don't know how to react.

"I-" I started, but Ace cut me off.

He stood and held out his hand to me.

"May I have this dance?" He asked.

I saw Drake scowled at Ace then he turned to me and glared at me before leaving the table.

What is wrong with him? Why can't he just let her sister be happy even just on her birthday?

"Dane, dance with me. JD's so mean." Jandi snorted.

I turned to Ace and looked at him skeptically. I don't know if I should dance with him or not. I can't even believe this is happening.

I was about to respond when Jandi took my hand and placed it on Ace's hand. I rose from my seat, and Ace led me to a spacious spot beside the table where the pastries were placed. He took the other and placed both of my hands on his shoulders

"Let's all dance! Music, please!" Jandi shouted.

Everyone gathered around us as the music started to play, and we all danced. I can see Jandi grinning from ear to ear, and I couldn't get happier.

"This is all for a show." I heard Ace whispered nonchalantly.

"I know." I whispered back.

"I still hate you." He said.

"Why are you talking to me then?" I asked as I looked into his eyes.

"I am not-" He snapped but stopped talking when he noticed Jandi had turned to him.

"Just shut the fuck up, Louella." He whispered angrily.

He was scowling at me the whole time we were dancing, and I had no choice but to bow my head. As much as I want to look at him, I can't because I know that he will just get even angrier with me.

"Am tired. Eat... let's eat." I heard Jandi say before she walked towards the table as Dane followed her.

Ace held both of my hands and let them go; then he followed Jandi and Dane. I instantly felt cold and empty the moment he let go of my hands, but I can't do anything about it. That moment is over, and I have to accept it.

"Ana, come here!" Jandi exclaimed.

With a heavy heart, I walked towards the table where Jandi, Dane and Ace were staying.

That moment may be over, but I am still hoping that I will have more moments with him.