Chapter 145: Drama King Much? [June’s POV]
After literally dragging Marcus up the stairs with me...because, the actual party was happening upstairs, not downstairs, he finally gave in.
"Bro, why are we even going up here?" he muttered like a grumpy old man.
"Upstairs is where the actual fun is."
I shot back, already pulling him by the wrist.
The bass got louder the higher we climbed, the floor under our feet was practically vibrating.
The second we reached the landing, it was chaos. People were dancing and screaming the lyrics like it was Coachella, couples making out against the wall.
Some guy was standing on a table pouring tequila into a funnel while people chanted.
Others were playing beer pong.
The air was filled with sweat, perfume, and beer.
Someone’s drink splashed across my ankle and I had to yank Marcus faster before he complained about that too.
Marcus groaned beside me, wrinkling his nose. "This is disgusting."
"Relax," I laughed, tugging him closer so no one shoved us apart. "It’s a party. This is literally the point."
He was still muttering something about how loud the music was when movement caught my eye.
Ash.
Slipping through the chaos. And right behind him, Dominic. Both of them disappearing into a side hallway. My boy was really pulling the quarterback.
Ohhh.
I tilted my head, already opening my mouth to call Ash’s name...but stopped. Marcus didn’t notice. Thank God. He was too busy glaring at the guy spraying champagne onto the ceiling.
"Look!" I blurted, pointing toward the DJ booth across the room. "They have actual smoke cannons....like at a concert."
Marcus squinted, distracted instantly. "That’s so dumb. Who even needs...."
Perfect. While he was ranting, I snuck another glance. The hallway was empty now. They were gone.
Marcus was still talking. Something about how smoke cannons were "a waste of electricity" and "not good for global warming" or whatever.
I nodded along, pretending to care, but my eyes weren’t on the DJ booth.
My eyes had already caught something way more entertaining. Movement and giggling from the stairs to my left.
Then I saw him.....Ian Han.
He came strutting down the stairs with some random girl clinging to his arm, red cup in his other hand.
He looked smug, cocky, the way he always did....until out eyes met.
And then....oh my God.
He froze mid step and choked.
Literally gagged on his own drink.
Half of it spilling across his shirt.
Well. That wasn’t the reaction of annoying, cocky Han. That was the reaction of someone who just saw a ghost. Or, more accurately... someone who never expected me to show up here. In this outfit.
I blinked at him slowly, tilting my head, fighting a smile.
The girl beside him literally jumped back, saw him staring at me, rolled her eyes at me, and walked away.
I didn’t laugh though.
No, no. I just blinked up at him, slow as hell, and tilted my head like ohhh, I caught you slipping.
The best part? He couldn’t look away. His eyes stayed locked on me, dragging down my outfit like he had no self-control. Yeah, keep drooling, Han. Try not to faint.
He was rattled.
And I liked it. A lot.
I shifted my weight, letting the skirt ride up just a tiny bit, pretending to adjust my hair like I didn’t notice. But I noticed. And I could feel the way his stare followed me.
Meanwhile, Marcus finally stopped his rant and turned toward me. "Did you even hear what I said?"
"Mmhm," I hummed, eyes still locked on Ian, who was still smiling like a loser.
And okay, maybe my stomach flipped once. Because if I’m being real, I didn’t hate that look. I wasn’t supposed to care. But the fact that Ian Han was losing it over me? God, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel good.
But all I could think about was finding Ren among the chaos, wondering if he would notice me like this. And also gag on his drink when he sees me.
Marcus finally stopped ranting about smokecannons and followed my gaze. He frowned, his eyes landed on Ian.
"Why’s he staring at you like that? Ugh, he’s so weird." Marcus held my wrist like he was shielding me. "Come on, June, don’t let him creep you out."
I smirked. "Maybe because I look hot?"
Marcus’ frown deepened. "He’s creepy. Don’t... don’t give him the satisfaction, June."
Oh, Marcus. Sweet, clueless Marcus. Protecting me without realizing Ian wasn’t glaring. He was drowning.
Ian started walking towards me. And Marcus couldn’t take it. He let go of my wrist suddenly, like he was searching for an escape.
"Y’know what," he said quickly, forcing a shrug, "I’m gonna check out that beer pong table. At least those guys aren’t creepy."
"Uh, okay? Have fun."
He just stalked off toward the beer pong crowd.
My lips curled into the faintest smirk, just enough to let Ian know I noticed him.
Ian moved toward me. My chest flipped as he got closer and closer, until I could smell his faint cologne, and feel the heat radiating off him.
I swore he was about to say something. Instead, he brushed right past me.
His hand brushed against mine as he moved.
Not a word. Not even a glance.
Like I didn’t exist.
That was so weird.
The crowd swallowed him a moment later, and I stood there, heat prickling up my neck.
"Wow," I muttered under my breath. "Drama king much?"
Marcus was gone, lost somewhere in the beer pong crowd.
Ian also disappeared into the crowd, leaving a strange emptiness behind.
I exhaled slowly, trying to shake the tension.
So what did I do?
I looked around, and saw the pool.
Blue lights glowing under the water. People hanging off the edge.
Perfect distraction.
I still have no idea where Ren is.
I walked toward it without thinking twice.
Cold water sprayed on me from someone cannonballing nearby.
The neon lights kept reflecting off the rippling water onto my skin.
Down to my left, standing in the pool.
I saw Ren.
He was leaning casually against the edge, wet hair slicked back, his pale skin catching the light just right.
He was smiling, staring ahead. My chest clenched. That one smile... I’d been waiting all night to see.
I wanted to walk, to run, to dive in, whatever it took just to reach him.
I let my top slip over my head, placing it on an empty chair.
And then, I removed my skirt, revealing the bikini I had on underneath.
I shook my hair out, glanced over my shoulder.
At that moment, I felt like I was daring the universe itself.
I was nervous, vulnerable and unstoppable all at once.
Slowly, I moved along the poolside.
I whispered to myself, "I’m going to meet him." My voice shook, but it was a promise.
My hands lingered in the water, sending ripples across my skin.
I thought I saw him glance toward me... but no, his eyes lingered elsewhere.
Ren’s smiled, and stretched his arm out.
I squinted, trying to focus, and then my stomach dropped.