Sixteen

•DEMI•

(POV)

Fixing my navy green cargo cap and my eyeglass as i exit from my car at the under ground parking with a donut box in hand to make peace with my mom.

Walking cautiously towards the elevator, observing if there are Bright's fans are in the area to kill me.

I'm still shocked to know i'm trending in twitter. Some people said nice things about my exhibit and my art, others are pissed off as why I'm close to the famous duo. At first they let it slide but this time, I don't know now.

I even used my Brightwin acc just to know if they are searching for me now. I'm terrified of their capabilities. They can track and trace me in one single snap.

I picked my phone from my front pocket to check who calling me.

Mom.

"Where are you? I just went out with your auntie Maria and you're gone? Are with Bright?" Mom said in her highpitch voice.

I sighed "Ma, I went to Charlie. I dropped by to give your souvenir for Mace. I'm in the parking area. I'm heading up now"

"Okay. Good. Hurry up and we need to go somewhere."

"Okay i brought your fav–

She hangs up on me.

I take a deep breath to relax myself.

Mother. Is being menopausal this unpredictable?

Putting my earphone on my left ear as i entering to the elevator and press my floor key. As the door close. A lady in a hurry jog towards the elevator to stop it from closing.

"Wait!"

I push the key to stop.

"Thanks."

She said panting as she enter the elevator carrying a bag full of groceries. showing her beautiful smile.

She's wearing a bucket black hat, white flowery dress with oversized black denim jacket and white converse.

I never knew there are young people living here. This place is far from universities.

"You're welcome."

I smile at her briefly and asked pointing the elevator keys.

She looked at it and said sweetly "I'm in the same floor." looked at surprisedly.

Oh. Same floor?

I nodded. Cleared my throat. Putting my left hangging earbuds on my right ear. Lean on the side of the elevator wall.

She looked at me strangely as i saw the reflection on the wall, Pretending I was listening to my earphones.

When i heard whispering in my side.

"Oh! You never guess who my neighbor is!?" She whispered enthusiastically.

"Meimei O."

I froze.

Does she know i can hear her?

Is she one of their fans?

I continue listening and close my eyes.

"No kidding!"

"Yes! She's in the elevator with me."

"Proof? Why would i?"

"What? I can't ask her that!"

"Oh.... I'll try but please don't tell anyone. Okay talk to you soon."

She cleared her throat and tap my shoulder.

I open my eyes, remove my one earbud and looked at her curiously

"Excuse me? Are you Meimei O.?" She said shyly with her phone in hand.

"Y-yes." I nodded

Why the heck she knows my name?

this is it. I'm gonna die today.

"I'm Namtan. My brother is a huge fan of yours. Can i have a photo with you?" She smiled softly.

I paused.

She wants my photo? I'm not famous.

Her face seems familiar too.

Right. She looked like the celebrity on the billboard at the subway. She's a celebrity too?

Why I didn't know that?

"Are you here to get me?" Looked at here suspiciously

Her eyes went wide and said

"You talking about Brightwin, Wasn't? the twitter trending and they are talking about you.–"

"–Yes! You're here to spy on me?" I groaned

"God No!" She wave her hand disagreedly

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Positive!"

I sighed with relief.

"I thought you're one of their fans. You scared me for a second"

She laugh.

"I just want to prove my brother Patrick you're my neighbor. Besides I hate Bright but i'm a huge fan of Win." She said with a smile

Patrick? Could it be she's auntie Maria's daughter?

Could i be?

They don't lookalike.

Nah. Fat chance.

Namtan is so ladylike. I'm her complete opposite but i think i could be her friend. She's friendlier that i could imagine. We took photos with her phone and accompanied her to bring what she was carrying to her unit. She wants me comeover for a tea which i decline cause my mom is waiting for me.

–

"Why are we here mother?" I ask her annoyed

Standing in lobby wearing navy Tuxedo style mini dress paired with black ankle strap heels which she bought earlier with auntie Maria.

I was skeptical about it earlier and for sure i know now why.

I thought we'll just eat a fancy dinner with auntie Maria in a fancy hotel to celebrate the success of my exhibit.

Later i found out i'm enrolled to a crazy dating event sign by my own mother. If I didn't went to the restroom i would never found out. I overheard two girl gushing about the dating event today. This must be the reason why. So I confronted her.

"Don't give me that looked Demi. I just want you to meet someone" She said stubbornly.

I was holding the ticket with pamphlet with a weird event theme "singles who wants to mingle: Speed dating". Giving it to her back.

"I thought we're having dinner not this force speed dating you want me to do" i hissed with anger

"I will Not to this!"

"Demi Marie, don't used that tone on me. I'm your mother and you will do what i say–

"Ma, we talked about this. You promise me a date not multiple ones."

"You didn't agreed to meet Patrick when i asked you to?" She insisted

I sighed

"Cause You're forcing a busy man for a date, ma"

I'm about to go but i was stop by her hold on my wrist.

"Please honey. For your mom. I'm doing this for you honey"

I paused for a sec and face her.

"I love you ma. But I can't to this anymore. I can find someone on my own." I said. I removed her hand on my wrist and kiss her cheeks.

"Have fun on your speed dating, ma. I'll meet you at the house tonight."

She was shocked as i walk out

"Demi Marie! Come back her!" She hissed

"Auntie Maria will picked you up later" as i wave her goodbye with my back face her.

I picked up my phone to text auntie Maria for a favor to picked my mom up.

I signed. I need a drink.

–

Driving on my way to Moi's bar.

Listening to my favorites indie music to ease my mind which it was stopped by a phone call.

Bright calling...

I press the loud speaker.

"Are you okay? Did someone harrass you today?" Bright said worriedly.

I chuckled

"Hello to you too Bright. I'm good."

He sighed

"Are you sure? What did you mom says?"

"She was worried too but we talked it out." As i sighed

I can't tell him i almost had an speed date today. I'm lucky there are no people who knew me. That would be embarrassing.

"Wait?Are you driving? Where are you?"

"Your on loudspeaker. You worry-cat."

"Oh. Where are you heading?"

"I going to Moi's bar."

"Oh. I can't go there today....

if possible can you come over?"

He wants me to come-over to GMM building?

"Come over to where?" I asked.

There is someone calling him in the background.

"At my place.

I'll send you the address. See you–"

"–But

End call.

I didn't agreed to go.

What a cunning man.

1 message received.

–

I stopped by to the nearest bakery for a small cake for a house present. It would be rude not to have any.

Then drove to where his house located.

I'm in front of his door. Hesitating.

Should i really come here? I'm overdress for this.

I should have change my clothes first.

But mother would be there.

I sighed

It's now or never.

I take a breath and press the doorbell.

He opened the door one hand and drying his hair in the other.

"Come in– he paused for a sec

"Babe, why are you dress like that?"

I looked at myself shyly and said "oh, do i looked weird?"

He grab me inside his house and hug me. Quickly closing the door then he whispered at my hair

"No babe. You look ravishing"