Chapter 6: The Birthday Party

"When you trip over love, it is easy to get up. But when you fall in love, it is impossible to stand again." — Albert Einstein

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Victoria Pallos' POV (Unedited Version)

Times square hasn't changed with it's popularity. Still one of the most visiting places in New York. The place is still packed, noisy though entertaining.

We have been walking and entering stores for just passing time aimlessly with Natalia and Raffy. Ember was already back at our hotel because she's tired. Walking hours and hours at the mall, plus she already found the dress she wanted for tomorrow's night birthday party.

Though Xandrous had been cold to me the whole time, he hasn't left me.

I wanted to initiate some conversation but I always find myself retreating. He doesn't seem too interested conversing with me anyway, so I decided to just keep my mouth shut.

"Hey Vicky, let's get inside the Forever 21." I heard Natalia said behind me and Raffy groaned.

"Babe, you already bought like countless dresses for only one occasion." Raffy complained, and Natalia pouted.

"It's not like the dress would expire, babe. Hello, we are in New York ... It will be another lifetime before I get here." She said dramatically rolling her eyes heavenwards simultaneously. "Please, this is the last." She begs him, curling his hands around Raffy's neck and I watch them with jealousy. Raffy is obviously a whipped-ass.

"One kiss." Raffy grinned and yes, after one kiss, Natalia's luxury once again obtained with just one kiss.

Totally whipped.

Xandrous didn't move an inch when I followed them. I wanted to just look around too inside the store. When I notice him looking up the big metal sign just above the entrance, in a scrutinizing manner.

I rolled my eyes. I know he hated shopping.

I never remember he ever tag along with me, until this very day when we were still dating.

He only came today because of a reason of meeting someone to which unfortunately, didn't show up because there's an emergency according to him.

"Aren't you coming inside?" I asked unable to contain the irritation building up inside me. Just for once, can he just go with the flow?

He cocked up one eyebrow at me and I felt my blood tick.

"Go ahead. I'll wait here." He turned his back and look around and I know what he's looking for. A bench to sit and wait for us, but unfortunately there's nothing around.

"Can you just for once, drop that selfishness?" I stalk towards him and stop a good inches apart not wanting to block the way and not to gain attention, although just by his presence, women or men slows down to take a good look of him.

Women openly flirting and giving him an inviting stare, while men is obviously envious. With a throng of people, he's a spot on. It's like a living demigod, lost in the mortal world.

His eyes twitch and I knew I hit something hard. He soon close our gap, but his hands still deep down his pockets. He's looming over me with his predatory stance, rapacious stare pinned me.

I stood my ground and didn't flinch at his obvious silent attack.

"Look who's talking here?" Xandrous snickered. His dark cold eyes staring at me, with fire in his words.

I flinch inwardly, but I kept my unfazed demeanour. "What do you mean?" I grit out clenching my hands on my side.

"I kept this long because I thought you would changed, but you changed the worst, Victoria." He sneered mockingly. I could taste the bitterness in his tone and only ignited the hatred now growing inside of me for him. "When was the time that you acknowledge any favor I asked? All you care is all about you! Now tell me who's selfish?" He clenches his jaws and I pace a few inches backward. "I had to leave you because I can't take it anymore. I regretted that, but at some point, seeing you now ... you only made it me feel right about leaving you. That was the greatest lie I did, but I didn't regret it. I think we don't really meant for each other." He continued on. I could feel pain in his tone, and at the same time relief. It hurts me, and now I know why.

I remember those days where I would argue with him until my decisions will be met. I always wanted control, and I didn't know I'm already pushing him away from me.

Am I really selfish?

"I wanted to make it up with you, when you came back. I wanted to win you back." He looks around then back to me. I was glued to the ground listening intently to him. "When I asked you to be my date for every business event, you always turn me down telling me you hated parties. And then again, I always kept in mind to understand you because I wanted to win you back. Even though I always caught you partying with your friends, I still find myself understanding you, but then recently ... I just realized, you're really a selfish bitch!"

"I'm not a selfish bitch!" I snaps, tears threatening to fall. Hurt and pain settles in my heart. His words is like a sharp knife stabbing me slowly, twisting it painfully. It was awful.

He called me a selfish bitch?

His eyes are cold and stripped with any emotions. His tone is detach and I realized he doesn't love me anymore. That thought only made me feel empty and rebellious.

"Yes, you are Victoria. You wanted attention. You want people to kiss the land you walk on. You wanted to be the center of attraction. You wanted to be praise and worship by this people around you, but you never care about how they feel." Xandrous said his voice getting lower, though hatred and bitterness is clear in his voice.

I stiffened and I knew I felt it in my bone, he was right but damn I won't ever admit it.

I know I was always the outcast, so he can't blame me to be attention-seeker.

I grew up with bitterness and grudges in my heart to the point of flirting with all these guys who wanted to date my sister and in the end broke their heart.

Yes, I felt remorseful, but then it feels right to me.

I hated the fact that she doesn't do anything, but seems like everyone likes her and she always gets all the attention and I was the outcast.

"I just hope you will change for my friend Nicolai. He maybe an ass, but he's a nice guy. Good luck to both of you." His detach voice interrupted my thoughts and I stared at him with repulsion.

Yes, he's over me.

I was about to retort when his phone rang.

"Yes," he started and I was just watching him. Our eyes still locked, but emotionless.

"We are already here. We will wait you here at the Forever 21 store." He said and I wonder who he was talking to.

Was it another girl?

Hope not. I haven't recovered from the revelations yet of the fact that he's over me.

He stuffed his phone in his pocket and spoke lowly. "Nicolai and Elle is coming to meet us here." Then he turns on his heel to his right and walk. I stood there feeling lost and drained.

I blink back the tears and grounded my teeth.

No. I'm Victoria and I won't let anyone makes me feel down and a loser. He cannot affect my confidence and damn him. I can move on.

Nicolai is a good looking, successful man. I will do everything to make him fall for me and I'm sure it's not hard to love him. He's everything woman wants.

Heck, no man had ever resist my charm, Nicolai is no exception.

I tried to collect myself and show no emotion. I saw Nicolai and my sister coming- walking towards us. Xandrous walk back and stood beside me like nothing happened and annoys the hell out of me.

Get a grip Victoria. It's not helping if you lose your temper.

I smiled when I saw them as they are nearing and when my eyes landed to their hands intertwined, jealousy crept over me.

I hated the thought that Nicolai likes my sister.

Hell no. I'm the fiancee. At least this time, I don't feel like the villain.

As soon as they are close, I stalks to Nicolai and hold his hand smiling broadly and close the gap. "Hey babe, what took you so long?" I asked sexily and gave him a peck on his lips.

It wasn't intended, but I just found myself doing it. I heard my sister exchanging pleasantries to Nat, Raffy and Xandrous.

"Hi Elle, you look beautiful!" I heard Xandrous happy tone complimented my sister then pulled her for a long hug and kisses her cheeks.

Irritation bubbles up in my system and I hated it. I hated the fact that he calls her beautiful.

Really?

God, the hatred I felt for my sister kept growing. She looks so naive and I hated the fact that she's playing innocent or she really is.

Still, I despise it.

We walk together and Nicolai hand in hand as we followed trying to ignore the jealousy creeping within me. I could hear them chatting so comfortably and laughing occasionally.

"So are you ready for this wedding?" I asked Nicolai and he chuckled, but I sense hollowness in it.

"Very interesting question." He started dragging every words, rolling in his tongue like tasting it. "To be honest, I never wanted to commit into marriage. I love my life, free and detached." He looks at me briefly and I smiled, not taking his words with offence.

Who wasn't?

I wanted my life free too.

No commitment.

"But who knows, maybe there's a hope with this arranged marriage and maybe we both find love along the way," he shrugs his shoulders, sounding uncommitted.

I thought he was right. Maybe we both fell in love in the process. Just takes time to know him better.

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Nicolai Petropoulis' POV

That night Alexandrous and I ended up in a bar with Rafael Benedict Valiente.

Raffy is a nice man and very loyal to my sister and never heard of him playing around with any woman. He's the opposite of me, Xandrous and Alex.

He is a duke after all.

He has a name to protect.

Dad who was also very protective of her didn't object about dating early.

We ended up at the Long beach bar. One of the fanciest bar in Manhattan and where high socialites usually hang out and get laid.

"Scotch mist here," I told the bartender and winks at her after. She gave me a flirty smile and the licks her luscious lips.

"Fuck it, Nico. You're engaged!" Xandrous snaps at me reminding me at my current situation. I wanted to smack his face but I held my temper at bay. I just stared at him like he just grew another head, then I scoff.

Raffy was only watching us while sipping his Hot Whiskey while Xandrous had Tiger Jack. I turned around after taking my drinks and thank the hot bartender. She gave me an inviting smile that I'm very familiar with and I would gladly take here anytime, but I knew I would just pissed Xandrous.

Xandrous seems not himself since this morning.

"You alright?" I asked as I made a sip of my Scotch. He was sitting in between us and Raffy.

We decided to sit at the bar instead on a table since we don't want to stay late anyway. It was the plan, but it's past midnight.

"Yeah." He nodded and made another sip with his eyes trained in the dance floor.

"So how's being the Duke, Raffy?" I asked Raffy and he just gave me a tight smile.

"Stressful, managing a a vast lands and holdings owned by my mom's family, is overwhelming and I'm still crawling to get myself habituate to everything." He sigh and then he chugs his drinks until it was half.

"Hey," I heard someone and I look on the guy coming. My smile widened.

Alexander James Demakis.

The genius beast shipping magnate and banker.

"Hey. I didn't expect to see you all here." He smiled and then we all gave him a brief manly-hug.

"So what's the plan?" Alex ask as he ordered his Blue Lightning.

He took one stool beside me. "Why don't we go take a table instead. It's hard to talk here." Xandrous suggested and we all agreed.

Alex then asked one of the staff for a table and the sexy staff led us upstairs where a vip lounge is empty.

The owner of this bar knew Alex since Mr. Russo's was Alex dad's friend.

We sat next to the railings where you could see everything going on in the lower floor. It's a perfect view to spot socialites who wanted one night stand.

"So is there anything to celebrate?" Alex ask as soon as we all settled. I was sitting across Alex. Raffy sitting beside me and then Xandrous beside him then Alex.

Xandrous deposited down his drink. "Yes." He said as he chortled softly and Alex looks at him in confusion. I was close to strangling him, honestly. "Nicolai is getting married." Xandrous added on and mockery is evident in his tone.

He really finds my situation funny.

I shot him a deathly glare and he just shrugs it off, making a successive sips on his drinks as he gave me a brief glance and then his eyes scanned the area again, with his fingers toying around the body of the glass.

"Wow!" Alex looks at me incredulously.

I rolled my eyes and chugged the remaining content of my glass. I lifted my hand to get the attention of the blonde waitress and ask another glass of Scotch mist. Xandrous ordered another glass of his Tiger Jack and so Raffy who was just watching us and once in a while pitch in.

He is really a guy of few words, but not the one to messed with.

His laser like eyes just like Xandrous is like stripping you off with just one hard stare.

"What did you eat that you let that woman shackled you?" Alex guffawed and I just shot him a disparaging stare, to which he just laugh more to my annoyance.

"You know you'll all end up marrying, right?" I told them just to lighten my feelings.

Alex guffawed more. Raffy just shrugs his shoulders while Xandrous shook his head like he couldn't believe what he's hearing.

"Seriously Nico. Marriage is the last thing in my mind until I die." Alex said as soon as his laughters died down.

I know he won't. He's the biggest man-whore of New York.

"Well, my condolences Nico. It's too bad. Sexy, hot mommas kept growing, you know?" Alex jested and Xandrous laughed at his humor and I groaned.

Raffy was laughing softly and I'm close to exploding.

"I thought you're going to propose to Claire Preira? Isn't it all over the news?" I asked although I know everything these scumbags behind these magazines are mostly lies, made up stories.

"Pfft." He just waves off and I chortled.

"Really, Alex? She's the longest mistress you had ever dated." I challenged him and he looks at me smugly.

He took his glass and made a double sip before placing it back down and met my eyes. "She's the best in bed so far." He remarks with a proud gait. "I'm happy with my life now. I don't need distraction or someone nagging at me whenever I'm late to go home, or I'm drunk, or I'm with someone, or fucking every girl I want." Alex grinned deviously.

Xandrous and Raffy was just watching the dance floor in the main floor, unsure if the two even listening to us and Alex.

I scowled at Alex and he just cocked up his eyebrow to which only increases my annoyance.

God, what situation was I in?

Am I ready to give up my bachelorhood?

I look around and watch as sexy ladies in their skimpy dresses hugging their beautiful curvy bodies only made me appalled with the decision of my father.

I quickly chugged my drink and I have no idea how much I've taken already, but I could already feel the alcohol kicking in my system, hard.

The time went by so quick and before we knew it, Alex, Xandrous, Raffy and me were all dead drunk and couldn't remember how we get to our respective cars.

And how I got to the hotel safely is a miracle.

I woke up with the incessant ringing of my phone. I grunted loudly as I forcefully snapped my eyes open. My hands crawled on my side for my phone and then I felt it. Grabbing it then connected the call without checking, I spoke, shutting my eyes off while my other hand massaging my temple.

A headache is starting to grow.

"Nicolai," I started.

"Where the hell are you?" I heard dad's cold tone resonated in my ears and I felt the headache grew more.

I quickly pushes my body upright and glance on the side table clock. It's almost two in the afternoon. "I'll just drive there myself dad." I said calmly not wanting to ignite his anger.

I groggily got out of the bed and dragged myself to the washroom, while listening to my father's continuous ranting.

"Get your ass here in half hour. I hope you didn't get yourself drunk again, Nicolai!" Dad warned me and I groaned inwardly.

God, I'm twenty seven! What the fuck is wrong with them treating me like a teenager?

"Yes, dad." I answered calmly holding my irritation at bay.

I heard the dial tone at the other line and I cussed non-stop chucking the phone on the bed, but it bounce and landed to the floor. I didn't bother picking it up.

I walk straight to the washroom and discarded my clothes which I wore from last night and just hurled the dirty clothes anywhere and stepped in the shower.

I showered as quickly as I can and dried myself completely. I ignored the growing headache and walk to my walk-in closet and pick a suit.

After I got dressed with my three pieced tailored suit, I left my penthouse just exactly 30 minutes.

Forty minutes later, I arrived at the other hotel which is only fifteen minutes drive to where's dad the rest of my family was at the moment. I was glad there's no cop anywhere. I had to drive a little higher than the maximum speed to get here earlier than fifteen minutes.

Dad, mom and the twins with Natalia was already inside the limo waiting for me.

Dad was shooting me a deathly glare and so was mom. I just brush it off as I gave the keys to the valet and then I climbed inside the limo.

It felt pack inside with me and dad, plus Markus is getting taller too.

As soon as the limo started to move forward, I comfortably leaned on the support and close my eyes trying to get more sleep since I feel so exhausted and drained from last night. Tonight, it's going to be another unstoppable drinking.

I could hear mom and dad's talking, and once in a while my brother and sisters butting in. Not long, my eyes drifted to darkness.

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Eleanor Pallos' POV

The party in the Demakis' estate is super grand. It's his 56th birthday and all his friends are here too. I saw the Mailov family, the Valiente family, and so my family. The Petropoulis hasn't arrived yet.

Theia Alessandra Demakis still stunning, and her husband seems to never age. Still handsome, so as their kids.

Alexander who was very infamous for his ways especially with the opposite sex was indeed a walking demigod.

His self confidence is super high and at the same time mysterious which made him more intense ... He oozes with sexiness and hotness.

And now I'm starting to feel hot-mess, but still, he can't surpass the man I secretly love ever since.

But then again, Nicolai was now engaged to my sister.

Angelik was with me all the time, but busy texting. We were both sitting on the couch watching everyone talking.

Victoria and Clara was talking at the other couch, laughing occasionally. The two I knew were best of friends.

Not long, I heard theios Nicolas' booming voice coming inside. I didn't move from the couch, so was Angelik. We just watch them exchanging pleasantries from where we seated.

I saw Nicolai emerging from the one corner and approach theios Stavros

My heart skip a beat with my eyes glued to him.

He looks impeccably gorgeous with his perfectly-fitted tailored three-piece navy suit. I look away when I noticed his eyes roaming around. As much as I wanted to memorize his perfect face and drowned myself with his enthralling face, I pretended I didn't see him, but for some reason, I could feel his eyes burning my skin.

Dammit!

I made a successive sips on my wine and Angelik nudge me with her elbow.

"What!" I hissed not looking at her direction.

"He's looking at you." I heard her said and I ignored it, but my heart is beating so fast.

"Shut up!" I snap at her and I could feel Angelik hot stares.

"Look at me, Elle." She demanded with an irritated tone, so I reluctantly turned my face to her, but then my eyes caught Nicolai's eyes staring at me. I quickly look at Angelik, shaking off that familiar feelings starting to coiled within me.

I was hyperventilating inside.

"What?" I asked her again, hoping she couldn't read my mind.

"Nothing." She said after giving me a lingering look. I'm glad her phone beeps again meaning she got another text.

Again, she was glued to her phone.

I found my eyes wandered to the his direction, and then I saw him approaching us.

My heart then went wild and pummelling against my ribcage. I was holding my breath as he gets closer, looking so mighty fine.

A man I would never gets tired staring at.

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A/N: Hey guys.. Here we go.

In here, I drop some a little teaser on what's going on between Alexandrous and Victoria... I'm not putting Alexandrous POV's here since that would spoil the their story. I just put a little teaser for you to have an idea (just a little bit...) of what was going in between them and Alexandrous.

Hope you like it...

Please just overlook any mistakes you come across with. It's a rough draft and I have no time to rerun or reviewed it.

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Thank you and don't forget to leave your comment..

Thank you and have fun reading...