STILL ETHAN’S POV!
Juliet and I decided to take one car and her parents took another one. Olivia decided to stay back and we agreed that her going to the party wouldn’t be a good idea as Tristan would be present there. Although I felt like they should talk things out, Juliet felt like they both needed some more time and I agreed with that too.
Alessia Stryker had recently opened up her first IT company. She was the daughter of one of mine and Juliet’s dad’s mutual friend and business partner, Bram Stryker. It was her launch party which was an excuse for her company to scout out some investors and clients which offered an opportunity for others to do the same, hence why such parties were important.
We reached the venue which was flooded by paparazzi more than ever because there was a rumor that Alessia’s actor sister would attend with her secret non celebrity boyfriend.
I noticed Juliet shift uncomfortably in her seat when the paps turned the glare of their cameras at our tinted windows. They wouldn’t be able to see us but for some reason Juliet seemed on edge.
I squeezed her hand to tell her she was going to be okay. The paparazzi weren’t allowed in and the few photographers and reporters from selected news and papers would be present and their main focus would be Alessia, her sister and her sister’s boyfriend.
Once we stepped out, she looked at ease when she saw the paps were being held back at the gate.
We quickly entered the party premises and I soon found myself swamped away in conversation with my friends and other prominent businessmen. Sadly I had to part with Juliet and I felt guilty to leave her even when I was her date for the evening but at least she wouldn’t be alone because soon enough I saw her talking to Amelia and Heather. From what it looked it seemed to be a pretty serious conversation and Juliet looked upset.
I wanted to go over and ask if everything was alright but another group of elderly people who were important to have good relations with caught me and I didn’t want to seem rude so I politely held a conversation with them. Being old people, they couldn’t stop talking and I felt my patience run thin.
When I was finally done with them I looked around frantically for Juliet but she was nowhere to be seen. It had been quite some time since I last saw her and I just hoped that she hadn’t gotten herself into trouble.
I kept searching for her. Even Heather and Amelia had disappeared so I couldn’t even ask anyone about her because I only saw her talk to those two.
Suddenly I felt a hand grip my forearm and was pulled into the shadows away from the party. When I looked down I saw Juliet giggling up at me. I sighed in relief.
“Where did you disappear off to?” I asked, steadying her as she almost tripped on her high heels.
“I was bored. I think I was where the food was. Are you done… socializing?”
There was something wrong. She didn’t look upset like how she looked the last time I saw her with Heather and Amelia. “Are you okay?” I asked.
“Peachy.” She replied and stumbled and I knew the problem. She was drunk.
I wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her on her feet.
She blinked up at me. “Are we dancing?” She took my other hand and tried to sway us into a dance but I wasn’t budging which resulted in her awkwardly trying make me move.
“What?” She huffed.
“How much did you drink?”
Her forehead creased in thought. “I think about two glasses?”
“That’s not much. Since when did you become a lightweight?”
“Since the time when I wasn’t what I made you all believe I was.” She said loudly, drawing the attention of a few people that were around.
“Okay. Maybe I should drop you home.”
She shook her head. “I need to tell you something.” I immediately knew it was something important and serious.
“I think it can wait until you’re home. Actually I think it can wait until tomorrow. You’re clearly not in the right state to tell me anything.”
“No. I’ve put it away for a long time now and I don’t want to run away from the truth anymore.”
She looked me in the eyes and breathed deeply.
“I’m-”
She suddenly stopped whatever she was going to say.
Her eyes widened and before I could ask her what happened she pulled me down for an unexpected kiss.
I immediately pulled away reluctantly. “Juliet, something’s wrong and you’re not okay. What were you saying?”
She didn’t meet my eyes. “I shouldn’t. I can’t.”
Her lips met mine again and they were frantic like our morning kiss and it scared the crap out of me. I gently pushed her away.
She looked heartbroken at my rejection and she stepped away from me. “I-I need some fresh air. I’ll talk to you later.”
Before I could stop her, she bolted out of there in the dark and a few seconds later I couldn’t even figure out which direction she went.
The party was going on like before. I did a quick scan and Juliet wasn’t there. I spotted Amelia and Heather in the far corner talking to Alessia but didn’t approach them because I figured they wouldn’t know where she went.
I walked out knowing she told me that she needed fresh air.
There was some commotion outside the gate and I went to check.
The paparazzi was still camped outside and they were going wild over someone because I could hear a dozen clicks every second and loud talking. When I got to the gate, I found that their center of attention was none other than Juliet.
“A-and I’m Juliet Jenson!” She shouted and in reaction another dozens of clicks sounded. She sniffled.
“The lost Jenson daughter. I’m the wild youngest child. I’m the girl who tried to buy a boy from my class.” She was crying now. “I’m the bitchy girl from my school and I’m good at art and academics and I have the best family in the world and I still ran away.” She hiccupped in between her cries. Her eye makeup was smudged and it was apparent that she was drunk. “But I’m not.” She added in a whisper which I was pretty sure no one heard apart from me.
Sensing that she was going to say something she’d regret later, I pulled her back. They got a second or two glimpse of me and I was pretty sure they had at least gotten a few pictures of us.
“Juliet, what have you done?!” This wasn’t how her reveal was supposed to happen.
“I’m sorry.” She wailed.
“I really should take you home. Your dad isn’t going to be happy about what just happened but let’s worry about that tomorrow.”
I led her to my car and we left early. I informed her parents that she wasn’t feeling well and I had to take her home. It would be some time until news got to them.
She fell asleep in the car and when we reached home I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to her room. Taking off her heels I noticed a few bruises under it and massaged them for a bit.
She snuggled into her warm pillows and I sat next to her for some time, just watching her sleep peacefully. I smiled and placed a few kisses on her forehead.
“You almost went and revealed your true identity, Miss Julie James.” I whispered to her sleeping form.