Å LITTLE BRÅVER

32b -°TO END THE NIGHT.

•ALEXANDER JNR•

•••

"Alex?"

I keep walking, ignoring Mildred's call of my name. She's trying to apologize, that I know. To calm me down and say things like, she didn't mean to do that. She didn't mean to bring Salome to a club party, really?

"Come on Alex, are you that mad?"

I halt and spin around with furrowed brows. "yes I am. I'm so mad I don't think I wish to stand here and talk with you right now."

Noticing how her shoulders slumps, I can tell she's affected by the tone of my voice. I breathe out, look around the exterior of the hotel then back to Mildred.

"You shouldn't have brought her here." I tell her more softly. Her mouth twitches upward, follow by a small nod.

"Yes, and I'm sorry about that." She glance up to meet my eyes. "Actually didn't know you'd act up about it."

My chest squeeze lightly. It suddenly dawn to me how strict I was over seeing a student of mine at a birthday party. Club birthday party.

"The way you talked about Salome is like... opposite of what just happened. She's your student, I know that. But I kind of see how much she means to you."

I watch how Mildred's words spill out of her mouth, trying to connect what she's trying to say. She folds her arm around her as a fresh wave of breeze blow towards us, exhaling sharply.

Mildred takes few steps close to me, her eyes not moving from mine.

"You like her, Alex." She tilt her head to a side. "Don't you?" Her mouth stretch in a small smirk, and she tears her eyes from mine for a second.

I don't think I'd admit something like that, something relating to liking my student. Although one way or the other, I'd accept wholeheartedly that I've somehow gravitated toward Salome. Which simply means I have my eyes on her, want her to do better, also wish to be present in her achievements. But the way Mildred said it is kind of different. She's saying it like she has been watching, keening waiting for a moment like this to voice out her doubtfulness.

"You do like her, right?" She repeats.

I breathe down, tucking my hands in my pocket. I think I know what Mildred planned all along.

"And that's why you brought her here to see my reaction, right?" I raise a brow, staring into her eyes which she blink rapidly, deviating them elsewhere. I don't need more conformation, I can see it from her actions. She then scoff, throwing her head down to her legs.

Mildred then murmurs, "I just came with her to have some fun... that's all."

I nod understandingly. We both know I'm right about her little idea on getting a reaction out of me, which partially worked, so to stumble her doubt, and crush her pride, I clear my throat;

"You know what, you're also correct Mildred, I do like her." I say before walking into the glass doors of the hotel.

"WHAT?!"

I didn't look back but her loud exclaim got to my ears, her squealing heels sounding as fast as she tries to catch up with me. Mildred is awfully dramatic, I'm certain she would blab and blab throughout the night.

"You like her? I knew something was up between you, the way you always get triggered by her scores, action, I just knew you feel something for her. I just wanted to be-"

Mildred words caught short the second I turn around. She almost walk into me but stumble backwards. I glance around the reception to see that we're the only ones around, apart from the receptionist at his desk.