Gillaume Men #01: Ranzar Craestok

CHAPTER 15: Westbrook's Annual Charity Ball

~ Ranzar Craestok ~

"Sir please wake up", I heard as I saw Vincent gently tap my shoulders.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw that I was slumped on the sofa with bottles of vodka scattering my carpet. I sighed and rubbed my head, feeling the heavy headache incoming. 

It's been a whole week since the last time I saw Laurent and I spent the rest of that day wrecking anything I can wreck. Vincent needed to order new tapestries and furniture after I wrecked my house. And I just remember spending the next days drinking.

"What time is it Vincent?"

"6 p.m. Sir. You need to get dressed for the charity ball, sir. Your mother has been calling", Vincent replied.

"I see", I sighed and stood up. I went upstairs and to my room to take a short shower to at least sober myself up.

After coming out of the shower, I felt my head heavy, probably the hangover kicking in. I pushed myself to change to a suit that Laurent chose for me. A dark teal jacket with white stripes and a black tie. I stood at a full-body mirror and looked at myself. Maybe I should give some more credit to Laurent for her job well done.

After several minutes I went down and went to the car. Vincent drove to the venue while I lay my head back on the headrest and tried to collect myself and not overthink what happened last time.

I think I fell asleep midway through the drive since Vincent needed to wake me up again when we arrived.

"Sir, we are here" Vincent announced. "Your mother said that she will be waiting for you inside" he added.

I got out of the car and adjusted my eyes to the bright lights of the place. I went inside the venue and was stared at immediately as I passed by. I just hoped this charity ball would end quickly so I could go back home immediately.

I reached the entrance of the main hall and took a deep long breath. 

As I entered, it started the long-awaited whispers and prying eyes of rumor-hungry socialites. As if vultures that found their dead meat in the middle of a desert, they looked and stole glances as I paved and they made way. 

It made me uncomfortable, but it was still bearable. I just needed to take deep breaths here and there to prevent myself from feeling suffocated. I looked quickly for my mother and it wasn't that hard given her shiny teal dress.

"Oh! There you are at last!" she greeted and kissed me on my cheeks. "I've called you hundreds of times and you didn't even pick up. So, I resorted to calling Vincent".

"Good evening Mother", I replied dryly. I just wanted to get home quickly since I felt the hangover still creeping into my head.

I accompanied my mother for a few more minutes as she busied herself introducing me to her friends left and right. Some of them I recognize since, and some of them I just pretended to know. 

The initial party started after and Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook went up the stage and thanked the guest that went.

After a few more thank yous' to those who donated and attended, I excused myself from Mother and went straight to the venue's bar. At least there I would be entertained and away from people's eyes.

I sat in front of the bar and asked for a vodka. After about 2 shots, another person sat beside me.

"Glad to see you're still here Raz! Thought you would be gone within the first 30 minutes to be honest", Vanderson mocked, and I greeted him with a glare as he ordered a drink as well.

"How's the ball so far?" He asked as he took a sip.

"Bearable."

After I answered, I toned down everything Vanderson said next. 

It's not that I am not interested but more so I am accustomed to all his rambles. It just varies between how great he played in their game, how infuriating the women he once bedded when they chased after him, and how great his one-night stands he had been after his games. 

Vanderson continued his rambles for more minutes when I decided to go back to the main hall. He followed me and we went back.

We arrived back at the main hall and one could see and tell that the people who had attended had a new topic in their mouths. I trudged my way to one of the food tables and saw what I could grab. I was busy looking when suddenly Vanderson lighty elbowed me. I forgot that he was still following me.

"Hey Raz look," He said and glanced at him.

He pointed in the direction where the majority of the people at the ball were looking. I looked at where his pointing and saw her.

The very woman who haunted my mind and thoughts for days after I asked her to never return. The same woman who forced me to wear this stupid suit. And the very woman who distracted most people in this ball with her mere presence.

"That's the blondie I've told you about. The one Roswell flirted with", Vanderson said in excitement, as if he discovered a rare artifact or fossil.

I must admit, Laurent could make anyone turn their heads towards her with the way she carries herself. She has this elegance and confidence that everyone who surrounds her would be a mere blur in one's eye. 

And amid all the people that surround her and Westbrook, I can only see her.

She's both captivating and alluring tonight. Her dress hugged her waist flawlessly, and the slit on the dress made her even more perfect to look at. She stood next to Westbrook and they looked good together. 

She seems to fit right into him and I think people thought the same as they continue to flock around them; maybe inquiring who Laurent might be in Westbrook's life. A bunch of no-life vultures. Maybe even more worst than the writers of California Chronicles.

I didn't even notice for the longest time that I kept staring in their direction as she talked and moved. And it seemed that I couldn't help but stare at her for longer than I intended to.

"I see", I said, cleared my throat, and looked away. Not wanting Laurent to see that I was staring at her.

I returned my glance to something else and tried to occupy my mind. But it was deemed impossible by the people near me, whispering. I decided to just get back to the bar and drink myself, but then Vanderson suddenly pulled me away.

"Wha--"

"Let's introduce ourselves, Raz. We wouldn't want to be rude to the host now would we?" Vanderson cut me off, clearly wanting to cause some mischief by the way his smirk was plastered on his face.

I grabbed my arm from him.

"Don't want to. You go by yourself Vanderson", I replied and turned my back from him before he could reply.

It's not that I don't want to greet Westbrook, I just don't want to face Laurent just yet after the incident. I know that I may have overreacted or maybe not, but she crossed the line as well. She shouldn't have snooped around.

I made my way back to the bar and decided to occupy myself with drinks.

~ * ~