LOVER MONSTER!
83. Congratulation

Jessica felt really silly in the red dress that Dania gave her. She wears the dress while grimacing occasionally.

Overall, of course, there is nothing wrong with Dania's taste. The dress was beautifully eye-catching, perfectly fitting too with Jessica's slender body. However, there are always but, Jessica felt uncomfortable with the long hem in the skirt of the dress.

Every time Jessica stepped up, her right leg was exposed to the thigh. Every time Jessica stepped in as well, Jessica felt a tremendous sense of shame.

"Rather than being ashamed of your exposed foot like that, you should be ashamed of your sunken eyes. It's your birthday and you look lethargic. I almost flattened my entire concealer to your face, just so you know."

"Tsk, I was born like this. How else would you like? Just because it's my birthday, doesn't mean I can suddenly turn into the amazingly beautiful Bella Hadid." Jessica nags back.

"If you can't be Bella Hadid, at least it's a little normal. Who told you to drink alcohol in litters before your birthday? You're not sleeping either? Now your pores are all open. Your eye bags, too. I'm gonna cry, seriously."

Hearing Dania's whining, to be honest, Jessica also felt like crying. Damn it, why did he agree to this event earlier? If she knew she had to wear heels that made her as tall as burj khalifa, Jessica would rather not celebrate her birthday at all.

"Let's go down" Dania asked.

According to her friend's wishes, Jessica finally left.

The clock on the wall already showed at 7 past fifteen. The party had already begun and several guests were also present at Elixir. Most of the guests were Jessica's business associates, some were her Vegas friends and some were regular guests at Elixir who received special invitations from Dania.

As Jessica got down from her room and joined the crowd, the pair of eyes that were there spontaneously greeted her with an air of enthusiasm. Smiles are full of excitement.

Just as Jessica was descending as well, several people took turns to greet her. Giving congratulations accompanied by prayers and friendly praise.

"Thank you for coming" said Jessica. This time to Samuel and Miura - his fellow alumni during High School - who came hand in hand.

Seeing the closeness of the two, Jessica inevitably suspected. Is there something she missed from her school's alumni chat group? Well, basically, Jessica did mute the group chat, but she did not expect the silence to make her blind to the closeness of the two.

Since when were Miura and Samuel together?

"Oh, Jessicaaaa. You've been alive all this time but I don't see anyone by your side at all. Does this mean you're still faithfully single to old?" Miura spoke in a witty tone of voice, but Jessica knew she wasn't joking. Miura was just happy to tease her.

"It's better to be single, right, than to have a girlfriend with a mediocre face." Dania spoke up. Although he did not know who Miura and Samuel were.

"Handsome is only temporary" Samuel said. Seems offended. "Getting a man with an established job is the main thing. I was, for example, a lawyer. If you want to cooperate with me, you can contact my law firm at this number.."

Samuel handed Dania his card. "Don't hesitate, for the price of services, I'm quite friendly to my friends in need."

"Haha..." Oh, how Dania wants to punch Jessica's friend on this one. Very rude, for God's sake. Dania wanted to spit on him and slap him to death.

"Hold you, Dania..." Jessica turned her head towards Dania while whispering lowly. After whispering to Dania, Jessica turned to Samuel.

"Thank you for your offer" Jessica said. He welcomed Samuel's business card which, by the way, he had received on the day of their high school reunion a few months ago. Did this guy forget or did he just have too many business cards in his pocket?

While Jessica was again blending in among the guests, making small talk of this and that, Jake Allendale came in from the front door. He took Janette Allendale with him. Right then, the presence of the two - without any effort - had already managed to attract the attention of the entire space. The heads turned towards him, voicing a question that was not much different, the same.

"Who is he?"

"Guests Jessica?"

"Isn't that Jake Allendale?"

"Wait, wait...., that..., Janette?"

The questioning was unpretentious in the air, hesitating in the faint while Janette and Jake sauntered leisurely toward Jessica.

"Happy birthday" Janette said first. He gave a brief peck on Jessica's right and left cheeks before handing her a large pink bag. "This is just a little parcel I can give you. I couldn't prepare a present because my stupid sister just told me about your birthday this morning."

"Well, jeez..." Jessica speechless. How can a goodie bag that can hold one human being he said as a small parcel? Did Janette give the plane presents to her birthday friends?

"Thank you, Jane. I really appreciate this. I didn't expect you to come either."

"Because I like you, I must have come."

After talking to Jane, naturally, it was Jake's turn to talk to Jessica. He gave the girl a sweet kiss on Jessica's left and right cheeks, and after giving her compliments for Jessica's performance today she considered so enchanting, Jake handed Jessica a gift box with the flowers.

"I hope you like my gift" whispered Jake to Jessica with a smile.

"You shouldn't bother" Jessica said in return. "Thank you."

As the exchange of words and gifts continued, Ethan, leaning against the wall, occasionally stared at the entrance.

Ethan hopes that Demian will come and prove to everyone that he's not an asshole. Ethan believes in Demian, so he continues to give the man a chance.

However, until nine p.m., Demian did not come.

Jessica, who had been mingling with guests, appeared cheerful and happy, slowly losing her color. His enthusiasm has slipped to the big toe. The girl was-just waiting for the time-before her expression faded to wither.

"I know what you're waiting for" Elliot said, greeting Ethan's ear. He joined his friend while sipping a glass of tequila. "You shouldn't have done that" Elliot added.

"I just want to try" replied Ethan.

"Do you think he's a decent guy for Jessica?"

"What is our position to determine?" Ethan asked back.

"Tsk.., I knew you'd do this kind of thing." Elliot scowled unhappily. "You're just gonna waste your night with that empty hope, Ethan. Open your eyes and look at the man as he is. He's just a selfish bastard who's taking advantage of Jessica's kindness."

"..."

"He won't come."

"I think you have a point." Ethan looked at the door once more and felt betrayed.

"At least you've been trying" Elliot said, advising him. "Don't be too disappointed."

"I don't have high hopes for her, but I don't know about Jessica." Ethan looked at Jessica with pity. "I guess, deep down, he might have put more hope in Demian."

"Although he was disappointed, he would not be able to stop wishing." Elliot smiled wryly. "Seriously, huh? What am I supposed to do to make him forget that bastard?"

"Maybe you're bis-" Ethan's words are suddenly cut off when a man opens Elixir's door from the outside. The sound of the door opening spontaneously grabbed the attention of the people standing near the door.

Ethan - with near-death expectations - momentarily holds high hopes. A pair of slices of coffee was relieved, warm radiating on the chest.

Demian finally came, Ethan thought. It was completely unexpected when the wide-open door even showed an Erthian Bellamy.

Erthian Bellamy, wrapped in a soft white tuxedo, appeared in harmony with the woman he was in his arms now.

Dressed in a light blue dress with her cleavage emblazoned in real, Angela Lancaster arrogantly treads next to Erthian.

"Oh, oh? How did they come?" Elliot stupefied.

At that moment, even though the presence of the two was completely unanticipated, Erthian continued to pitch confidently. He approached Jessica who was standing in the middle of the room. Erthian's hand carried a black goodie bag with an elegant golden ribbon.

"Happy birthday" said Erthian. Her soft voice made Jessica reluctant to spray it with scorn.

"Thank you for coming" said Jessica, for the umpteenth time. He then turned to Angela, a slanted smile on Jessica's face for a moment. "You look lovely, Angela."

"All this thank you for Erthian's concern for me. She was very understanding, I came to understand where Demian's good-natured attitude had been all along."

"Sure, sure." Buying you an expensive dress is definitely the form of attention you mean, huh?

"Because you've come, don't you want to say hello to Janette?" Jessica deliberately brought up the figure that Angela hated the most. "He's coming today, with Jake."

"Ja-janette?" Angela's eyes widened. The woman he knew as the embodiment of the devil could also celebrate someone else's birthday party? They coming?

"I can take him to you if you want." Jessica added again.

Understanding that Jessica was being petty, Erthian did not show a meaningful reaction. He doesn't care much about Angela's mental state because Erthian only expects something else.

"Is Demian coming?" Erthian asked as he scanned the faces of the entire space.

"It's a pity, but we didn't put it on the guest list." Neither do you, Jessica added.

"Aaah, is that so? I thought he was coming."

"He's not coming" Jessica said. "Why did he come?"

Erthian chuckles. "yes too. I forgot you guys are nothing."

"Erthian, how can you say that when Demian's girlfriend is in your arms." Angela whines spoiled, her childish protest makes Jessica want to break the girl's neck now.

Damn, right?

How could he be happy if these demons were wandering around his party?

"Happy to enjoy the show" Jessica said. He sauntered away leaving Erthian only to reach for a glass of tequila at the table. Jessica drank alcohol to relieve her anger. Relieves discomfort that begins to creep on her skin.

"Patience a minute, Jesse." Jessica cheered herself up as she stared at the wall clock that showed at half-ten.

Before going back to socializing, Jessica took another glass and gulped the contents down.

Jessica spoke to her guests. Two-faced here and there while spreading forced hospitality.

Jessica just wanted to go back to the room and sleep. Jessica doesn't want to interact with anyone. However, this is his obligation as a birthday figure and a figure who became the official owner of Elixir.

Jessica can't escape from her own party and...

It's black!

The whole room suddenly went out. Silent redam. Jessica, who gasped at the lights, tried to find a little light there. He flailed the empty air before him until...

"Happy birthday to you..."

Dania's voice greeted her ears, accompanied by a candlelight from the kitchen.

"Happy birthday to you." The song was accompanied by guest voices. Jessica was fixated on the sudden surprise. It became very touched.

While everyone started singing Jessica's happy birthday song as well, the buzz came and shocked everyone.

The chanting paused for a moment, all eyes on the open door.

When everyone was glued there, stifled at his arrival, Demian Bellamy walked into the dimly lit room.

"Jessica?" His cry came out loud there. "Jessica?"

"I'm here..." Jessica stepped forward, feeling not happy at all.

What else is Demian going to do tonight? Jessica wondered with aggravation piling up on her chest. Don't tell me he's making a troublemaker!

Jessica did not want Demian to humiliate her in front of her guests. Jessica didn't want Demian to embarrass her.

Realizing the direction of Jessica's voice, Demian immediately took wide steps and approached Jessica there. The guests were stunned in that pitch-black room. Only able to see a black silhouette moving within the darkness.

Who and why? The question stuck in the mind of every head.

Guests were not at all expecting, when Demian managed to reach Jessica, the man immediately floated a kiss on Jessica's lips. Freeze the girl in her sudden touch.

Jessica widened her eyes. What Demian thinks, Jessica's inner self. Angela was in this room and could see the action clearly. Is he crazy? Does he have a problem?

Jessica was trying to find a rational reason in her head...

Click!

The lights are back on.

The view of their lips that lined up then presented clearly in front of everyone's eyes.

There, in the middle of Elixir, Demian Bellamy gives Jessica a deep kiss on her lips, hands clutching the girl's body tightly in her arms.

As the page slipped off as well, Demian looked at Jessica right at her pair of beautiful emeralds.

"Happy birthday, Jessica..." Demian whispered with her lips still wet by the salivary. He looked at Jessica and once again gave the girl a light kiss on the lips.

Confused about Jessica's extraordinary behavior, he did not understand Demian's actions today. What happened and why is he like this?

Jessica wondered, and in a split second when Demian took a thin distance from her. Jessica got an answer she didn't think of tonight. Unexpected all at once.

..."I love you, Jessica Cerise. I'm sorry I've delayed my time too long to reveal this."...

"..."

"I hope my confession isn't too slow for you, I hope you still have a chance for me."

Demian grabbed both of Jessica's wrists, eyes locked tightly right in her emerald.

..."Jessica..., even though I've created too much trouble..., will you forgive me and accept my confession?"...

...****************...