One Roof With Five Hot Jerks

Maxine’s Point of View

Due to shock, I stood up and grabbed the MC’s hand. I looked at her straight to her eyes and asked her, “Are you kidding me right now? Or is this only a dream? I haven’t awakened yet?”

Her eyes widened. She looked around the visitors before she turned to me again to answer, “Please, Ms. Maxine, don’t embarrass yourself in front of those people,” she mumbled.

I let go of her hand and looked at the crowd. I took a deep breath when I saw the worries on Mom’s face. I sat down again and using my right hand, I held my left hand to stop its trembling. Damn. Even if this is just a dream, I still feel nervous. I want to wake up before I can see Alyn’s face.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Alyn Crawford!” She even raised her hand to act like he was really introducing Alyn.

After a few moments, no one comes out. No one goes up in this little stage. Even the MC is puzzled because no one showed up. She even re-read her script to make sure that she read it right. She also looked at me with her brows furrowed, as if asking me if she made a mistake. She really looked nervous. I know that I said that I don’t want to see him even if it’s in my dream but I couldn’t help but to feel disappointed when he really didn’t appear.

I licked my lips and bit my lower lip after that, trying to stop the tears that wanted to go out. Damn. Who did the prank on me? It hurts, you know. Even if I said that I don’t want to see him… Deep inside my heart, I really want it to happen. It’s just… I’m scared. I missed him so much, I want to see him badly. I’m scared that I might have jumped into him because of my overflowing feelings for him.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. It’s okay, Max. You can do it. You brought it to yourself so you are the one who’s responsible for it.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

My eyes opened instantly when I heard that familiar voice. My whole world seemed to have stopped when I turned where that voice came from. My heart started pounding like crazy when our eyes met. I could even hear my own heart beat at the moment. I know everyone was clapping when Alyn appeared but… I couldn’t hear anything aside from my own heart beat.

“I want to look good in front of my fiancé’s eyes so I remake my hair,” he said while smiling at the emcee.

What is he saying? That made my heart pound even more!

“Oh, ha-ha! Y-You’re really handsome, sir!” The MC uttered. Maybe she’s starstruck by Alyn’s handsomeness.

His hairstyle is called the quiff. He really looked cool with that one and looked hot with his outfit. He’s wearing an oversized black polo shirt which has two buttons open until his chest, partnered by a white pants and leather shoes.

I want to shout to the whole world, “That’s my man!” But I’m not that shameless.

I looked away immediately when our eyes met for a second time. He’s more handsome than he was 2 years ago. I can’t even tell if he’s a real human or he’s just an Android. Damn, I feel a sudden urge to touch him because of that thought.

°°°°

When the party ended I immediately looked for Mom and Dad. Shoot, I even forget about Angela, Ferries and Troy that I also invited. I will just talk to them next time, I need to talk to my parents first about this matter.

“Mom! Dad!” I shouted when I saw them in front of the gate.

I ran towards them. I panted like a dog when I got closer to them. I bent my knees and put my two hands there to take a breath.

“Maxine! Why did you run? You should just wait for us in the living room, your other visitors haven’t left yet,” Mom said.

I stood straight and took a deep breath before I talked, “A-About the engagement. Did you do it because your business is not growing anymore?”

Damn. I only read those in the book, I never thought that there was such a thing in real life. You know, arranged marriage. Who would have thought that it could actually happen to me.

“Huh?” Her brows furrowed. She turned to Dad, “Did she run here to ask that?”

Why is she asking Dad if she can ask me instead? Hello? I’m here.

“Yes, I ran here to ask you that, Mom,” I answered.

Dad heaved a sigh, “Why? You don’t like him? It’s not about our business, it’s about your future that’s why we arranged you with him.”

“But he has a girlfriend, dad!” Oh, damn. I lost it.

His eyes shrunk, “He what? Do you know him?”

What? Didn’t they know that I live with Alyn? That he was one of those monkeys I live with?

I averted my eyes, “N-No.”

I just lied. I don’t want them to know.

“Maybe you’re just surprised, Max,” Mom stroked my hair. “Let’s go inside, your other friends are still here.”

With that, we just came back to the house. Mom’s right. Ferries, Troy, Angela and Shin haven’t left yet. They are waiting for me in the living room while their eyes are roaming around the area.

“Hello,” I said when they didn’t notice me.

Troy stood up immediately and hugged me, “Dang! I missed you so much, Max! How are you?”

I chuckled, “I’m fine as you can see.”

“Aren’t you hugging her too long?” Ferries interrupted. She even removed Troy’s hand around me.

“Oh, sorry, babe. I just really missed her, she’s also your friend. You don’t have to be jealous,” Troy turned to Ferries and smiled. You know, the smile that you will give to someone you love.

And what? “Babe??” I asked. Don’t tell me…

Ferries nodded, “Yeah, we’re together. You have gone for 2 years. A lot has happened that you don’t know since you left and you didn’t really let us know where you were, did you? You really made us wait for two years!”

Yeah, she’s obviously mad.

I scratched my head, “Sorry.”

“That’s all you have to say? Haa, nevermind!” She rolled her eyes and sat down.

Troy sat down as well. Angela was just staring at me and next to her was Shin who was also quiet. I sat beside Shin so she wouldn’t feel out of place.

“How are you, Angela?” I asked her since she’s been quiet.

“Not okay,” she pouted. “I have been chasing Sid for two years now but he still doesn’t like me! Arg, I’m so frustrated!”

I chuckled, “What? Sid? Wow.”

Yeah, wow. I don’t know much about them now. Ferries and Troy dating, followed by Angela chasing after Sid. When did it all start? Right when I left? I want to talk to them about things that I don’t know about, even if it takes us until morning.

“What kind of reaction was that?” Angela rolled her eyes. When she noticed Shin, she looked at me, “Who’s this?”

“Uh, She’s Shin Whites, my best friend,” I smiled.

“Huh?” Ferries crossed her arms, “You only got one friend for staying there for 2 years? What kind of school life are you experiencing there? Are they bullying you?!”

“No!” I answered immediately, “They are all good to me, it’s just that Shin is special.”

She rolled her eyes, “K, fine. Whatever you say.”

This girl didn’t really change. She’s still that Ferries I know. Well, I don’t hate it.

“Hi.”

We all turned to the person who talked. My eyes widened and I immediately averted my gaze.

What the fuck?! Why is he still here?

“Isn’t he your fiancé, Max?” Shin whispered.

All my blood seemed to rise up to my face. I turned to her, “H-Huh?”

“Gosh, I can’t believe that you two are engaged now,” Ferries uttered. “So, you two didn’t break up, huh? I thought Maxine left because your relationship is hopeless.”

“Watch your words,” Alyn said with authority. I could feel his cold aura, man!

“Tsk, I’m just curious.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“I want to talk with her, can I borrow her?” Alyn asked.

I immediately clung to Shin’s arm. She seemed surprised when I did that. She even looked at me with her eyes asking, “Why? You don’t want to go with him?”

I just gulped and closed my eyes.

Of course, I want to go with him! I’m just super-duper-extra-mega-over-extremely nervous!! Kyaah~ I still can’t believe what’s happening right now! Let me breathe!!