Jewel of my Heart

Apologies

Dranz

It's been three days since the party, and I'm still pissed about my interrupted phonecall. During the party, I didn't mingle with them when the heiress came to our table. I left them to find dad, and chat with his business associates.

I know I may sound petty over my broken phone, but I'm pissed. Not just because of the interrupted phone call because of how careless Aris' cousin. The conversation I have with my professor is very important to me. Fortunately, my professor didn't take it against me.

Now I'm with Justin, Drenk and Aris in our usual spot inside the coffeeshop. They are all busy finalizing their paper that is supposed to be due today.

"I hate this paper." Drenk grumbled.

"This crap is killing all my brain cells." Justin sneered.

I looked at them amused of how they whine.

"We were given ample time to finish this paper. You guys should've done it earlier. Cramming is bad habit, you know that." I said.

The three of them looked at me, more like glared.

"What?" I asked.

"Must you be like that at this moment?" Drenk asked me flatly.

"We don't need your scolding Dranz." Aris said.

"We know your done with all your papers, no need to rub it in you ass." Justin grumbled, which made me chuckle.

"I'm just saying you should've started it right away." I said.

"Whatever." They grumbled in unison.

I chuckled and looked at my schedule for today in my new phone. I frowned when I saw that I have my whole afternoon free. Wow, that's new. Since I got nothing to do, I just sat there and play some mobile game in my phone, while my friends are busy.

******************

An hour passed and they finally finished their paper.

"Finally, I'm done with all this term's requirements." Justin said.

"Let's go out tonight." Drenk suggested.

"Sure. Got nothing to do anyway." Justin said, then they looked at me as if asking me.

I looked at them one by one, before sighing.

"Fine." I said.

"Great!"

"Hey guys!"

We all turned to our side to see Sami, Aris girlfriend. She approached us and Aris met her halfway.

"Hey babe." Aris greeted her with a peck on her lips.

"What are you doing here?" Aris asked his girlfriend.

"Showing me around."

I was startled to see Aris' cousin standing near our table. I almost didn't recognize her. She was just wearing plane jeans and shirt, and sneakers. Far different from her look in the ball. Either way, she still looks angelic.

Drenk immediately stood up from his seat.

"Max, hi! Come, sit." Drenk said.

Max smiled and took a sit on Drenk's chair.

"Thank you."

"Why are you here?" Aris asked his cousin.

"I came from padre's office, so I decided to drop by and see what you guys are up to." She answered, then she looked at me.

"Mr. Salvatore."

I furrowed my eyebrow.

"You know me?" I asked, since we didn't get a chance to formally meet during the party.

"Of course. Your father is in my padre's office earlier, and he talks about you a lot." She said.

"All good things I hope." I said looking back at my phone.

"Maybe, but I'll be the judge of that." She said but I ignored her.

"Am I smelling a partnership?" I heard Justin ask.

I looked up again to Max just shrugged her shoulders. Then she turned to me.

"I admire your mother's charity work. I hope I can work with her." She said, but I ignored her again and went back to my game.

There was an awkward silence for a moment before Drenk spoke.

"We're going our tonight. You should join us."

"Sure. I don't have anything planned anyway." I heard Max say.

******************

When night came, we all met in Club Damlex. The bar was owned by my father and Niana's father, uncle Damian. Hence the name Damlex, from Damian and Alex.

The guys and I are all seated in our usual spot in the VIP section. Drenk immediately ordered beer.

"The girls not here yet?" Drenk asked.

"Sami is getting ready at Max's house, they'll be here is a few." Aris said.

I rolled my eyes.

"Girls and their always late attitude." I mumbled.

"On the contrary, Max is the most on time person I know. If she was late by any chance, something must have happened. I told you, She's a female version of yourself." Aris said.

"Let me guess, it was Sami who's causing the delay?" Justin asked.

"Without a doubt." Aris said with a chuckle.

Minutes passed, finally the girls arrived.

"Sorry we're late guys." Sami said, taking a seat beside her boyfriend, and Max sat beside her. Just right in front of me.

Looking at her and Sami, I can really tell that it was Sami who took time getting ready. Sami was wearing a sleeveless black dress, her hair was curled and she had her make up perfectly done, while Max was just wearing denims, white flowy spaghetti strap blouse and a black stilettoes. Her hair looks natural as ever, as well as her make up if she's wearing any.

Sami ordered more shots, while Maxie ordered more food. Peculiar set of friends, those two. When a familiar song came, Sami pulled Aris on the dancefloor and Drenk followed, because Max declined his invitation to dance.

"Can I talk to you Mr. Salvatore?"

I looked up to her when I heard her ask.

"What is it Ms. Braganza?" I asked and she frowned.

"Why so formal? You know what never mind." She paused.

"I just can't help but notice that you are quite indifferent with me. You even dare to walk out when I approached your table during the party. And yu deliberately ignore me earlier when i was trying to make a conversation." She said.

So she notice things around her, but failed to see me in the fire exit?

"I don't know what you are talking about. We are not friends Ms. Braganza, just a mere acquaintance. So I am not obliged to have a conversation with you." I told her.

Max sighed and shook her head.

"Excuse me then." She said then she stood up and left our VIP table.

I sighed and took a shot, letting the burning feeling of the liquor ran down my throat. Then I noticed Justin glaring at me.

"What?" I asked, taking another shot.

"You don't need to be rude to her over a damn phone." He said.

"I wasn't."

"You're an ass Dranz. You may be smart and promising but you lack empathy and compassion." Justin said.

I arched my eyebrow at him.

"Don't take this the wrong way dude, but you really are rude. She's a nice lady, very proper yet you act like you were raised by cavemen." Justin said before standing up, leaving me alone.

I just stared at his retreating back, speechless.

****************

Time went by and everyone was now drunk as f**k. Except me, Max and Justin, we're just a bit tipsy.

"We should head home." Justin said, and I nodded.

"They're pretty much wasted." I said looking at Sami and Aris who are both asleep, and then Drenk who's trying to stand but failing, and talking nonsense.

"So how are we getting these guys home?" I asked Justin.

"I'll drive. I'll drop Sami first, and I'll let these guys crash in my place." Justine said.

"Take my car. We carpooled remember." I said giving my keys to Justin, and called in some waiters to help us carry our wasted friends out.

Once outside, we piled Drenk, Sami and Aris inside my car, and Justin hopped inside the driver's side, and drove off.

I sighed and turned around to see Max standing there with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Can I have a word with you Mr. Salvatore?" She asked, and all I did was nod.

"Walk with me." She said and she started walking away.

I took a deep breath and followed her, and walked beside her.

"If you are indifferent with me because of the incident in the fire exit, I apologized already, and I will apologize again. But don't you think you are a bit childish when you are acting like that? And you are pretty rude to me." She said.

I grabbed her arm to stop her walking. I stood in front of her and glared.

"Childish? I was in the middle of an important phonecall. You were the one who were running in the staircase that ended up bumping into me.

Is that how heiress act this days? Showing up late to a party held up on her honor? Do you know how many guests were waiting for you? They have wasted their time and yet there you are not even aware of your time." I sneered.

She narrowed her eyes on me and crossed her arms over her chest.

"First of all, I never wanted that stupid party. Second, I was late because I was in an orphanage, extending my help to them. My car broke down in the middle of the road, on my way towards the party. I cannot find a cab so I had to run towards the hotel. And lastly, those guests didn't come for me. They attend parties like that to win themselves some business deals." She paused and leaned towards me.

"I thought you should have known that by now, especially you are an heir to an empire. Business is what matters." She added.

We had an stare down until I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. Her angelic face looking solely at me, made all the animosity disappear.

"Fine." I paused.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted. The phone call was pretty much important and you interrupting it, pissing me off. I admit I was a bit rude to you regarding this misunderstanding. Forgive me." I said.

She gave me small smile.

"I apologize for the broken phone and interrupted call." She said.

"Let's forget about it and start over shall we?" I asked and she nodded.

"I'm Crae Drancis Salvatore. You can call me Dranz, because Mr. Salvatore is my father." I introduced myself and held out my hand.

She smiled at me and shook my hand.

"My name is Maxine Emerald Braganza. Call me Max, not Emerald." She said.

We both chuckled while shaking our hands. When we let go, we resume walking.

"I hope I didn't get you in trouble with your girlfriend, when I interrupted your call." I heard her say.

I chuckled and shook my head.

"I was talking to my professor regarding some school stuff. It was a big project and fortunately he wasn't mad when our talk was cut short." I told her.

"I'm glad." She said, sounding a little bit relieved.

"We're good right?" She asked.

"Yep, all good. Comrade." I answered.

She looked at me then she laughed.

"Oh my god. Are you from North Korea or something?" She asked between laughs.

Looking at her at this moment, and hearing her laugh, I know for a fact she isn't your typical heiress. And I know that this girl will find her way towards the real me