SHE stared at her reflection in the mirror. Avie had never been that conscious about how she looks in front of other people. She was one confident woman, and she thanked Victoria for that. But now that she was about to see her father and Theo, Avie could not help but feel anxious.

“You are gorgeous, Avie. You look fine and pretty on that dress,” said Agnes when she came into her room again.

“I thought you already left.” She caressed the soft fabric of her dress. It fits her perfectly, emphasizing her curves.

Agnes was House of Fantasia’s ace. Her works never failed. Most designers envied her for making ordinary look elegant.

“I cannot leave you looking like a loser wearing that dress I made for you.” Agnes sauntered toward her. “You know my rule, Avie, right?”

She nodded. “Anyone who wears your creation must show off.”

“Indeed.” Agnes tapped her cheeks. “And how can you do that with that long face or yours? Cheer up! This is not the Avie Regina Montecillo we all know.”

She grabbed her friend’s hands and pulled them away.

“I am so sorry for disappointing you.” Avie let out a sigh. “It’s just that… I am in some kind of a difficult situation.”

“I know this is hard, but I also know that you can overcome this one. You are one of the bravest women I know.” A smile curved on her friend’s lips.

“Thank you,” she mouthed before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I must go now. I don’t want to be late and be the center of attention.”

“It’s okay. All you have to do is stand out.” Agnes grinned. “Good luck, Avie. Fighting!”

She felt a little lighter now, knowing that she has someone cheering for her.

AVIE didn’t even run, and yet her heart was beating like crazy. She was gasping for air as she walks in the hallway heading to the function hall, where her father’s birthday party is being held.

The hall was dark when she entered, and the only light that she could see was the colorful ones coming from the disco lights. Avie could not help but snort. His father’s choice never changed.

Her eyes roamed around as she walked towards an empty table at the corner of the hall. She would just stay there and wait for a chance to talk to her father.

A roaming waiter went to her and offered her a drink that she declined. It’s not the time to get drunk yet. She came to the party for an important matter. Alcohol in her system would ruin everything.

“Have you heard the news?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss such kind of news.”

“Oh, my gosh! Was he back in town?”

Avie glanced at the table on her right. Three girls were occupying the table, chatting and giggling so loud it was too impossible for her to ignore. She wondered who are those girls and how come they got invited to the party. Ah, perhaps they were daughters of the elites her father befriended.

One of the girls cleared her throat.

“We already talked about this, girls. I’ll be the first in line. You know, James loves virgins. He hates bad girls like you, Liza.”

Her brow arched. Who’s that ‘James’ they were talking about? Suddenly, their tales about him caught her interest.

“Oh, my, my, my! Look who’s coming towards here!”

The girls squealed.

Avie got intrigued and turned in the same direction the girls looking at. She choked with her breath when she saw Theo walking towards her table. Her senses told her to run and hide, but her body would not cooperate.

She sucked her breath as Theo stood next to her.

“Avie… it’s nice to see you again,” he whispered in her ear. He put his palm on her back, heating the bare flesh she should have hidden from him. “I thought you are not coming again.”

She shut her eyes tightly. Why does his voice have to be that sensual?

“Did you come here alone, or you’re with your mother?” he asked.

Those words snapped the reality out of her. Finally, Avie dares to move away from Theo’s touch.

“Mom will never greet him nor see him again, and you know that,” she said through gritted teeth.

Theo shrugged. “You’ve said it once, that you will never see me again. But now, you’re here.”

“Did I say that I come to see you?” Her lip twitched. “It’s you who came to me first.”

Avie gave him a once-over. He looked handsome and dashing in his navy blue suit.

“It seems to me that my father’s wealth succeeded grooming you,” she said.

Theo’s eyes darkened.

“Yes, it changed me… a lot.” His voice was low and cold; it almost brought the winter to her heart. He crossed their distance and pulled her closer to his body. “And I am not the same Theo, Avie.”

She pushed him away, and he just laughed at her.

“Are you free after the party?” he asked. “It would be nice if we could spend the night together. We have a lot to catch-up.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.” Her voice softened. “I don’t spend the night with my ex-best friend.”

Theo leaned toward her. Now they were face to face; one wrong move and their lips would touch.

“But I am your step-brother now…” He straightened his back and walked away from her.

Avie let out an exasperated sigh. She could not believe he dares to say that to her face. It made her heart race with rage.

“James!” the girls screamed in unison.

She turned in their direction. They were clutching onto Theo’s arms.

“Those leeches,” she murmured.

Theo glanced at her with a mischievous smile on his lips. Did he think that she was jealous of those girls?

“James, you promised to bed me when you get back. Would it be tonight after the party?” the girl who looked like a silicon Barbie doll asked.

So, the ‘James’ they were referring to was none other than Theo.

“Theodore James Madrigal… How come I forget about that?”

“I’m sorry, Hazel. But I already have a companion for tonight.” Theo turned to her again. “My beautiful, lovely, step-sister would like to spend the night with me before she leaves town.”

The girls all scowled at her.

“Fuck you, Theo,” she mouthed.

“Avie, is that you?”

Her body instantly froze upon hearing her father’s voice.

“D-dad…” She swallowed hard.