"Hey are you coming to the party tonight?" Neji asked me and I looked weirdly at him. Neji was asking me about a party, which was rare because Neji Hyuuga never, ever talked about parties. Like, I wasn't lying if I said he hadn't been in fifty parties in his whole life. And that was saying a lot because rich people were meant to go on parties. "Well, are you just gonna stare me?"

"Oh," I suddenly realized that I should stop looking at him like he was from another universe or something. "I don't know but I'll totally come if you'll accompany me."

"I'll come," he stated. I wonder if Neji was sick, it probably was the bad sushi we ate earlier. I told him not to eat that sushi but he still did. "What time do you want me to pick you up, Ino?"

"What's that party again for?"

"My cousin's eighteenth birthday," Neji filled me in. He must be talking about Hanabi because it was just Hinata's birthday three months ago. And besides, Hinata wouldn't be eighteen. She was as old as I was. Almost twenty-two. "And it is also her debut in the socialite circle."

"So every damn socialite is invited?" I rolled my eyes, annoyed that they would be there. But then again, what was I expecting? The Hyuuga's were powerful in the business industry. And they only hung out with rich folks – that was understandable since that was the best way to keep the social climbers out of the circle. However, I must go. Neji wanted to come because his cousins were always precious to him. "But of course, I'm so going – you gotta pick me up at eight sharp. I gotta call my fashion designer now to ask him to make us clothes for the party."

"Don't you just want to go to the Italian designer across the street?"

I shook my head, "You know I'd be caught dead if I'd wear something non-branded...or branded by unknown designer. I'll send your clothes to you by seven PM."

Neji smiled and kissed me on the cheek. "Okay then, I'll have to go."

Neji faded away from my sight. Man, life would be so uncool without Neji in it.

–

When Neji had picked me up an hour ago, my mood wasn't this bad. I didn't know why when I entered into this hotel, where the party was at, I felt that I just wanted to blow this hotel up just because all I had been seeing were fake smiles with bloodily fake people.

And in case anyone's wondering, I am a hateful bitch.

I leaned toward Neji and whispered, "We should have had come a little later."

"It couldn't be helped," he said calmly. "Everyone in my family was expecting to be on time."

"I know," I pouted. "That's why it's annoying."

He held my hand, "If you don't feel too good, I can drive you home now."

Ugh, I didn't want to ruin this night for Neji. Hanabi was very important to Neji – she was his favorite cousin and I knew how important this day for Neji. That's why I'd decided, "I'm good, I just need some air. I'll be back in half an hour."

"Are you sure?" he asked me, I could see that he was very concerned about me. Neji had told me once that he would do everything just to make me happy. And I never doubted him because I knew he would.

I assured him with a smile, "Absolutely."

–

The hotel's hallway was very quiet, I noticed. No one was here and it felt as though this luxurious hotel was haunted. And then there was him who broke all easiness that I felt moments ago.

"I was just about to go back to where the party is at," I lied as I turned my back on Sasuke.

I wanted to run but it was all too late, he was already holding my glove-clad wrist, "Ino, you'll spend the rest of the night with me."

"What!" I looked at him, I was already aggravated even he could tell. "Let me go, you asshole!"

"You're going with me, Ino," he said quietly but his grasp on my wrist got tighter. He then dragged me to where his car at, which was in front of the hotel.

He opened the door of his drop-top Bentley, "Just get in if you don't want to get hurt."

He also got in and started driving, "Sasuke, this is soooo kidnapping."

"Put the seat-belt on," he commanded. And then he had the nerve to continue, "And this is not exactly kidnapping because I don't plan to give you back."

"You're fucking crazy!" I screamed at him but it seemed that he didn't give a shit. "Sasuke, you're driving too fast! I don't wanna die!"

"Shut the hell up, will you?" he shouted loudly and then he said in a lower tone, "Just trust me this one time, Ino. I'll kill myself first before I ever hurt you again."

I swallowed my saliva. This guy had gone crazy...crazy about me and I felt terrified. I didn't know why I suddenly became scared of him when I damn knew that he would never do anything to hurt me.

After about an hour of driving, he then pulled over in front of a mansion. A very familiar one.

"This is one of my family's vacation homes," he stepped out of the car and opened the car's door for me. The gate automatically opened and he unlocked the main door. We entered the house and Sasuke turned on the lights.

"I've been to this house before," I observed as I looked at Sasuke. "I just don't exactly remember when."

Sasuke smiled, "My sixteenth birthday – the first time we met."

"I hung out with you then because you were so moody – I thought we'd get along because I was moody too," I reminisced. "I was totally flirting with you the whole time at your party and you didn't even notice. That was more than five years ago."

"Do you know why I chose to stay with you that night?" he questioned me as he looked straight to my eyes.

I shook my head, "Why did you?"

"Because I thought you were very beautiful – you really stood out that night."

"That's too cliché," I rolled my eyes at him. "I was expecting a better answer."

"What do you mean cliché?" he asked, annoyed. "The answer couldn't get any better than that."

"Cinderella was chosen by the Prince because she was the most beautiful in the ball and she stood out," I stated. "Be at least unique, you know."

He chuckled a little bit, "Now, you're in a good mood."

I didn't even notice! I couldn't believe he actually lightened up my mood. Speaking of moods, I remembered someone. "Oh my God! Lemme borrow your phone because I left my purse at the party."

"Why for?"

"I need to call Neji," I honestly told him. "I must tell him where I am now because I don't want him to worry about me."

"I don't have his number," Sasuke's tone became colder. He didn't want me to contact Neji, that was fairly obvious. "You don't have to tell him every single detail about your life, Ino."

"I've memorized Neji's number so you don't need to worry about not having his number," I said. "And I also have told you how important Neji is to me. He's got all rights in the world to know where I am now."

I felt like I struck him in the heart. He unwillingly gave me his phone and I took it, "Thank you, Sasuke."

I dialed Neji's number and he picked up after a few rings.

"Neji."

Ino, I have been looking for you! Where are you now?

"Don't worry about me, I'll get home safely."

Who are you with?

"Just trust me – um, you drive home safely, okay?"

Okay. Be careful, Ino.

I hung up. I gave Sasuke back his phone. I felt bad not telling Neji that I was with Sasuke because I always told Neji everything. But Neji was a smart guy, he probably knew that I was with Sasuke.

"God, I hate myself," I sighed. Sasuke reached for my ponytail and pulled my scrunchy off my hair. My hair freely fell back. I looked at him. "I hate this."

"He must be very important to you because you hate it that much when you don't tell him everything," he pulled my head to his chest. "I envy Hyuuga."

"Stop it," I pulled away from him. I looked at him once again, I wasn't sure if I should say that but what the hell. "You're the reason why I can't fall in love with Neji. But somewhere along the road, I'll get over you and fall for him too."

–

A/N: I've been very proud of myself because I consistently update this story. Oh, and I wanna thank all the people who reviewed the previous chapter. And um, reviews? :)