We arrived at the hottest restaurant in town, Casa Blanca. Only the most prestigious people were given admittance. 'Trust Miguel to choose something like this,' I was not the biggest fan of Buckingham palace meals. Miguel himself was a rich man's son and only son, so his pocket was never empty.

   "There's a party going on here tonight," Miguel whispered, as I saw Brad Pitt walking pass.

    "A celeb party, you mean," I corrected him. "How did you get the access?"

    "Hey, I'm a celeb, too" Miguel flashed I-am-cool-I-got-it-all grin. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, his father was a big shot, too.

    "Cool it, Mig," I rolled my eyes. "Or I'll inflate your ego."

    "Don't roll your eyes. The president won't like it if he catches you." he grinned mischievously.

    I turned my head. My jaw dropped. There stood the president of Spain, talking with the guy who sits in the Oval Office everyday. I slapped him on the arm playfully and asked,

    "Why didn't you tell me?"

    "Though I'd give you a surprise," he smirked. "And man, didn't I succeed. No big deal, Tria, you've met Prince William face to face. What's there to fear?" I glared at him.

    "Try to enjoy it, baby" he added. "I've gotta catch up with Liz Hurley over there. Have fun! Don't do anything I won't do." He winked at me and strode off, leaving me standing there alone--helpless.

    I watched his figure smoothly gave in to the crowd on the dance floor. He was hopelessly romantic, and gorgeous, not to mention. he had been there for me so many times, I doubt I could ever repay him.

    The wall of excited crowd around me thickened. I decided that sitting here looking bored wasn't going to help. I had to 'mingle'. I swayed around to the music, rocking when a upbeat song came on, changing partners occasionally. The party fever soon built up within me. I thought spotted Miguel grooving and chatting one or two times, but I was having fun on my own. Celebrities could be such great people to hang around, depending on whom you're with. 

    I finished my dance with Christian Wunderlich just when they announced the next performers--the Backstreet Boys.

    'Can't believe they still have those geeks at a party like this," I thought quietly to myself, still holding on to Christian.

    "May I have the next dance, too?" Christian asked me.

    "Yeah, sure," I smiled.

    I examined him from a distance, trying to break away from his strong scent of cologne, which was stinging my eyes. He wasn't bad-looking at all, but not as good as Miguel. He was a blond, like Nick.

    'Nick!' I flipped out. 'Oh no! Nick's in the Backstreet Boys!' How could I have forgotten, I felt like slapping my head.

    I nervously turned my head towards the stage, my body turned rigid. There stood Nick, melting all the girl's hearts with his sweet smile in a suit, all except mine...

    "Uh... Hi, Caitriona."
    " see I'm not welcome."
    "No!"
    "Hey Nicky! Mmmm-ua"
    "Caitriona..."
    Her smirking face turned to me.

    I tightened my grip in Christian. He looked at me with concern. I flashed him a reassuring smile. He relaxed. Tension returned to my face.

    I couldn't leave. It would attract too much attention. Nick would see me from the stage if I moved out of sync. I knew the view onstage, I also knew that Nick had the habit of scanning the crowd during a performance. He told me.

    I buried my face in Christian's chest. He wrapped his arms. I could see the warm smile on his face.

    The medley ended. The last five minutes felt like five years. I broke away from Christian claiming that I needed a drink, figuring that the Boys would get off the stage. But no! They were getting off the stage, as in joining the part crowd. I quickened my footsteps.

    Miguel was nowhere to be seen. 'Where are you, Mig? Where are you when I need you?' I searched frantically, asking everyone I knew.

    "Caitrin!" a voice called from behind. 

    "Miguel!" I sighed with relief. 

    But I was wrong. I turned around to see Nick's face. I staggered backwards. He grabbed me.

    "Wha-- What are you doing here?" I stuttered. For the second that evening, I felt like slapping my head. Miguel's voice was far from Nick's.

    His bright eyes shone. "To perfrom!" said he excitedly. "Did ya catch it? Was it good? Do ya like it?"

    My fear turned to anger. I crossed my eyebrows. "You cannot pretend nothing had happened," I hissed. 

    "What?" His blue eyes looked at me innocently.

    "Where is that Nika slut?" I crossed my arms waiting for an answer. Thank God that no one was looking.

    "Nicole? Oh! I dumped her. She wasn't you, Tria."

    "First, Nick," I said hotly. "No one but Miguel can call me 'Tria' Secondly, had Nicole became another victim of yours? In that case, I feel sorry for her." I put on a fake sympathetic face.

    "Miguel? Who the--"

    "You must be looking for me," Miguel popped out from nowhere and stuck out his hand to Nick. I smiled inwardly. A look of shock replaced Nick's face. 'My savior at anytime, anywhere.'

    "What the--"

    "Nick," I said. "I would like you to meet my---"

    "Fiancé," Miguel cut in. "I'm her fiancé, Miguel. Nice to meet you." By now, Nick was totally speechless. I swore Miguel wanted to spat in his wide-opened mouth. "I have heard so much about you. Meeting you had always been one of my zillion dreams. But right now, I've gotta go." He steered me away while finishing his sentence, leaving Nick standing there gaping, and me walking away smiling.

    "Hey, who's that girl?" Brian asked. Nick snapped out of his trance.

    "Huh?" 

    "I said, 'Who's the girl you were talking to?" Brian repeated.

    "Oh! No one, no one important," 

    "Oh yeah? She looks a fine chick."

    "She's not a chick, Rok," Nick frowned. 

    "Oh yeah?" Brian raised his eyebrow. "Thought you said she was no one important."

    "But that doesn't make her a chick," Nick retorted and walked away. 

    'Weird,' Brian thought. 'Bet this won't be the last Nick, or I, see of her.'

    "Just in time, man," I sighed. "Thanks."

    "Anytime, milady," Miguel bowed deeply.

    I looked out at the calm ocean, the party scene far behind this balcony. Miguel's voice broke in.

    "This won't be the last you see of him, Tria."

    "I don't want to know."

Part Two
Part Four

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