A Life Once More-Chapter 70: Party (1)
Chapter 70 - 70: Party (1)
Time passed quickly.
I stopped by the hotel, took a shower, and changed my clothes. No one was there, which was kind of a bummer, but I appreciated that this place used codes instead of cards. All I had to do was enter the code for the elevator, then the code for the room.
I slicked my hair back, the black color having a little shine because of the gel. I washed my face to get rid of any extra mess my shower might've missed. I cleaned my ears and did my nails too—just to make sure everything was perfect.
As for my clothes, I kept it simple but clean: just a plain white T-shirt that fit snugly around my chest and arms, paired with slim black jeans that sat well on my waist. Over that, I tossed on a lightweight, unzipped white hoodie. It gave off the "I didn't try too hard, but I still look good" kind of energy. On my feet, I wore black and white sneakers that had just enough wear to look lived-in without looking beat up.
I literally gave off Yin-Yang vibes, reminding me of wuxia novels. I couldn't help but wonder if that genre was still a thing here.
"Stop. We'll need to confirm your identity."
I handed the guard my I.D., and he seemed to freeze. He handed it back without even checking.
"Sorry, sir. I didn't know the owner's son would be coming today."
'W-what?'
[No way.]
'MOM WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU OWN THIS?!'
I walked in, taking in the beautiful lobby.
The place oozed quiet luxury—nothing too flashy, but everything was deliberate. Polished marble floors stretched out beneath my sneakers, gleaming under soft golden lighting that spilled from geometric fixtures above. A rich, lingering blend of oud, saffron, and rosewater filled the air—warm, spicy, and floral in a way that felt both ancient and expensive. It was the kind of scent that clung to silk robes and whispered of wealth without needing to shout.
Tall, sleek columns framed the space, and abstract art pieces hung along the walls—just enough to look expensive without actually making sense. A water feature stood near the center, its soft trickle echoing faintly beneath the gentle hum of ambient music. The front desk was long and modern, made of black stone with brass accents, manned by staff dressed better than I was.
There were lounge chairs near the windows, upholstered in muted velvet tones, each one angled perfectly like they were waiting for some movie star to sit down.
[What are you going to do? I mean, you're 30 minutes early.]
'Since I'm early, I might as well check on the venue. Do you remember what floor it was again?'
[Uh. I think it was on the roof, right?]
'Sounds about right.'
I walked to the elevators, which sung the usual chime, and I pressed the highest floor—29th, for those curious. Leaning back against the wall, I watched the numbers climb slowly and felt kind of excited. This would be my first public-type event, and this place was high-end, so high-quality people would be here.
[Hey Eiz.]
'Yeah?'
[You don't think Marik knows your mom owns this place?]
'I doubt it. The guard didn't recognize me, so I think she has it under wraps. I'm pretty sure he only knew me once he saw my last name.'
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[Then do you think any one of these people are going to know?]
'I don't know... but let's be honest, even if they do, it's not like I own this place.'
Ding~
Ding~
Two simultaneous sounds went off. One was the elevator, and the other, my phone.
[Mom: I got informed you're at the Highland Venues. Why are you there?]
[Me: I got invited to a party so I thought I'd come and check it out.]
[Mom: Okay, that's fine. If you need anything, ask the staff. I'll let the manager know you have full power today.]
[Me: When did you even purchase this?]
[Mom: Purchase? Did you for—oh. Sorry. I bought the land about a decade ago and built the place.]
[Me: Mom, it's been a while since I've told you... you don't have to apologize or feel bad about it.]
[Mom: I can't help it. Anyway, if anything happens, I'm leaving it to you!]
'Haha~'
I shook my head and finally made my way toward the people in front of me. Obviously, I wanted to handle things immediately, but I was more focused on Mom. The fact that I had full power at this place was something I wasn't expecting.
"Hey Eiz~!"
'Oh god no.'
A voice slithered into my ears—familiar, soft, and sharp enough to cut through memory. I froze, heart tightening, wishing for even a second that I had just misheard.
But no. I turned, and there she was. The sole reason for my hospital visit a few weeks ago.
Alice.
Short green hair framed her face in soft layers, the strands catching the golden light of the venue's chandeliers and glinting like jade under flame. Her lime-green eyes locked onto mine with an unnatural brightness—eyes that seemed too alive, too focused. Like she hadn't missed a beat.
She was about 5'5", maybe a little less in her flats, but her presence made her feel taller—like she was always standing a little closer than she should. Her frame was curvy in a way that looked effortless, well-proportioned and balanced, like her body knew how to draw the eye without even trying. There was tone beneath it, too. Her figure wasn't just soft; it was trained. The kind of body that said she worked out not to be flashy, but because it made her feel good.
[Doesn't she look like—]
'Marik.'
Of course, their appearances being similar could've just been coincidence... but that green color really seemed to match way too well.
