The atmosphere became blissful once again. Though Alicia and Zeke had yet to return, everyone did not mind their absence anymore. Well, it was expected that another romantic moment would ensue after all that shocking public display of affection that Zeke had showed.

  　　Moreover, Alicia was also crying when they had left. So they could already deduce that the duo might take quite some time before they would return to join the others for the party.

  　　While the men were enjoying their drinks, Alex started up another topic. This time, he put Zeres at the center of attention. Something that of course, had the silver-haired guy shooting a frustrated glare at Alex.

  　　"Oh, come on Zeres! You should actually start thinking about doing something that you really want to do in your life. And it should be soon, too. Maybe you might want to go study and become a doctor or perhaps even a teacher… or something along those lines. You have all the time in the world right now. But I still think it's better if you find something you really want to do soon." Alex said and Kai and Lucas nodded quickly, agreeing to what Alex had said.

  　　Zeres was dumbstruck at that sudden topic that was brought up. He had not been expecting such a lecture from Alexander. No, it was more like he just was not used to Alex talking about serious matters and behaving really sensibly like how he was at the moment. But then, he remembered that Alexander was already a father now.

  　　"Or are you not interested yet because…" Alex added, leaning his elbow on Zeres' shoulder as he waggled his brow. "Because you are occupied with something else right now? Or should I say someone…?" his voice turned into a whisper.

  　　Ahhh… he spoke too soon. Because there he goes again.

  　　Zeres shrugged Alex's hand off his shoulder, but Alex just casually returned his hand back into position again and continued talking as though he did not feel Zeres not wanting to continue on this topic. "I heard you're living with Iryz for quite a while now, Zeres. And yet you didn't introduce her to us as your girlfriend? What's the deal with that??"

  　　"That's because she's not my girlfriend yet, Alexander." He sternly replied when Alex suddenly flashed that annoying grin.

  　　"Yet." He echoed and Zeres finally realized he indeed had said that. "Aah… I see where this is going." And he chuckled mischievously.

  　　It caused his ears to redden, and he looked away, only to see Iryz laughing as she was talking with Abi.

  　　"I think she's a suitable wife material, right Lucas?" Alex glanced at Lucas and the ginger head immediately nodded before gulping down his wine.

  　　That comment made Zeres cough violently on his drink though. He was unable to believe that Alex was already using the word 'wife'. This guy was just impossible!

  　　"Stop talking nonsense, Alexander. She's still very young –" Zeres chided him sternly.

  　　"How old is she, by the way…?" Alex interrupted him.

  　　"I think nineteen or twenty?"

  　　"And you are telling us that age is 'very young'? Dude!! If you count her age in her past life as Eris… she's no longer young!" Alex exclaimed at Zeres, his face showing a little disbelief that Zeres was still giving excuses.

  　　Zeres went speechless. He could only grab onto his wine and drink it, allowing him to avoid replying.

  　　"But seriously, Zeres. You're going to pursue her, aren't you?" Alex sounded serious again. "You did say 'yet'… but I hope you're not going to drag it on. Or someone else might snatch her up even before you realized it."

  　　Suddenly, Zeres turned to Alex. His brows creased. "S-someone? Who?" his eyes were slight widened as he uttered those two words.

  　　Alex could not help but roll his eyes at this helpless and clueless dimwit.

  　　"Oh, come on Zeres. You can't be that shallow, can you? Just look at her!" Alex pointed over to where Iryz was standing. "You really think such a lady like her doesn't have any admirers… or even suitors?"

  　　Zeres was silenced once again. Now that he was looking at her from afar, just sitting there, smiling and laughing and talking, like she had forgotten all about him…
　　She really was beautiful and charming. He had noticed this before, but her smile really seems to light up her surrounding and even the people who are looking at her.

  　　"Agreed. I find her really attractive." Lucas' voice echoed from the side and Zeres turned to him with a start.

  　　"What did you just say?"

  　　"I said she's really attractive. If she was a vampire…" Lucas trailed off when he realized that Zeres' gaze on him had started to sharpen dangerously. "Er… I am not planning to hit on her, man. So just relax."

  　　"You can't actually act like that when she's not even your girlfriend though." Kai butted in, wanting to put in his two cents worth. "She's still single. So that means she's not off limits. Anyone can make a move on her if she's okay with it. It's just fair game." He then shrugged after seeing the ugly expression on Zeres' face.

  　　"But we're going to go on date soon. We have already talked about it, and I am already set to date her tomorrow or the next day…" Zeres trailed off at the sight of Alex's widening smile.

  　　He turned away and gulped another mouthful of his wine when Alex leaned closer to him.

  　　"So… tell me. You already have a plan for the date? Or should I say, you already know what to do to make your girl have the best date ever? Hmm, Zeres?" Alex really sounded like a busybody housewife right now.

  　　But Zeres stilled at all the questioning. The truth was, he had absolutely had no ideas just yet. He has never dated anyone before. Women just naturally throw themselves on him for sex. That was all his experience was, with the women in this modern world.

  　　"Worry not, Zeres. This man right here, will tutor you on that matter now." Alex said with a flourish when Zeres suddenly stood up and ran over to the ladies' table.

  　　The men started at his sudden movement and followed him with their gazes only to watch him go ahead and grabbed Iryz's wine glass away from her hand.

  　　'Err… what is the white dragon witch doing?' Lucas thought. Everyone had the same thoughts as Lucas except for Kai, as he had immediately realized what had caused Zeres to frantically run and did that.

  　　"Zeres?" Iryz had her hand suspended in midair as she blinked at Zeres who seemed to have suddenly appeared next to her out of nowhere just to snatch her glass from her hands.

  　　"Sorry," he sighed. "Did you drink from this already?"

  　　Confused, Iryz hesitantly nodded. By that time, the ladies who had gone to put the twins back in their cribs have already returned. They all looked at the duo, wondering what had just happened.

  　　___

  　　Please cast your Golden Tickets on Hellbound Heart. Thank you.