Chapter 17

Alitha's POV

I smiled at him but his eyes seemed like shooting daggers as he stared at me and back to Alec who is now looking at him also. I take steps to go closer to him but he started the engine and drove as fast as he could.

What the fuck is wrong with him?

"Who was that?" Alec behind me asked as his gaze followed the path Nikolai is taking.

"A friend. He is Glaiza's boyfriend bestfriend."

"Oh."

"I have to go now, for real."

"Okay. Take care."

"Bye." I went inside my car. He didn't get inside his apartment not until he can't see me anymore. I was driving in the highway when Niko's face burst in my mind. His expression is confusing me. He acted like a child throwing tantrums in front of us.

Sunday came and Glaiza invited me out to go shopping. She went to me so we can find dresses that we shall wear in our Acquaintance Party. I don't want to go with her but she insisted. So, here we are. In one of the biggest malls in the city.

"I want to wear something unique, Ali. We will go to that boutique my Mom referred to me. Her friend owned that boutique so she will give us their limited designs."

"Any dress will do, Glai." There are lots of people right now. It is too crowded and I felt suffocated.

"Of course not. We should be careful on choosing gowns. We might see students wearing the same like ours."

"Okay." I can't win in this kind of stuff against my best friend. She knows everything about this fashion trends, issues or whatsoever. I immediately sat in the couch as soon as we arrived at the boutique her Mom recommended. She just looked at me with disbelief.

I let her talk to the manager while I roamed my eyes around the store. Elegant gowns and cocktail dresses are hanging everywhere. Glaiza sit next to me when she finished talking to the store manager.

"She will prepare the gowns in their office. We will go there when she's done." I nod. I'm not interested of that expensive gowns she's talking about. "Oh, they're here!"

I looked at her and saw her waving behind my direction. "Who is it?"

"Cedrick and Nikolai." She said smiling.

"You didn't told me they're coming."

"Didn't I?" It's not a big deal really. But after what Niko acted that day, I didn't know how to approach him.

"Hey." I said when Cedrick looked at me. He smiles and nods his head before he sat beside Glaiza. "Hello, Ali."

To my own surprise, Niko sat beside me. I turn my head to look at him but I was speechless when he smiles from ear to ear.

"Hi, Ali." He just greeted me.

"Hello." I didn't realize I greeted him back.

"How have you been?" He talks as if nothing happened yesterday evening. I didn't take off my eyes away from him.

"Good. Nothing is new." I answered him not leaving his gaze.

His jaw clenched. I was confused of his reaction but he smiled again. Is he a bipolar?

No. I don't think so. Maybe he's just like that. Now he's fine but suddenly he's not. Maybe he's struggling to something I didn't know. And even if we're friends, I'm not still in the position wherein I can ask him whatever I want to ask.

"What are you going to wear?"

"Glaiza will choose for me."

"Why her? Why not you?"

"I don't know how to choose. She is smarter than me." He never looked at me again. He was already looking ahead of us.

"You are different from your cousin. Eden is well dressed. She's beautiful. How is she?"

I wondered why the conversation suddenly turned to Eden. I don't care if Eden is better than me. I admit she knows how to dress better than me.

"Yeah, she is. She's okay and doing good so far."

"You're close, aren't you?"

"Sometimes we're close, sometimes we're not."

"Does she already have a boyfriend?"

"Yes."

He tsk-tsked. "It's a pity. I like her."

I turned to him. He likes Eden. Well, not surprisingly. My sister is really beautiful but I'm still more beautiful. Wait, so what if I'm better? We have different beauties and I don't care if Niko likes her.

"How much do you like her?" I asked not looking at him. I don't know but I have this feeling I have never felt before. I don't want to acknowledge it that's why I put it aside.

"Enough to snatch her from her boyfriend." I was stunned. Not by his reaction but my heart's reaction. It was like being crushed suddenly. I felt the stinging pain inside.

"Ah, that's.. not good." I said. "Eden's in love with someone." And I have no plan on telling you who is it. "You will be ignored then."

We were only a handful apart so I could feel him looking at me. The heat coming from his body is nothing compared to the heat coming from his stares at me. I feel like he is studying me.

"Tell me, how can a woman be taken from her boyfriend?"

"What do you mean? You're not planning to take her away, are you?" I straightened my back as soon as I heard him.

"What can I do to have the woman I like most? Tell me, what can I do to make her like me too?"

I was speechless. I could feel the seriousness in his voice. He seems determined to get Eden to the man she loves. My lips parted a little but I closed it for a moment. Probably what he would think.

"I don't know. It's your problem. Don't ask me because I have no idea about that kind of issue."

"As my friend, you should help me. She's your cousin. Probably you know a lot of things about her."

"No, I don't. We're not close. So don't bother me." I lied. It's because i don't want him to know that she is my sister and not just a cousin.

"Okay. You say so." I thought he would insist but I was surprised the opposite he did. The store manager came and called us into their office. The two men did not go with us and remained in their seats. I didn't expect the dresses hanged in front of us when we enter their office.

Elegance and classy is the first thing I noticed as we enter. They have all the colors.

"These are the designs of the famous designer in Paris, Ali." Glaiza informed me.

"You may choose whatever you like, ma'am. These are not for sale yet because these will be used at the fashion show next month."

Glaiza's eyes lit up looking at me. Her Mommy is really powerful here. It has not been on sale yet but the designer gave us the permission to buy any dress we'll like.

"Thank you so much." She said, her voice is as glad as her facial expression. She started choosing clothes. I would have just watched her but the manager enticed me. It would be embarrassing if I refused. She worked hard to prepare it and then I just wouldn't look.

All designs are beautiful. I have almost nothing to say. I also don't know what to say other than the former is beautiful and classy. I let Glaiza choose for me. We also spent about an hour selecting and measuring.

When we left, Cedrick and Nikolai were gone. Glaiza told me that Cedrick called her and invited us to spend the night at Cedrick's beach house. It only takes an hour to get there. But I did not immediately agree. I can't do such things, I'm sure Daddy will give me a lot of sermons again.

"You know I can't, Glaiza."

"It's just an overnight, Ali. We will not do something you won't like."

"You just go with them. Cedrick is there. He won't leave you."

"Cedrick strictly ordered me to include you."

"And why is that?"

"I don't know. And even if he didn't instruct me, I would still take you. You know me, Ali. Please?"

"Here we go again. That's where you're good at?"

"Please, friend. Please?" I sighed. How can I refuse her if she begs like this. She almost knelt down just to let me come with her.

"Fine! Fine. But I will call my Aunt first."

"No need. I will be the one to call Aunt Caroline." She said. Aunt Caroline won't allow us either so I won't be able to be with her either. I secretly smiled as I looked at her. The store manager called me and signed the slip for the gowns we had reserved. Soon Glaiza came up to me and jumped up to hug me. I looked at her curiously.

"Auntie agreed." She said still laughing. It's a pity she's really happy but I'm wondering. Why did Auntie agreed?

I took the cellphone out of my pocket and called Auntie. She picked up after four rings. I think she's busy but I need to ask her.

"Ali, darling?"

"Hello, Auntie."

"What is it?"

"Did Glaiza called you?"

"Yes. Oh, is it about what she asked me?"

"Yes, Auntie."

"Sure, darling. You can go with them. Have fun but remember what we've told you."

"How about Dad, Auntie?"

"I will explain to him if he finds out. But let's not say anything to him right now. And, don't worry about your bodyguards, I will call them later not to tell my brother. I will instruct them to just watch and follow where you go."

"Yes, Auntie."

I had no choice but to go with my best friend. I just prefer to lie down and sleep. We still have school tomorrow.

"Don't we still have school tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow is Monday, Ali. We don't have school in the morning. Our professors will be attending a conference, right? Haven't you heard them last week?"

Of course. Now I just remembered. I really have no choice but to be with the person whom I don't want to be with. I'm sure he will ask about Eden again. My God, I'm feeling the pain in my chest again. Why do I feel this way? I don't want to think I'm jealous because I shouldn't and I can't.

What am I going to do? I can't tell Glaiza how I feel because she will definitely tease me. Maybe it's just these days. Tomorrow or the day after it will be gone. Maybe because I was challenged by his personality and him as a person.

We traveled for about an hour. We followed the direction Cedrick was saying. We passed the narrow road that Nikolai and I had taken to the upper part before. I was suddenly nervous remembering him. I'd better just take him to Eden. But what will happen to Alec then? Eden might fall for Nikolai if he will pursue her. Poor Alec if that's gonna happen.

We reached the beach house. We passed an arch a few meters before their house. No fence but lots of plants around. It was a two-story stone house. So solemn and cozy.

Cedrick did not meet us but we voluntarily approached the door of the house. Glaiza made three knocks on the door. Moments later, the door opened. Josh's happy face flashed at us.

"Hello, girls!" He excitedly greeted us. What is he doing here? Oh, maybe he's also invited. I thought it's just me and Glaiza. Well, it's okay. At least he won't bother me if there's other people around.

"Hi." I greeted him back and so as Glaiza.

"They're at the back. Luckily I was here in the living room to get something. And then I heard you knock."

"What are they doing at the back?" Glaiza asked.

"We will eat in the backyard. We are just waiting for you."

"This place is nice." I said and look around.

"Cedrick's parents are both Architect."

"Really? That explains what I am seeing now." I nodded.

"How are you?" I didn't realize Josh was walking beside me. Glaiza was already ahead of us when Josh pointed the path to the backyard.

"I'm good. How about you?"

"I'm bored earlier but since you're already here, seems my night will be fantastic."

"Aren't you busy?"

"Earlier yes. And I came here to rest. I didn't know Cedrick and his friends are here too."

So, he's not invited just what I thought was.