Chapter 22

Alitha's POV

It's too late for me to take back what I said. I was also surprised when those words came out of my mouth. But there's something about me that makes me realize that's exactly how I feel. I like him although I hated him most. I don't know how that happened. That I liked him. I didn't expect that. Because I used to think it was impossible to like the person you hated.

His face lit up and the big smile gradually appeared. His eyes became smaller when his smile grew wider and wider. He became even more handsome in my eyes. His dimples are tempting me to prick and I wanted to pinch his cheeks.

"Really?" His cheeks flushed as he looked at me and waited for an answer. It's like I am seeing the other side of him. He looks like a teenager and is in the last state of adolescence. I was shocked when his friends and Glaiza stood up. I followed them with my gaze and made their way to the dance floor. Nikolai and I were left. He kept on staring at me.

"Ahm, you see, I.. I like you as a friend."

He lost his smile and was replaced by a frown. He even shook his head. "What?"

"What you are thinking is wrong. I want you as a friend and not as a.. you know." I was hesitating to say that. I don't want him to feel disappointed but I need to do that.

"No. Glaiza told me how you feel when I wasn't here. She told me everything you told her and it's clear enough that you like me, Ali. Don't deny that fact."

Was the feeling I felt these past days was the signs that I like him? But even so, if I like him, what would happen next? "Yeah, let's just say I like you and you like me. So what now?" He was stunned. His eyes rolled after a while. I could not imagine what he was doing. "Ahm, can I ask you something?" I didn't answer him. He just continued talking. "Have you had a boyfriend yet?"

I was the one who was stunned. "Why?" What does that have to do with what we're talking about? I was reluctant to tell him. "Not yet? Haven't you had a boyfriend yet?" Why is he so naughty? "Nothing yet. So what now?" He laughed which surprised me. But that laugh made him happy and alive. I can hear that he is very excited. "Are you insulting me?" I said.

"No, of course not." But he would still laugh. Maybe he'll stop laughing if I slap and beat him. "I'm just happy because you haven't had a boyfriend yet." "What now?!" He shrugged and his eyes glimmering upon looking at me. "You said that you like me. The feeling is mutual so.. you're my girlfriend now."

"What?! Are you crazy?!" I can't stop but to raise my voice at him. He can't joke like that. He did not know what he was saying. "Yes, I'm crazy for you. And you can't take back what you said. I'm your boyfriend and you're my girlfriend." I can't speak because of hid shamelessness. Is he kidding? He just made me his instant girlfriend. "You don't know what you're saying." I said shaking my head.

"Everybody!" He stood up and shouted. Everyone there fell silent and looked at him because of the strength of his voice. Even the music also stopped because the DJ turned it off. "I want you all to know that this woman beside me, Alitha Dominique, is my girlfriend! So back off and don't look at her anymore!"

He was pointing the men near where we were. The others retreated and raised both hands as if surrendering. I can see others have regret on their faces. Only now I do remember what Glen said to me then. That many men adore me without me realizing it. I gasped and looked up at Nikolai in shock. I grabbed the hem of his jacket and pulled him down. But it was too late because his friends shouted and applauded.

"Congrats, bro!"

"Congrats, men!"

"Congrats, Ali!" Glaiza shouted at me too. My face wrinkled. I was disappointed but I can't deny that I felt a strange feeling when he declared that I was his girlfriend and that he was my boyfriend. It's as if he's saying that we're both off limits. The knowledge that he wanted and like me made me even happier that I was trying to hide. What else is he doing? He announced and showed to everyone that he will mark me his and his alone.

"That's all! Stop looking at us anymore!" He shouted angrily at the crowd who were still staring straight at us. Envy is what I see in the eyes of every girl except for Glaiza and Aira who also greeted me. I couldn't make smile at her because I was ashamed of Niko's behavior.

And there's Tracey, who looks at me with disgust and anger in her eyes. I abruptly avoided her gaze. I don't have any problem with her. She's not Niko's girlfriend so why would u mind her. Niko sat next to me and put his above my shoulder. I look at him questioning his gesture. "You're mine now, Ali. And no one's allowed to come closer to you. You're mine alone. Remember that." His eyes were full of possessiveness as he stared at me.

"You didn't even ask my permission." I annoyingly look at him. "Liking me back is already your permission, baby. So don't bother to disagree and enjoy every experience I am going to show you." "I'm still not willing to be your girlfriend so don't be at ease." He laughed charmingly and lean closer to me. "Do whatever you want. You're just mine. You're mine, Ali." He whispered.

I rolled my eyes and ignored him. I did that but my heart couldn't stop beating fast. I'm having an abnormal breathing and there's something in me that I can't name. I continued drinking my juice and watching my fellow students dancing not minding my feelings. While his one arm still in my shoulder touching my bare skin. His body was so close to mine that I could feel the heat coming from him.

"I missed you." I was taken aback when he suddenly whispered close to my ear. I turned to him angrily but it must have been a wrong move because our lips were almost touching. I pulled my head away from him. He just smiled and seemed very comforting to me. Soon his friends returned with Glaiza and Aira. They greeted us again but I did not smile at them. Glaiza patted me and she just smiled at me. I will scold her later. Because of what she did, Niko's like a leech the way he clings to me now.

They ordered an alcoholic drink when the waiter pass by. It was as if I was stressed when I heard that they were going to have a drink. "Did you know that Nikolai canceled the party at Josh's house because he wanted to be here? He choses to come here and attend the party because of you." Glaiza whispered when she approached me. I didn't look at her but I clearly heard everything. So what? "We'll talk later." I said to her.

"Ali? Are you mad?" I just tilted my head. But my friend is really naughty. "There's always a first time in everything. I already have a boyfriend so I hope you do too. So I told Nikolai how you feel. There's nothing wrong with trying, is there, friend? And at least you have a boyfriend now. Just give it a try. Give him a chance. And then you like him so why don't you try?" I shook my head at her. "You shouldn't have made me feel like this. You know I don't want to." Fortunately, Nikolai and Cedrick were still busy talking. Our voices were weak but I knew they could hear us.

"Let's talk later." I told her. Cedrick returned to his chair next to Glaiza. They started drinking. I accepted the drink Glaiza gave me. I felt disgusted now because of what they're doing to me. Niko moved closer to me again. But I was even more surprised when he took my hand and held it firmly under the table. I turned to him and looked at him angrily. But he just squeezed me back.

"Hello, guys." Tracey approached us with two of her friends. I stopped in my tracks because she was looking at us. "Tracey, join us." Jethro invited her. "Thanks, we surely will." They sat right in front of Niko and me. "Hi, Nikolai." She artfully greeted the person next to me.

Niko just nod his head and look at me. I ignored him and just drank. As his hand squeezed hard on my hand. He laid our hands under the table above his thigh. I don't like the way Tracey looks at me. That's why I abused it. I get angry especially when they look at me like that. I have nothing to do with her. But the tickling feeling grabbed my attention. Our palms clasped over his thigh. I feel emotional and I don't know, but it feels good.

"You're in a relationship, huh?" Tracey's sarcastic voice filled the air. "Uhuh." Niko answered. I was just sipping my drink and didn't mind her. I felt Niko come to my side and whisper to me. "Just ignore her, baby." I tickle because his breath hitting my ear. But I managed to ignore that. Why is he whispering so much to me? I gripped his hand in mine and felt him suddenly tensed.

I don't know how many bottles I have but the next time Glaiza gave it, Niko took it. "That's enough. You drank a lot." He said that made me shocked. "Don't mess with me." "You might be drunk, baby." "No. I'm not drunk yet." I snatched the bottle from him but he quickly moved the bottle away from me.

"How about me, darling. Don't you want me to stop? I'm drunk." Tracey's sweet voice caught my attention. She looked at Niko beguilingly. Huh! This bitch. Really? "Shut up, Tracey!" Niko hissed not even looking at her. His eyes was on me, was on my face. I sarcastically smiled at him. "Seems like your other girl is jealous." I told him.

"She's not my girl. I told you that before." He told me emphatically. I grabbed my hand from his and without a word I stood up. I'd better go home. He also stood like me. "Where are you going?" He asked worriedly. "Home." I looked at Glaiza who was also surprised at what I did. "I'll be ahead of you. I'm tired." I'm mentally tired. I no longer waited for her answer. I looked at the boys. "I'll go ahead." That's all and I turned my back from them.

I left them without looking back. I continued out of the socio hall and walked towards the parking lot. I'll call the driver when I get there. Cedrick probably won't let Glaiza go home alone. He will surely take care of her. But I was surprised when suddenly someone grabbed my hand as I walked down the quiet hallway. But I controlled my reflexes when I smelled the daredevil who grabbed my hand.

Nikolai. He propped me up in the wall below the stairs. It's dark in this area. "What are you doing?" I calmed down. He's not as drunk now as he first did this. But my heart is as wild as a tigress. It can't calm like I want it to. "Are you leaving without your boyfriend?" He whispered. Our bodies are close together and that is why my heart is beating so differently now. "I don't have a boyfriend." I stressed every word that came out of my mouth.

He tiredly laugh. But I was alarmed when his face lean closer to me. "What's with what I said you couldn't understand? You're my girlfriend now whether you like it or not." He's breathing hard and seems like he's having a hard time. I can see his eyes even if it's dark. "Anyways, you look wondrous tonight, baby. You make me suffer even more. Do you know that?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I missed you, so much it hurts, Ali." And without a word he crossed the distance of our lips. He kissed me. Strongly my head almost sank into the wall. I pushed him but he hugged me even tighter. His lips moved that he almost ate my lips. Is he always like this when he kisses me?

This is my third kiss. The same man with my first and my second. I kept on dreaming this. I kept on thinking how does it feel again? How does his lips taste again? I kept on wondering those but now that it's already happening, I'm fighting it. Somehow I'm a bit crazy, don't you think?