Chapter 14

St Clair and I spent the entire night talking. I got to know more about him without him getting to know more about me. I know it's selfish but it's for both of us. It's for our good.

I heard a knock on the door and I decided not to open it considering I didn't like being disturbed while I was working.

What if it's St Clair. My subconscious prompted me to open the door and she was right. It was St Clair.

"Hazel" he beamed

"Etienné, nice to see you too, "I said

"Likewise" his eyes grew wider "Rewind," he told me

"Um... Nice to see you too"I said

"No what did you call me?" he asked

"Etienné?"

"Yeah that" he smiled "I'm so happy I could hug you right now," he said

"Don't"I told him with a hand between the both of us.

I led him inside

"Why did you decide to call me Etienné?" he asked and sat down

"So this might sound cliché but here goes..... everybody keeps calling you at Clair so I decided to be different and call you Etienné"I explained

"Awww, that's so sweet"

I rolled my eyes

"Don't take what I said the wrong way" I told him

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't"

"Look....in my life I strive for difference, for uniqueness. Everyone keeps calling you the same boring name....."

He cut me off

"So you're saying my name is boring?"

I shrugged

"....since I strive for the difference I decided to call you the one name that no one seems to call you, "I told him

"Apart from my mother," he told me

"I can share you with her, "I told him without thinking.

"Wait! what?" he seemed surprised

"I didn't mean it that way, "I told him, hoping to clarify things.

"So how different can you be from others?" he asked

"Take this for example. I want to be that parent who can train their kid without a cain and yet the child grows up to be the next Albert Einstein"

"That's great I guess" he commented

"Thanks"

"Do you want breakfast?"I asked

He seemed to think.

"It's cereal by the way, "I told him

"I think I'll pass," he said and I laughed

"As expected, "I said and laughed once more.

"Well I just came to say hi, so I'll be leaving"

I walked him to the door

"Bye Etienné" he smiled

"I could get used to you calling me that, "he said in the most seductive tone I have ever heard. I smiled then blushed.

"Would you like to go out with me? For dinner?" he asked

"She can't" a voice I recognized as Meredith spoke up and I groaned. She just had to spoil the moment.

"Why?" Etienné asked, looking confused

"Because you're going out with me" Mer answered "I booked us a table at 'Le grill Mexican' and we'll be leaving by 6 pm but for now we are going to watch a movie so get ready," she told Etienné

"Maybe another time, "I told him and he nodded.

I was about to enter my apartment when I felt a hand grip me.

"What do you want this time?"I asked her

"I want you to stay away from my boyfriend" she answered

"Look witch I don't like your boyfriend in the way you're suggesting. Our relationship is platonic and it will always be that way" I stopped to take a breather.

"Stop being insecure and childish. He clearly likes you so stop doubting him"I told her

"I'm not doubting him, I just don't trust you and I'm not insecure" she argued

I rolled my eyes.

"Keep living in denial, "I told her, and I could see smoke coming out of her ears.

"Just stay away from him or else...." I cut her off

"Or else I will see the other side of you that you don't like blah blah blah blah. I'm getting tired of the statement already" I told her with a sly smirk.

She was fuming

"I hate you" she spat at me

"Same here sweetheart," I said and turned into my apartment.

That ought to keep her out of my hair.

~~~~~~

Lila and I were sitting at the milkshake parlor. This place has become our official hangout since I found out they also sell ice cream.

"So how's it going with your neighbor?"Lila asked

"He's not single for crying out loud" I groaned

"I know. I'm just checking up on him" she said with a shrug

"Yeah right, "I told her with a roll of my eyes

"So what about Ace?" she asked

"What about him"I threw her question back at her

"Is he okay? I mean are you guys on the same page. Are you guys compatible?"

"We are compatible as friends. Stop trying to matchmake me with every guy in Paris' 'I told her and put a spoon of ice cream into my mouth.

"Okay fine but I'm only trying to help your love life" she informed me

"Guess what....I don't need your help"I told her and she shrugged.

"So how did you get to know Ace?"I asked Lila

"Through Jay", she put a scoop of ice cream inside her mouth "They are best friends. Met in college and they hit off right then and there," she told me

"Hmm" I hummed in response

"So how's your relationship with Jay?"I asked and she blushed

"It's okay" she blushed again

"Did you guys do the deed?"I asked

"We almost did," she answered quietly and I laughed.

"Lila Blackwood speaking quietly. That's a first" I said with a smile

"Oh stop," she whined.

"How's St Clair's girlfriend?"

"I feel like you are interrogating me on every character in my life," I told her and she shrugged

"Well..... she's still as bitchy as usual," I said honestly

"You really don't like her do you?"

"Not one bit"

"Why?"Lila asked curiously

"She thinks I want to steal her boyfriend",I said with disgust

"Do you?"