CHAPTER 7

It was the weekend, and I was kidnapped. I was threatened in the sexiest way. I like to think my mind was blank for a few seconds and ended up volunteering for the kidnapping. I like to think that way to put my mind at ease.

I was on the couch, and Ralph was beside me. We were watching a movie with popcorn. I had plans with my friends, and everything was ruined. I was angry but couldn't carry the same feeling when his lips met mine. As usual, I gave a momentary pause to my anger and planned to carry it over the next day.

There was a knock on the door. Ralph went to check on the intruder, and it was Edgar. I cursed within myself. He doesn't know how to mind his own business most of the time, no not every fucking time. He gave me a knowing look when he saw me, and I shrugged in return.

First, my precious weekend was snatched by Ralph, which was damn ok with me, but always our time would be interrupted by one of his friends, which is fucking annoying. If I am sacrificing something, it should be worth it. Why the heck his friends would always be glued to him was beyond me, especially Edgar.

"You guys are awfully spending too much time together; is there something I should be worried about?" Speaking of minding his own business over the period, he definitely forgot about it, or it's something like this: Ralph's business is his damn fucking business. "Ed, we spoke about this." "Yeah, I know we spoke. You guys are practically glued every weekend, and you spent last weekend with his family. Sorry, little worried, and he was a stalker, so I can't help it." I want to teach him how to mind his business, but more than that, I want to shove something into his mouth so that he will shut it forever. "Hey, you are forgetting something; he is not old Re anymore." Ralph burst into laughter, followed by Ed, and I rolled my eyes. Like seriously.

"I am damn right here." I was angry that he not only dragged me over here but was also insulting or was he humiliating me. Yeah, let me stick to humiliating, which suits well to the current scenario. Ralph approached me. "Are you angry, baby?" I couldn't help but snort, and I didn't expect his next move. He was on my lap, kissing my lips in front of Ed, and this was bloody unexpected. Open PDA.

Ed cleared his throat, and Ralph groaned at my lips. He was flushed, and I was getting there but couldn't thanks to this asshole.

"I am really not in the mood for a PDA, especially of my best friend, Ralph." "Sorry, and it's weekend. On weekdays, he won't let me be near him, especially in company. I was frustrated and couldn't help it." "Yeah, right."

We continued watching the movie, and Ed's eyes were set on the screen, but he was not watching. Now and then he would turn toward Ralph, trying to say something, but he was holding back. He was contemplating too much, considering his nature, and he was behaving completely opposite. I could guess the reason, and I was going to hate everything that was going to happen in the next few minutes.

"Ralph." Ralph turned his gaze on Ed. Ed cleared his throat before speaking. "Ash called me." That was enough to ruin and change the atmosphere. The name was enough to bring so many things, just like that. After hearing the name, Ralph stiffened for a few minutes, and his whole domineer changed. He averted his eyes from Ed and was set on the screen.

Only his name had so much effect on Ralph. Without his presence, he could pull so many emotions from him, and I hate every ounce of it. Asher was not in Ralph's life, but still, his hold on him was unbelievable.

Their on-and-off chemistry is still a mystery to me.

If I am not wrong this was the longest break Ralph had with Asher. I knew they would bounce back once again, and maybe it was time. I am not getting how the hell this would happen every fucking time. I mean cheating on Ralph, again and again, winning him over after cheating. How on earth is that even possible?

Is Ralph blind? Was he hopelessly fallen in love with him? God knows.

When Ralph betrayed me, I was so over him, and trusting him again is a big no in this life. How the hell was it even possible when you tasted the betrayal? How can Asher always win over Ralph after cheating? I could only conclude through his friends and family.

"He tried to reach me a few times before, but I had disconnected his calls. He started pleading, so I couldn't help but attend his call. I swear, Ralph, I didn't meet him face-to-face, just on a phone call. He cleared his throat, and I knew what was coming. He wants to get back to you, and he is going to do everything. He would use both of your families to get back to you. I am sure of it. I want to give you a heads-up, Ralph, and you know I will support you whatever you decide. Please reach out if you need anything ok." Ralph nodded. "I will get going. Take care." Ralph didn't respond to that.

It was a few minutes, and everything was replaced, especially the expression on his face. He was deep in his thoughts, and I was not able to read his emotions. He was a jerk to me, but still, I love to see his smiling face for eternity, and it's not absurd if I say I will do anything to bring his smile back.

He placed his head on my shoulder, and I started caressing his hair.

If the same smile is always plastered on his face, I want him to go back to Asher. If Asher is the reason for Ralph's happiness, I want nothing more than that. Is it preposterous to think that way?

I can't help but think of our first meeting.

I was doing so many things to get his attention, and one fine day I got his attention, but in a completely different way.

The year when I set my eyes on Ralph, I passed the resolution of socializing, which I took bloody seriously. I was avoiding parties like the plague, and for socializing purposes, I started attending parties. It was my first college party, and it turned out to be an eventful one.

After entering the party, I scrutinized the crowd for a few minutes, just a glimpse, and I thought to run away from this socializing and strike off my resolution permanently, but I didn't when I spotted Ralph among his friends. The only person required to boost my energy. I waved to known faces and joined my friend's circle.

My friends were gossiping about something, and I was barely listening as I was too focused on Ralph. Everyone in my friends' circle knew about my huge crush on Ralph, and I made it obvious. They tried to get my attention that went in vain. Archie dragged me to get us a drink, and yeah, I needed one to distract myself.

When we entered the huge kitchen, Archie was stunned on the spot, and I was irritated and averted my eyes. This guy swore to himself to taste every moving body for sure. I was cursing underneath, and to my astonishment, Ralph entered the scene.

I was not the cheating guy over here still I was shocked only for a few seconds, and it took only a few more seconds to replace with happiness.

Archie was still digesting the scene, and Ralph was in dismay at what was going on. My eyes were glued to Ralph's face. I was happy when he witnessed the scene, but when the smile on his face was replaced by anger and betrayal, I lost it.

Asher was deeply involved and was not at all aware of who was witnessing the scene. On the other hand, I don't think he would give a damn considering his open PDA. Edgar shouted to bring Asher back to reality, and then only I noticed Ralph's friends, who had also joined the scene.

Asher was shocked, and Daisy was too. What the hell between these two? She is hot, and all I get it, but what the hell, he was always so busy thrusting his tongue deep down to her was beyond me.

Ralph ran from the kitchen, and his friends were behind him, followed by Asher. Daisy started ruffling her handbag, and she was giving herself a touch-up.

By rolling my eyes, I exited the room. At last, my friend opened his mouth. "What the hell was that? Damn it. I couldn't believe it. Someone could cheat on Raphael too, which is unbelievable. Why the hell are you not shocked?" "Ignore." "How the hell can I? Ralph witnessed his beloved cheating, Oh my goodness." He was babbling, and I was ignoring him promptly. I was searching for Ralph, and he was nowhere to be found. His friends were shuffled everywhere, searching for him.

This is not good. He was nowhere at the party. By informing Archie to give me a call once he finds Ralph, I ran outside. The weather was too cold, and there was no alcohol in my system to bear the same. I ignored the weather and needed to find him.

I searched for possible places, but he was nowhere. He might have left the party, but his car was still parked outside. His friends were still searching, including Asher. I wanted to teach this bastard a lesson through my fist, but I was no one, and his influence would only ruin everything for me. I am not ready to take that risk. I was working hard, and I can't throw that just like that.

Half an hour passed, and Ralph was nowhere to be found. I thought of going inside the house and searching in every room, but the garden area got my attention. His friends searched over there, and I thought of giving one final visit before going inside.

I started walking in the garden, which was too big. As I walked a few meters, I spotted a fountain. I surveyed everywhere, but no humans were in sight, so I started walking back, but I paused my step when I heard a muffle. My ears perked up, and I gave more attention, and it was more horrible.

I started walking toward the muffle, and Ralph was sitting opposite the fountain, hiding himself. I was relieved, and without wasting any more seconds, I sat beside him. He glanced toward me, and I wished he hadn't noticed me for the first time with those teary eyes. I met his gaze for a few seconds and averted it immediately. The lack of human emotions will always stumble back when I face him, and I hate it.

He was crying, and I let him. I wanted to console him, but the exact words were not in my dictionary. In this situation, I passed one more resolution to work on that too. Damn.

After a few minutes, he stopped crying, and we were still silent. "Is it dried?" In response, I heard a chuckle. "That's not the exact question to be asked at this moment." "My bad, sorry." He hummed in response. "Let it out all you want; I will wait for you." He once again glanced toward me. "You may feel relaxed after enough crying." "Maybe or maybe not, it's not easy considering the history we have." I hated this conversation already. Asher is a cheater; today he witnessed it, which was enough to break everything permanently, but I don't think that was the case here. I hummed in response.

Once again, silence engulfed us, and I let it be that way. I don't want to risk any conversation with him if it leads to their so-called history. I don't know where to hide myself or my annoyance.

"I have seen you around the college campus. You are the stalker my friends were talking about, right?" I was not offended by the word stalker but rather felt pleased by his remarks. He had noticed me before. I felt somehow warm. "I am a good stalker. I mean no harm." He laughed mildly. "I guess. This means nothing. I don't want to give you false hope." What the hell is he saying? I am not able to digest this part. It may take a few days. He is talking about relationships. Thank God, at least he is aware of my intention, and that's enough for the time being. I was smiling at my rejection without proposing. It feels good for no reason. Being in the same class, we never spoke to each other, and now that we are sitting beside each other, this is some achievement.

We stayed for a few minutes. By bidding goodbye to me, he made his way toward his car.

The next day, there were rumors everywhere, of course, about love birds. Asher's pleading didn't work on Ralph, and they broke up. When I heard the news, I was the happiest guy on earth, and I became even more daring.

Ralph started noticing my existence with small gestures.