chapter 21

With a loud growl, I embarrassedly put my hands on my stomach.

 "You should have lunch, princess." With a quick glance at his golden watch, Jayden nodded and said, "You can make a hamburger." 

Once the refrigerator was opened, Ashira grabbed a soda cookie and the last plastic of the fruit parfait.

 "May I please have the zesty Caribbean in the small size?" she said over the phone.Yes, the same place where this number is located. Many thanks.

 She was not ready to cook for people who did not support her in everything they did, and she was too upset to make a dish she was going to eat by herself. Right now, placing an order was the best course of action.

 She indulged in the cookie and perused the first few chapters of her most beloved book series while she waited for the package. By Kelly Mckain, best friends forever.

 "Do you not think that the parfait would cool down before your order is delivered?"

 I said, my eyes still fixed on the book, "I love it just that way." Ashira had read this specific edition, but she was in need of something to help her forget about her troubled brother.

 It was starting to melt, I noticed, the fruit parfait. Although Jayden was correct, I was furious and refused to accept his ideas.

 Ring...ring...ring.

All I could wait for was the doorbell, so I bounded happily towards it. "On the way...in a minute."At last, my delivery had arrived..

A young man with blonde hair said, "Good afternoon, beauty," beaming broadly while wearing a uniform. Was this supposed to be my man for delivery? His hands were empty when I looked down at them. Where was my food, and I could not see the bike?.

Christ!!!!!!

 "Hey..."She gave him a nod, trying not to be impolite because he appeared to be a guard or something. Clearly not wanting to encourage him just now, she gave him a short, indifferent smile that stopped short of her eyes. "How can I help you?""

"Is this Adam's house?" he inquired, smiling broadly..

 "Wrong house!"I shut the door quietly, hissing in disappointment..

The worms in my stomach were not helping either; my intestinal wall was currently being feasted on. Ashira returned to her seat and opened the parfait plastic.

 "Was not that your order?" With his thumb pointing toward the door, Jayden enquired.

 I give a nod.

"Then, who was it?"He turned to face the closed door as though he was still able to make out the unidentified man..

"Just some guy," I responded between mouthfuls of ice cream..

With a hum, Jayden headed up the stairs..

I paused for a moment, unsure what that was about. "Do you have anyone coming?" Gazing up at the stairs, I questioned..

"No, not at all," he willed his tumultuous heart to shout. "Princess..." he spelled softly..

I hummed and returned my attention to the nearly finished yogurt..

"Raphael wishes nothing but the best for you," he stated, appearing quite concerned or possibly agitated over my outburst at Raphael.. 

"I know." I experienced intense guilt. Raph was annoyed with me, and Jay was disappointed in me. As if that was not enough torture for the day, my order seemed to take forever to arrive..

How about now? What a day!!

With a sigh, Jayden headed up the mable stairs..

Ring... ring... ring.I hurried to the door as though I would miss my flight."RAPHAELL!!!!" I knelt down at the door, resting my face on my hands."Here is your order."

When I looked up, he had two packaged bags in his hand hastily take hold of the bag containing the pizza packet and cautiously examine my order. Rapheal, why was he with my order?Where is the delivery guy?" I inquired, scanning both sides of the road for a bike.

"A while ago, he left," Still holding the sealed bag, he entered. I shut the door, wondering what was inside.

 "What is in it?" I asked, gesturing to the package he was holding down.

 When Raphael finally turned to face her, a shiver came from the way his blue eyes burned into hers. Whether he wants to or not, he has to talk to her now, she decided, clearing her throat.

"My love..." "I am sorry for the other time," he said softly, drawing my attention from the bag. His eyes had lost all of their life, becoming serene and adoringly dull.

 "Raphael, it is nothing." My eyes returned to the parcel. What he had in there piqued my curiosity. "What is within?" After scanning the package with curiosity, I finally asked, but to my surprise, he opened the box and revealed the blush pink spaghetti strap mini dress that I had lusted after in New Orleans the previous year. Accompanying the dress was a pair of black stilettos.

 "You mean for one of your girlfriends?" I asked, still in shock at what I saw. The dress's beauty and elegance were emphasized by the diamond glittering on the stiletto heels.

 "Come on, Ashy. To compensate you, I would like.With a smile, Rapheal said, "I need you to try on this dress I saw at a boutique that you have been wanting so much."

 Ashira looked at him in shock; she did not anticipate that, so she just nodded and did not know what to say.

 "Ashy, your package," he said, startling me with a big smile.I reach for the bag.

 "I appreciate it," I muttered as I bent down to give him a cheek kiss.

 I hurried upstairs to my room and undressed before entering the bathroom. I immediately went downstairs after taking a quick shower and blow-drying my hair, leaving my blonde hair long and falling to my waist in soft, curly waves.

 Raphael's azure eyes gleamed with happiness the instant he saw me. "Ashiy, do you like it?"

 I grinned and nodded, grateful for his attempt to lift my spirits.

 Upon seeing me, Jayden, who was walking downstairs, immediately lit up with love. He gave me a hug and kissed my forehead.

 "Princess, you look stunning!"

 At his remark, I flushed and thanked him.

 Jayden hurriedly walked towards the kitchen and said, "Raphael, come with me."

 *Chuckles* I bet he is starving.

 I made my way back to my room, changed into a white crop top with an embroidered flower vase and a blue short skirt, and descended the stairs to get my pizza.