CHAPTER 10

Isaiah's jealousy got the better of him, and he decided to interrupt Aurélia and Asher. However, just as he was about to intervene, Gabriella appeared, catching him off guard."Where are you going, babe?" she asked, playfully pinching his cheeks. Isaiah stuttered, "I was looking for you." Gabriella's expression turned curious. "Why are you speaking like that?" she asked. Then, with a flirtatious tone, she added, "You really do care about me that much,huh, Isaiah?"

Unbeknownst to Isaiah, Aurélia had been watching them, still wrapped in Asher's arms. As soon as she noticed Isaiah's gaze, she quickly disentangled herself from Asher's hug. Isaiah caught the exchange and observed something in Aurélia's reaction that brought him a spark of satisfaction. He decided to test the waters and kissed Gabriella, noticing that Aurélia was still watching. Aurélia, however, seemed unfazed and instead took Asher's hand saying, "It's getting annoying here. Let's go to our lectures." They walked away, leaving Isaiah and Gabriella behind.

As soon as they were out of sight, Isaiah broke off the kiss with Gabriella. "What's with you, Isaiah?" she asked, annoyance creeping into her voice. "Whenever we are getting somewhere, you always get distracted." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Isaiah looking somewhat perplexed.

As they settled into their nutrition lecture, Asher turned to Aurélia and asked, "Why did you pull away when we were hugging?" Aurélia, anticipating the professor's arrival, quickly deflected the question. "The professor is coming, Asher. Get ready for class."

Asher's face fell, and he began to question himself. The lecturer launched into the day's topic, but Aurélia's mind wandered back to the scene she had witnessed earlier—Isaiah's and Gabriella's kiss. Her annoyance simmered, and she gripped her pen tightly.

Asher tried to get her attention, calling out her name, but Aurélia was lost in thought. When she finally snapped back to reality, she responded curtly, "What is it?" Asher, taken aback by her tone, stood up and left his seat.

Only later did Aurélia realize she had overreacted. Feeling a pang of regret, she stood up to follow Asher, and apologize hoping to clear the air.

As Aurélia followed Asher, she unexpectedly encountered Isaiah on her way. She turned to leave, but Isaiah quickly stepped infront of her, blocking her path. "What do you want from me?" Aurélia asked, her arms crossed and a serious tone. "Do you need something?"

Isaiah's response was calm."Unless you don't want your phone back. Remember, the person holding it is me." Aurélia's expression turned expectant. "So you're here to return it? Give it to me, and then leave me alone."

Isaiah's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I thought you were an independent woman with intergrity, but it seems you don't even know how to thank someone whose been holding onto your belongings safely." Aurélia's response was laced with sarcasm. "Thanks, Sir. I need my phone back, Sir."

Isaiah's smile grew. "But what do I get in return for keeping it safe for someone who seems so careless?" Aurélia laughed wryly. "You really think you can still ask something from me? From someone you said doesn't belong?" Isaiah's expression turned defensive. "When did I say that? Who told you that I said you don't belong? Was it your so called boyfriend AKA my puppy love brother, Asher?"

Aurélia's eyes flashed with annoyance. "What if he is my boyfriend?" Isaiah's jaw clenched, and he took a step closer. Aurélia's hand extended instead, waiting for her phone. "So Sir, you hand over my phone. I don't want to keep my boyfriend, Asher waiting."

Isaiah's brows furrowed as he looked at Aurélia. He pulled her phone, but just as he was about hand it over, he saw Asher approaching. In a swift motion, Isaiah pecked Aurélia on her cheek, he did it as he was looking at Asher making him more angry. Not content with just a peck, Isaiah wrapped his arms around Aurélia, further infuriating Asher. Aurélia never knew that Asher was behind her back looking at them. She tried to get off Isaiah, but Isaiah didn't give her space. Asher stormed off, his anger palpable.

As soon as Isaiah saw Asher going, he let Aurélia off from the hug. Aurélia was already upset with Isaiah's actions, so she flew up her hand, ready to slap Isaiah but he caught it mid air and handed her the phone. The tension between them was electric.

Isaiah walked away, leaving Aurélia alone. She turned to look for Asher and spotted him sitting on the stairs. "Asher, you're there," she said, relief evident in her voice. "I was looking for you, and then..." Asher's expression was tinged with annoyance. "And then you met with him." Aurélia was confused about what Asher was talking. "Whom are you talking about?" she asked curiously. Asher stood up and replied. "You are already forgetting your boyfriend's name. You two really make a good couple. "

Aurélia's brow furrowed in confusion. "What boyfriend are you talking about?" Asher clapped his hands and said. "Congratulations, Miss Isaiah Blackwood on hiding us from your secret relationship with my so called brother."

Aurélia scoffed,"And what makes you to think that I have a (secret) relationship with your brother?"

Asher's words seemed to carry a hint of sarcasm and jealousy, and Aurélia's curiosity was piqued. She wanted to understand what had triggered Asher's reaction.

"Well, I have nothing to say. Whom am I to speak?"Asher added, his tone laced with hurt."He was just giving me my phone. We don't have any relationship. You just misunderstood and why are you acting so weird, Asher? And you know I can't hide anything from you or Lila, you're my best friends."

Aurélia tried to explain, but Asher's words cut off. "You really can't hide anything from your friends? You even lied about taking your phone for repair when it was actually my brother who had it. I knew you two met that night when you received a call and you ignored to tell us."

Aurélia's eyes narrowed. "Are you stalking me, Asher? Not everything that you have to get involved and when it comes to your brother. I don't want you to always have a fight with your family because of me. Can't you just get it?"

Aurélia's voice rose in indignation. "And I never knew that you think of me of a girl who jumps over boys. I'm very disappointed in you, Asher." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Asher feeling regretful about his reaction.

Asher watched Aurélia leave but he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had overreacted and hurt his friend's feelings. The realization dawned on him that his jealousy had clouded his judgement.

Aurélia went to the college library, hoping to alleviate her stress, but she missed her friend Lila, who was absent that day. Feeling lonely, upset and confused about the two brothers, Asher and Isaiah, Aurélia sat alone, tears streaming down her cheeks as she tried to focus on her reading. However, her mind was preoccupied with deep thoughts and questions. "What's happening to me, Aurélia?" she asked herself. "I'm about to graduate from college, but my last semester is turning into a mess."

Lost in thought, Aurélia was startled by the arrival of Gabriella, the notorious queen bee of Oakwood and Isaiah's girlfriend. Gabriella's loud voice pierced the silence of the library as she called out Aurélia's name. Aurélia refused to respond, recognizing the commanding tone.

Gabriella strode over to Gabriella's table, her eyes flashing with intensity. She grasped Aurélia's hand, forcing her to stand up. Aurélia's eyes narrowed as she retorted, "What's wrong with you, Gabriella? Can't you just leave me alone? You're already causing chaos in my life with your boyfriend. I need peace, not more drama."

Aurélia's grip on Gabriella's hand tightened. "If you try to grab me again, you won't like the consequences."

Gabriella's expression turned menacing as she pointed a warning finger at Aurélia. "I'm watching you, bitch. Take one step near my boyfriend, you'll regret it the rest of your life." With that, Gabriella turned on her heel and stormed out of the library.

Asher approached the library but he saw Gabriella storming out, her expression tense. He had a sinking feeling that something was amiss, and his instincts told him that it involved Aurélia. He quickly entered the library, his eyes scanning the room for Aurélia.

Asher spotted Aurélia sitting alone, her eyes distant and her expression troubled. The words Gabriella had hurled at her still lingered in her mind, leaving her feeling shaken and upset.

Asher found Aurélia sitting alone and approached her. "Aurélia!" he said, his voice gentle. Aurélia looked up, gathered her books, and stood to leave. "Aurélia, can we please talk?" Asher asked, his eyes sincere. Aurélia hesitated, then replied, "Maybe next time." Asher's grip on her was gentle but firm. "Please, Aurélia we need to talk." Aurélia sat back down, and Asher joined her, a table separating them.

"Thanks," Asher said, his voice filled with relief. "Aurélia, I'm so sorry for what happened earlier. I was a terrible friend, and I don't know what came over me. My reaction was unacceptable." Aurélia's gaze met Asher's, and she saw genuine remorse in his eyes. "It's okay," she said. "I'm also sorry for snapping at you earlier." They exchanged apologies, and their faces relaxed into smiles.

Asher's eyes sparkled with hope. "Can we go to the cafeteria together?" he asked. Aurélia's response was casual, "Okay, it's all on you."