“You are not being rude, Siya,” I say gently.
She looks up at me for a moment. She probably sees something that makes a small smile appear on her face. “Um…” She shifts her weight from one leg to another.
“She’s inBrew it Out, the cafe on the west side of the campus,” she says, and I hum in realization. I usually don’t have to go to that side, except when I have to meet the principal, which isn’t very often because the coach handles it for me, thankfully.Smartly played, baby, but now I know where you’re hiding.I smirk.
“Um, she’s on a date,” Siya whispers, and my smirk vanishes immediately. I see red. My hands instinctively clench into a tight fist. I know she’s not mine yet. But this anger I am feeling is dangerous. The thought of her being out with someone else is like a punch to the gut. I don’t get angry easily, but when I do, it’s difficult to handle. I try to take a deep breath and calm myself down, but it’s hard to control the possessiveness that’s taking over.
“You should hurry,” Siya mutters and looks into my eyes properly for the first time this evening. “Don’t hurt my best friend. I am trusting you to take care of her. She can be too much sometime.,” She chuckles. “But she really is a very beautiful person, inside and out, always has been. She deserves the best,” she adds and plugs in herearphones. She gives me one last glance and walks away.
I can feel my heart clench at the thought of Anya on a date with someone else. The thought of her laughing, her eyes sparkling, her lips curling into that perfect smile… It should be for me. It should always be for me. I need to get to her. Right now. I need to know who this idiot is who dared to try and take her out when she’s mine. I don’t care if she doesn’t realize it yet. She’s going to. I know she likes me, too. Siya’s trust in me and her words indicate it too. If I had even a shred of doubt till now, I do not anymore.
∞∞∞
25
ANYA
“So, when I was a kid I thought I could parachute from the loft to the first floor,” Henry says, my eyes widening in horror.
“Please tell me you didn’t,” I mutter almost pleadingly.
“Oh yes, I did. I still have a scar on my left foot,” he says and chuckles lightly.
“You were a mischievous child,” I comment. He nods vigorously, making me snigger.
“And then one other time—” He starts with another childhood story. I am so confused. There’s nothing wrong with him. I mean, normally, in romance novels—especially on Wattpad, when the female lead goes on a date with some other guy to ignore her feelings for the male lead—these guys somehow turn out to be a prick, and then the male lead appears, saving the day, and they finally confess.
But Henry is a good man, at least as of now. I mean, I should not judge so easily, especially on our first date. He’s too funny, charismatic, cute, and checks the same boxes as Ted Bundy, and I would be very disappointed if I fell into the trap of such a man considering how much I know about them. I sigh, nodding my head and smiling as if I am listening,but I am actually not because I can’t seem to stop thinking about Daniel.
I eye Henry. He’s a tall, lean, and nerdy guy, with messy brown hair that’s always slightly tousled, as if he just got out of bed. His face is angular, with a strong jawline and a constant smirk on his lips. But it doesn’t come across as cocky. Rather, it gives him a mischievous and charming appearance. His bright blue eyes sparkle with a hint of playfulness, and his lean muscles peek from underneath the soft fabric of his casual clothes. Overall, a good-looking man.
But he doesn’t compare to Daniel. If he can’t distract me from Daniel,God knows who can. What has he done to me? Is it black magic? No, what the hell is wrong with you? It’s simple: Daniel’s very attractive, and not just at superficial levels. He cares, and he is not afraid to show it. He is understanding. I don’t think I have ever felt uncomfortable in his company. Every time I spend time with him, I crave more and more. I scowl.
“Anya?” Henry says, his eyes laced with concern. “Are you alright?” he asks softly. I am being so pathetic. I am being unfair to a very polite man.
“Yes.” I laugh awkwardly. “I tend to zone out a lot. I am sorry,” I mutter munching on the fries we ordered.
“That’s okay,” he says, the soft smile never leaving his face. “How about you share your childhood stories now?”
“Oh no, you would run for the hills if you heard how wild I was.” I chuckle.
He shakes his head. “Please, I would love some entertaining stories.”
“Okay then. You asked for it.” I shrug and take a sip of coffee. “So, this one time I threw my grandmother’s gold earrings—” I begin, but Henry’s gaze moves over my shoulder and he stops smiling.
“Anya.” I don’t have to turn around to recognize thatvoice. I can identify it anywhere. It is Daniel. The only difference right now is that his voice is so cold, so chilling.
I turn around to look at him, his tall frame blocking out the light. He’s sweaty. It’s as if he ran here. His expression is icy and his jaw clenches. I can feel his eyes burning into me, a wave of heat spreading through my body.
His gaze shifts to Henry and his eyes narrow. There’s a dangerous glint in them, like a panther ready to pounce on its prey. I’ve never seen him look so intimidating before.
“Daniel, I am busy, Can we talk later?” I glare at him.
“No we can’t,” he says. “And you.” He points his finger at Henry. “Get lost,” he says, his voice too dangerous and low.
I gasp.What the hell?“Daniel, this is not a way to talk to someone,” I whisper-yell. What does he think of himself? This is not at all acceptable.
“What’re you doing here, Anya?” he asks, ignoring my lecture.
