Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Mabel was standing in front of my room door with her hands on her waist. Instead of crying or walking away like most women, she challenged me back. I became busy adoring her.

"I don't care,"

"Of course, you care." Mabel replied confidently.

"Are you deaf?"

"No, I'm not deaf. I can hear your voice clearly and smoothly," Mabel gave me a triumphant smile.

"Look, if you want to waste my time, then I suggest you just go and find someone else who's interested. I'm not in the mood for that right now," I took my eyes off her. I was confused about my own feelings, and it pissed me off. Mabel wouldn't understand how I felt either.

"Wait a minute!" Mabel held the door as I was about to close it. "We can talk about this. I promise I won't waste your precious time,"

"I don't want to talk,"

"Then I won't be going home either. Let's both be stubborn to each other's egos,"

"No," I replied simply. "Don't make me do something you'll regret,"

"For example?" Mabel stepped forward and lifted her head so our faces were close to each other.

As much as possible, I didn't show my comfort and composure when I was so close to her. I gave her a disgusted look instead. And then I turned and reached for my wardrobe. Mabel continued to follow my footsteps as I could feel the heat of her body following behind me.

"The bridge of your nose is bleeding," Mabel started again.

I stopped taking the next step.

"You had a fight with Ashton?"

"Yeah," I turned back to look into Mabel's worried eyes. "And if you want to scold me for beating up your beloved prince, then do it. You came here to do that, right?"

"What's wrong with you, Adrian?" Mabel replied, but this time she sounded disappointed. "You behave with me so fickle. Sometimes you could be so gentle that made me think that we really could be together. But then you seemed to push me away from you and your life. I don't understand why you are like this,"

Mabel looked at me warily and questioningly.

"What do you want me to say? Saying I'm still annoyed to see you with Ashton earlier?" I admitted.

"You were there too?" Mabel's eyes went wide and her lips parted open.

"Never mind," Again, I was like a coward. I chose not to discuss further, because I also didn't understand why I felt this painful feeling, thinking that in the end Mabel would always choose Ashton over me.

"I left Ashton to check on you," Mabel sighed after that. "I could have gone after Ashton, but I have no idea why I chose to come here. I don't know why I had such a strong urge to see you,"

This time I really lost myself. I pulled her waist closer to me. Mabel gasped in surprise. Something had pushed me; something I had been trying to resist. I crashed my lips to hers. And that's when I forgot my real mission. I started sucking on her lower lip while she was still in shock at my actions. But it didn't last long, as she started moving her lips too in sync with mine.

For God's sake, it felt so good. I enjoyed an equally passionate kiss from Mabel. My hand began to explore the back of her body by slipping into her shirt. Her skin really feels smooth. I was driven mad by her.

Mabel's lips were my new addiction. They are soft, so welcoming, and moist. I claimed them all as I groaned with Mabel's next wild move. She ran her hands through my hair and moaned in pleasure against our mouths. It made my member down there stiffen.

"A-adrian..." Mabel whispered, but I stopped her by pressing my lips deeper into hers. I still wanted to play with her plump lips. My tongue met hers, and I started tangling mine with hers.

I smirked between our kisses when I knew Mabel was enjoying it too. Her hands moved away from my hair, touching my bare chest. She caressed them then down to my abdomen to make them harden against her touch.

I let go of her lips. We were both out of breath, having wanted each other's lips too greedily. Mabel thought I was done with her, but she was wrong. I pulled her gently, closed the door, and pushed her until her back hit the door. I smiled as my hands trapped her body so she couldn't get anywhere from me.

Mabel's face was red. Her breath hitched, and her eyes didn't meet mine. She was embarrassed in that position. And it made me want her even more. I lifted her chin up so she looked up to meet my gaze.

Seeing her shy face made me even more eager to claim her completely. I hadn't felt a woman's touch in a long time, nor a kiss on the lips. And now she really had awakened my old beast.

"Do you regret kissing me back?"

Mabel's eyes widened to form a circle. "What? No! I just..."

"You what?" I asked her, finally relieved to know that Mabel had the same desire for me. Because I felt like I was forcing it.

"I enjoyed it," replied Mabel who immediately brushed my fingers from her chin. Her cheeks turned very red. I must had made her feel nervous.

I chuckled and kissed her head. "Glad to know that,"

"Adrian, open the door!"

"Oh shit," I grumbled and pulled Mabel away from the door. I opened the door immediately and my grandfather was already standing commandingly in front of me.

"I told you to come see me as soon as possible and you-" My grandfather's eyes fell on someone behind my shoulder. "Mabel?"

I quickly shifted, giving way to my grandfather to meet Mabel.

"Why didn't you tell me when you came here?"

I couldn't help, but stare at my grandfather's demeanor which had changed completely from harsh to being so friendly to Mabel.

Mabel smiled sweetly. "I'm so sorry, I came here so suddenly. And Adrian didn't tell me you came here,"

"Oh, I see." My grandfather gave me a sharp glance. At that moment I knew I was going to have a word with him. "Then let me serve you with food,"

My grandfather smiled at Mabel and invited her to eat downstairs together. It was the thing I avoided the most, which was letting my grandfather meet Mabel in person. I had planned everything carefully so that dinner between them would never happen, but fate said otherwise. They met sooner than I thought.

I let them go first. I exhaled and wiped my face after her figure moved away from my sight. I really didn't know that kissing her actually made my soul race. It made me want to taste her lips again and again.

I went down the stairs after putting on my black polo shirt. I headed to the dining room and my heart was elated to hear Mabel's loose laughter. She got along with my grandfather really well.

"Come here, my grandson!"

I sat next to Mabel with nothing, but a light nod. Looking at her lips, I could only gulp and imagined what if I kissed her again. I messed up.

"So, Mabel. This is our first face-to-face meeting," My grandfather started the conversation formally, but casually too. He wasn't as tense as usual. "I hope you enjoy this dish I can provide,"

"Of course, Sir." replied Mabel politely. "I'm glad I finally got to eat with you,"

"Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it? We met by accident," My grandfather laughed and then enjoyed his meal again. "Look, I actually have two vacation tickets that I'm going to give Adrian. That's why I came to visit him,"

I suddenly gave my grandfather a questioning look. What plan is he trying to execute?

"Are you two going on vacation?"

I gulped down my mineral water at Mabel's question. She was too innocent, or indeed couldn't take the signal to the meaning of my grandfather's words.

"Actually, no. I really really want to go on vacation with my only grandson. But I have a lot of business to attend to. So I'm giving the vacation tickets for just the two of you. What do you think?"

Mabel looked at me, waiting for my response. I cleared my throat and said. "Only if you want to,"

"Of course, she want, Adrian." argued my grandfather. He obviously worked hard to make my time twenty-four-sevenths with Mabel. "Isn't that right, Mabel?"

Mabel just nodded, but I knew her better. She is easy to read.

My grandfather handed me the two tickets. I didn't know where he got the ticket from, but his idea deserved a thumbs up. I was sure he came up with a new plan at lightning speed when he found Mabel with me here.

"By the way, I actually have a question for you Mabel."

"Yeah? Just ask me," Mabel smiled.

"I'm not going to lie, so I'll just be honest that I've been researching a lot about you before." My grandfather continued. "And there's one thing that bothers me. It's about your childhood friend,"

"You mean Ashton?" Mabel didn't seem to understand why my grandfather had brought Ashton into the conversation.

"Mabel, I think we can go now." I immediately cut in, and that only made things even more complicated. Mabel looked at me confused.

"Wait, Adrian. After this you can spend as much time with Mabel as you want. I just want to ask her one question for a moment,"

Mabel stopped me from leaving by holding my hand. She then returned her focus to my grandfather.

I looked at my grandfather warily, afraid he would say something I would not like. But I knew that if he told Mabel that sensitive part, not only would my plans fall apart, but all his efforts would be in vain. And he wouldn't take that risk.

"So about Ashton..." Mabel continued. "Is there something you want me to tell him?"

I sighed seeing Mabel still so excited when Ashton's name was mentioned. My chest hurt, and I needed to hit something at that moment.

My grandfather smirked at me. He liked the expression I put on. It was what he had been waiting for.

"No need. I just like how hard your friend works for his company,"

Mabel smiled brightly. "He is a hard working man,"

I cleared my throat and pulled my hand away from Mabel's grip. "We're leaving now,"

"Adrian!" Mabel followed me like a tail. She also kept calling my name.

"What?" I snapped as I turned around.

"Can't we have a good talk what made you turn this cold towards me? You always run from me without explanation,"

It was hard to see Mabel looking at me with hurt feelings.

"I don't know, okay!" I replied. "All I know is I don't like you with Ashton. I don't like hearing you brag about him. I don't like the fact that you've been his best friend since childhood," I massaged my temples with pressure. "Are you satisfied now?"

"But we're just friends,"

"Said the woman who liked her best friend in silence for quite a long time," I laughed bitterly. "I don't even know if you still like him or not. But the way you treat him, and smiling brightly just because his name, told me everything. I'm starting to doubt what you said about us being together,"

Mabel didn't try to deny all of my statements. She stood still, staring down at her feet. Her hair almost covered her entire face. "Does this mean you're jealous, Adrian?"

Jealousy never crossed my mind when I saw Ashton and Mabel together. When I first saw their closeness, I didn't feel anything. I actually felt sorry for the two of them because they couldn't be together. But after the question of jealousy left Mabel's mouth, for some reason I didn't have the power to deny it. Yeah, for the first time in my life, I was insanely jealous.