Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Our vacation day had arrived. Ah, I was so unprepared for it. Last night I couldn't sleep well. Not because I thought about what I was going to do in Bali, or what things I needed to bring. But because of Ashton. Our friendship was straining on a very bad line.

We would be in Bali for a week. A week that I would be tormented in hell! We would definitely be very awkward and even spoil the vacay vibes.

"Something bothering you?" Adrian who had been sitting next to me may noticed my moodiness. I even forgot I wasn't sitting alone. We were currently at the airport, waiting for the Moretti family's private jet to be prepared. Rainy and Ashton hadn't arrived either. Sarah told me that they would come later. Only God knows what took them so long.

I smiled faintly at the worried look Adrian was trying to hide. He tried to look casual, but still he wasn't an actor who was good at faking expressions.

"It's about Ashton," I said quietly, lowering my head. "Don't get me wrong. I'm just worried about our friendship. We haven't made up yet and I don't think there's any way left for me to make up with him,"

I glanced at Adrian who was already directing his gaze straight ahead. He blinked once, twice, up to three times with a pause of about thirty seconds.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have brought this topic to you." Thinking about Ashton seemed like a mistake, let alone telling Adrian about it.

"No, I'm just glad you're still willing to share that with me. Now I'm imagining how you'd end up being awkward to each other." Adrian smirked at me. Oh my God, since when did I like him so much? He looked so good wearing that long black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows.

I made him wince by pinching the back of his hand.

"I'm just kidding,"

I let go of my pinch and folded my arms in front of my chest. "This must be a trick of yours to take Ashton and Rainy with us!"

"It was my grandfather's," Adrian denied my accusations against him.

"But it could be because you forced him,"

Adrian laughed and raised an eyebrow. He did not continue the conversation as Daniel called him to talk about some important matters with the airport staff. Now I was sitting alone, waiting for Ashton and Rainy.

Just when I thought about them, Rainy's call from afar made my head automatically turn to look for her figure. I thought it was just the two of them, but I saw three people coming towards me. Who is the woman behind her?

Rainy took off her sunglasses, quickening her steps towards me. I stood up smiling and greeted her with a warm hug.

"So sorry to keep you waiting. Where's Adrian by the way?"

"He has something to take care of for a bit," I smiled at Rainy, then at Ashton. My smile fell as the man turned his eyes away from me.

I turned my gaze to the burgundy haired woman who smiled back at me.

"I almost forgot, this is Miranda Claire." Rainy made us shake hands with each other. "She's my best friend. I know she wasn't invited to go with us, but I hope you understand. She just broke up with her boyfriend of five years, so I thought about taking her on our trip."

"Hi, I'm Mabel."

Miranda was still smiling at me. As a woman alone, I was mesmerized by her beauty. Looks like Rainy was picky about having friends. Just look at Miranda, she's as gorgeous as Rainy.

"Rainy told me a lot about you," Miranda said.

"Oh?" I glanced at Rainy who was already grinning. Her attention was suddenly drawn to the person who had just arrived from behind me.

"Hi, Adrian." Rainy smiled.

Ashton looked away and chose to act as if he didn't notice Adrian's presence. He felt uncomfortable for this trip.

"Let me introduce you to my best friend, Miranda Claire." Rainy pulled Miranda's hand closer to Adrian, which slightly pushed me since I was in the middle of them. I almost fell, but Ashton's hand held me my waist.

"Be careful," Ashton whispered quietly. He didn't look at me and just took his and Rainy's suitcases with him to the take-off field.

My thoughts of Ashton were snapped when Miranda introduced herself to Adrian. My eyes were glued to the hand she reached out to shake his hand. But he didn't return her handshake, other than nodding nonchalantly.

"Let's go,"

I gaped as Adrian turned to me and held my hand in his. He had pulled me to walk with him before I even had a chance to see Rainy and Miranda's reaction. I felt bad for them.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because you wouldn't like it if I shook her hand," Adrian shrugged, not looking at me.

His overly true words left me speechless. He knew what I wanted. I looked away from him holding back my embarrassment. Feeling his eyes on me, I glanced at him and already found him smirking. He must had been getting more arrogant as he managed to make me blush like an idiot.

Getting into the jet, Adrian didn't let go of my hand. He acted super protective. We sat on the seats next to each other. "I think you can let go of my hand now,"

"I don't want to," Adrian looked out the window.

"What? Why?" I looked around us. "Ashton isn't sitting across from us on the side. He's in the very back seat,"

Adrian sighed in annoyance. "I used to like to make him jealous, but now, I really want to hold your hand. There's no other reason than that,"

I smiled at that as I continued to stare at our clasped hands.

"I want what's between us to work out," Adrian whispered in my ear. My heart went up and down like a rollercoaster as he rested his head on my shoulder.

Well, the vacation wasn't as bad as I thought. I could have spent more time with Adrian.

"Ash?" Rainy called, pulling my gaze to hers.

Ashton replied with a hum.

"Feel comfortable sitting there?" Rainy giggled looking at Ashton.

"He's fine, even more comfortable being away from you gossip girls." Instead of Ashton answering, Daniel interrupted first.

Miranda laughed with Rainy rolled her eyes. "We're not gossiping,"

Daniel walked forward halfway between my and Rainy's seats. "Then what? I heard you guys were gossiping about big discount bikinis at the mall,"

"Rainy bought a new bikini because of it." Miranda innocently said. I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

"You bought a discount bikini too?" Daniel turned to me.

"What? No," I instantly became the center of their attention. "I don't even plan on wearing a bikini later,"

"Because she's wearing a bikini just for me," With his eyes still closed, Adrian suddenly chimed in.

Blood rushed to my face. I could feel how my cheeks were getting so hot.

"Isn't that an exaggeration, Adrian? Mabel can wear a bikini and show her curves to whoever she wants," Rainy said in a displeased tone.

"Whoa, calm down, Rainy." Daniel said.

"But what Rainy said is true," Ashton finally came out of his silence. "It's Mabel's right,"

Adrian smirked after Ashton said that. I didn't like the tension. Between Adrian and Ashton, there was no one I could choose to stand for.

"Why, Ashton? Are you jealous?" Adrian literally had no intention to end this war of words.

My chest thumped hearing what question Adrian put to Ashton. I looked at Rainy who had turned her gaze to me. I was hoping that Ashton didn't answer anything that could ruin our vacation.

"Come on, you two. We're on vacation, so please don't make a fuss." As before, Daniel was always a master at reading the mood. He tried to avoid a fight between them.

Adrian was no longer facing me. I didn't know what was on his mind. I wish I knew, so I could build the mood again.

Daniel returned to the back seat, to his seat. Meanhile Rainy and Miranda also didn't try to discuss the matter again. Better like that.

"I know what you said about me earlier was just to save me from being the center of their attention. Thanks, otherwise I'd have a hard time explaining to them why I didn't want to wear a bikini." I whispered in such a low voice.

Adrian still didn't look at me. Maybe he was mad because I just kept quiet and didn't defend him earlier.

"I'm insecure when I wear a bikini," I didn't give up and kept on explaining, because I knew Adrian heard me. "I don't like the curves that exist in my own body. It constantly makes me compare myself to many women out there. I'm not beautiful," I laughed at the end of my sad story.

I smiled sadly when Adrian finally turned around and embraced me. "Ssshhh, don't you dare say that again."

Before Adrian came into my life, Ashton was the only man who said that. He was the only one who knew.

"Because I like every inch of you. You are more than what you see yourself, Mabel. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you,"

What Adrian said throughly enlightened me.

"You're really good at making words," I whispered softly.

"That's a blessing, but Mabel, I'm serious. You should know how I see you,"

I smiled to find Adrian said seriously. He rarely behaved like that.

"I'm being serious, so don't laugh at me."

"I'm just smiling. I'm not laughing," I denied with a smirk plastered on my face. It was fun to act like the usual Adrian to this new Adrian.

"You're not fit to smirk like that," Adrian commented and ruffled my hair.

"Hey!" I babbled after he messed up my hair. Doesn't he know that my hair is so hard to style?

After that, all I knew was that I fell asleep a moment later. I didn't know how, but I just fell asleep. Maybe Adrian's body was too comfortable and warm for me to lean on.

And the next thing I knew, Adrian woke me up because we had finally arrived. "Hey, Mabel. We're here,"

"Hmmm," I let my brain process Adrian's words first. After I fully regained consciousness, I jumped away from him shouting too excitedly. "Are we really in Bali?"

Adrian nodded and smiled.

"Yes, we are, Miss." Daniel said. He also looked very excited for the adventure we were about to take.

Ashton rose from his spot. He was the first to exit the jet after landing while the others prepared to descend. I gulped as he walked past me just like that. Is this what it feels like to no longer be familiar with him?

"Shall we?" Adrian was already standing beside me. I nodded and quickly left the jet with him. Our luggage was brought by Adrian's men directly to the villa. So we were just carrying bags containing essential items.

Because there were a lot of things to take care of, Adrian and Daniel had to deal with it again. The glaring sunlight made me rush into the airport for shelter, considering we arrived at noon when the sun was so hot.

"Mabel!" Miranda ran to me. She sat next to me while spraying perfume all over her body.

"Where's Rainy?" I asked when it was only Miranda.

"She's talking to Ashton," Miranda put her perfume into her bag then she pointed to the corner of the room where Ashton and Rainy seemed to be arguing with each other.

"Ashton's in a bad mood," Miranda said casually.

"I see," I watched them, wondering why Ashton was in such a bad mood.

I smiled sadly at the fact. The fact that he no longer trusted me to improve his mood. Even going out for ice cream at our favorite parlor wouldn't work anymore.