Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Anthonio Blake? That name sounded familiar to me. But where had I heard of it? I wondered what he looked like, but Adrian forbade me to come out.

But I knew myself better. For me, Adrian's ban was an order for me.

I brushed my hair, then straightened my clothes, slowly opening the door. I tried not to make noises that would attract their attention.

I vaguely heard Adrian speak. There was no playfulness in his voice other than firmness. But sadly, I couldn't hear clearly what he was saying. It drew my attention to get closer to them. My feet carried me down until they finally hit the floor. Then I heard the voices of Daniel and Ashton, and after that there was no more. They were in the living room where the wall blocked my way. But that's good, I could hide behind it while occasionally peeking through the gap in the doorway.

My eyes widened when I saw a strange man among them. No wonder I felt familiar with the name, because I did know who Anthonio Blake was. I lightly tapped my forehead, remembering I had soiled his plush shirt by accidentally throwing up on him. It was a long time ago and I wished he had forgotten my face.

"I happened to be on vacation here, and I was thinking why not come visit you as well." Anthonio said, aimed at Adrian.

"You and Rainy are friends too, right?" Adrian asked a question that made Anthonio and Rainy exchange glances as if uncomfortable. "Did Rainy tell you I'm here? Because I one hundred percent didn't feel like I ever told you I'm here,"

I didn't know why I felt like Adrian had said it all on purpose.

Rainy looked uneasy, but then nodded. "Yeah, I found out Anthonio was on vacation here through photos on his social media, so I thought why don't we all meet each other?"

"Wow, Anthonio, so you're on social media now? How many followers do you have?" Adrian chuckled. Now it was obvious he had said it all on purpose. They didn't look like friends, more like enemies behind the word.

"Well, great idea, Rainy. The more people, the more fun it is." Daniel nodded, standing next to Adrian with a stiff chuckle. "Shall we start with a glass of coke?"

Miranda rolled her eyes, getting up from the sofa. "I just want to rest,"

Daniel smirked at her, and stopped her by pulling her hand. "Are you sure? A glass of coke won't hurt you,"

"Daniel's right, come on Miranda." Rainy said, sounding like she hadn't thought about what kind of situation Miranda was in.

I saw how uncomfortable Miranda was about it. I wanted to help her, but Adrian told me not to appear in front of Anthonio.

"Dan," Adrian glared at Daniel. "If Miranda doesn't want to, she can leave."

I sighed, finally Adrian said it.

Miranda's eyes lit up hearing that, her smile flashed for a moment giving Daniel a look of displeasure. She walked towards me with all eyes still on her back. I didn't understand why Rainy chose to stay there, when she was the only woman among them. Wasn't that uncomfortable?

"Mabe-"

Before Miranda could say my full name, I put my index finger to my lips, asking her to be quiet like I did.

"What are you doing here?" Miranda whispered to me. "You know eavesdropping on people's conversations isn't good,"

"I'm not eavesdropping, I'm just curious." I replied curtly, still with my eyes fixed on Adrian. Even though the man was standing with his back to me.

"That's different," Miranda replied, probably irritated by my explanation. "You know that Anthonio man?"

"Unfortunately yes, I did throw up on him."

"Whoa, you're screwed." Miranda responded with an expression of deliberately scaring me. "I mean, look what kind of guy you're messing with. He's one of the mobsters, Mabel."

"I know, but look at my future husband. He's mob, but he's cute." I smiled as I pointed at Adrian.

Miranda chuckled softly at my explanation. "You have no idea how jealous Adrian got to see you with Ashton at the pool,"

"Wait, what?"

Miranda gave me a secret smile as if she wouldn't share what she knew with me. Anthonio's deep voice made us refocus our attention on them.

"Make yourself at home," Adrian said, shrugging his shoulders. I could tell he didn't mean it when he said that. "By the way, it's been a long time since we had kind of casual conversation,"

"Yeah," Anthonio nodded in agreement.

Daniel returned after picking up three bottles of cola, with Rainy carrying a tray of empty glasses.

My eyes searched for a figure I thought was missing. I couldn't concentrate on listening to Adrian and Anthonio's chatter when I was feeling anxious.

"What is it?" Miranda whispered, temporarily dispelling my anxiety.

"Ashton," I said at once. "I don't see him with them,"

Miranda kept me from being rash. She made me wait a moment.

"I can't hold back any longer if I don't find him by the count of three," I said in a whisper to Miranda. He couldn't possibly go to the second floor, because he must have passed Miranda and me to reach the stairs. Where is he going?

"Look," Miranda pointed at Rainy who had finished pouring cola into each glass. After that she went towards the exit. "I'm sure she went to see Ashton. Maybe he's getting some fresh air outside,"

"There's only one way to know the truth," I said as I stepped up the stairs to the second-floor balcony. Just arrived at the balcony, my feet stopped just as my eyes fell on a man down there who was sitting with a woman. Their lips locked against each other. Miranda stopped next to me then sent me a worried look after she saw what I was looking at.

The kiss between them was short, not a french kiss, but somehow my heart broke. The pain was twice as intense as I had ever felt before. I knew I was selfish for wanting to be with Adrian, but I couldn't just let Ashton go.

I turned around with my eyes burning hot. It wasn't the feeling I thought I'd get seeing Ashton kiss Rainy.

"Mabel, wait!" Miranda called me. I turned around and she gave me a hug. It helped me calm down, just a little bit. "Let me take you to your room,"

Arriving in my room, Miranda brought me a glass of water. She then sat next to me to accompany me. "Thank you," I mumbled.

"Should I call Adrian?" Miranda offered which made me immediately shake my head. It would only make matters worse, especially if he found out. "Believe me, I understand your situation."

I smiled at how Miranda looked at me worriedly. "I believe you, you and I are in the same position, right?"

Miranda chuckled at my words. She nodded then shrugged her shoulders. "Just take a breath, enjoy the pain and then exhale."

"Miranda? Mabel?" Rainy called from the front of my room.

We exchanged glances and then Miranda answered. "We're inside. What's wrong, Rainy?" She got up from her spot to reach the door.

"Can we sleep together tonight?" Rainy showed her sweet smile as the door opened wide for her.

Miranda glanced at me as if to ask me what I thought about it. I just smiled with a nod.

"There's something I need to tell you guys," Rainy sat down next to me with an expression that I couldn't explain. She smiled shyly then covered her face with both her hands. "I don't know where to start with this story, gosh I'm so embarrassed."

I already knew what Raint wanted to tell us. I also knew that her story would only hurt me more, but I still smiled and asked her to start.

"Ashton and I..." Rainy pressed her lips nervously. "We kissed,"

"Come on, Rainy. It's not the first time you've kissed a guy," Miranda sighed then moved to the empty side of the bed. She lay down and covered her body with the blanket.

"The man we're talking about is Ashton. He's different from the others," Rainy explained, sending Miranda an annoyed look. "I still can't believe it's happening,"

"Glad to know it made you happy," I smiled.

"It's not a big deal, Rainy is exaggerating." Miranda chimed in, making Rainy stand up and look her straight in the eye.

"Why Miranda? You're just jealous because you can't kiss your prince's lips that you crave, because he's busy kissing the model's lips instead?"

It was the first time I heard Rainy say such hurtful words.

Seeing the change in my expression as an instant reaction to her words, Rainy tried to reach Miranda. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. Really,"

Miranda didn't answer anything, but her eyes flashed disappointment at Rainy's words.

"I'm really sorry, I got carried away and said that instead." Rainy repeated her apology.

"Super," Miranda said curtly before leaving the room by slamming the door.

"I'll talk to her," I told Rainy and then followed Miranda out of the room.

Miranda went downstairs to the first floor towards the exit. I couldn't help, but follow her out even though Anthonio could see me, or Adrian got angry because I didn't do what he asked me to do.

"Hey, Miranda. Didn't you say you wanted to rest?" Daniel asked as she passed him.

Miranda ignored him, kept walking.

"Wait, Mabel? You too?" Daniel asked when he found me after Miranda. It made Adrian's eyes fixate on me.

"I need to talk to Miranda, something happened, so yeah..." I shrugged my shoulders trying to catch up to Miranda when Anthonio spoke up.

"You're the woman who threw up on me, right?"

I stopped right then and there. Damn, why does he still remember me?

"Wow, really?" Daniel chuckled at that. "Explain to us the details of how it happened,"

"I don't know what he's talking about,"

Anthonio smirked at my answer. There was something I didn't like about his smirk. The feeling I got was different from how Adrian smirked at me.

"Oh you certainly know, lady. You threw up and didn't take any responsibility after that,"

I sighed, my eyes searching for those amber eyes and they were already on me. Adrian glared at me. At that point, I knew he was mad at me.

"Miranda is waiting for you outside," Adrian told me with a look telling me to get out of the room immediately.

I darted out without needing Adrian to say a second time. I found Miranda sitting on the swing as I had found her before.

"Rainy didn't mean that," I said, sitting on the empty swing next to her. "I know her,"

"You don't know anything about Rainy, Mabel." Miranda said sarcastically. "I've known her for a long time, and what happened just now isn't the first time she's said that to me."

I didn't know that part. Miranda was right, I didn't know Rainy as long as she did. They were best friends, so it's obvious that they knew each other's characters.

"Rainy knows everything about me, including my pathetic love story. And there she was, still choosing to say those words," Miranda explained, but I knew that as she explained, she still couldn't say what she really felt. Disappointment is difficult to explain, especially when the cause is the closest person.

"Fights happen in every friendship," I said, not facing Miranda but the night sky. "Maybe you need time, but you have to forgive her. She didn't mean to say it all,"

"You can say that because you don't know the truth about your soon to be sister," Miranda got off the swing and walked inside, leaving me alone. Without being told by her, I could also feel something off about Rainy. But I tried to put aside my negative thoughts about her.