Chapter 35: Chapter 35

"What have you done to Daniel?" I asked Miranda as I fixed my eyes on Daniel who kept staring at her. He was standing across from us with Adrian, preparing to leave for our next destination. Yes, skydiving!

"I didn't do anything to him," Miranda said, completely unconcerned by what I asked. She looked back at her phone screen, and I had no idea who she was texting.

"He keeps staring," I whispered to Miranda, and this time she lifted her head up and looked straight at Daniel. It didn't make her smile, but instead she frowned.

"I don't know why he's like that, okay?" Miranda muttered with a shake of her head.

"Are you sure last night nothing happened between you two?" I asked while sipping my orange juice.

Miranda looked at me with a murderous look. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

I smirked at the expression Miranda had now. "Nothing,"

"Nothing happened last night. He just helped me, that's all." Miranda explained with an expression that hoped I would believe. How could I believe it when I found out they had been in the same room all night? Well, I wasn't born yesterday.

"Okay," I smiled at Miranda.

"Don't give me that look," Miranda groaned in annoyance.

"What look?" I liked to tease her even she would always dodge it or even act stupid when she knew the truth that I was right.

During my vacation in Bali, I became even closer to Miranda. Somehow it felt like Rainy was avoiding me. That morning I noticed her eyes were swollen when she came out of the room. Should I ask her? But Miranda as her close friend didn't know anything about what had happened to her.

Anthonio also hadn't come back since last night, I asked Adrian about him, but he only said that he had no idea. Why do everyone feel suspicious to me that morning? Or am I just overthinking? Putting that aside, I was more excited for skydiving. We left after that by a special shuttle bus. Daniel and Miranda seemed to be in a cold war, neither of them spoke to each other let alone started a conversation. I could only send a confused look at Adrian, and was met with a smirk on his face.

What's better than skydiving? I was afraid of heights, but this time I couldn't feel it at all. I enjoyed every gust of wind that blows. I felt free.

Flying was my imagination since childhood, although I always knew it was impossible. I didn't have wings like a bird, but I had dreams as high as the birds flying in the sky.

I smiled at the beautiful morning sky in Bali. It calmed my mind, made me think everything would always be okay. I took a deep breath when Rainy came over to me. She gave me her sweet smile, making her puffy eyes look even more puffy. "Like the view?"

I nodded at Rainy's question. I really enjoyed the scenery there.

"I like it too, but unfortunately I have to go home tomorrow."

That made me raise an eyebrow. Isn't our vacation time still long?

"My mother needs me, you know her wedding day is approaching. She needs me to prepare and reduce her nervousness," Rainy chuckled at the end of her sentence. "What about you and Adrian?"

Speaking of Adrian, I didn't see him anywhere after skydiving until the sound of a trumpet made me turn back. My eyes opened wide, tears welled up in my eyes. Adrian walked up to me with a chocolate cake with my name on it. His smile tugged at me. "Happiest birthday to you, Mabel." He looked at me gently.

"Happy birthday, Mabel!" Everyone cheered including Rainy who gave me a round of applause when they sang my birthday song. Smiles on their faces, for a moment I found it difficult to explain the happiness I felt. My wish to do skydiving came true on my birthday with the people closest to me.

I blew out the candles then did the first cake cutting. They wondered who I would give it to, but I couldn't choose. Adrian was my love, Ashton was my best friend, and Rainy was my sister. Couldn't choose, I chose myself. It made everyone groan, saying I was not cool at all. But what could I do? I ate myself the first slice of my cake. I couldn't help, but burst out laughter looking at their expressions.

"You're no fun at all," Daniel grumbled. I just giggled at his words.

"Then I'll give Daniel the second slice of my cake," I said, walking over to him with my second piece of cake. It made everyone sigh loudly. I glanced at Adrian who didn't seem to mind that, but it was different with Ashton who was already rolling his eyes in annoyance.

A smile bloomed on Daniel's face. He ate a piece of cake that I gave him afterwards.

After my unexpected birthday celebration, Adrian took me to explore other sights around the place. He said there was something that I needed to know. I knew he was having a hard time saying that, so I didn't insist and said when he was ready to tell me he could come see me straight away. I was ready to listen to him anytime. Even if I said that, I couldn't hide my curiosity. I was curious especially seeing Adrian show an uneasy expression just by thinking about things that I still didn't know.

"Take your time, I'll wait until you're brave enough to tell me." I whispered at the end of the sentence.

"Thanks," Adrian replied in a flat tone. He looked at me and forced a smile on his lips. "Once again, happy birthday, Mabel. I'm delighted to have met you and unplannedly fell in love in the process,"

"Oh trust me, I didn't plan it as well." I smiled up at Adrian. He looked at me gently then hugged me warmly. I felt safe and comfortable in his arms. Until someone's cough made us let go of our embrace. Ashton stood across from us, looking straight at me.

I immediately showed a smile at him. There was an awkwardness I felt around us, but I tried to ignore it. "Hey, Ash." I greeted him for a moment his eyes did not leave my figure. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I need to talk to you," Ashton said with tension on his face. "Alone,"

I didn't have time to answer when Adrian wrapped his arms around my waist so protectively as if Ashton was a lion ready to bite me.

"She's my best friend, Adrian. So I have the right to talk to her anytime,"

"She's my future wife, Ashton." Adrian replied in the most dangerous tone I had ever heard. I looked up and found him shooting Ashton a dagger's gaze.

"Mabel," Ashton ignored Adrian's words and just waited for my decision. "I need you," He continued in a voice as fragile as cotton. What happened to him? Worry began to live in my heart. I looked back at him, seeing that his eyes weren't as bright as usual. I should have realized that since the morning before skydiving, but I only realized it now. Does this have anything to do with Rainy?

"Please?" Ashton added bitterly.

"Just a minute," I said to Adrian as I removed his arms from me.

Adrian looked reluctant, but after I gave him a reassuring nod, he finally let me go. I walked away from him, following Ashton.

Ashton stopped when we were standing some distance from where Adrian was standing. He took a deep breath, his gaze softening when it was just me and him. Something was really bothering him. "Sorry if I'm interrupting your time," He said, getting to the point. "But it's about me and Rainy,"

"Her eyes were swollen this morning," I said at once. "What happened between you two?"

"Rainy and Anthonio have had a relationship before. I guess it was complicated, but all I know is I saw them together yesterday, Mabel." Ashton explained bitterly. "Shit, I get annoyed when I shouldn't be feeling this way."

"What? Really?" I asked, too shocked to almost scream.

"I'm sure Adrian knows," Ashton gritted his teeth, sending Adrian a sharp glare. "I thought he told you,"

My jaw dropped when I heard that. I glanced at Adrian for a moment, and his gaze was already fixed on me. Is it true that he already knew?

"Then what made Rainy cry?"

"I don't know, I just asked about her and Anthonio, and she started crying instead." Ashton sounded frustrated as he said that. I knew him better than he did, so I could tell he was not comfortable with the position Rainy had put him in.

"I'll try to talk to Rainy after this," I said carefully. And of course I would ask Adrian too.