Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Something happened with Rainy and Anthonio. I knew it had something to do with Ashton. And I should have known better if it had to do with Ashton, then Mabel would be dragged into it.

Here I was on my own feet, staring at Mabel and Ashton talking some distance from where I was standing. I couldn't take my eyes off the sight of the two talking to each other so close together. I was pissed, but trying to look calm and not bothered at all. Even for God's sake, it really tormented me by acting that way.

What kind of look was Ashton giving Mabel? He looked at her gently as if he had never hurt her before. I smirked, almost wanting to laugh when he suddenly looked up at me. His gaze was sharp with hatred. I just replied with a smirk before a few seconds later Mabel also gave me a short look. It was obvious that my name was in their conversation. What is Ashton trying to tell Mabel about me? He seemed to be brainwashing her with something.

They didn't talk for long. Mabel walked towards me as my eyes fell on Ashton who was walking away from the place. I returned my gaze to the woman who had now stopped right in front of me with her hands on her waist like a boss woman. Ah, I like it when she acts that way.

"We. Need. To. Talk," Mabel said in a firm tone and her gaze fixed on me. That didn't sound all right.

"I see, Ashton has washed your mind about something."

"Don't talk like that about Ashton," said Mabel when I showed her no expression. Ouch, my heart felt like it was hit hard by the ocean waves hearing how she defended Ashton. "He did nothing wrong," She added.

"Yeah, whatever." I cleared my throat, taking my eyes off Mabel. It just made her pull me closer to her and all I knew was the next moment we stared at each other. Looking into her eyes, I could see my frightened reflection that she knew my secret; I knew how bad I was that I just wanted to take advantage of her.

"You know Rainy had a relationship with Anthonio and never told me?" Mabel asked, adding a bit of betrayal to her voice.

"How did Ashton know that?" I narrowed my eyes hearing that. It was definitely not a good sign, I was sure he would continue to find out more about Anthonio and Rainy.

"You answer my question first, then I'll answer yours." Mabel said grumpily and gave me a sour look. "Just say you know about it,"

"I know it," I answered hesitantly, because even though Mabel insisted, I knew she didn't want to hear that.

Mabel let out a low sigh then shrugged her shoulders. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

Oh, I was so ready for the questions Mabel would throw at me.

"I didn't think it matters, I mean it's their past."

"You're right..." Mabel whispered to herself rather than to me.

"I don't want you to be angry with me, so it's best if we just enjoy the holiday in peace." I rubbed Mabel's back and pulled her closer to me. "I love having you in my arms,"

Mabel rested her head on my chest silently. I knew she was still bothered by it. "I'm worried about Rainy as well as Ashton,"

I gently stroked Mabel's head, inhaling the scent of her hair. I really liked it when she was in my arms. That's what I had always dreamed of ever since I landed my eyes on her.

"You're not listening to me," Mabel whispered, sagging.

"I have another surprise for you," I said and Mabel raised her head to look at me. "Come with me," I grabbed her hand and took her with me.

Mabel just let me lead the way and said. "I'm not done talking yet,"

"We can leave that topic behind," I said, too quickly. "But now it's your birthday, you have to get rid of whatever's bothering you." I had lots of plans in my head to spend my time with Mabel.

To my surprise, I heard Mabel laugh. So I concluded she agreed with me. I was almost happy, but almost never enough. After Ashton, now Rainy was in our way. She walked closer to us.

"Rainy? Are you okay?" Mabel asked, instantly letting go of my hand and grabbing Rainy's hand.

If I were in Mabel's position, I'd probably have asked that too. Rainy's face was as pale as the undead. She didn't look all right.

Rainy just nodded, glanced at me briefly then back at Mabel. This time she didn't show her annoying side to me. But I still had to be wary of her. She could have leaked my secret to Mabel. Or worse.

"Is there something you want to talk to me about?" Mabel gently asked.

"Actually I need to talk to Adrian," Rainy said calmly, but on the other hand I didn't like her calmness.

"Adrian?" Mabel immediately glanced at me. I could tell he was shocked to hear that.

"Nothing important, I just need to discuss about your engagement. You know you will celebrate it to coincide with our parents' wedding day," Rainy gave Mabel a brief explanation. "There's only a few days left, so we should discuss it as soon as possible."

"Well, okay." Mabel nodded, taking some distance from us.

Rainy looked nervously at me before finally letting out a tired sigh. "I need your help, Adrian."

I nonchalantly raised an eyebrow when I heard that. "Are you kidding?"

"I'm serious, I beg you. I promise I won't hurt Mabel or anything to do with her again." Rainy begged me very forcefully. Her voice sounded so fragile it looked like she was going to pass out a few seconds later.

"If you think I will help you, then you are wrong." I said through gritted teeth. I didn't care what kind of problems Rainy had. She had done a lot of things that hurt my Mabel.

"Please. It's about Ashton, you know I'd do anything to get him. And yesterday I made him barely believe me anymore, he saw me with Anthonio."

"That's exactly it, what are you doing with Anthonio? You know we're on vacation and it's possible anyone could see you," I snapped, not believing Rainy could act so reckless.

"I got carried away," Rainy replied, her voice barely audible.

I sighed before finally saying. "I don't know if I can do much about it or not,"

"The important thing is that you are willing to help me..." Rainy mumbled pleadingly. She seemed to have a hard time explaining what was going on, her lips parting and then closing, and so on until she seemed completely sure of what she was going to say. "Ashton saw me and Anthonio making out. I swear after that I kicked Anthonio out of here,"

"The problem is why did you invite Anthonio to join us? I knew from the start it was your doing,"

"To piss you off, okay?" Rainy took a deep breath and then exhaled loudly. "But instead I got stuck in my own game,"

With a mocking and arrogant grin, I nodded in agreement with Rainy's words about her being stucked in her own game. It's not that easy to beat me.

"Stop being so arrogant, now help me." Rainy showed annoyance in her tone. "I just want you to help me get more time with Ashton by the side of my time here. I'll be home soon,"

"When are you coming home?"

"Tomorrow,"

Rainy's short answer made me smile triumphantly. It would have been better for her to go home soon, but my smile fell at the thought of her request to spend the rest of her time here with Ashton. I could make plans to keep them together, but tonight Mabel would have an event with him for her birthday.

Should I be a selfish boyfriend? Or being a good boyfriend by letting my girlfriend spend just a few hours on her best friend?

"What do you say?"

I glanced at Mabel who was standing from a distance. There was a smile on her face as she took a deep breath and looked around at the scene. She really seemed to be enjoying her birthday.

"Adrian?"

My hand clenched behind my back. I didn't want to see Mabel with Ashton again, but could I really keep her away from her best friend all this time?

"I will help you, but remember, you must also keep your dirty hands away from Mabel from now on." I threatened Rainy which she replied with a lightning fast nod. Maybe that would be the stupidest decision I had ever made.

"Then we have a deal," Rainy smiled contentedly about to do a handshake with me, but I ignored it and immediately left her, towards Mabel who was waiting for me.

Mabel stood there quietly, occasionally fiddling with a strand of her hair. When her eyes met my figure, she couldn't hold back a smile anymore. Her sweet smile bloomed on her face as she walked closer to me.

"Thanks for letting me talk to Adrian," Rainy patted Mabel on the shoulder and then darted away from us.

Mabel looked at me afterward. I knew she wanted to know what Rainy and I were talking about.

"If Ashton told you about me knowing Anthonio, then I assume he also told you that he saw Rainy making out with Anthonio."

Mabel just shrugged her shoulders, looking a bit mindful of that.

I took a breath and continued. "Rainy feels sorry for Ashton for that,"

Hearing that, Mabel showed a sad expression. Her eyes fell on the ground. "Then what can we do to get them back together?"

I looked at Mabel gently. Do I deserve a woman as good as her? Can I really say this?

"I really want to help," Mabel added with a pleading look at me.

At first I didn't want to tell Mabel the truth, but I couldn't. I thwarted many plans in my head to prevent her from seeing Ashton that night, and chose to explain it to her. "Rainy will be home tomorrow, I was thinking of getting her and Ashton together tonight. That's only if you don't mind. I know tonight you and Ashton will-"

Without hesitation, Mabel cut me off. "I don't mind. I still have my birthday next year, but their relationship must be reunited now."

I was speechless by how Mabel cared more about the happiness of others than her own. I really felt guilty for that, but on the other hand I was glad she wasn't going to meet Ashton.

"How about we set a plan now?" Mabel suggested as she pulled me along with her. We ended up walking around the tourist attractions. "What if Rainy replaces me tonight?"

I just nodded, somehow I couldn't think of anything. The guilt seemed to gnaw at me. I sighed in frustration, Mabel not only made me crazy about her, but also changed a lot of things about me including my personality.

"You don't look concentrated," Mabel said, exactly how I felt. I lost my concentration and just let her took me to wherever she wanted.

All Mabel got from me in response was just a smile.

Mabel narrowed her eyes at me then pinched my cheeks, squeezing it like a squishy. I let her do that because I was at her mercy. I was still staring at her for a moment she suddenly smiled and laughed. I bet it must be because the expression on my face was getting weird.

"I just squeezed the cheeks of the most feared mob boss," Mabel claimed, and suddenly I understood why she was laughing. Immediately I tickled her stomach until she tried to escape from my arms.