Chapter 37: Chapter 37

It doesn't matter to me, right? As Ashton's best friend, of course I wanted the best for him. Thankfully I had managed to get rid of my feelings for him. Just being his friend was the best way for me. And I was sure everything would be fine.

Bringing Adrian with me, I made sure it was just the two of us. I took a breath and worked up the courage to speak. "Since it's not only my birthday, but yours too... So happy birthday, Adrian Moretti, my lovely boyfriend. I can't put into words how glad I am to know we were born on the same date, and that means we have the same zodiac sign."

A perfect grin formed on Adrian's face. "So you remember what you told me about us having to celebrate this and you ended up letting me choose my preferred place to celebrate?"

"Oh of course I remember, so now just bring it on."

Adrian took me with him to a fancy place to eat. He booked the restaurant for a special day for the two of us, so there were no other guests. I thought it was originally a typical casual eatery, but it wasn't. We could enjoy our meal on a floating tray in the water while swimming.

Adrian smirked then took off his shirt, leaving himself with only his boxers. After that he lightly kissed my lips and jumped into the pool. It made me quickly take off my clothes too and followed him jump into the water. It was a bit cold that I shivered a little, but he immediately embraced me in his touch. Skin to skin with him made my heartbeat go crazy. The way his hands roam up to my stomach made my breath catch in my throat.

"Do you like it?" Adrian whispered right in my ear. What he meant was the beautiful landscape in front of us. We were on the highest floor with a view of nature all around. It was unbelievably beautiful, it left my jaw dropping in awe.

"It's so beautiful," I smiled softly, then felt Adrian spread his short kisses around my neck. "I love you so much, Adrian."

With his index finger, Adrian lifted my chin to look at him. We stared at each other before he captured my lips completely under his compassion. He sucked my lower lip gently then explored into my mouth. A low moan escaped my lips as I couldn't hold it in anymore. He made me enjoy what I had never tasted before. Slowly I felt his hands explore my back and stopped right at the buttons of my bra. I didn't care about it anymore, for a moment I felt a strong urge that I wanted him so much. So I immediately kissed him back deeply.

I could feel Adrian grinning with satisfaction at my wild reaction between our kisses. He wanted me to react like that. I ran my hands through his hair, continuing to kiss him until we ran out of oxygen and needed to breathe. We laughed as we broke our kiss for a moment. He then removed a strand of my hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. "Beautiful, just like the first time I saw you."

Adrian's gaze at me turned intense as he looked like he was studying every inch of my face, or rather trying to remember everything about me. Slowly his gaze turned worried. I didn't understand why, but all I knew then was that he pulled me into his tight embrace.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I whispered softly into his ear, but Adrian didn't answer and just gently rubbed my back. That's why I thought he just needed a hug. Perhaps something had suddenly diverted his peace of mind.

"I am afraid of losing you,"

Letting go of his embrace, I looked at Adrian with a small laugh that I couldn't hold back from my lips. "Afraid of losing me? Look, Adrian. I'm here with you, in your arms."

My laughter stopped when I found Adrian's eyes looking at me worriedly. I really needed to calm him down and take it seriously. My hands made its way to his cheeks, caressed it gently and watched how he closed his eyes enjoying my caress. He was really scared of losing me. But isn't that funny? I didn't even want to be away from him.

"Promise me you will never leave me, Mabel."

I fell silent at Adrian's request. Why did he think I would do that when it never crossed my mind to leave him?

"You know I'll never do that, Adrian."

Adrian opened his eyes after hearing my answer. "I asked you to promise me, Mabel. Promise me that you will never leave me, that you will always be by my side. Please just say it and make me believe it,"

Without hesitation and a second thought, I promised Adrian what he asked for. It managed to improve his mood, for a moment he smiled and hugged me again. "Are you hungry?" He asked me as a waiter came in and brought a tray of food. We ended up enjoying our meal, then headed out of the pool to warm up.

It was the most amazing day with Adrian that I had ever had, we continued that day to be together, watched movies and other things. Adrian didn't let go of my hand and on several occasions hugged me. I didn't know why he was so scared I was going to be away from him.

Until finally the night came, actually we still wanted to continue the night to be together, but we had to help Rainy to talk to Ashton.

On the way back to the villa, a notification came into my phone. I saw what it was, and apparently there were two unread messages from Ashton. He was waiting for me to see him soon. So I texted him back, saying I'd come see him.

"Is that Ashton?" asked Adrian, for a moment his focus was on me.

"Yeah," I whispered quietly, staring out the car window.

Arriving at the villa, I could see Rainy was dressed neatly. She looked cute in her baby blue mini dress. A sweet smile of enthusiasm was plastered on her face. She was so excited for the night, and I just hoped Ashton didn't freak out or even ruin her angelic smile.

I glanced at Adrian, and he just gave me a nod. By that I immediately signaled Rainy to go to the courtyard near the pool. It was the place Ashton promised.

"I'm so nervous..." Rainy paused. Her face described everything, but serenity.

I rubbed Rainy's shoulder, encouraging her with a reassuring nod. "I'm sure Ashton will listen to you,"

"Are you sure? I'm afraid he'll get mad, let alone found it wasn't you who came and it was me."

"Ashton isn't that kind of guy," I smiled as I started to explain about Ashton. "He is an understanding man, so he will listen to you before making any rash decisions."

"You sound like you know him very well," Rainy said flatly and then sighed. "You're always the best when it comes to him, Mabel."

I both agreed and disagreed with Rainy's last words, because lately Ashton had changed a bit from the self I used to know. So I just smiled. "Good luck!"

When Rainy walked away from me, Adrian came closer and put his arms around my waist. He then rested his chin on my shoulder. I was a little worried about Ashton's reaction. As if knowing my concern, Adrian whispered softly. "You don't have to worry. What will happen is bound to happen, we just need to keep an eye on them."

I nodded as Adrian took my hand, bringing me closer to the courtyard. I could see Ashton standing and already noticing Rainy's presence. He had prepared a lovely dinner along with a box of gifts which I assumed was for me. I really felt sorry for him for not keeping my promise to see him.

Ashton looked taken aback before his expression turned blank.

"Ashton looks shocked," Adrian told me.

"Without you telling me, I can see it too." I rolled my eyes and made Adrian laugh. He purposely made my tension melt, and he managed to do it.

"What do you think by what you see?" Adrian whispered. It made me stare completely at him. His eyes were fixed on me curiously.

"You mean Ashton and Rainy? Nothing," I replied in the same whisper Adrian gave me. "I just feel happy if they can get back together. Rainy's happiness is my happiness too and Ashton's is too."

"You sound clingy when it comes to them,"

I didn't really pay attention to Adrian's comments and chose to turn to look at Ashton and Rainy. They had already started the conversation. I could tell that Rainy was trying to explain her point of view. Just a few days ago my heart ached knowing they were kissing, but here I found I was smiling seeing their closeness. I actually didn't know what I really felt until that day.

"They seem to be kissing soon," Adrian explained again, acting like the narrator of a romance story.

"And we're not supposed to be here and peek at them doing that,"

"Or maybe we can do the same thing they're going to do," Adrian smirked as I stared at him in confusion.

"Wait, what-" Before I could finish my question, Adrian had put his lips on mine. I kissed him back, but quickly broke the kiss before anyone came. "Not now, honey. Now we're on an important mission,"

Adrian looked at me annoyed, then vented his annoyance by stroking my hair gently until it was messy.

I turned my attention back to Ashton and Rainy. They were close, but neither of them had any intention of taking another step closer for a kiss. Ashton just stood there dumbfounded. There was something he couldn't explain. As his best friend from childhood, I could tell he seemed to have a hard time deciding things. Is he thinking about forgiving Rainy's mistakes or not?

"What do you think they're talking about?"

Not getting an answer from Adrian, I turned to him. He was no longer beside me, but some distance away, talking to Daniel. Since when did Daniel come?

"Mabel, what are you doing?"

Now not only Daniel, but also Miranda. She walked over to me and followed where I pointed.

"Last time I remember you had a heartbreak watching them make out, remember?"

Why did Miranda have to remind me of that time?

"Don't remind me of that again," I retorted in annoyance.

Miranda chuckled then said again. "Tomorrow Rainy will come back home, you will be free to get the attention of two men at once."

"Hey!" I jolted as my cheeks felt hot at Miranda's words. It caught everyone's attention, including Ashton and Rainy. The jolt was loud enough for them to hear me from where they were standing. Poor me!

Ashton's eyes fell on me as I looked back at him. He didn't look all right after realizing what was going on. His feet made a step towards me, leaving Rainy alone. I'm so dead!

I couldn't explain what expression Ashton had other than how his eyes pierced mine with his gaze. He was furious and hurt. What should I say to him?

"Ash-" I was about to explain when Ashton raised his hand, gesturing for me not to say anything before he finished saying what was already in his mind. At least I thought so, but my guess was wrong. He came closer and kissed me roughly. I was too shocked that I couldn't do anything until someone pulled him away from me. With a jolt, I realized it was Adrian.

A hysterical scream escaped Miranda and me as Adrian threw his fist into Ashton's jaw.