Chapter 16: Chapter 16

“So, are you going to talk about why I came back this morning and Leon was here or should I just act like I didn’t see his car?” Brielle asked while we were watching the movie she chose.

Brielle wasn’t one to miss out on gossip and I’d known that about her for a while. It was one of the reasons why she was a journalist. That and the fact that she could drill answers out of even the most intimidating man in the world.

“I think I have to move in here. I miss the juicy parts,” Hiro said with a pout. “I feel like our friendship is one-sided.”

I rolled my eyes. “He stayed over because he was trying to avoid his family.” Hiro slowly nodded. “I take it the family dinner was a mess.”

“Yeah. His family hates me because apparently, I’m driving a wedge between him and them. Luckily, his older brother, the only one he actually cares about, likes me. We had a mini bonding time while their family was having a heated argument.”

“Don’t feel bad,” Brielle said as she paused the movie and sat up straight. “It was the same for me the first time I had a dinner with Kosara’s parents. His sister was even worse. She kept looking at me like I was dirt under her shoe simply because she wanted Kosara to marry her African friend.”

“Exactly and when I was still dating Levi, his family thought I was crap because I was Asian. In a way, it makes sense why he’d cheat on me and leave me,” Hiro said with a shrug.

“We’re all forgetting one little detail,” I muttered.

Brielle and Hiro exchanged looks then glanced at me. “What?”

I placed my fingers on the bridge of my nose. “Leon and I aren’t engaged or dating. We’re just best friends.”

Hiro shrugged. “It could lead somewhere eventually. It’s just good to know where you stand with the family before that time.”

“Exactly what she said even though it’s obvious that I prefer you with my cousin. He’s the kind of guy you need,” Brielle said with a large smile.

“She’d be much better with Leon. The connection is there,” Hiro argued while crossing her arms.

Brielle rolled her eyes. “Paris is a hopeless romantic and Emrys is the dream guy she’s always wanted. It will be the perfect story.”

I crossed my arms and frowned. “I’m not a hopeless romantic.”

Brielle rolled her eyes again and had the nerve to chuckle. “You are too. You cry for every sappy love story. I hate watching them with you because you get so emotional and start talking my ears off about that being the kind of guy you need.”

“I hate you,” I muttered and she laughed. “I really hate you.”

“You don’t because you said we’ll never part ways until we’re dead and buried.”

“I think you’re ready to die now.” She laughed and I turned to Hiro. “I thought you had a date so what happened to him?”

Hiro shrugged. “He was nice, I guess, but we aren’t really going anywhere past the first date. He was quite the bore and he kept acting like he was intimidated by me. It was creepy.”

Brielle burst into laughter. “Did you kiss him?”

“I was going to kiss him but then you texted me about going to Taco Bell and, well, there’s this cashier that is way cuter so I bailed on the rest of the date. Unfortunately, you lied so I missed on having fun, if the guy could, and my beautiful Taco Bell lover.”

I joined in on Brielle’s laughter. “Hiro, what would I do with you?”

“The real question should be what would you do without me,” she said with a wink in my direction.

“You’re crazy,” Brielle said once she was over her laughter. She pinched Brielle’s cheeks. “And you love this crazy person.”

Brielle rolled her eyes and smacked Hiro’s hands away. “Keep deceiving yourself. Maybe one day it would turn out to be the truth.”

Hiro crossed her arms. “You’re too mean.”

“Well, we can discuss how mean I am after I go to pick up Ellarosa,” Brielle said as she stood up and picked up her keys.

I raised a brow. “First, when did you start liking kids? Second, pick her up from where? Today is Sunday and it’s 8 pm.”

“I started liking kids since I realized I was having my own and you started acting distant when you were on your period before the dinner. Ellarosa went on a play date and Taniya won’t be able to pick her up because she has somewhere to be today and tomorrow so I have to do it,” Brielle said as she patted down her dress and flashed a smile at me. “Take care of yourselves and try not to burn down the house before I come back.”

“You’re already mummying us and you haven’t even had your daughter yet,” Hiro said with a pout.

“Who said I’m having a daughter?” Brielle asked, propping her hands on her hips.

Hiro winked. “I know these things. Now, run along. Go save a child from the claws of play date monsters.”

Brielle snorted. “I bet you believed they were real as a child.”

“Go away,” Hiro said as she rolled her eyes and stared at Brielle until she left the room with a wave. “Okay, she’s gone. Let’s talk about your relationship with Leon.”

I raised a brow. “What relationship?”

She smacked me on the head. “You like him you idiot!”

“I doubt that you know that more than I do since I’m the owner of the body and the soul. I think I’m a better judge of who I like and who I do not like.”

Hiro rolled her eyes. “Do you really believe that?” I nodded. “I wish you wouldn’t be so blind and see the connection you have. Anyone can see it. I can bet a million bucks that Leon is in love with you.”

“Are you dumb, stupid, or dumb?” She was about to speak but I cut her off immediately. “That was a rhetorical question, genius. Leon and I are best friends. Do you need me to spell it out for you? We are best friends and that’s all. Leon wouldn’t even like me talk more of being in love with me.”

She frowned. “I don’t know, PB, he seems pretty whipped to me. I mean, Milo talks about him a lot and he is also of the opinion that your so-called best friend is in love with you.

When you think about it, you’ll realize it actually makes sense.”

I shook my head. “You have no idea what you’re saying besides, I’m having a pretty great chance at getting with Emrys. That’s the only romance related issue on my mind.”

Hiro looked like she wanted to argue more about Leon but thought better of it and said, “I’m sure I’ve asked you before but what really is the deal with Emrys? And can you not say he saved your life or some crap like that?”

I licked my lips and smiled. “He is Prince Charming.” “Excuse me?”

“Prince Charming and Cinderella. You know, Prince Charming? How can you not know who he is?”

“I know who he is but why would you think of Emrys as Prince Charming? You do realize you sound like a five-year-old, right?”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course, I know that but all my life, I based my life knowing the kind of guy I’d want to marry. I wanted him to have blond hair, blue eyes, a perfect smile, a good heart, and the most important thing of all was that I wanted him to be my knight in shining armor.

“Emrys was all that. I know he didn’t have an armor but he did save this damsel in distress and when I saw him, he was the perfect guy for me. He still is and at first, I wanted him to come find me like every Disney prince does but maybe this time, I had to be the one coming after him.”

Hiro blinked like she couldn’t believe what I was saying. “Are you alright? You based your life on fairytales?”

I shook my head. “Not entirely.”

“It’s no wonder you’re such an airhead. How can you even believe that love comes to people like that? Do you have to be this hopeless when it comes to love?”

“I see nothing wrong with wanting perfect for myself.”

“No one is perfect and I think you’ve been so stuck in fairytales, you forgot that. Everyone has flaws and just because Emrys hasn’t shown you his doesn’t mean he’s perfect.”

I shrugged. “I don’t care. He’s perfect to me and that’s that.” Hiro sighed. “I’m dealing with an idiot.”

I crossed my arms. “Said idiot is sitting in front of you.”

She grinned. “I’m glad you identify as an idiot.” I glared at her. “What? You said it yourself.” I frowned and stood up. “Where are you going?”

“Well, this idiot promised her best friend that she’ll check up on him and the day is already far spent so I’ve got to go.”

“First Brielle and now you?” she crossed her arms. “I’m beginning to think I left my date for nothing. There was no Taco Bell and now you guys have abandoned me.”

“Brielle will be back soon and you can stay over. I’ll be back in thirty minutes or less. I promise,” I said with a smile as I ruffled her hair.

“I am not a dog and you have to buy me a lot of candy on your way back or I’m going to be really mad at you.”

I grinned. “We have a deal.”

“Good. I’m just going to stay here and try to talk to my other friends who won’t leave me like my current one did.”

“Don’t be a drama queen.” “It’s necessary.”

I rolled my eyes and pulled her in for a quick side hug before running out with my car keys in hand and a coat in the other. I took my phone with me even though I’d been considering leaving it there. I knew that there was a possibility I’d need it if I ever got abducted or lost.

Whichever came first.

I was going down the stairs when I saw Emrys come into the house with a tired look on his face. I suddenly realized how long it had been since we actually spoke. There was a possibility some part of me was mad at him. Either that or I’d just been too busy with Leon to even realize his existence.

“Hey,” he said with a smile as soon as he noticed me.

“Hi, how are you?” I said returning his smile and adding a little wave. “Stressed but I’ll be fine. Where are you going to this late?”

“Leon and I were supposed to meet up earlier but the girls held me up with their famous girls’ night and all,” I said with a wave of dismissal. He frowned the moment he heard Leon’s

name but he didn’t say anything. “Anyway, can I ask you for a favor?” “Sure, sure, go ahead.”

“There’s this friend of mine, his name is Ryker, and he needs a job. I think he can do pretty well in modelling but I also know that you need to have connection to get in. Can you help him with whatever models like you do?”

He nodded. “Just give him my number and I’ll talk to him.” My eyes widened. “Really?”

He nodded and without thinking, I pulled him into one of my famous hugs. After about thirty seconds, I realized who I was hugging and pulled away with an awkward smile.

“If I had known that would make you this happy, I’d have done that a long time ago,” he said with a smirk and I only blushed. “Do you want me to take you to Leon’s place?”

“I’ll need a ride back and the last thing I want will be to start walking. I think I’ll do fine on my own,” I said with a smile. “Thanks for offering, though.”

“The pleasure is mine. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.” “I won’t.”

I began to walk out of the house and I could feel his eyes trained on me until I closed the door behind me. I fought the urge to squeal because there was a possibility he was still standing there and I wanted to seem cool. I waited until I was in the car and I screamed as loudly as I could with the goofiest smile on my face.

I noticed Brielle’s car coming in and decided to drive out before she could stop me to drill me for questions. I knew I would still have to answer them once I got back but it was better than doing it at that moment and shortening my time to get to Leon’s house.

Once I got to Leon’s house, I rang the doorbell about five times but no one answered me. I ended up deciding it was best to open the door myself with the spare key he had given to me. The house was eerily quiet as I walked inside and when I tried to call Leon’s number, it was switched off.

“Leon,” I shouted but there was no reply. “Leon!”

I got no reply but I did hear some grunts from the kitchen. I knew that it had to be Leon or it must have been some robbers. I was betting on the former since everywhere still looked put together and nothing like a robbery scene.

I rushed into the kitchen as the grunts were becoming louder and the sight that met my eyes was enough to make me scream out every single thing, I had left in me.

“Leon, what the hell happened here?”