Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Andrianna POV.

Restaurant.

"What was that with Zach and Markus," Jake asked with light humor but I could see the confusion and insecurities kicking in as bright as the sun. This was what I was afraid would happen. I didn't want our friendship to be ruined all because of some bullshit misunderstanding. I already had my hands full with Ray.

Vega gave him a wide-eyed stare. "Don't ask me, I was confused as hell myself. "

Jake crossed his arms. "If I didn't know better I would have thought Markus really thought he was your boyfriend. Crap, I have to talk to him, so he doesn't ruin your chances".

I groaned out loud and they both faced me. "The only solution to this mess is for you to just tell Zach that you lied and that Markus isn't really your boyfriend".

"How can I tell him that now. He won't ask me out if I turn out to be a freaking liar".

"You're already a liar Vega. For the love of God, this is all a game that you want to win. Zach might think you really like him but the truth is that you don't, so telling him you lied about being with Markus just because you were shy won't send him running the other way".

"I hate to agree with Andrianna on this but she's right. I mean what you should really worry about is confessing that you're only with him for the money".

Vega winced. "Can you not, I feel shitty about this already".

"Well there's no backing out now Vega, especially not when you might actually have a chance, and let's face it, it's not like Zach is a saint, I bet he's leading you on the same way he's doing with ten other girls".

Jake shook his head. "I doubt that, it's weird but Zach hasn't been seen with any other girl on campus, so I think he might be really serious about Vega".

I smirked, but Vega just hugged herself as she stared into space. "Well that is good right, so when you break his heart, he'll feel the pain more," I said and Vega turned to face me, her gaze filled with turmoil. "Are you having cold feet?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"I'm not. The plan stays the same. I mean just because he kissed me, that doesn't mean I'm hooked on him or anything".

"Well, that better be the case. Look, I know you might catch feelings, it's totally normal, especially since you're always preoccupied with him, but you shouldn't dwell on that, you should focus on your end goals" I told, and Vega finally stared at me.

"Why do you sound so mad tho".

I blinked. "I don't sound mad".

"Yeah, not mad, more like viciously irritated" Jake put in, glancing at Vega who nodded in agreement.

I inhaled deeply and relaxed my shoulders that felt as if they were being weighed down by bricks. It was all because of Ray. He had threatened to go after Vega and he was always so fast to carry out his threat hence why I'd put some preventive measures but the radio silence from him was jarring. I didn't like it one bit that he wasn't doing anything.

"It's just a test. I think I flopped it" I lied because I didn't want them digging into my life and finding out shit.

Vega nodded, but I knew she was doubtful and I had an incline why, it was because she knew all about my schedule since I was her ride "Oh, we all have been through one of those. I'm sure you crushed it tho" she said, stepping closer to me and hugging me, before patting my shoulder.

Jake sat straighter, an uncertain smile on his face as his eyes focused on something over our head. We both turned to see Markus as he made his way over to our table. He gave a small smile, then sank into the seat next to Jake.

"I fucking hate that guy" he muttered and Vega gazed at him.

"But I thought you both were cool with each other tho... Look, it doesn't matter so can you stop antagonizing him or acting like you're really my boyfriend."

I stared at Markus and watched his face flash with an array of emotions but disappointment won out in the end.

"Well, I'm sorry if you're mad that I tried to protect you".

Vega spluttered. "Protect me from what. Zach isn't even doing anything".

Markus seemed to lose his temper. "He kissed you without your freaking permission, is that him not doing anything" he snapped.

"Babe, calm down"Jake got out, tentatively reaching to hold his hand but Markus flipped him off and I watched as the little act shattered Jake who swallowed, then grabbed at his drink.

"Well, what if I had wanted him to kiss Me didn't you think of that? If you keep doing this, how am I supposed to find any guy to love me? I'm sorry I used you but you're taking it a bit too seriously and I hate what you just did to Jake" Vega yelled, almost rising from her seat.

Jake jolted in shock at being mentioned, while Markus looked like a deer trapped in a cage.

"I didn't do anything to Jake, and I was just watching out for you because Jake cares about you a lot. I don't want you to get hurt".

"Well, you don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself".

I cleared my throat and regretted it when they all pinned me with an irritated stare. "Can we eat already, everything we ordered is getting too cold". I know it was a lame way to stop an argument that I was sure would soon blow up into a war but it was worth a shot.

"I'm sorry Jake, I didn't mean to flip you off like that" Markus said, turning to face Jake and taking his hand in his, his eyes holding his. Jake gave a small smile and then nodded.

"It's fine. I know you were mad".

"I've got something to show you, can I steal you for an hour or two," Markus said, a real smile stretching across his lips and Jake nodded eagerly.

They both stood up, then Markus glanced at Vega, his jaw clenching.

"Since you got so offended that I tried to keep you safe, I think you should tell Zach that I'm not really your boyfriend and that you were lying... "

"Markus, that would ruin everything... " Jake was saying when Markus cut in.

"I can't do this Jake, even if she's your best friend. I don't want to pretend to be with her when I'm not, and she doesn't even want me to so let's just cut this out".

Jake made to protest when Vega cut in.

"It's fine. You're right. Thanks for helping out anyways".

Markus nodded once and then walked away with Jake who had a worried look on his face.

Vega turned to me, exhaling tiredly. "That was intense".

"I mean, I saw this one coming from a mile away, it's good you went off just now, at least now Markus knows you weren't serious all those times you flirted with him".

Vega stared at me, her jaw-dropping before she gasped out. "I didn't flirt with Markus, what are you talking about".

"I don't want to argue Vega but you did and you know it".

Vega blinked, then rested her head against her seat dejectedly. "Ok, fine, I guess I did that a bit but Markus is gay, I didn't think he would suddenly catch feelings for me because that would mean Jake could too because I tease him a lot".

I shook my head at Vega's cluelessness. "Markus is Bi ok, so of course, it's not rocket science that he caught feelings for you".

Vega stared at me in stunned silence, her mouth opening and closing.

"Anyways you should tone down the flirting if you don't want to cause any more misunderstanding because Jake won't be able to take it if Markus breaks up with him to be with you".

"Don't say that! That's insane. Markus doesn't like me like that" she said vehemently but even she doubted her words from the face she made after her statement.

Footsteps approached our table and I know who it is before he spoke, his cheap ass cologne was a dead giveaway.

"Vega, you look so depressed, is everything okay" Ray's thick accent floated between us and Vega glanced at him, managing a smile as she saw the man whom she knew as my boyfriend.

"Ray, wow you're here. When did you get back from your trip" Vega asked and Ray smirked.

"It's been a day or two. I have business here so I had to come back, but of course, I missed my baby" he said, his gaze colliding with mine.

Fuck him! He was really going to push through with his plans.