Nicky Winterfield headed over to Stan’s. His tent was at the other end of camp and creepy to walk alone! A few other students were still outside their camp fire, chatting and she felt grateful.
Luckily, Stan wasn’t yet asleep. He was with the group so Nicky stayed with them for a while. Contrary to what Nicky expected, the girls from his school were nice and very friendly….. while virtually all the rich girls at B. H. A were rude bullies!
The group was sad that they had to leave tomorrow, so they had a little party! Well, party as in they diluted vodka with punch. It was lots of fun! Nicky had fun but got a bit tipsy in the process. After a while, she waved them goodnight and stumbled her way out. Stan offered to walk her back but Nicky casually turned down his offer.
She had no mental strength to referee another fight.
The beach air was cool and chilly. Nicky hugged herself. It was almost midnight but the full moon lighted her path. She got a bit scared when she saw no one else around. Everyone had gone to bed and the waves of the ocean was the only sound she could hear.
Nicky turned around sharply when footsteps sounded behind her but found no one. A nightingale was on a coconut tree flapping its wings. She breathed out, trying to control her heartbeat before continuing her journey.
Suddenly, Nicky yelped seeing a domineering shadow close to hers on the beach sand. Her eyes bulged in fright! She opened her mouth to scream but a strong hand muffled her and possessively pulled her closer…
***
Natalia ran up the two stairs leading into Arian De’ Argent’s room. His door was slightly open so she figured he was still awake.
“Ar…” She started but froze taking in the scene. Her pendant fell off.
The Princess became dizzy staring at the both of them. Her breath seized and her heart tightened into a knot. They were together??
They were together!
Realization hit her so hard that she almost stumbled! Arian snapped out of his initial shock and pushed Selena off of him.
“Na…”
“N.. no, no. I’m s.. sorry. I.. I’ll..” She struggled to breathe and picked up her pendant before running out. Natalia didn’t know where she was going but she knew she had to put some distance between her and the horrible scene she just witnessed. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t block the betraying image out!
Her breathing became hypertensive and her shaky hands grew cold. They were together and she didn’t know!
Selena? Wasn’t she with Ricky? Was she double dating the two friends?? How could she? But Arian knew right?…. They were together behind everyone’s back! His stunned face and Selena’s indifference proved it all.
Natalia painfully gasped for air and leaned on a coconut tree for balance. Her eyes misted as giant tears threatened to fall. How could she have been so stupid?! Elva said it. Elva had warned her. What was it again??
Natural flirt? He didn’t even deny it and she stupidly fell for it!
Why, huh? When her fragile heart was already so attached! Hot tears burned down her cheeks. She clutched her white dress to her chest, unable to bear the hurt. The hurting princess was aware of running feet but wished they’ld run past her.
Everything contributed to her pain. Even the full moon seemed to mock her as it smiled brightly, casting subtle shadows where she stood. More of her tears fell.
“Natalia?” Arian’s enchanting voice breathed behind her. Natalia didn’t move or turn around. More than anything, she wanted him to vanish. She wanted him gone!
Arian softly touched her and she unconsciously flinched. His hand was warm compared to her cold skin. Suddenly, the princess was resentful. How dare he come after her only after he got caught!
Natalia wiped her tears with unhidden force and walked away without sparing the young French a glance. Arian caught her before she could slip away and flipped her around to face him.
“Let me go.” Her voice was tight. A tinge of sadness flashed across his beautiful eyes. It wasn’t only because of her repeated, easy distrust of him…. but staring at her hurting features made Arian’s heart lurch more in pain.
When he hesitated, Natalia raised her eyes and noticed his messy hair, which looked like they’d been in constant connection with a pair of agitated fingers.
Why not? The bitter side of her thought maliciously. After making out with his best friend’s lover!
The remembrance of that memory made her sicker in the stomach. Arian felt desperate seeing the deepening sense of disgust clouding her huge brown eyes.
“It’s not what you think. Please believe me. Selena and I…”
“… are lovers. I get it! Now please let me go!” She spat and tried to pull away. Arian’s eyes went wide in disbelief.
“No, no you’re getting it wrong. She came into my room when I was in bed and…”
“… and tried to force herself on you? Classic. Now would you kindly let go of my hand?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. Arian temporarily let go of her, but shoved her the next second.
“You’re not listening! Let’s go somewhere else and talk please?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Arian! You’re disgusting! Seeing you sickens me by the minute. If you don’t let go of me for the last time, I promise I’ll scream!” She gritted, tears brimming in her eyes again.
Arian was taken aback. His face showed hurt and his silence deepened it. For a whole minute, they stood staring at each other with tension thick in the air. Suddenly, Arian let go of her and took a few steps away.
“Fine!” He snapped which made her flinch.
“You can scream and yell all you want but nothing and no one is gonna stop me from saying what I want to! I’m NOT hooking up with Selena! She means nothing to me! Everything you saw was a big misunderstanding.”
Natalia scoffed and clutched her pendant tighter. “It’s easy for the guilty to plead innocent even in a law court. Do you really expect me to believe that?”
Arian purposefully moved towards her until the princess found her back making contact with the coconut tree.
“I won’t force you to believe it…” He muttered and confessed so softly that she almost didn’t hear him. “But believe that I’m in love with someone else.”
Natalia died that second.
Loving someone who loved someone else? Her fragile heart broke into pieces. The tears she’d been fighting to control rolled painfully down her cheeks. Arian’s looks softened as he reached for her enticing face.
“I’m in love with you.”
***
Elva Thompson wasn’t expecting to find the idiot, Ricky Winterfield in his room and she wasn’t disappointed!
She huffed out angrily and strolled around to wait. His phones were on the table so she guessed he wasn’t far away. A packet of gum, a set of diamond earrings, a hairband and a carton of protection sat next to them.
Typical.
She acerbically rolled her eyes and picked up a geography book next to the pile. Elva cocked a brow. When did he take geography seriously?? She remembered he hated the subject a lot. Like a lot!
Something fell off as she returned the book. She bent and picked it up. It was a picture…. from their past life. A helpless blush crept up Elva’s cheek staring at it.
In the picture, they were at some park on their first official date. Elva loved taking pictures so Ricky had gotten her a digital camera instead of the classical roses. The first picture she took was of the both of them kissing.
The fuzzy brunnette didn’t realize when a smile escaped her lips.
“Beautiful, right?” Ricky whispered close to her ears. Elva flinched at how close they were. When did he come in?? She hastily returned the picture and turned to leave but he caged her with his two hands.
“What are you doing? Let me through.” She demanded, trying to revive her hot temperament towards him.
“Sweetheart, I can’t. You deliciously waltzed in here yourself.” He taunted with a sexy smirk.
“Don’t be an arse. I only came because Nicky forced me to give you this.” She raised the lotion bag. A sour look crossed his face and she almost laughed.
“When did you become so mean?” He groused with a pout.
“The same day I got dumped. Now move.” She rolled her eyes and pushed him away, heading for the door.
“I’m sorry.” Was the next thing Elva heard.
“I’m so sorry.” Softly came after. Her hand dropped from the knob. She slowly turned around to look at him.
“What?” She whispered. Ricky took a few steps forward.
“Elva, I… I…” He paused and ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
“I.. I don’t know what to say or how to say it but I’ve felt like the world’s biggest fool since the day I stupidly accused you of cheating.”
Her heartbeat accelerated.
“I hate myself so much for what I did to you, El. I’m sorry for hurting you. I’m so sorry for letting my silly insecurity get the best of my love, our love. You were right… I’m so gullible.” He muttered and stared at her eyes which had become glossy.
“And from my heart, If I still deserve one, I want you to know that I love… and have always loved you.” He confessed and her first tears in three years fell…
Chapter 66