Nicky knew her brother was still in love with Elva, so a selfish but protective side of her was more than ready to tackle the sulking girl down if she said yes!
“No, no!” Elva breathed out and Nicky calmed down. Even though It’ld be somewhat fair if Elva got her pound of flesh, Nicky couldn’t watch her brother get hurt again and turn out worse than he already was.
“Then why do you feel bad?” Natalia was as curious as Nicky.
“I know we still love each other and all… but I’m scared of history repeating itself. I’m also scared he’ll keep being a playboy and I don’t wanna be the bitch to ruin whatever relationship he has with Selena.”
“That’s bullshit!” Nicky snapped. “He’s learned from the past. You guys will pull through. I dunno if I should be the one telling you this, but my brother only became a Casanova because he was broken, lonely and in pain. He believed you really cheated and it twisted his attitude especially towards commoners.
“Elva, I don’t want it to seem that I’m forcing my brother on you but anyone can see that he loves you. And wants you to give him a second chance, give you guys a second chance. He misses you so much that he paints a freaking picture of you everyday!
“At first I thought it was sheer creepy obsession, judging from all the hatred he showed. But I later got to understand. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Everything’s gonna be alright, you’ll see.” She assured and Elva faintly smiled.
“Yeah, I agree with Nicky. And I don’t really think he has a serious thing going on with Selena.” Natalia added and went on to explain Selena’s obsession with Arian despite the ‘relationship’ she had with Ricky.
“See?? It’s no biggie why I hated that dog!” Nicky seethed and they chuckled.
They continued their picnic lunch in a happier, more tension-free mood.
“What now?” Natalia drawled as a flash text beeped on their phones simultaneously.
“Guess it’s another gossip. Wonder who the unlucky dude is this time…” Elva picked up her phone and Nicky did the same. Natalia was totally uninterested. She found no joy in laughing at other people’s pain caused by a group of malicious people spreading hateful rumours.
She tried to steal some of Nicky’s cookies, but the strawberry blonde was smarter and tucked the paper plate behind her, shooting the pouty princess a dirty scowl as she operated her flashy phone at the same time.
Suddenly, Nicky’s hands vibrated in shock and her eyes bulged as she saw what was posted. She exchanged a horrified look with Elva before they slowly turned to meet Natalia’s bored expression…
***
“Always remember to use protection. Trust me, you don’t want a baby poppin’ out anytime soon.” Ricky taunted as he passed Arian the ball.
The trio were playing basketball and Ricky and Jeffrey couldn’t stop taunting the young French after he’d told them about Natalia.
“You’re so predictable. Remind me never to let her near you.” Arian snorted and threw the ball into the net.
“Too late dude. Already had my quiet time with her. Sorry for just confessing though.” Ricky winked before retrieving the ball.
“You did what?” Arian paused.
“Dude! It wasn’t his fault. He wouldn’t have done it if you had confessed earlier… like three hours ago?” Jeffrey chipped in and they did their stupid hand clap.
“You said what?” Arian’s tone murderously went colder.
“Woah man! I was just joking. Gosh, you should’ve seen your freaking face!” Ricky said and laughed out.
“Hope you had that on camera?” He turned to give Jeffrey a warning look. Arian also turned to see Jeffrey putting away his phone.
“You’re darn right I did!” He smirked and they chuckled again.
“Idiots.” Arian cussed under his breath and glared at them.
“Man, jus’ to be sure…. you weren’t gonna beat up Rick, right?” Jeffrey picked his face towel.
“You’ld be surprised I’ld join you in too.” He got his simple answer. Ricky cackled at the sour face Jeffrey made who later turned to scowl at him.
“So what special place are you taking our drama baby?” The blonde returned to his taunting self as Arian picked his water bottle.
“But hey, I’m darn serious about protection.” Ricky mercilessly teased again.
“How ’bout you use that shit on Selena and tell her to scram from me!” He sat on a bench.
“Jeez! What did the poor girl do?” Jeffrey sat beside him.
“She keeps getting in the way! She almost screwed things up with Natalia.” He went on to explain what happened Saturday night.
“Wow. I was kinda expecting that.” Ricky shrugged. Arian raised a brow.
“Aren’t you supposed to be mad or something?” Ricky gave him a funny look before laughing out.
“Why should I be? She was only a help to getting Elva back and it kinda worked? We never REALLY had anything going…. Well, except the side fun, you know what I mean.” He smirked.
“It’s also suspicious that she’s still in the city.” Jeffrey pointed out.
“We’re betrothed.” Arian disclosed with a grim look. Ricky and Jeffrey looked at each other for a few seconds before busting out laughing!
“Man! I didn’t know you were this good. And with the face?? I thought I was the funny one!”
“No kidding! I almost fell for it too!” Ricky grinned and they resumed laughing but Arian maintained his cold but beautiful look.
“He’s not kidding, is he?” Realization hit them as Jeffrey questioningly inched his head towards Ricky.
“How’s that even possible?!” Arian sighed and explained everything to them.
“Shut up!” Jeffrey gushed, suddenly thankful for his own father.
“How could your dad seal your fate just because he wanted to grow Argent Corps faster? That’s totally messed up.” Ricky mouthed and resumed bouncing the ball.
“I know, but I’m not gonna bend to his wish.” Arian snatched it from him.
“You sure? It doesn’t sound like you pretty much have much choice.” He pointed.
“And what about Natalia? Arian you can’t mess with her feelings. She’s too soft to handle all that shit. Why did you even push through when you know it won’t last?” Jeffrey frowned. Arian returned a darker one.
“I’m not messing with her feelings. We love each other and we’re gonna pull through!” He said, more to himself than anyone else.
“Does she know about it?” Ricky quietly asked.
“Who?” He played ignorant.
“If I call out her name then I’m gonna have to smack you!” He threatened. Arian rolled his eyes and Jeffrey chuckled.
“No… And I don’t think I’m gonna tell her either.”
“Are you nuts?!” Ricky half yelled. “She deserves to know. She deserves to make a choice! What if she finds out herself??”
Arian also stood up. “I said I wasn’t sure, okay? I’ll tell her… someday. Right now, I’m still trying to find a way out of this mess. And till then, I want y’all to keep your darn gossipy mouths shut about it! All I know is we’re not breaking up for any reason in the world!” He concluded.
“Guys??” Jeffrey distractedly called out.
“What?” They both snapped at him. Jeffrey was going through his phone.
“Someone posted some ugly stuff about Na…” Ricky’s phone call interrupted him.
“Hey Nick.” He smiled into the phone. But the next minute, a light frown marred his seductive face.
“Chill, okay? Why is there so much noise over there? Nicky, where are…. what?” He gushed and looked at Arian.
Arian’s brow furrowed in confusion from the look he had on his face. Why was he staring at him??
“Someone posted some dirty stuff about Natalia and there’s a huge fight going on at the cafeteria.” He breathed the second he dropped his phone.
“And it’s trending on the school’ blog.” Jeffrey added.
Without waiting to hear the rest, Arian walked out of the indoor basketball court towards the cafeteria…
***
Natalia silently read through the headlines.
~ A slut born into wealth! Fathered by the most wanted drug lord in North America and birthed by an abominable world class pimp, what’s left in your dirty little cupboard, NATALIA KENDEL! ~
Elva and Nicky watched in fear and anxiety as Natalia scrolled through the hundreds of nasty and spiteful comments, which had appeared under five minutes, in silence.
When she had read enough, she returned Nicky’s phone with a flat thank you and gently stood up. Leaving her bag behind, Natalia stalked away towards the person she was certain had a hand in it, if not the chief executor.
Cry?
Yeah, she wanted to cry more than anything. But the little problem was that they refused to fall.
The framed words and blurred pictures of she and a couple of strangers kept flashing across her eyes, inciting her rage with each step she took.
The Royal ignored everyone’s stare and walked gracefully, keeping her chin high. As she approached the cafeteria, the automatic doors swung open as usual and she walked in with a blank face.
Natalia stood at the edge of the little stairs and looked around. Not out of fear of the intimidating silence but rather, to figure out the exact location of her destination.
Strangely enough, she loved the spotlight for the first time ever because it hyped her insanely. Bianca stood up cheerfully and smirked as she spotted the object of her hate get closer.
“Natalia! A little birdie just flew by and whispered into my ears that we’ld be crossing paths s…” She couldn’t finish as Natalia’s palm hotly connected to smooth her cheek…
Chapter 70