“Dylan is so sweet!” Janice gushed over the phone.
“Oh yeah? Did you eat him?” I joked as I drew funny patterns on the bed.
“Haha very funny.” She said in a flat voice which instantly changed to excitement in her next words. “He took me to this new water park, the one which recently opened, you know the one which we were planning to go? Yeah that one. He took me there, he knew how much I love water rides. Isn’t that sweet?!”
“I think it was just because he wanted to see you in a bikini.” I scoffed.
There was a mild pause. “I hate you.”
I chuckled. “I hate you more.”
“Fine bye.”
Rolling my eyes, I sat up knowing this conversation would last for at least an hour. “Drama queen. Give details.”
And then like predicted, my next one hour was spent in listening to every minute detail of her date, including the number of times he ‘accidentally’ touched her arm and stomach. Accidentally? Yeah right.
The sudden doorbell made me jump in shock. I glanced at the clock it was 3 pm and no one was supposed to come home today. I was alone until late night.
“Uh Janice I think there’s someone at the door. I’ll call you later okay we can continue the ‘Dylan is sweet’ speech later.”
“Yeah cool. It must be your boyfriend, use vanilla flavour.”
Before I could smart mouth her, she cut the phone. I glared at the phone and walked down, hearing another doorbell ring.
“Yeah yeah I’m coming, control your horses.” I muttered, increasing my pace.
I pulled the door open. I blinked again staring at the person standing in front. “Sean?” I questioned in confusion, my eyebrows furrowing. What was he doing here?
He shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “Uh hi?”
I blinked, still in shock. “Hi?”
He shifted on his feet nervously and then titled his head to left and smiled. “So wassup? How’s life?”
I stared at him blandly. “You came here to ask me wassup and how my life is?”
He gulped uneasily, scratching the back of his neck. “No. Can I come in?”
I nodded slightly and moved to the side, allowing him to enter. My mind whirling with all sorts of possibilities of why he must be here but I came up blank.
“So um juice?” I awkwardly asked, pointing at the couch for him to sit.
He shook his head not making an effort to move. “No thanks, no one is home?”
“Nope.”
He anxiously licked his lips. “So you’re dating Bryan?”
I nodded my head wondering where this was going.
“Anastasia told me you met her.”
I tensed. Oh no! Not her again. And when did Anastasia tell him? Why? How?
“We coincidentally met at the Cafe Coffee Shop yesterday.” He answered, reading my confused and tad pissed face.
“Oh. And?”
“She doesn’t like you.”
I frowned. “Like I give a damn and trust me the feeling is mutual.”
“No, I mean she hates you, loathes you.” He continued, making my frown grow deeper.
Had he come here to inform me something I already knew? “I don’t care. She isn’t dating or marrying me. She can jump down a cliff or get bit by a rabies dog for all I care.”
Sean blew out a breath of frustration as if he was talking to a child and it was torturous. “When she hates someone, she spoils their life, literally spoils. She makes sure they suffer and regret even being born. So I just came here to warn you. When you met her in the mall, do you think it was a coincidence?”
“It wasn’t?” I squeaked, a dreadful feeling settling in my guts.
Sean shook his head. “No, it wasn’t just a coincidence. She knew you would be there. Bryan disappearing for two days wasn’t a coincidence. And I fear that the five gang members not getting caught isn’t too. She definitely has a hand in all this. She’s planning something big Joanna, and I don’t want you to be a part of it.”
I swallowed hard, my heart beating at an unstable rate as his words rang in my ears. But the only question I could think was – “And you two loved her? Why?” I shouted in disbelief.
He shrugged in response. “If she likes you, she’s the best person you’ll ever meet. If not then the worst.”
I gritted my teeth in frustration, wanting to pull my hair out. Stupid Bryan for even liking her. “Well if she loves Bryan why is she coming between us? Isn’t there that saying, love enough to let go. And why are you telling me all this?”
Sean shrugged, “She thinks Bryan is better with her. I think she’s obsessed and can’t face the fact that Bryan has moved on while she’s still stuck on him. And I am telling you this because I can’t tell Bryan, he’ll never believe me.” The last part was more of a whisper.
“I don’t blame him.” I snapped.
Sean sighed. “Blame my mom, she brain washed me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You could have opposed. Anyways so now what do I do? I’ll go in search of those five people?”
“No!” Sean screamed, completely appalled. “You don’t even know them. Just be safe where ever you go. Avoid going to isolated places, tell your friends and family where you go, download those safety apps and don’t talk to strangers.”
I scowled as the set of instructions increased. “Yes MOM!”
“I am just trying to keep you safe.” He retorted.
I finally smiled at him. “I know and thanks again for uh that day.”
His responding grin was contagious. “Anytime J. W!” He spread his arms engulfing me in a bear like hug.
“I care for you.” Sean whispered in my ear, making my grin wider.
“I know.” I whispered back. “I do too.”
We stayed like that for a few moments until-
“Keep your filthy hands off my girlfriend.” And then Sean was snatched away from my grip and a punch was delivered right on his left cheek.
“Bryan!” I exclaimed in horror as I saw Sean stumble back.
“How could you even touch her? She’s my girlfriend you asshole. Mine. You have no right to even steal a glance at her.” Bryan shouted at Sean, completely ignoring my plea.
“I have hands and eyes and I live in a free country. I’ll do whatever I please.” Sean spat back, rubbing his cheek.
I saw Bryan’s jaw tick as he controlled his urge to punch him again. “Not when my girlfriend is concerned. She is off limits.”
Sean’s lips tilted sideways and I knew his next word would make Bryan lose all his control. “Scared she’ll prefer me like Anastasia did? Or dear brother are you-”
“Sean.” I warned, grabbing Bryan’s arm before he could lose control and lunge forward and make Sean unconscious.
“Out.” Bryan ordered in a tone that clearly said it was no mood for objection but of course I objected.
“Bryan, stop being so rude. He just came here a few minutes back. Let him at least drink water and that cheek clearly needs some help.” I said, squinting to look at his swollen cheek.
“Out.” Bryan repeated once more, ignoring me.
A girl does not like to be ignored, it is her invitation for World War.
“Bryan! I am talking to you, stop ignoring me. Sean will stay, this is my house so if you want to leave you know where the door is.” I shouted irately.
Bryan’s arm around my hand tensed and he looked down at me with hurt in his eyes which almost instantly turned blank. “I see. You choose him.”
I resisted the roll of eyes. “This is not about choosing anyone. If I didn’t like you I wouldn’t be dating you. You have to trust me.”
“I do, it is him that I don’t trust.” Bryan pointed at Sean who was looking more than amused by our fight.
Sean raised his hands in surrender. “I should go before I spoil the map of your boyfriend’s face.”
“Like you can.” Bryan challenged.
Sean smirked. “Of course I can. Don’t test me Bry baby.” He winked at a fuming Bryan and the turned to me. “Keep him tamed, I’ll keep checking up on it.”
“Don’t you dare to come near her as long as you value your life!”
Sean grinned. “Stop me if you can Bry baby.” He sung in a Morgan Freeman tone and walked out.
I didn’t realize I was laughing until Bryan swore something that drowned in my laughter.
“What did you say?” I asked, still chuckling.
He scowled at me. “I said Sean is an asshole you stay away from him and there was nothing funny.”
“There is, the fact that you two are so similar. Honestly if the places were exchanged, you would have done and said the same thing.”
Bryan scowled at the thought. “Well I am glad the places aren’t exchanged then.” And then he walked into the kitchen.
I smiled giddily, looking at his retreating back. “I am glad too.” I whispered lowly to myself.