Alice..
I sat on my bed as I scrolled through the internet for clothes to add to my cart. All the clothes in my wardrobe were not worthy enough to wear to Jason’s party.
I heard a knock on my door and got up from my room to check who it was. I hadn’t placed the order yet so it was impossible for the clothes to already be delivered.
I checked the peephole and there he stood – Mark.
I opened the door and greeted him with a glare.
He feigned ignorance and pushed the door open so he could enter the house.
“What are you doing here?” I asked and he ignored me going into the kitchen to get a glass of water.
“I’m talking to you.” I said loudly but he still ignored me. I stood watching him in annoyance as he gulped down the entire bottle to his fill and went into my room.
“Why’s your room such a mess?” He asked, irritated by the mess.
“None of your business.” I said ignoring the look on his face and sitting on my bed.
“Are you shopping for more clothes?” He asked, peeking at my phone.
“Yes.” I nodded and he hissed.
“Why are you going?” He asked and I rolled my eyes.
“I’m going to Jason’s Tech anniversary party in two days.” I said grudgingly.
“Party?” He asked with raised brows and I nodded.
“So what’s wrong with these?” He asked picking up some gowns I threw on the floor.
“They’ve expired.” I said as I continued to scroll through my phone.
“Expired?” He said mockingly.
“Clothes don’t expire.” He said and I chuckled.
“For me, they do.” I said with a smug smile and he rolled his eyes.
“I’m pretty sure you’re not invited.” He said and I scoffed.
“Invited?” I laughed.
“Ofcourse, I am, I’m going with dad.” I say and it’s his turn to laugh.
“Why would you go with Dad when he has mom?” He laughs and I look at him as if he has two horns on his head.
“Mom, don’t go to these kinds of events.” I say and he doesn’t believe me.
“Why not?” He says doubtful.
“Are they not the same fund raisers kind of party?” He asked and I shook my head.
“They’re different, your mother would rather go to charity organisations or some fundraisers for sick people.” I explained.
“You know the kind for kids with autism or down syndrome.” I laughed.
“That’s a rude thing to say.” He snaps and I scoff.
“I haven’t said anything wrong now, have I?” I sneered.
“Those kids didn’t choose to be born that way, you’re not any better than them.” He says and I laugh again, finding it funny.
“You know for a person who has always been called the black sheep of our family, you’re really soft at heart.” I mocked and he hissed.
“You’re just being unnecessarily rude. It’s appalling.” He said getting up from my bed where he sat.
“You think you’re any different?” I scoffed and he raised his brows.
“What do you mean?” He asked as if he didn’t understand.
“Well, for one, you’re being paid to stalk someone and issue her warning and you’re cautioning me on what I say about others.”
“Isn’t that hypocritical?” I frowned and he looked away.
“All I was trying to say is that mother prefers to attend something like that than attend expensive fundraisers between arrogant businessmen as she calls them.” I said trying to sound logical.
“Alice, stop trying to wiggle your way out of this, you said inappropriate things, just own up to it.” He said and I was furious now.
“What’s it to you anyways?, You just waltzed into my home telling me what to do. I assumed you had something to tell me when you came in here but I’m guessing you don’t since you want to keep dwelling on things that don’t matter. If you’ll excuse me, I have better things to attend to.” I said angrily and tried to focus on my phone.
“So arrogant.” He mumbles and stands by the door about to leave.
“I’ve decided to approach Eve the right way.” He turns to face me and I burst into laughter as if he said the most absurd thing ever.
“Approach Eve, right?” I mimicked him and he hissed.
“Do you think there’s a right way to approach a married woman?” I laughed.
“You said they’re not actually married.” He said and I looked at him as if he had gone mad.
“They’re not actually married but the court recognizes their marriage, it might not be real for them but it’s legal, have you gone senile or do you not just understand how the world works?”
“Our best bet is to separate them, which is what I asked you to do.” I rant.
“Well, I’ll wait for them to get separated then” he said and I scoffed.
“You think she’ll accept you if she finds out that you stalked her and sent her pictures and crossed out her face?” I scoffed.
“It doesn’t matter.” He said.
“Mark, I heard you’ve been frequenting bars these days, is the money I gave you even enough for you?” I asked.
“Don’t try to trick me with your money.” He said and left the room.
“She’ll never accept you mark, don’t be a fool.” I yelled after him but I heard the door slam which meant that he wasn’t in my house any longer.
Such a fool!
If he tells her that he stalked her, she’ll know I’m the one behind it, who knows if she’ll tattle to Jason and then Jason will start hating me. I need to stop him.
I dialled his number immediately and he picked as if he was expecting my calls.
“Hello.” He said and I tried to catch my breath before speaking.
“Don’t tell her.” I said ignoring the pleasantries.
“I won’t.” He said and I frowned.
“You won’t?” I asked unsure.
“I won’t tell her.” He repeated and I groaned. Was I worried for nothing then?
“Then what was the stunt you pulled at my house?” I snapped.
“I just wanted to see how far you’re going to go to win Jason.” He chuckles and I hissed. He’s psychotic, I tell you.
“Although it was a rude thing to talk about innocent people like that so I was pissed but I wouldn’t tell Eve who I am, that would ruin the surprise.” He chuckles evilly.
“What surprise?” I was confused.
“You don’t need to know.” He said and I hissed again.
Annoying piece of shit!
I hung up in anger. I can’t believe I was fooled by my stupid brother. I almost ran out of the house in fear that he might actually tell Eve the truth. Mark, you better be joking about telling Eve the truth because I won’t hesitate to wipe you out if you try to get in my way.
……
Eve..
After grandma Nini left, I wiped my tears and got up from where I sat. I carried my sketches since they were already dried and made my way inside the mansion.
After returning my sketches and paint brush, I decided to explore the mansion. I was close to the pool when I heard a splash.
Is someone swimming this late? I couldn’t help but wonder. My hands were fidgeting and I couldn’t help but feel restless. My body kept wanting to go towards the sound I was hearing.
I quickly turned towards the door of the pool and went there. I was surprised to see Jason under the water.
My hands curl and I hold the hem of my shirt.
Don’t you wanna see him shirtless?
That thought coursed through my mind and I couldn’t help but blush.
I have never seen Jason shirtless before. He was always in suits and I’ve only seen him once in casual clothes.
I felt my throat dry up when Jason came out of the water shirtless. My breath hitched and all I could think of was – did he always have abs?
This was a rare moment for me and I didn’t want this to be ruined.
He didn’t notice me yet and I was glad because I could use that opportunity to check him out. He looked really sexy as water dripped from his body. I flushed when dirty thoughts invaded my head. I didn’t even realise that Jason had noticed me standing there gawking at his body until I heard his cold stern voice.
“Why are you here?” He asked coldly, jolting me from my reverie.
“Huh?” I mumbled and he looked at me as if I was stupid.
“What are you doing here?” He asked again and I stood them speechless. My mouth was unable to form words.
What could I possibly say?
I wanted to see you shirtless for the first time so I just had to come and check you out?
Or you looked so good swimming, I couldn’t help but stare.
“Are you checking me out?” He smirked and my eyes widened as I realised I’d been caught.
“Don’t you understand privacy?” He asked, changing his tone and I shuddered.
“I didn’t mean to pry.” I mumbled quietly and he scoffed.
“Leave.” He said and I turned on my heels and quickly left the pool.
“Eve.. you should have said something instead of just gawking at him.” I scolded myself mentally.
Soon, it was dinner time and we all sat by the table and we all sat in an awkward silence.
I tried to make small conversation but the look Jason shot at me made me quiet down immediately.
“Stop acting like kids, both of you, I might have indigestion.” Grandma Nini says as she takes a spoonful of her soup.
“I don’t understand why she’s so bothered about Eve dancing.” Jason mumbles and I wish he didn’t because that made Mia explode.
She stopped eating and dropped her cutlery and got up. She glared at Jason and left the dinning.
I sighed deeply. Can’t he just give in and apologise at least? For peace to reign.
He continued eating like nothing happened. I felt restless so I got up from my chair and was about to move.
“Sit.” He says rudely and I frown.
“I’m not hungry.” I say still standing.
“Sit down Eve.” Jason snapped and looked at me with an unreasonable gaze but it still made me scared.
I sat down back before he snapped again but I still didn’t eat my food.
“Eve, eat.” He said and I ignored him.
“I’ll go and talk to Eve.” Grandma Nini notices the tension in the room.
“Won’t you eat your food?” He said and I almost scoffed.
Why’s he acting like cares?
“I’m not hungry.” I say but my stomach fails me and growls.
How could I possibly be hungry in this situation?
I looked down trying to hide my embarrassment.
“I’m not hungry.” He mimics me and smirks and I just wanted to wipe that smirk off his face.
I ignored him and dipped my spoon into my soup and began to eat. We ate in silence as I kept stealing glances at Jason.
How can someone be so handsome and arrogant at the same time?
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” He said and I choked on my soup breaking into a coughing fit.
He pushed his cup to me and I quickly gulped down the entire liquid. I breathed and tried to suppress the cough that was about to start again.
“Don’t die.” He chuckles and gets up from his chair leaving the room but I wasn’t even bothered that I just embarrassed myself.
All I could think of was that we just shared an indirect kiss.
I just kissed Jason!
It was indirect but it was still a kiss.
Progress! I giggled as I stared at the cup in front of me.
At Least today didn’t end that badly for me.