“Tiffany?” the lion spirit whispered, walking slowly towards her.
“What?” Tiffany answered and the lion spirit halted then turned to look at the mountain guardian who was still in shock.
“H… How is this…”
The lion guardian shook her head, unable to tear her eyes off Tiffany.
The lady had returned to her normal self, the red eyes that shone earlier had returned to their normal color and her voice had returned to being cold and deep as usual.
“Did you remember anything that just happened?” the lion spirit queried.
“What are you saying? You were telling me not to fall for Aiden and I said you should mind your business,” Tiffany frowned her face.
“After that?”
“After that… You called my name and asked if I remember anything that just happened,” Tiffany rolled her eyes.
“But…”
“Did anything happen?” she glanced at the two of them.
“No, never mind,” the lion spirit shook his head.
“By the way… This ring… Am I the only one that can see it? Knowing the kind of person Zoey is, she would have asked me why I tied wood to my finger,” Tiffany asked at stared at her finger.
“Only you can see it and under no circumstances must you take it off,” the lion spirit warned.
“Okay, okay. Can you leave, I had a stressful day and I want to rest, please,” Tiffany massaged her temple.
“Can’t you speak nicer?” the mountain guardian crossed his arms across his chest.
“Then stay,” Tiffany glared at him, then fell on her mat slowly.
“She is so rude that I can’t stand her,” he hissed.
“Tell me about it,” the lion spirit shook her head, staring at the lady who had already sprawled on the mat.
“We’ll come to visit again,” the lion spirit said, turned into a lion, and then vanished.
“Huh!” the mountain guardian snorted before he disappeared.
=
“But… Do you really like that Tiffany girl?” Declan asked Aiden as they both lay on the bed, side by side staring at the ceiling that shone like stars.
“Yeah, why?” Aiden answered.
“I couldn’t help but think of it. I haven’t seen you so interested in another lady after Vanessa left. She was your first love, even if you didn’t try to show it after she left, you lost it totally,” Declan glanced at him.
“Honestly, I had liked Tiffany since that day in the cafeteria where she embarrassed you. I found her amusing, different and so beautiful,” Aiden smiled and Declan laughed.
“I can’t believe you’ll turn out to like the only person I hate with passion in this world.”
“You did not hate her. You just hated the fact that she was the only person who wasn’t scared of you, right?” their eyes met and they both laughed.
“Did you seriously look into her?” Aiden asked.
“Huh!” He nods his head.
“Did you not also find her strange?” Declan asked.
“That is the reason I’m so attracted to her. She has things no one else has. She is strong, fierce, cold… and nice,” Aiden said, slightly spacing out.
“Nice?! Who? That girl is nice?” Declan frowned his face.
” You’ve never seen her smile and that is because you are not close with her. She is very sweet when you become close with her,” Aiden answered with a smile.
” I don’t believe that though. I bet she looks ugly when she smiles,” Declan hissed.
“Are you being bitter? How are things going between Lauren and you? I think your dad really wants you to end up with her. It is just a matter of time before he makes you admit it. You know that,” Aiden sat up.
“Who still set up kids for each other in this century? Why must he tries to arrange me with that bîtch? When she came to the clinic where I was today, luckily, a girl was there with me, I had to lie that the girl was my girlfriend for her to leave me alone,” Declan hissed and sat upright also.
“Are you crazy? You know what Lauren and her girls could do to her. Have you forgotten about that girl who went around claiming to be your girlfriend back then, you knew how Lauren humiliated her,” Aiden punched his shoulder slightly.
“I know… but… as a matter of fact, I didn’t choose an easy opponent. You know that girl that’s always with Tiffany, right?”
“Zoey?” Aiden creased his brow.
“Yes! That girl, she happened to drop by and I made use of that opportunity,” Declan licked his lower lips stylishly.
“Woah, I see you really have a death wish. You know that if anything should happen to Zoey because of you, Tiffany won’t let you go. You know, right?”
“Gosh, why can’t I help but feel like you are taking that girl’s side over mine,” Declan frowned his face.
“What do you expect? She’s the person I’m attracted to of course,” Aiden shrugged his shoulder.
“Dîckhead!” Declan hissed and Aiden laughed.
“But you know that you also have to keep Zoey from Lauren, you might as well try to make Lauren believes that you are really into Zoey,” Aiden thought.
“I was thinking the same but that girl is also stubborn. She literally told me ‘screw you!” Declan mimicked.
“Really?” Aiden laughed.
“Yes! To think that she used to have a crush on me. How could she say that to someone she once had feelings for?” Declan hissed.
“Zoey had a crush on you?” Aiden raised a brow, smiling.
“Yes, that she was the girl I told you knitted a scarf for me,” Declan twitched his mouth.
“Wha… the… I wasn’t expecting this,” Aiden laughed.
“I know, right? To think that she turned out to be friends with that Supergirl is… Exciting,” Declan winked at Aiden.
“Do you like her? “Aiden asked.
“Who? That… that one? Come on, you know that I don’t like flat-chested ladies. She’s too skinny for my liking. I’m only going to use her to get rid of Lauren once and for all. That’s it, “Declan said with an accomplished look on his face.
“This is…”
At that moment, Declan’s phone rang which interrupted their conversation.
“It is Xyler,” Declan said to Aiden and the latter only nodded his head.
“What’s up, bro,” Declan said and Aiden smiled.
Declan was one person who knew how to switch emotions.
He could be crying this minute then catch him laughing the next minute.
Even though he had been friends with him for many years, it wasn’t easy figuring out what the guy’s real aim was.
Although, he didn’t doubt him now.
He could tell when Declan was being truthful more than anybody else.
“Where are you, dude?” Xyler’s voice came up as Declan had placed the call on speaker.
“I was at your house,” Xyler added.
“I am at dad’s house. You know how long I haven’t been there?” Declan answered.
“Oh, okay.”
“Is anything the problem? ”
“Dude, you won’t believe what just happened, ” he head Xyler hissed.
”What happened?”
“I dropped Aiden’s call a few minutes earlier and… ”
“Aiden called you?” Declan creased his brow and then glanced at Aiden who had the same expression as his.
“Yes. I don’t know if you are going to believe this, but that dude said that he was going to make sure to ruin the relationship between you and me,” Xyler explained.
“Really? Aiden said that?” Declan smiled knowingly.
“Yes. It is understandable if you do not believe me but…”
“I believe you. I trust every damn thing that you say. I also know that Aiden won’t back down easily. I know the kind of person he is. Don’t give what he said a thought. I don’t care about Aiden any longer,” Declan said.
“Y… You believe me?” Xyler whispered.
“Yes, I do,” Declan answered.
“Thanks, bro,” Xyler said.
“We’ll see on Monday, right? I was hoping to spend the weekend at your place before, but you are at your parents’ place which I understand,” Xyler added.
“Oh, I’m sorry. We’ll see on Monday,” Declan answered.
“Okay, bye.”
“That àsshôlé!” Aiden groaned as soon as Declan dropped the call and the latter laughed.
“I know, right?” Declan laughed.
“What a loser,” Aiden hissed.
=Meanwhile…
Xyler smiled in victory as he returned his phone to his pocket.
Declan and Aiden had been friends for over ten years, it will be easy if they both decided to come back together since they know most things about each other.
All he needed to do was to keep making Aiden bad in front of Declan.
That was all and everything he needed to do.
He wasn’t done with Aiden at all, he was going to make him cry over everybody he cherished.
And the same thing goes for Declan.
He would make sure the two buddies suffer the same fate from him.
After all, they both started this battle.
Oh, they probably thought it was over just because it has been four years.
Hehehe, hell no.
None of it slipped his mind.
==
Next day…
Sandwich bar.
“Go and clear the tables, I will finish things here?” Amelia stopped beside Tiffany who had just finished serving a customer.
“Okay,” Tiffany answered then prepared to walk out of the counter.
“Tiffany,” Amelia called out and Tiffany stopped walking immediately.
“Yeah?”
“Is anything the problem? You look… dull for some reason. It’s not like you’re always smiling but… There’s a difference this night. Are you okay?” Amelia asked.
“I’m fine, thank you,” Tiffany answered and then walked out of the counter.
Amelia glanced at the wall clock and it was just five minutes to seven pm.
Every Saturday, the sandwich shop closes by seven and on Sunday, there was no opening of the shop.
Unlike every other day, Tiffany didn’t go for a break and kept working, standing and walking in and out of the counter to take the orders of their customers.
The young lady was definitely sad about something.
That was sure.
Amelia knew Tiffany was overworking herself, but she couldn’t help.
The lady had specifically begged her not to hire any other person that she was going to do all the work.
Amelia tried to understand, Tiffany had no parents and needed money to cater to herself and her education.
She accepted and gave her a paycheck worthy for two persons at the end of each day.
Even though the lady was cold, she was capable anyways.
“We’re closed for the day,” Amelia snapped out of her thoughts as she heard the opening of the door which rang a bell at the counter.
“Oh, it’s you!” Amelia smiled as Aiden walked closer, looking around.
“Hello, ma’am,” he bowed slightly.
“Welcome, handsome. Are you here for Tiffany?” Amelia leaned forward.
“Yes. Did she close already?” Aiden asked.
“No, I guess she went to the restroom. By the way, is anything wrong? She looked down today, and I don’t know why,” Amelia twitched her mouth.
“Oh, really?” Aiden took in his lower lips and sulked it.
“There she is…” Amelia leaned back and resume whatever she was doing.
“Aiden?” Tiffany creased her brow as she walked slowly toward him.
“I… I wanted to… I wanted to buy coffee and I heard you were closed for the day,” Aiden lied.
Actually, he had read the banner that was hung outside the previous day and it had clearly stated that the shop closes by seven every Saturday.
“Huh,” Tiffany nodded her head and then walked past him.
“Tiffany, you know what. Go home, okay? I’ll take care of the rest here, “Amelia smiled.
“But…”
“Go home, go and clean up and go,” Amelia nodded her head, smiling.
“But I’m… ”
“Go and clean up, Anny. I’ll be waiting for you, “Aiden tapped her back.
“Don’t wait…” Tiffany said through gritted teeth and walked past Aiden.
“She’s so stubborn,” Amelia smiled.
“I know, right?” Aiden shrug his shoulder and scratched his forehead.
~
“Get on.”
That was the first thing Tiffany heard as soon as she walked out of the shop.
She looked up and saw Aiden sitting on his bike, looking cute as ever.
What?
Cute?
Whatever.
“I can walk home,” Tiffany glared at him.
“I know, just get home. I want to take you somewhere. I’ll be quick,” Aiden wore a puppy expression.
“Where are you taking me to?” Tiffany frowned.
”It is a surprise, it won’t be one if I tell you,” Aiden tilted his head.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. I… ”
” I’ll be quick, I swear. Please… ” Aiden blinked his eyes.
“Aiden, look, I…”
Aiden interrupted her by pulling her closer to him abruptly, her body touching his.
“It will be quick. If we get there and you don’t like what you see, I will bring you back without saying anything. I promise,” Aiden said, his breath fanning her face.
“O… Okay,” Tiffany shifted back uncomfortably.
Aiden grabbed a helmet, pulled her closer again, and wore it over her head no matter how Tiffany was reluctant about it.
“Sit down,” he gestured and Tiffany sat down, nervously.
“Hold me tight, for it is going to be a rough ride…” Aiden smiled, started the bike, and pressed the gas.
“Fûck!” Tiffany groaned as the bike started rather roughly and she hurriedly wrapped her arms across Aiden’s stomach.
Amelia walked out of the shop, crossed her hands across her chest, and smiled, staring at the space the bike had driven past.
“It is so good to be young,” she smiled.
=
The ride to wherever Aiden was taking them was rough but fun and thrilling. She enjoyed every bit of the ride as she wouldn’t stop screaming her lung out about how Aiden was driving.
While she was screaming in fear, Aiden was laughing hard which made her laugh but cry in fear too.
Damn, the guy was fun crazy.
By the time they arrived at the very silent space, the moon was already full in the sky and there were little stars.
“Aiden, where are we?” Tiffany frowned as she looked around the place they were.
There wasn’t a single human passing.
It wasn’t even eight at the night!
She gasped slightly as she felt the cold hand of Aiden grab her hand and locked them together.
“Let’s go,” he said and began to pull her along.
“Where the hell are we going to?!” Tiffany half yelled, following him reluctantly.
“You’ll see for yourself,” he smiled as they began to climb the huge stones.
“If I had known we were coming to climb the mountain, I wouldn’t have followed,” Tiffany inhaled deeply and stopped walking.
“Aiden, I’m tired!” Tiffany hissed.
“We’re almost there, okay?” he grabbed her hand and resumed walking.
After they took a few steps, they arrived at a very huge space and Aiden let go of Tiffany’s hand.
“Here? Is this where…” Tiffany stopped talking as she caught a glimpse of the light shining from afar.
She walked away from Aiden and then marveled at what she saw.
“This is…” She smiled as she looked at what was in front of her.
She smiled as she watched the tall buildings that shine with different colors. While watching it, Tiffany felt like she was in the clouds.
Where she was standing, she felt like she could see every building and thing on earth.
Everything felt so small, but awesome.
She glanced down and her eyes caught the big moon that was supposed to be in the sky.
“The moon…”
“There’s a sea down there,” Aiden stopped beside her.
“This is so… I can’t believe I’m looking at this!” Tiffany cried out in happiness.
“You like it?” Aiden asked, staring at her.
“I love it. It is so pretty!” Tiffany marveled.
“Yes, so pretty,” Aiden smiled, not tearing his gaze off her.
As he watched Tiffany smiling in happiness, he felt very satisfied and light-hearted.
He hadn’t tried to please anyone in a very long time and now that he felt the need to please Tiffany.
Now that he felt the need to do everything that was going to make the young lady happy, he wasn’t going to hesitate.
Never.
He loved that he was attracted to the lady.
She appreciates what she was seeing and he was very satisfied seeing her happy at the moment.
Tiffany right now had a genuine smile plastered across her face.
Huh, how much he wants to be the reason for that beautiful smile.
“So pretty…”
He turned to keep looking at her while she watched the scenario in front of her.