I let out a heavy sigh and tried to control my emotion but then, I failed not to feel angry at this man in front of me.
Why? How could he do this to me?
Did he plan this out? Why is that? Isn’t it too selfish of him? He’s taking advantage of the situation! Just because he learned that our company is failing, he started playing cards on me? Does he really think he can win this easily?
Does he really think he can get me this way?
This is bullshit, Jameson Alleje. I didn’t know you’re a fucking evil too…
“Is everything okay?” He asked.
“My cousin informed me that she received an offer of help from a different business. They offered to help us and our company and in return, I will need to marry their filthy son…” I said with full disgust on my last words.
I saw how Jameson’s expression changed. His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed very hard. I know that my statement shocked him badly. I grinned and sipped on my milkshake.
“Like what the hell?” I laughed sarcastically. “Do you really think I would fall for that shit, Jameson?”
“N-Nathalie…” he gulped once again.
“I lost my appetite.” I said in my cold tone and put the strap of my sling bag on my shoulder.
“Wait, Nathalie… Let me—”
I lost my sanity and was not able to control myself. I slapped his face so hard with my own hand. I can feel the sting of pain on my palm after what I did. My jaw started clenching as I looked at him angrily. My ragged breathing became evident this time. My chest felt so heavy, like no one will be able to calm me down. A friend betrayed me once again…
“Do you really think I will play your game, Jameson?”
“Nathalie…” his voice is almost pleading and then he held my hand. “I just wanted to help…”
I pulled my hand from his grip. My other hand formed a fist. I hate him! What the fuck did he just do? He only broke my trust on him!
“No! You are not trying to help at all! You are just taking advantage of my situation! And I didn’t really expect that you will go overboard. You made me realize how stupid it was that I let myself befriended you! I thought you’re a good friend but you only proved me wrong, Alleje!” I added angrily.
“Nathalie!” he called my name but I turned around and walked away.
I went out of the restaurant with the anger started to fill my chest. I hate him! I can’t accept the fact that he tried to take advantage of my situation in order for him to get what he wanted! How cruel of him to make a move that way! He’s getting into my nerves, seriously!
“Nathalie…” I heard his voice once again.
He followed me outside. I walked faster but he was able to stop me. He held my arm firmly that made me gasp for air. I turned to him and looked at his eyes angrily. Then I pulled my hand off him and just shook my head.
“Nathalie, please…” he followed me once again when I started to walk away.
“Back off…” a familiar baritone intervened.
I looked where it came from and gasped when I saw Evan walking his way towards me. In just a swift move, he held my hand and faced Jameson while I am standing behind him. The situation made me blink my eyes several times.
“Evan…” I called him. I tried to pull him so that we can leave instead but he’s strong… he didn’t even move and just remained with his position.
“She is with me. We’re having lunch together,” Jameson said in his arrogant tone and gazed at Evan bravely. “You have to leave us alone.”
“Your friend seem to be getting out of control, Risha.” Said Evan in a cold tone.
“What did you just say?”
“Evan, please…” I begged as I don’t want to make a scene here.
Evan grinned at him reason why Jameson became more angry this time. His jaw started clenching firmly.
I swallowed very hard. I tried to pull Evan’s hand but he didn’t even flinch as if he doesn’t want to leave and would want to teach Jameson a lesson.
Shit… just damn it!
“She doesn’t want to be with you. Don’t you dare forcing her,” Evan stated in his deep voice that sent shivers up to my spine. I bit my lower lip as I felt the fear eating me up.
“You have no idea what’s going on between us!” Jameson fired at him. “And you have no right to interfere like this! You left her already, right? You are the one who should back off! I am his friend and I would never leave her!”
“Jameson, can you please stop?” I yelled at him. I tried to pull Evan once again but he’s too strong! I only felt him holding my hand firmly.
“Friend… right. That’s why you’re taking advantage of her situation, I see. But you better be careful with your actions, Alleje. You won’t like it if I start doing a move against you,” Evan added warily.
Jameson looked at me with his eyes begging. “Nathalie…” his voice was pleading.
I breathed heavily and clenched my jaw. I shook my head while looking at him and then I pulled Evan once again. Thank God he finally moved and snaked his arm on my waist.
“Let’s go, Evan. Please…” I begged him as I really want to go away.
“Sure, let’s go.” He said and finally looked away from Jameson.
We both turned our back on him and walked away. I can’t help but to bite my lower lip as I felt really bad. Jameson chose to betray me and he used our company’s misfortune to take advantage of me…
“Nathalie, did you forget what he did to you? He’s no good! He will only hurt you all over again!” Jameson shouted as we continue to walk away from him.
I gritted my teeth and stopped for a moment. I turned to my friend who only broke my trust and heart…
“You’re no good either, Jameson! The fact that you decided to take advantage of me and my situation. I didn’t know you’re worse than I thought…” I fired at him and turned around. I breathed heavily.
We walked away in silence and I am glad that I didn’t any other words from Jameson. I don’t know if I can still control my mouth from saying worst things if he did. He didn’t follow us which made me at ease a bit.
***
I wanted to pull my hair and hit my head when I hopped into the shotgun seat of Evan’s luxurious car.
I still feel bad about what Jameson did and my heart would explode any moment. The thought of losing a friend is excruciating… he betrayed me.
“Are you alright?” Evan asked in his calm tone. He’s standing in front of the shotgun door.
“No…” I replied. I looked at him sadly. “I thought you will return to Manila?”
“Yeah, but I want to see you before I leave,” he leaned in and caressed my hair.
I sighed in defeat and gave him a sad smile. I just let myself look at him while his eyes still bore into me.
“Jameson betrayed me…” I stated weakly.
He nodded at me. “I know.”
I swallowed hard and my eyes fell on the floor. Sadness is eating me up. I never thought that Jameson has a capability to betray me like this. I treasured him as a friend and it pained me that he only broke my trust on him.
“You should stay away from that man,” Evan states that made me gaze back at him.
“We are both working in the same office. How can I even stay away from him?”
“Then you should come with me. Let’s return in Manila.” He suggested while his pierced eyes still bore into me.
My forehead started creasing because of his suggestion. I pursed my lips as he raised a brow at me.
“I won’t be at ease knowing that you’re staying here with him,” he also added.
“Evan, what are you saying?”
I don’t know why but my heart started to pound aggressively because of this conversation. He’s at it again! He’s making me feel these butterflies inside my stomach. My heart could not even calm down a bit. I licked my lower lip.
“Goddamn it, Risha. Isn’t it obvious?” he fired at me, obviously irritated over something. He breathed in heavily that made my forehead crease more.
“What? I don’t really understand you, Evan. You’re becoming too clingy—”
My mouth stopped from whining when he leaned forward and kissed my lips. It’s only a stolen kiss and he stopped immediately but it’s already enough for my mind to be tangled all over again. He breathed out while his face is only an inch away from mine.
It feels like my heart would explode inside my chest. It’s beating faster and loud. Just because of Evan’s kiss, my heart gone crazier than before!
“Again, isn’t it obvious, Risha?” he asked huskily.
I can’t even breathe anymore. His piercing eyes darted on my lips. I swallowed once again.
“Obviously, y-you’re just crazy… and ruthless… You’re cruel—”
He claimed my lips once again. This time, I felt his tongue parting my lips apart. Feeling lost because of the familiar emotions he is making me feel, I let myself surrendered. His tongue gained access and tasted every corner of my mouth. I let out a soft moan.
Then he pulled himself and looked at me again. Honestly, his eyes became dangerously beautiful this time. It’s like he feels a lot of emotion and he wants to burst it out but at the same time, he doesn’t know how to do it.
“Why is it so hard for you to figure it out?”
“I… I don’t really get it, Evan…” I mumbled as I tried to catch my breath. “Can you please go straight to the point?”
He closed his eyes firmly. It’s like he’s trying to extend his patience over something I don’t have a slightest idea about.
All I could do is to roll my eyes at him because I don’t understand why he’s acting this way at all.
Then he opened his eyes and gazed at me intently. I licked my lower lip and let out a heavy sigh.
“Evan, you are not—”
“I am madly in love with you. Isn’t it obvious, Risha?”