Ashley's POV:
Charles has never been the kind of guy who gives a lot of him in a relationship, crying for a girl is not really his thing. As much as I know, his type of relationship is just— pursue a girl you desire, fuck her a few times, give her gifts, make her genuinely happy, then BOOM. Breakup! No love involved, that's the only thing I hate about guys, they don't commit easily.
Right now, looking at his cold face, I don't see any emotion. But he seemed... Offended?
"I didn't love her," he said, "I never did... But she was different, I was genuinely interested in her, not only her body." He let out a breath, almost like a laugh, "not only my cock, but my brain desired her, missed her, felt her."
I looked at Stellan, he was looking at the bottle as if we weren't here. Ignore him. I turned my gaze to Veronica, she also looked at me in genuine surprise.
He spoke again, this time slower, "but the moment I realised she's not temporary, that she'll always be a part of my life against my will, without even being physically present." He stopped, as if the next words wouldn't come out.
We waited. Nothing. Then, Stellan spoke on his behalf, "The same moment, she expressed her disappointment in him, told him that he's not worth her tears and she's breaking up with him before he dumps her." He laughed mockingly.
I glared at him in warning, "What? He was wasting our time!" He said defending, that smirk still playing on his lips. I swear I wanna wipe that off.
Charles laughed, "you remember the exact words I told you." He said to Stellan.
"Okay, that was just a month ago, I've a great memory." He replied as a matter-of-factly.
They both laughed, "I'm not depressed by any means, you know me, but she did something that was my thing to do."
I wanted to kick his groin for that reply. But knowing I was pretty hysterical person, I got a grip on my unwanted emotions before they get hold of that head of mine and curse him for something I've nothing to do with.
"You told us your whole love story, which none of us were interested in, but didn't mentioned her name..." Veronica told him as if reminding him.
"That's something I can't, you two will announce it to the world."
"I'm not a gossip girl!!" I snapped.
"Woahhh, someone is lying" he said, stretching the last word as if it was so satisfying for him. My brows furrowed.
I looked at Stellan from the corner of my eye, he had that expressionless face, but he seemed to be enjoying himself.
"It's not a confidential information of your business, so what's the fucking problem if we told others!!" Veronica said, with no intention of denying that she can't keep secrets in her.
Charles just shrugged his shoulders in response, still grinning widely. His shining teeth on full display.
"Ughhh, there is no point of arguing with you, you won't even admit defeat. Besides, no one has any interest in your BITCH's name" I said as I let go of the topic for now, I can't take the risk of him blurting out each one of my dirty secrets in front of Stellan.
But there was no way I'll let it go forever. I'll make sure he spells out her name.
Veronica huffed, seeming unwilling to let go of the topic but she knew better than to mess with my word.
Everybody who knows me, is aware of how much of a enraged but calm bitch I can be. It's laughable that I'm calm as nothing has happened when I'm angry, but completely opposite when I'm actually just excited. Just like it happened a while ago.
We continued our game, almost forgetting what we're actually here for. Then a knock comes at the door, a maid enters two seconds later telling Charles that two more people are here.
Two girls enter the room just as she turned around and left. Mirielle and Tessa.
Ughhhhh.
First Stellan now these two. I can handle Mirielle but not Tessa at all. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't noticed them coming closer until Stellan's voice chipped in.
"Mirielle," I looked at his suddenly lit up face, he seemed genuinely pleased to see her, "it's really good to see you after a whole year, I missed you."
Now I can't handle Mirielle either.
Mirielle's expression looked somewhat astonished as if she had not expected Stellan to be this friendly with her. Her gaze fell upon him with her brows arched, suddenly her expression became normal and she looked at me with a smirk, even 'WINKED'.
What the hell is that supposed to mean!!!
She then looked back at him and said in a friendly tone, "I would have been early if only I knew you were coming too, when did you came back from Washington?" She sat near him, and Tessa right next to her.
"Just a week ago, I thought of informing you all on our group chat, but it slipped out of my mind." He replied instantly. Mirielle spoke again, still smiling.
"How's your game? I heard you're participating in "National junior Soccer tournament'?"
How the hell does she know about it?!
"You know, I've always been a great player, I'm really glad that I've been selected in the team despite my age. I just missed some practice sessions last month because of my injury, so I'm still improving to make up for it."
"There's a bit of hypocrisy in there!" Before I could stop myself, the words burst free.
They paid me no mind, and continued there conversation. My mouth fell open, seriously offended by their ignorance.
I looked at Veronica, who seemed to be staring at me for a while with a teasing expression as if telling me I've lost. I furrowed my brows at her, she just shrugged in response.
Am I jealous? There's no way I'd be jealous. Besides, I have no right to be jealous. I swear, I wouldn't even look at them, even if she got him laid in front of me.
I huffed loudly, took the bottle from the centre and started playing with it's cap.
Sensing baffled gaze of people around me, I looked up and saw them all staring at me. I grinned sheepishly as realisation dawned.
"What's wrong Ash?" Mirielle asked seemingly concerned, just as I went back to my task. I looked up at her, she beamed at me. I understood her meaning behind it. She knew all too well that their interaction is what's wrong, and she was teasing me. I pursed my lips. I noticed Stellan smirking.
"Nothing!" I said after a beat of silence.
"You know what, we should begin what we're here for!" Veronica suggested sensing my unease.
We all agreed and started solving physics's sample paper, with timer set for two hours.
I completed first section without much trouble, and looked up at others, what I saw was completely unexpected. Mirielle was staring straight at Charles, with a look of longing. Before she could notice me, Stellan called out to her asking if she needed help.
My focus shifted on their interaction. He's not supposed to be helping her. I scoffed inwardly at my helplessness, completely forgetting how I've just decided not to even look at them.
Stellan was the first one to complete, then Charles, Tessa, Veronica respectively. Mirielle and I completed at the same time. As we all were cross checking each other's, the two across from me seemed to be having fun. Mirielle laughed as Stellan whispered something in her ear. This kept going until I couldn't take it anymore.
"Mirielle," I snapped them both out of their small world, in a sharp tone. All the eyes turned to me, "Will you please come out for a second, I need to discuss something with you?" I said, softer this time.
"Nope!" She went back to the notebook in her hand.
I moved from my side to hers, took her hand and started pulling her towards the door.
"You're coming with me, it's extremely important!" I said when she pulled her hand away and started walking on her own.
She let out a frustrated groan. I felt Stellan's gaze following us as we left the room.
I turned to face her and spoke in a low voice as soon as I confirmed no one was around. "What the hell were you doing? I thought you were my friend."
"I still am, but just so you know you're already losing him, so what's the problem if I just snatch him away from your grasp!" She replied nonchalantly.
"Listen, I don't give a damn even if he fucked you. But for fuck's sake, do not display your bond right in my face. Unless of course you love him more than our friendship."
I left without waiting for her response. I didn't stopped when I heard her calling me.
As I entered the room and got settled, Stellan asked, "Where's she?"
This time I ignored him.
I heard a notification on Charles's phone, he was so focused on his work that he didn't notice it. I peeked from the corner of my eye and noticed the name 'Mirielle'. My interest spiked, I opened the notification without him noticing, I don't care if other's did.
Mirielle: You didn't look at me, even once.
What???
My eyes widened. Could it be that?!