Unfortunately, Lea grabbed Alex arms.
"Sorry, It is our jam." Lea explained.
Alex looked at him apologetically. He was frustrated and walked the other way around. James joined him for a stroll while the ladies danced away. Alexander searched the crowd and transfixed his sight at Alex's direction.
They stopped at a bench and sat down. Awkward silence filled the atmosphere.
Alexander breaks the silence and asks,
"How did you know the couple?"
"Charles is a classmate from college. We tend to have affinities with group projects." James replied.
"I see. How about Lea?" Alexander said.
James blushed and looked away. He went into a trance. His lips turned into a smile.
"Lea is my childhood sweetheart. She is really caring and loving person. One of the kindest person I have ever met. She has a charming smile that takes my breath away. If she sees that I am sad, she would comfort me and make me laugh, tell jokes or just goof around. I have never met a woman so cheerful like her. I was lucky enough to bring her here. She seems busy these past few days." James said.
"That was..." Alexander could not take in what James had said. He remembered a quote that goes, "Birds of the same feather, flock together." or "Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are."
"How about you, Alexander? Since you are the best man, are you Charles' best friend?" James asked.
"To be honest, I consider the bride my sibling than my biological brother." Alexander bowed his head.
This puzzled James. "How? Why?"
"Well, this one day that really took me by surprise."
"Hmm..."
Alexander continued, "It was early afternoon when I saw 2 ladies fighting in one of our rooms at our house. Both are my brother's childhood friends. They did not seem to notice me when I overheard them talking about Charles. Charles is my twin brother."
He turned around and looked at Alex. James seems to notice his actions.
"Who were these 2 ladies?" James asked.
"One was Monique." Alexander answered.
"Who was the other lady?" James was curious.
His eyes locked on Alex. He took a deep breath and finally said, "The other lady was Alex."
James was taken aback from what he just heard. Alexander continued talking.
"I heard Alex said that he loves Charles." His eyes showed a hint of pain. "Monique confronted Alex and told her that Charles is in love with her." His eyes got worried. "I went inside and tried to get their attention but no one noticed me. Their confrontation was heated. Any minute could go wrong. I notice Alex crying and felt pity for her." His face shows his sorrow for her. "I remained calm and was about to stop them when Monique turned around and noticed me." James wanted to say something but he could not make a word for it. "I really don't know what to say when Monique called me Charles. I managed to say "I..." but I hurriedly went outside."
James was holding his breath. He could not believed that Alexander was in such a dire situation. "Monique followed me and noticed that I was not Charles at all. We both kept it a secret and never told anyone about it but my heart can't control myself for I really like Alex." His hands trembled and his face fell gloomy. James pats Alexander's shoulder.
"Monique and I were really close and she knew I liked Alex. I was ready to follow my heart now because I thought everything was now over but this could be the start..."
James was in deep thoughts. Alexander remained silent for a while. Two women approached them.
"Alex!" Alexander jolted up,his face full of guilt. He quickly jumped out of his seat like he saw a ghost.
Alex and Lea were puzzled.
"You ladies have great timing." James smiled.
Both women looked at each other. They both laughed.
"We both enjoyed the dance. Would you like to grab a drink?" Lea said.
"I will join you." James glanced at Alexander. He gave a meaningful look and turned around then left Alex and Alexander alone. A long silence filled the air.
Alexander turned to Alex and said, "I'm sorry if I acted like that. I was not expecting that you will be back soon." He scratched his a head and sighed. Alex gave him a comforting look. "If there is something troubling you, I would not mind asking." Alexander's heart raced. He looked at her and saw what he remembered that day. Regret filled his heart. If only she knew how he felt for her. If only...His thoughts raced when suddenly Alex coughed. He abruptly stop thinking, removed his coat, looked at Alex and put it on her shoulder. His warm hands suddenly touched her fair skin. She felt electricity from his touch that made her heart skipped a beat. His face is really near her ears and she can feel his breath. Her heart started racing.
"Th...thanks."
He stayed at her back then she turned around. Accidentally she felt his lips on her lips. They were warm and soft. She was stunned at the scene that unfolded. She initiated the kiss that should have not happened.
Alexander did not expect what just happened. It felt like he was struck by lightning. He remained like a statue for a long time.
A song suddenly played.
"And I can't fight this feeling anymore..."
He hoped this would last long but then he felt her lips parting his. He concealed his feelings for her but his heart was left begging for more. Worse, he will not be able to control himself.
An awkward silenced filled the air. They were brought back to their senses when James and Lea arrived with drinks in their hands. Just then Alex spoke.
"Lea, I have been waiting for that drink. Thank you." She grabbed it from Lea and downed on it on one drink. Everbody was stunned.
She turned around and stormed out.
"Where are you going?" Lea shouted.
Alex suddenly stops and turned around, "I'll take a breather." Her heels clinking grew softer.
"I have to follow her. Excuse me" Lea apologetically said.
James stared at Alexander. He handed the drink to Alexander.
"Let's drink to it then." James said.
Alexander took the drink and absent-mindedly downed it in one go. Alexander excused himself and left. James was stunned and pondered his thoughts. What happened between this two?
In the beach...
Lea looked for Alex and called out loudly.
"Alex! Where are you?" Lea looked everywhere and spotted Alex sitting by the shore, looking at the stars and having deep thoughts. She walked slowly and heard Alex mumbled, "This is going too fast..."
"Hey! I came for you. What happened back there?" Lea said worriedly. She put her hand at Alex's back. Alex looked at Lea. She was contemplating on how to tell Lea but decided not to say anything at the moment. "Thank you, Lea. I have a lot on my plate right now. I just need to sort my thoughts and I will be fine soon." Alex said with a reassuring smile. Lea glanced at her phone. She said with a smile, "The night is still young. I know you had a lot to take in. I'm sure you will get it over somehow. I will always be here for you."
"I don't want to take you time. Join James and spend more time with him. We are in our prime and we are not getting younger by the minute." Alex winked.
"I know you need space to sort things out." Lea laughed. "I'll leave you to it then. If there is something you need, I'll be nearby."
Alex nodded and saw Lea's figure disappearing.
She stood up and walked through the sands. She did not notice a man standing not far away from her path then she heard him say, "If only she knew I feel for her..." She stopped walking, stared at the figure but she could not see through the dark. The moon shown on the shore all of a sudden and saw Alexander staring at the sea. She hid in the palm trees next to here. Alexander mumbled worriedly, "I wanted to tell her but..." Alex was shocked and covered her mouth when she stumbled on a rock. Alexander heard a sound near the trees. He stared at it and walked away. When his figure slowly disappearing from the view, Alex followed behind curiously.