Fucking hell, fucking hell, fucking hell!
I can't believe this just happened.
Nana, What the fuck were you thinking?
I stare at my phone that I switched off after doing something so stupid. I still can't believe that this is really happening.
Calm yourself down, Nana. You only mistakenly followed him and you quickly unfollowed him before Instagram could even register it.
I am ninety-five percent sure that Leonardo Voss Won't have known that I accidentally followed him.
But the hot sweat that breaks my forehead makes me uncertain. Leo is an unusual man. I don't think anything passes that man without him noticing it.
Oh God.
If he actually knows about it, he will undoubtedly taunt me with it. I will rather enter the ground and be buried there forever than to have Leo know that I have been stalking him.
"Why couldn't you even keep your curiosity to yourself Nana? Why!" I grumble to myself in frustration.
I am so mad at myself for giving in to the need to know everything I can about this man.
I've been sitting on my own in this high class bar for the past fifteen minutes after my friend, Gwen told me she wanted to take a trip to the rest room. After she left, I got so bored that I started surfing the Internet.
I don't even know what led me to that man's profile, but I got there and I was about to click and zoom in to see his profile picture when I accidentally clicked on follow, and it went through. Fuck!
"Hey, you okay?"
My head snaps up at Gwen. She's watching me with a confused and concerned expression on her pretty face. "Yeah. Why?"
"Well, I was coming when I saw you glaring at your cellphone like you want to destroy it."
She explains and I wince at being caught while I'm being a weirdo.
"Is everything alright? Is something wrong with the phone?"
"Erm... no. It's nothing."
"Are you avoiding someone? Is that it?" Gwen presses. I lightly chuckle at how curious she is. I missed her being like this. I missed her a lot.
"Oh come on Gwen, you know I don't even know many people to be having such problems."
"Well, I don't know much about you anymore, Nana. And you can't even deny that. Since I traveled months
ago, you've been distant with me. We stopped talking on the phone or even chatting online. And it's totally your fault because you've left me on read a couple of times."
I hear the hurt in my friends voice and my heart hurts for her. I really wish I could explain the things I'm going through at home, but it won't change anything. It will only make it worse. My eyes burns with moisture building behind it but fight it away.
I've known Guinevere since I was five. We went to the same schools and even though our fathers didn't like each other much, we ended up liking each other and becoming friends.
A few months ago, Gwen had to travel to further her studies on business since she's going to take over her father's successful oil and gas business someday.
At first we tried to keep up the communication, but things at home got so bad for me, every week I was being punished for one thing or the other. Before I knew it, I stopped talking to anyone at all, even Miguel whom I had a crush on for the longest time.
I lower my head to stare at my thighs as guilt eats me up. "I really am sorry, Gwen. I promise to do better moving forward for real."
I really hope she takes my word for it. I already feel bad enough that no one knows how I feel deep down. It would hurt me to hurt my friend too.
Gwen watches me silently for a few seconds before she grunts and stoops to the chair beside me, then embraces me hard.
That is when the tears I've been holding inward releases itself. It starts with a single sob, and before I know it, we're both shaking with the force of our tears, whispering 'I miss you' to one another.
After what feels like forever, Gwen pulls away and swipes at my tears softly. "I know there are things that you may not want to tell me right now, and I won't push you to open up, but I just want you to know I'm always here, babe. Okay?"
"Thank you, Gwen. Love you" I smile at my sweet, beautiful friend.
Gwen is so pretty with her short blunt cut blonde hair, and a face and a body to go to war for. The moment we walked Into the bar, two men came straight to talk to us and I know it is because of how attractive Gwen is. It's like she
draws attention without asking for it.
"I know you don't wanna talk, but you must tell me why you are avoiding your innocent cellphone like it's a plague. Is it a boy? Be honest, girl." Gwen pulls her stank face on me and I know she won't let it go.
I groan and hide my face on her shoulder. I can feel my face heating up in embarrassment when I remember the situation I put myself in. "I really fucked up, Gwen. I did something really stupid."
"What?"
"I..I.. was secretly stalking his socials and accidentally followed him!"
"Oh damn, that's a fuck up for sure...so who's this guy? Is it someone I know? Please tell me it's not that guy who's your dad's body guard." Gwen deadpans. I laugh at her tone.
She's never liked my crush on Miguel.
Do I even still have feelings for him?
A few months ago, I was so deep in my feelings for Miguel. But now, I don't know if it's the same anymore.
Scratch that I don't think it's the same anymore.
Gwen pulls out her phone and her eyes bulge out when she looks at the screen. "OMG! I have thirteen missed calls from my dad! He probably thinks I eloped by now. I'm certain he's already panicking wherever he is. We have to leave babe, I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. I was already thinking that it's getting late already." I say, finishing up my juice. I know I have to get back home as soon as possible.
When father told me he had to leave for important work and won't be back till tomorrow, I was strangely happy. And to top it up, Franca also went out and instead of keeping myself holed up inside the house that has my creepy stepbrother in it, I took the opportunity for an escape and came out to spend time with my friend.
Now I feel kind of sad that I have to return to that hell hole.
We pay for our drinks and meals then head out of the place. Since our homes are not too far from each other, we're going to order a ride home.
It's 12:15am at midnight, I hope we get a decent ride.
We just stepped outside when a rustle from behind makes us turn back and a guy is walking towards us.
When he reaches us, I notice he's one of the same guys that approached us when we arrived.
I don't know his name but he's really good looking. blonde curls cover his head and he has a dark shade of eyeglass on his face. His physique is great but… I just don't know.
"Hey, girls!"
He calls as he approaches us. At first I think he's coming to talk to Guinevere, but he stops next to me, eyes trained on me as he stares me up and down. My cheek grows pink beneath his stare.
I'm the shy type so I get self-conscious when I'm being stared at.
"uh...hi," I begin awkwardly. Ugh! what is wrong with me?
"Oh, hey Michael. I thought you and your friend were gone?" Gwen asks him, her voice bright and cheerful.
"Oh, Johnny had to leave for some emergency but I thought I'd stay back so I could get the opportunity to ask your friend for her contact?" Michael is looking at me hopefully and expectantly.
I glance at Gwen and see that she's nodding her head as well.
Oh shit.
I open my mouth to respond but get Interrupted by Gwen's phone suddenly ringing out loud. "Oh shit, it's my dad. Excuse me babe, I have to take this." Gwen pleads and steps away from us to talk to her dad.
I pretend to go through my phone so I don't have to speak to Michael. He's likeable but I really don't think I'm interested in getting close to him.
Gwen hurries back and I don't miss the worry mapping
her face.
"Is everything okay?" I ask the moment she reaches me.
"Not so much, Nana. My dad needs me at the hospital ASAP. He says it's nothing to worry about but I don't trust him. I have to go to the hospital now and my driver is close by, will you come with me? I don't want you going home alone." Gwen grabs my hand.
"I wish I could follow you babe, but I have to be at home before my father returns. Don't you worry. I'll just Order a ride and—"
"Wait, girls. I could actually drop you off, you know?" Michael offers as he puts his left hand on my shou.
"Oh,no. no...I'm good." I don't miss a beat as I refuse his offer. I don't even know this guy.
"Nana, please don't worry, Michael stays in our estate too.
I've seen him a couple of times and I really don't want you going back home alone' Gwen adds.
"Yes Nana. You can even post my face on social media so people know who to blame if you go missing. which is not going to happen. I promise." I stare at him. He still has that hopeful expression and his arm is still around my shoulder.
I should probably decline, but I don't want to be rude.
"I'll give you three seconds to get your arm off her shoulder except you are ready to lose said arm." A new voice breaks the momentary silence and my eyes turn to slits as I recognize that thick, smoky voice.
It creeps up my spine and instantly makes my blood boil from inside out. I don't have to turn around to know who it is.
What the fuck is he doing here?
I feel Micheal's arm Swiftly disappear from my shoulder and I know they must have Seen him now. Guinevere is staring over my shoulder with wide eyes and curiosity.
How can I disappear right now??
"Turn around, Nayana." He commands. I hear the arrogance in his voice and it makes me want to be defiant, but I slowly turn around and I'm met with Leo's bewildering blue eyes. God, he's unbelievably intense.
"Hello, Nayana." My name rolls off his tongue too sensually. It strokes the deepest parts of my body against my will.
"I'm here to take you home." He grins wickedly at me.
There is no way I am entering a car with this man.
Alone.
***