Liah's pov
The next day at school,
I sat on my desk with my two hands under my chin, smiling like a fool. I couldn't believe that I was so brave yesterday. Gosh, why did I kiss him? Now how am I supposed to face him. In the midst of my thoughts, I noticed Dylan entering the class with Lan. He smiled at me and I quickly hid my head under the desk out of embarrassment. A moment later, someone knocked on my desk. I raised my head to see Sophie and she didn't look happy. When did she come in, I didn't notice.
"Hey girl" I smiled at her but to my surprise, she didn't reciprocate. Did I do something wrong?
"I need to talk to you. Let's go outside" she said, casting a glance at Dylan. I turned and noticed that Dylan was looking at us even though he was in a conversation with Lan. Is Lan his only friend? I hardly see him with anyone else.
"Okay" I replied Sophie and followed her out.
After walking for a while, she finally stopped but didn't turn to face me.
"Did I do anything wrong Sophie?" I asked her. Why is she behaving like this. Is she still the friend I trust and love so much?
"When did you leave yesterday" She asked finally turning to face me. I could see the little hatred and anger in her eyes. Does she hate me? No, I doubt. I'm overthinking it.
"During the fireworks. Is that why you're angry with me? I'm sorry, Dylan..." I tried explaining but she cut me off.
"Dylan? What's your deal with him?" She asked.
"What? Why the questions?" Why is she asking me these questions. What does my relationship with Dylan have to do with her?
"What kind of question is that? What about you? Why are you treating me like this? What did I do to annoy you? You've been incredibly distant lately, you don't call and when I do you don't pick up. You glare at me even when I am smiling at you. You hardly even smile at me now. What did I do so wrong?" I let it all out. I need to hear her answer. If I did something wrong, I would surely apologize, I just don't want our relationship to be ruined.
"You want to know my problem with you? Then tell me your relationship with Dylan" she said, her eyes filled with anger. I took a step back in shock.
"Is this about Dylan? Are you giving me attitude because of him?" I asked her.
"Just tell me your relationship with him Liah" she shouted. I stared at her a bit and couldn't help but glare at her.
"He's the guy I love. Did you hear that? I love him so much" I said. If she is willing to ruin our relationship because of a guy, then she doesn't deserve to be called my friend. I glared at her and turned to leave. I didn't want to hear anymore of her nonsense, I didn't want her to break my heart and disappoint me further. As I turned to leave, I was shocked to see Dylan standing there. Was he eavesdropping on us? I glared at him and brushed past him.
"Liah, hey wait up" I heard him shouting from behind me. Did he hear me say I love him?
Sophie's pov
I looked at them walking away. I stood there, rooted to the ground, the words Liah said still echoing in my mind. She loves him? Why is this happening? How could we both fall for the same guy? Is fate playing a trick on us? Even if it is, I'm not ready to give up even if I have to put my friendship on the line. I want Dylan. No, I need him.
Dylan's pov
"Liah" I ran after her, holding her hand when I caught up to her. I heard it clearly. I heard her say she loves me. I wish I could hear it from her again. I didn't mean to eavesdrop on them, just that when I saw them walking, I couldn't resist following them and actually, I'm happy I did.
"What do you want?" She glared at me shaking off my hand.
"Hey girl, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I'm sorry" I said, raising up my two hands to hold my ears and pouting my lips. I tried my best to act cute cause I know she's in a really bad mood right now all because of her friend. Looking at Sophie's reaction, could it be that she likes me too. I hope not cause she would just end up getting hurt. My heart,body and soul belongs to Liah and Liah alone.
I think my attempt at acting cute worked because a smile slowly crept up her face.
"Hmph, what do you think you're doing, acting all cute" she said folding her arms and pouting making me want to tease her.
"You weren't like this yesterday. From the little I remember, you were so..." She suddenly covered my mouth before I could finish my sentence, her face a deep shade of red. I chuckled and raised my hands to remove hers from my mouth.
"What, shy now? But you weren't this shy yesterday" I continued teasing her.
"You... Stay away from me" she barked and started walking off. I rushed to grab her hand and turned her to look at me, my expression turning gentle.
"Could you repeat what you said earlier?" I asked.
"What did I say?" She said, her eyes darting around, probably looking for a way to escape. I decided not to pressure her. I'm sure when she's ready and more comfortable, I can hear it from her again.
"It's ok. My parents asked me to invite you to dinner at our house. Hope you would come?" I told her. I grabbed her hand and started walking back to class.
"Huh? But why?" She asked, looking confused.
"I think they like you. So would you come" I asked again.
"Sure" she replied smiling. She looked so beautiful. Oh Liah, I love you so much.
Liah's pov
At home,
I picked out a short bright yellow dress with bold straps from my wardrobe and white sandals to go with it. Honestly, I'm very nervous about meeting Dylan's parents. I know it's not the first time but I just can't help but be nervous. I hope I don't make any mistakes. I entered the bathroom and freshened up before dressing up. I packed my hair in a ponytail and slung a white handback over my shoulder to match with my outfit. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and sighed with satisfaction.
When I reached the living room, I saw my parents watching TV. Mark wasn't with them, maybe he was sleeping.
"Mom, dad, I'm going out and I might be late tonight" I told them. Mom didn't say anything and just continued watching TV.
"Alright. Be careful" my dad said. I nodded and turned to leave the house. Guess my last threat had an effect on them. As I walked out the door, I nearly bumped into someone. I opened my eyes and saw that it Sophie. What's she doing here?
"Hey babe. I'm really sorry about today, I let my emotions get to me. Please forgive me" Sophie said. I stared at her for a few minutes and hugged her. How could I stay angry at her?
"It's okay sis, I shouldn't have reacted that way either. We good?" I asked pulling from the hug.
"Sure" she said with a smile and I smiled back.
"Where are you headed all dressed up" she asked.
"Oh, to Dylan's place" I replied without thinking twice. After my reply, I noticed a glint of disdain and hatred in her eyes but it disappeared almost immediately making me wonder if I imagined it. Suddenly she flashed me a sweet smile.
"What, are you going to help him study again?" She asked, still smiling. I brushed aside my earlier suspicion and smiled at her before replying.
"Not really, his parents invited me to dinner" I said.
"Oh. I'm really bored at home,could I go with you?" She asked with pleading eyes.
"Um, I don't know" I replied, feeling stuck. Wouldn't Dylan get angry.
"Pretty please" she pleaded, grabbing my arm and swinging it playfully with her lips pouted. I didn't want to seem heartless so I decided to give Dylan a call.
"Hey babe" I heard his deep voice from the other side and blushed a bit. Did he just call me babe. This guy....
I cleared my throat a bit before speaking again.
"Ahem,I have something to ask you. Sophie wants to come along with me, is that okay?" I asked. There was silence from the other side for a while before I heard his voice again
"Let me ask my parents, give me a minute" he said. I could hear him asking his parents and surprisingly they agreed.
"Sure, you can bring her along" he said but his voice sounded a bit cold making me shiver.
"Alright, thanks" I said and hung up. I turned to Sophie and said "let's go". She flashed me a sweet smile before hooking her arm with mine.
Sophie's pov
At the Einstein's mansion,
My mouth was open with awe at the beautiful house before me. I've been to rich people houses before and seen different big and beautiful houses but none of them could compare to this one. I heard Liah chuckle, I looked at her and raised my brows, wondering what's funny.
"Close your mouth or a fly could enter" she said. I blushed from embarrassment at her words. She's teasing me.
Liah pressed the doorbell and after a few minutes, it was opened and my eyes were greeted with a refreshed Dylan looking so dashing. How could this guy be so good looking. He nodded at me before smiling at Liah. I noticed the look of admiration in his eyes when he looked at her. His actions made angry but I suppressed it, it's just a matter of time.
"Come in girls" he said, opening the door wide for us to enter. As I stepped into the house, I was filled with awe again. The interior is so much more beautiful than the exterior. How rich could they be.
"Liah dear, you're here. Welcome girls" I heard a gentle voice and traced it to where it was coming from. I saw a beautiful young woman walking towards us. Is this Dylan's mom? She looked so young.
She walked over to us and hugged Liah before smiling at me.
"Hello dear, what's your name" she asked me
"Sophie cranes ma'am" I replied.
"Welcome Sophie. Please take a seat, Auntie is preparing dinner and it should be ready soon" she said before turning to enter the kitchen.
"Liah, I have something to discuss with you. Come with me" Dylan said and grabbed Liah's hand, leading her upstairs. I glared at them with jealousy but smoothened my expression when I noticed Mrs Matthews looking at me.
Dylan's pov
I quickly locked the door and pinned Liah against the door when we entered the room. She looked so beautiful today with her yellow dress like a bright yellow flower making it hard for me to suppress my desires.
"Why did you dress like this today?" I asked, my voice sounding husky.
"Is there something wrong with the dress? Is it not good?" She asked looking confused.
"Looking at you in this dress is making it hard for me to control myself" I said and before she could say another word, I leaned in and seized her little rosy lips. They tasted way more better than yesterday and I couldn't get enough of it. I placed my hand on her tiny waist and pulled her closer, pressing her soft body on mine. I nipped at her lips making her moan softly. Her delicate hands held my shirt tightly as if it was her lifeline.
After a little while, I released her and stared into her misty eyes. I raised my hand and used my finger to rub off the moisture on her soft lips.
I rested my forehead on hers.
"You're driving me so crazy Liah" I whispered, my eyes lost in hers. She blushed and placed her hands on my chest, pushing me away slightly.
"We should go downstairs, it wouldn't look good if we stay up for too long" she said, her head down looking at our feet. I chuckled at her shyness and pecked her forehead before holding her hand and leading her downstairs.
Sophie's pov
I raised my head from my phone and saw them coming down hand in hand. I squeezed the phone in my hand so tight, my knuckles turning white. When they reached down the stairs, Liah unlinked her hand from his and walked towards the kitchen and I followed suit.
"What are you girls doing here? Go sit in the living room. We're almost done here" Mrs Matthews said
"No Auntie, let's help you" Liah insisted.
"Such a sweet girl" Mrs Matthews said and I clenched my fists.
"Let me help too" I said.
"Alright. Auntie Jane what are you doing? Have you forgotten that I'm allergic to cumin? Besides, didn't you make potato soup, I'm not seeing it here" Mrs Matthews shouted. She's allergic to cumin, who would have thought that.
"I'm so sorry ma'am,I forgot and I'll quickly go to the market right away to get the ingredients" Auntie Jane said, about to leave the door.
"It's okay aunty, I can buy the ingredients and prepare the soup" Liah said and I suddenly had an idea. I've seen Liah cook potato soup so many times and I know Caraway is one of her signature ingredients. Cumin and caraway look so much alike that it's hard to differentiate them unless someone who has experience.
"Okay Liah, Manny, the maid will go with you" Mrs Matthews said
"Manny?" Liah asked looking confused.
"Oh, she's the new maid I employed. We normally don't like employing maids since we prefer just Auntie Jane taking care of things but my husband suddenly raised the idea of hiring a maid so I agreed" she explained.
"Oh, that's cool" Liah said.
"Manny" Mrs Matthews called out. Suddenly a slim pretty girl entered the kitchen as if she was standing at the door moments ago.
"Yes madam" she said
"Escort Liah to the market to get some ingredients" Mrs Matthews said.
"Yes madam. Let's go miss" the girl said, leading the way out the kitchen. I stayed in the kitchen and helped out with the little I could.
Thirty minutes later, I called Liah and asked her where she was. When she told me, I took an excuse from Mrs Matthews, telling her I needed to go somewhere urgently and will be back soon.
When I reached the market, I scanned the area and sure enough I saw Liah buying potatoes with Manny holding the bag. I wore the mask I bought few minutes ago and walked towards them. Seems like Liah asked Manny to wait for her while she got something because she walked forward and Manny didn't follow her. Great, this would make things easier for me.
I reached where Manny was and bumped into her, the bag she was holding falling on the ground, the contents scattering on the floor.
"So sorry, so sorry" I said and pretended to help her pick them up and I switched the caraway bottle with the bottle with me containing cumin. Earlier I had bought caraway and cumin and switched the contents in the bottle making the cumin be in the bottle with the caraway label. After I accomplished my mission, I stood up and rushed off. Just you wait, Liah. Let's see if the Matthews family will still be kind to you after this.