EIGHT

“Is it weird that I'm catching feelings for Ivan when I just broke up with Linc?” I asked Jade who was ransacking my closet. 

It's been three days since she came back from Italy and she came over once I called her for fashion help, given that Ivan had asked me out… as a date.

Okay don't crucify me yet. I don't know how I said yes to him, just that whenever he's around me all my reasoning and thoughts become so jumbled up; I think he knows this that's why he was all up in my space yesterday when he asked me prompting me to say yes without even knowing it.

“Well since it's Ivan” she said stressing the Ivan. “I don't think it's weird. Just the sight of him can make a girl to break up with her boyfriend, talk less of a single girl—that being you—he's actually interested in” she continued, placing a flower patterned sun dress on my dresser stool and a nude coloured gladiator sandals on the ground near the stool.

“Does this mean I never loved Linc? Although he's a jerk and all but I know I felt something for him” I said plugging my curling iron to the socket and handing it over to Jade to do her magic.

“Infatuation, Ella. If you're sure you don't feel anything for Linc now, then it means you were only infatuated” she said rolling a lock of hair on the iron.

“So if Ivan asks you to date him tonight will you say yes?” She asked after a while. I just knew that she'll ask this question, I've been waiting for it since I told her of the date; but the answer is simple.

“No” I said. No matter how mushy he makes me feel, I won't date him. I don't even trust him and I doubt I can.

He's still coming after me because guys like him likes girls who put up the hard to get front. He thinks I'm playing his game with him, but I'm not; when it comes to him I try to thread carefully.

I can't and won't purposely put myself in something I know that won't work out; something that I know will hurt me.

I won't date Ivan, he's a walking heart break.

“Ok” Jade said in understanding. 

After a while of fussing with my hair, she was finally done.

“All done!”Jade exclaimed turning me to face the mirror.

“Wow, thank you so much” I said after being awed by my reflection. 

I still looked like myself though but a more elegant version. My hair looked more voluptuous and bouncy and it covered up for my cosmetic free face.

“You're welcome fish” she said pinching my cheeks causing me to laugh.

“Put your clothe on, he'll be here in five” she said thrusting my clothes to my hands.

I was looking at my reflection after dressing, I skipped the earrings but I felt like wearing a bracelet so I searched my jewellery box until I came upon a charm bracelet Sandra had bought for me on my fourteenth birthday and I felt my heart squeeze because I miss my best friend who is busy being a bitch.

If she at least asked for forgiveness, I would have forgiven her but it seems like she wanted to hurt me purposely and I just don't get it. I never treated her badly, I sought her out for every decision I've ever made in this life, I shared everything with her. My clothes were literally hers, my car was hers too, my mum usually gave her a more special treatment than she gave me—not that it ever bothered me, it gave me this unfathomable joy in my heart—but she decided to repay me with purposeful betrayal.

Speaking of my mum, I know we have a pending conversation concerning Linc, Sandra and I.

I was still looking at the bracelet when my phone rang, bringing me back to the present. I saw it was Ivan and I picked the call; it's either he's already here or he's cancelling, I hope it isn't the latter.

“Hey, Nuts” he said cheerfully; should be good news if he's cheerful.

“Hey, Ivan” I replied.

“I'm outside but if you aren't ready yet, take your time. I want you to look your best” he said and I heard the smirk in his voice. 

“I'm already done, I'll be there in a minute” I said slipping the bracelet on. Although Sandra betrayed me, I still miss her and I respect the times we had together.

And I wouldn't stop wearing a really pretty bracelet because Sandra's being a bitch. No.

Once I stepped outside I saw Ivan resting on a shiny black Rolls-Royce. I took a moment to look at him. He was wearing a black fitted jeans paired with a plain brown shirt under a dark Jean jacket and brown timberlands.

“I know you like what you see, so I'll just let you ogle a little bit longer” he said with a boyish smile, tucking his hands into his jeans just as I turn into a bright shade of red.

“Oh please, you wish” I said lamely walking to the car, before I could open the door, he was already there with that goofy smile on his face. 

As I was about entering the car, Ivan bent to my ear, sending sweet shivers down my spine and whispered “you look beautiful tonight” making me blush more. I looked up at him and smiled in appreciation.

Little things that swell the heart.

“I'm not sure what I want to major in yet but it will be something concerning business, probably business management” I answered Ivan when he asked. 

We were in an expensive restaurant at the outskirts of our town. We were eating and talking about random things when Ivan asked me what I would like my major to be in the university.

“So, you will take over your parents company” Ivan stated rather than asked.

“It's either me or some random stranger that'll probably misuse all my parents hard work while I stay on the sidelines wishing I took over and saying oh, had I known over and over” I said with a shrug.

“Yeah, better choice” he nodded.

“Yesterday, I saw in the news that your parents were going to expand Thompson's Enterprises; the steel importation part to Africa and if it is successful, it means that your parents business has succeeded in reaching every corner of the world” he said surprising me. 

Like he seriously watches the news?

Hot. Absolutely hot.

If the expansion to Africa succeeds—and it'll surely succeed—my parents goal in life which is also their company's motto ‘uplifting the people, strengthening the world’ will finally be reached.

“It'll be successful” I said in confidence because I believe in my parents and their success is my success and their failure, my failure too. “And yes, when the expansion becomes a reality, it means they've reached out to every corner of the world and it will also mean that they've accomplished their goal in life  and they've given the world what they promised in their motto” I said proudly.

“You are really confident in you parents” he said with a small smile.

“They're my everything, I would murder anyone who hurts them” I said with a wide smile and I saw something flicker in his eyes but it was gone as fast as it came.

“Would you like dessert?” He asked once I had put the last morsel of food in my mouth.

“No, I'm so full. I would like to walk around a little before going home though” I said bidding my time with him because hanging with him is fun—duh.

He grinned “I would love that”. 

Of course you would—that was my brain by the way. I don't really know what this brain of mine is rooting for—team Ivan or team don't trust guys. 

We walked for about half an hour before I started complaining of my aching ankles and we had to go. 

That was half an hour of Ivan holding my waist, half an hour of tingles all over my body and shivers down my spine, half an hour of Ivan tucking my hair behind my ears whenever the wind released stray strands. 

Half an hour of pure torture!

Half an hour of having what you think you want beside you yet so far away.

Life is so unfair, I wish the circumstances were different.

Third Person's P.O.V

“They won't know it is missing until it is needed; and it'll be needed” the first male said with a sneer.

“Why do we really need to steal it if it really belongs to us? Why don't we go about it legally” the other male said thoughtfully.

“No lawyer must hear about this!” The first male scolded.

“Afterall the Thompson's doesn't play fair” the first male added angrily shutting the other male up.