My Sister's Fiancé Is My Ex-Lover

ANNOYANCE

AMAYA’s POV:

As I stepped out of Kalex, a rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins, causing my heart to beat erratically. It felt as if my heart would burst out of my chest at any moment. My mind went blank, momentarily overwhelmed by the encounter. There was a dry tingle in my throat, and my trembling lips betrayed the effect of his presence on me, making me feel powerless and vulnerable.

Placing my palm on the top of my chest, I tried to calm myself, feeling the fluttering of my blood slowly returning to normal. With a deep exhale, I released a sigh of relief, hoping to regain composure.

Despite my attempt to move on, Kalex's face remained etched in my mind, refusing to fade away. It was as if I was haunted by his presence, constantly feeling his eyes on me. The darkness in his gaze was reminiscent of a moonless night, mysterious and captivating. His soft, full lips perfectly complemented the contours of his face. Comparing myself to him, I couldn't help but feel inadequate, mainly when it came to the length and shine of his hair.

As the pedicab approached our school, I signalled the driver to stop in front of the building. I paid the fare with a smile, thanking him for his service before stepping out. Making my way into the university, I was greeted by the familiar face of our guard, a small moment of comfort in my swirling emotions.

With the canteen nearby, I decided to head straight there for lunch, hoping to find solace in food. However, before I could reach my destination, someone suddenly covered my eyes. I instantly recognized the touch and knew exactly who it was—my best friend, Cleah.

Feeling irritated, I responded in a tone that betrayed my unexplained frustration, "I'm hungry, Cleah; stop messing around."

Her curious gaze met mine as she asked, "Why are you so grumpy, sis?" Cleah sensed that something was off about me, something she hadn't seen before. It was indeed a peculiar day, my first day at work, and the encounter with Kalex had left me unsettled.

Sighing, I replied, "It's nothing, just a guest I met earlier. He's conceited and self-centered." Turning my gaze towards her, I observed her eyes widening as if they were about to pop out of her sockets and her mouth agape.

"Oh, my goodness, sis! You have a crush!" Cleah's excitement spilled out, her eyes sparkling as if she had won the lottery. I chose to ignore her comment, leaving her standing at the counter, determined to find a quiet table where I could eat my meal in peace, away from distractions.

Glancing at my watch, I noted that it was two twenty in the afternoon. Time seemed sufficient for me to finish my lunch before the following commitment. Cleah, my trusted friend and high school graduate like myself, stood in front of me, wearing a frown that wrinkled her forehead. Her crossed arms conveyed her concern as if she were studying my face for any signs or reactions.

"What! I don't appreciate whatever you're thinking," I retorted, making sure my annoyance was evident. Despite my irritation, Cleah's expression transformed into a mischievous grin, and she playfully poked her index finger against my cheek. It seemed she derived joy from witnessing my frustration, especially when it involved a guy.

With an exasperated sigh, I replied, "Seriously, Cleah? Nothing at all, my friend! Just let me finish my lunch. We have a class starting soon!" The smile on her face remained unwavering as if she were thoroughly entertained by my every bite. It was clear that she was paying close attention to my eating habits.

Shaking my head, I hastened to finish my meal, feeling the weight of Cleah's gaze on me. Despite my initial annoyance, I couldn't help but appreciate her presence, knowing she always had my best interests at heart. Once I cleared my plate, we made our way to the classroom, leaving behind the lingering thoughts of Kalex and the whirlwind of emotions he had stirred within me.

As I distanced myself from Cleah, her laughter echoed behind me, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of displeasure. Her reaction to my confession about Kalex only fueled her amusement, and I couldn't shake off the regret of having shared that information with her. However, deep down, I found solace in the fact that I could confide in her, despite the ensuing teasing.

The class finally concluded at the late hour of nine in the evening. Knowing my brother would be waiting for me outside the school, I consciously pushed thoughts of him aside, determined to focus on my studies during the class. Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't realized that our session had already come to an end. Suddenly, Cleah took hold of my wrist and pulled me up, jolting me back to reality.

Her grip on my wrist was firm yet gentle, urging me to move forward. Although I still carried a hint of annoyance from her earlier teasing, I couldn't deny the sincerity and care behind her actions. Cleah had always been a supportive friend, and I knew she had my best interests at heart. With a sigh, I allowed her to guide me, grateful for her presence during these uncertain and emotionally charged times. Together, we headed towards the exit, ready to face the world beyond the confines of the classroom.

"Let's go! The only thing you're interested in is my yummy brother!" I rolled my eyes playfully, knowing Cleah's admiration for my brother. While I couldn't deny that Cleah would make a great match for him, I was aware that he already had a girlfriend, and there was nothing I could do to change that.

Moments later, I spotted my brother leaning against his motorcycle, engrossed in his phone and wearing a contented smile as he exchanged text messages with his girlfriend. Clearing my throat to get his attention, he immediately straightened up and assumed a more serious expression. I stood before him, with Cleah gracefully wrapping her arm around mine. She beamed excitedly, her eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky. Unfortunately, my brother seemed to overlook her presence, which saddened me.

To bring Cleah back to reality, I playfully pinched her, hoping to awaken her from her dreams. As I did so, my brother broke the silence, asking me, "Shall we?" His gaze locked with mine, but he still seemed oblivious to Cleah standing beside me. I felt a twinge of disappointment, realizing my friend's presence was seemingly unnoticed and unacknowledged.

With mixed emotions, I nodded and replied, "Yes, let's go." As we prepared to leave, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for Cleah, who held unrequited feelings for my brother. Nonetheless, I knew that our bond as friends would endure, and we would navigate these complex emotions together.

"Cleah, I'm going to miss you. I'll see you tomorrow," I said, embracing her tightly and quietly expressing my apologies for my brother's lack of awareness. She nodded understandingly and released our embrace. Turning away from me, she made her way towards her transportation service. Feeling a surge of frustration, I couldn't help but punch my brother in the arm as a form of release.

"What was that for, Mayah?" he exclaimed, clearly annoyed by my action. Ignoring his irritation, I stared at him with a fierce intensity in my eyes. He shook his head, sighing in resignation, and proceeded to place my helmet on my head. As I turned around to mount the motorcycle, my attention was drawn to a familiar figure from earlier in the day. My heart fluttered with a renewed sense of chaos, emotions swirling within me once again.

Climbing onto my brother's motorcycle, I intentionally refrained from glancing back at him. There was an eerie feeling lingering in the air, a sense of discomfort that prevented me from acknowledging his presence. With a mix of anticipation and apprehension, I focused my gaze forward, ready to embark on this ride while keeping the complexities of my heart at bay.

Upon reaching home, I noticed my mother standing at the door, eagerly awaiting our arrival. As soon as she caught sight of me descending from the motorcycle, her face brightened with a mixture of relief and joy. Hastily making my way towards her, I closed the distance between us.

"Mayah, have you eaten?" my mother inquired, her concern evident in the furrowed lines on her forehead. It was as if she believed I had been deprived of sustenance for an extended period. However, her worry instantly melted away as my smile reassured her.

As I approached, Amelia, my mischievous sibling, couldn't resist making a sarcastic comment. "Ah, the favourite princess returns," she said, her voice dripping with envy. My mother swiftly scolded her, shutting down any further remarks.

Despite the family dynamics, I could not help but feel grateful for my mother's unconditional love and concern. With her protective presence, I knew I had a safe haven in which to find solace and support.