Unexpected Connection

CHAPTER 14

    "I love you, Lily".

I get off of him and go into the pool not stopping till I reach the floor of the pool. He said the words, what am I to do? Do I love him? I never even said the words to Brad, I know Brad is a jerk and Ian isn't. Ian dives into the water and swims to me then drags me back to the top. I quickly get put the pool and walk into the house.

    "Lily" Ian calls me getting out the pool, "Wait up". I stop and turn around to face him.

    "Did I freak you out?" he asks. Am I freaked out? I don't think so.

    "No, you didn't" I tell him, At this point, I don't know whether it's the truth or a lie. 

    "You don't have to say it back you know right? I just wanted to tell you how I feel about you" he says holding my hand. Why is he so understanding? I love everything about him, what's not to love?. Hold up, if I love everything about him, does that mean I love him? 

    "Lily" he calls snapping me back to reality.

    "Yes?" I answer.

    "Don't be freaked out okay" he says kissing me. I release the breath I didn't even know I was holding. Everything is fine, not lying.

    "I'm not freaked out but are you sure?" I ask Ian my hand on his jaw. He kisses my hand.

    "About loving you?" He asks and I nod. "More than anything" he says and I smile. 

    "I love you too" I say to him and he freezes. "Ian?" I call. Guess he freaked out too. 

    "You really do? You not just saying it because I said it, are you?" he asks.

    "I am sure. I love you Ian Carter" I say and his face breaks into a smile. He carries me up and kisses me. 

    "I love you Lily Grant" he says still kissing me. 

***

It's been a couple of months since Ian and I exchanged 'I Love Yous' and to say everything was great is an understatement, we were so happy. I am sure you've noticed the 'was' and 'were', yes we were until something happened. Here's the down low;

It happened two weeks ago, I called Ian at one in the morning, wanted to talk about what had happened a week before but Heather picked up the call, yes, same Heather. Anyways, me being the most understanding girlfriend in the world, I asked to speak with Ian and she said he was sleeping, tired. Wondering what was going on, I went over to Ian's place and what I saw can only be described as an horror. He was in bed with Heather. I don't know what happened and I don't want to know but I saw them, they were shirtless. I snuck out the house and Ian and I haven't spoken since then. 

You are probably wondering what happened the week before all of this went down, you wouldn't believe it but Eli kissed me. Yes, it happened. I told him Ian said he loves me and he asked what I said, I told him that I said it back and Eli walked out, he didn't talk to me for days after that. At school, he pulled me to the supply closet and said Ian wasn't the one for me and that I was making a mistake. Any ways, this is what happened:

    "What is Eli?" I ask. "You haven't spoken to me in days, I tried calling but you not answering. Did I do something wrong?". Eli grabs my hand and leads me to a supply closet, he pulls me in and closes the door.

    "What is wrong?" I ask again.

    "Ian is what's wrong" Eli says.

    "What is wrong with Ian?" I ask folding my arm. I thought we were over this.

    "He isn't the one for you, he cannot understand you like I do, he cannot love you like I will!" Eli shouts.

    "I thought we went over this, Eli. I love Ian and he loves me, isn't that important?" I ask.

    "He doesn't love you, Lily. Not like you deserve" he tells me.

    "I cannot with you right now" I say and move to the door. Eli grabs my hand and before I knew it, his lips are on mine. And wouldn't you believe it, Ian walks in at that moment. He sees Eli kissing me and he just shuts the door. 

    "See what you've done" I shout at Eli and open the door to run after Ian.

    "Lily, don't go" Eli shouts nut I ignore him and run after Ian.

    "Ian!!" I called running after him. I finally caught up to him by his car and I am grateful that no one else is around.

    "What is it Lily?" he asks.

    "Eli kissed me, I didn't kiss him, you have to believe me" I plead.

    "What I saw is you kissing your so called best friend" Ian says, his voice sounding so cold.

    "Don't sound so cold with me, Ian" I tell him. 

    "I thought you were different, Lily but you are not" his says. 

    "Why wouldn't you believe me?" I ask and he looks away. "Fine, don't believe me" I say and walk to my car driving off. I am not going to beg for love from anybody, if he doesn't want to believe me, fine. 

That is what happened and then a week after that was when I called him that Heather picked up. Ian doesn't know I saw them that night and that is fine with me. I am going to get even with Heather though. Even if Ian and I are on a rough patch, she doesn't get him.

    "Lily" Asher calls riding to me on a horse. I stop my horse and turn back to face him. Did I forget to mention I love horse back ride? I do.   

    "It's time to get ready" Asher tells me and we ride back home together. There is a company dinner this evening for the shareholders and associates, it's kind of this big deal. I am representing my parents tonight and Ian was supposed to be my date but that's not happening. I am going with Asher now.

    "That reminds me, I wouldn't be able to go with you tonight" Ash says. I knew this was going to happen, he has been feeling a little sick lately, we think it's the flu.

    "You've got the flu?" I ask and he nods.

    "It's fine, I'd go alone" I tell him as we walk out the stable.

    "About that, I told someone to escort you" Asher says. Please don't let it be Eli. "Eli"

    "Why? I would go myself" I tell him and as we walk in I'm greeted by Eli. "Like I told Asher, you don't have to go with me" I tell Eli walking away.

    "Lily, wait" he calls holding my hand. I jerk my hand free from him. 

    "What do you want, everything happening with Ian is all because of you" 

    "Lily, go with him for me, please" Asher pleads.

    "Fine, for you" I tell Asher, "Not you" I point at Eli.

I go upstairs to get ready, two hours later, I'm done. My hair is straightened out, my makeup is heavier than I normally do, it's an elegant night gala, I have to look the part. My dress is a red boat neckline with an open back and a long slit in front, I put on a nude strappy heels. I have my clutch in hand, and I put on perfume. I look amazing. I walk downstairs and see Eli is also dressed in Asher's suit. Asher is nowhere to be seen.

    "You look beautiful" Eli says. I ignore him walking to the door. 

    "Listen Lily" Eli starts.

    "No, you listen, just because I have to go with you doesn't mean I have to like it" I tell him.

Like you've guessed, it is an awkward ride to the hotel where the event is taking place. I am not saying a word to Eli at all and he refuses to make eye contact with me which is how I want it. I am still upset with him.

We finally get to the event and Eli stops his car and gives his key t the valet service. When we walk into the hotel hall, Eli puts his hand on my waist and I put on a smile. For a few hours, everything has to be fine. Eli leads me inside to our table. I stop walking and Eli looks at me,

    "What's wrong?" Eli asks but I don't respond. His eyes follow my line of sight and he sees why I stopped. Ian is on our table with Heather. Yes, Heather is his date tonight. This reminds me of the party that night, so much has happened since that night but this time around, I refuse to follow them anywhere. Eli pulls my seat for me and makes sure he seats between Ian and I. I am grateful for that. Heather looks at me and has a smile on her face. I want to wipe that smile off of her. 

    "Don't worry about them" Eli whispers in my ear. He's right, I am here for a reason and I should just do that. I smile at Eli and he returns.

    "I am still pissed at you but thanks for being here with me" I tell Eli and he returns the smile.

You are probably expecting me to say the event was amazing, it wasn't and not because of Ian and Heather. It's because of all the long talks that are being said, this dinner is probably pointless, I wonder why I came. I look at Ian and Heather, she puts her hand on his chest and whispers something in his ears while also making eye contact with me, I don't know what she said but he smiled at her. I want to throw up. I need to throw up. 

    "I'd be back" I whisper to Eli.

    "Hope everything is fine?" he asks.

    "I think I am getting Ash's flu" I tell him. "I'd be in my room" I add. The company books an hotel room for each shareholder in case you need to or have to stay overnight or just need to rest. I pick up my clutch and Eli helps me pull my chair back, I peck his cheek before leaving the hall. It is getting stuffy in there, I hate seeing him with her or anybody else but her especially.

I make my way to the elevator banks and up to my room. Immediately I enter the room, I rush to the bathroom and throw up, so I did get Asher's flu. I am going t kill him for giving me the flu. I quickly change out of my dress and bring the extra dress I brought out of my bag. The bag I had brought with me had been brought up, I always bring extra clothes with me cause you never know. I am still in the hotel robe, I showered cause I didn't want to go down smelling of vomit, I feel like it can be smelt on me. I am still in the robe when there is a knock on the door.

    "I am fine Eli" I shout out. There is another knock and assuming it's Eli, I just unlock the door and walk back in. "You didn't have to check on me, I would have been out soon" I say.

    "Were you expecting him?" I hear Ian say behind me. I take a deep breath and turn around.

    "Why are you here?" I ask him folding my hand. 

    "Why did you think I was Eli?" he asks. 

    "None of your business" I say and walk past him to open the door. "Get out" I say but he ignores me.

    "Why are you in a robe?" he asks instead looking me up and down.

    "None of your business" I repeat, "Now get out". He walks up to me in quick strides and closes the door with a big bang.

    "Dang it, Lily" he shouts and walks back into the room, his hand in his hair. "Why are you in a robe and expecting Eli" he asks.

    "Like I said earlier, It is none. of. your. business" I repeat walking to him and poking his chest. "What I do is not your business just like what you did is none of mine" I tell him.

    "What are you talking about?" he asks.

    "Why don't you clean Heather off of you" I say pointing to his neck. "Lipstick stain" I add. Same shade as the lipstick Heather has on.

    "It's not-" he starts and I raise my hand up.

    "No need to explain. Like I said, not my business, now get out" I shout. 

    "NO! I am not letting Eli have you, never" he says getting angry. he takes a vase off the fireplace mantle and throw it past me shouting, "Never".  

    "You are already with Heather so what is the problem? Whether I want Eli or not is none of your business!" I shout him. 

    "Anybody but him, Lily" he says holding on to my shoulder.

    "What is your problem with Eli? Why do you guys hate each other so much?" I ask.

    "Because he wants you" Ian says.

    "Let me get this straight, if I am with anyone else but Eli, you'd be okay with it?" I ask pushing him off me.

    "Nobody is having you, you are mine" he says pointing at me. 

    "What does it matter, you are Heather's man now so leave me alone" I shout folding my arms. 

    "I am not with Heather" he shouts, "Why do you keep mentioning her?". I would not lie, I saw red.

    "Hmm, why do I keep mentioning her?" I repeat walking round the room. "I've got it" I say turning to look at him. "Maybe, and just hear me out, maybe it's because you came here with her today" I start hitting a vase that tumbles over to the floor scattering everywhere, "Or because you kissed her" I continue throwing the ash tray against the wall, "Or because you are smiling at her" I add, "I think it's because I called you and guess who picked up? Let me give you a hint, it starts with a 'H' and ends in 'eather'" I say walking up to Ian. I stand on my tip toe and whisper in his ear, "I'm sure it's because I came over to your house and saw you in bed with her". I walk away from him and he is staring at me.

    "First of, I didn't kiss her, she kissed me" he says. I laugh at him.

    "Why would I believe you?" I ask.

    "What?"

    "'I thought you were different'" I say throwing his words back to him.

    "Lily" he says brushing his fingers through his hair.

    "It's Liliana" I say walking to him.

    "No, you are not doing that to me. I am not calling you Liliana, never" he says walking to me. I put my hand to my mouth and rush to the bathroom, I find myself throwing up again.

     "Lily" Ian calls holding my hair. I retch into the toilet, I think I have thrown up everything I have ever eaten in my whole life, not exaggerating. 

    "Please go, Ian" I plead after washing my face. 

    "I cannot leave you like this" he says. 

    "Your date is waiting, Eli would stay with me" I tell him. For a minute there, there is a flash of anger on Ian's face.

    "Why should another man take care of my girl" Ian says.

    "I am not your girl" I tell him walking past him to the living room. There is glass everywhere and I feel so tired. Ian holds my hand pulling me to him.

    "You are my girl and that is never going to change" he says.

    "It changed when I saw you in bed with Heather" I tell him. 

    "I wouldn't do that to you and you know it" he says. "You are the only one for me and I love you" he adds.

    "Well, I don't. Not anymore" I lie and walk away. Ian holds me back pulling me to him.

    "Do you really believe you don't love me anymore?" he asks and I nod. "Let's test that theory" he says and his lips crash on mine. I didn't realize how much time I missed him until now. I kiss him back and he carries me, my legs wrap around his waist and my fingers find his hair out of reflex. I deepen the kiss. His phone chimes and it is enough to break the spell, I stop kissing him and get down. No, I'm not doing this with him. 

    "You still love me bunny" Ian says and I look away from him. There is a knock on the door but neither Ian or I move.

    "Lily" I hear Eli call. I move to walk to the door but Ian holds me back. "Lily" Eli calls again and I jerk my hand from Ian and open the door for Eli. "How are you?" Eli asks holding my shoulder.

    "I am fine" I respond.

    "You've been gone a while" Eli says.

    "Something came up" I tell him.

    "What?" Eli asks.

    "More like whom" Ian says stepping into the room.

    "What are you doing here?" Eli asks pushing me behind him. Ian notices this move, has his eyes got dark in an instant.

    "In my girlfriend's room?" Ian asks nonchalantly. "This is where I belong, the question is what are you doing here?".

    "Checking up on my date " Eli says. If Eli said 'date' to anger Ian, he succeeded. Ian walks up to Eli and pulls me from behind him. The look in both their eyes is that of anger with a hint of hatred. I don't think Ian and Eli's fight is about me, I think it goes way deeper. They've never liked each other, they have pretended to like each other, they have tolerated each other but never liked each other. 

    "What is the problem with the two of you?" I ask. "Why do you hate each other? You guys just met a few months ago and you've been at each other's throat ever since" I shout.

    "It's because he likes you and I am never losing anyone to him again" Ian says.

    "You don't deserve her or anyone else" Eli shouts back.  Ian and Eli stand there glaring at each other. If you came on the scene without prior information, you'd think Ian and Eli are two old friends that have bad history. That's when it hit me. No! There is no way Eli and Ian knew each other before, right? Is it possible? But how? They haven't crossed path before, I should know. I walk out of Ian's back and stand in front of the two of them.

    "Did you guys know each other before I introduced you two?" I suddenly ask and they both stare at me.

    "No"

    "No". They say at the same time and then look at each other. Okay, so they knew each other, but where? I start pacing the room avoiding the glass and trying to piece this new information together. Where could Ian and Eli have met, I know them both very well or at least I thought so. Liliana, think. It hit me suddenly where they could have known each other, everything is coming together in my head. Let me explain, Ian once told me he went to schooled in England immediately after his parents died. Eli was also in England for a while, it was an exchange program from school. England is a big place, it never occurred to me that they knew each other there. Now that I think about it, I remember when I told Ian that Eli also went to school in England he got upset with me but  thought it was because I mentioned Eli's name. What was the name of the school again? Got it.

    "First Academy" I say to the both of them. "You both went to First Academy, didn't you?" I ask and I know I am right when they both ignore me. "Eli, I remember you coming home after the exchange program and you had this English girlfriend that you dated for a few months, she even came to visit you for about a month, do you remember?" I ask. 

    "Lily" Eli says walking to me.

    "Hold up" I say holding my hand up. "Ian, you told me you had this girl you were dating when you were in England but that it didn't go so well with her, you said she cheated on you with an exchange student, am I correct" I ask Ian.

    "Lily.." Ian trails walking to me. I hold my hand up and stare at them.

    "Oh my gosh, You stole his girlfriend" I say to Eli who itches the back of his neck. 

    "Ian is dating you to get revenge" Eli blurts out. Ian looks away from me, turning his back to me.

    "What are you taking about?" I ask my heart pounding so hard.

    "Ian and I were friends at the academy and he was dating this girl-" Eli starts but I hold up my hand.

    "Tell me the part where Ian dating me is a revenge plot" I ask.

    "I told Ian about you when we were at school together, I once told him that the best way anyone can get to me is through you. Ian had a binoculars in school so I told him about your favorite house and the binoculars you have to check the house everyday, he always wanted me to tell him more about you. He even got more intrigued when he saw a picture of you and noticed you had the same eyes. He knew almost everything about you" Eli explains, "When I met Ian at school, I was surprised, it had been a while since I saw him. I asked why he was here and he said he came to get to me. That he was going to date you all in a plot to get to me. He would steal my best friend for stealing his girlfriend" he adds and my heart stops.

      "Is this true?" I ask Ian walking to him, "It's a lie right? You moving next door, we being friends and we dating is all a coincidence, right?" I ask. Ian ignores me and I don't know what to think. The whole room starts spinning and everything goes dark.