Chapter 4: "Tangled Emotions"
1520 Words
“Great. Just great,” Alex muttered under his breath as he watched his childhood friend walk in—this time, not alone.
It was his father’s birthday party. A formal, stuffy affair full of business partners, champagne, and small talk. It's the first time Pepper is with someone else. He had been eyeing on her since she came in and he almost didn't recognize her. It's the first time she wore her hair in a bun and dolled herself up. Pepper has always been beautiful but tonight, the sight of her is just, breathtaking.
She smiled at him, waved. But her hand was looped through Lance’s arm, and her eyes drifted back to the guy in a way that made Alex feel sick.
She was falling for him. Fast. He saw it coming—he just didn’t expect it to hit this hard.
He clenched his jaw as Lance rested a hand on her waist. His fingers twitched. He wanted to pull her away. From him. From tonight. From this whole thing.
It was pathetic. It wasn’t like he had any claim over her.
A sharp poke to the cheek snapped him back. Antoinette stood beside him, arms crossed and clearly annoyed.
“I’ve been talking for ten minutes and you haven’t heard a word. This party sucks.”
He blinked, then let out a short laugh. “It does.”
She looked like she wanted to stay mad, but couldn’t. “Then why’d you drag me here?”
He shrugged, slipping an arm around her waist. “Honestly? Because having you here makes it suck less.”
She narrowed her eyes but softened. “Flatterer.”
He grinned and gave her a quick nose boop. “Let’s survive it together.”
They turned just as Pepper and Lance walked over. His stomach tightened, but he forced a grin.
“Hey,” he said, voice light as he nodded to both. “Glad you could make it.”
Lie. He wasn’t glad. At all.
They made small talk, but Alex barely registered it. His attention kept drifting. The way Lance looked at Pepper, the way she smiled back—it burned.
Eventually, they moved off to dance. Antoinette leaned close again.
“Are you just going to watch them all night?”
Guilt flickered in his chest. “Of course not.”
“Then dance with me.”
He took her hand, trying to focus. Antoinette was stunning. Smart. Confident. Any guy would be lucky.
But every time he spun her, dipped her, pulled her close—his eyes found Pepper.
As they swayed, Antoinette’s arms slid around his neck.
“I guess I can’t help it... I wanted to be with you tonight.”
He smiled, a little unsure. “I thought you despised me.”
“I thought you weren’t serious,” she replied, pouting. “Besides, your reputation? Intimidating.”
He laughed. “What have you heard?”
“That behind the broody eyes and messy hair, you’re a walking heartbreaker.”
“You sound like you’re falling for me.”
“I’m terrified that I am.”
Then, without warning, she asked, “How much?”
“Huh?”
“How much do you love me?”
His heart stuttered. “Is that... something you can measure?”
“I just want to know,” she said softly, “before I say yes.”
“Yes to what?”
Antoinette smiled. “To you. I love you, Alex. Tonight, I’m yours.”
His mouth went dry. “Oh. Yeah? Great. I mean—thank you.”
Seriously? Thank you?
“I love you,” she repeated, radiant.
He looked up—and there was Pepper, across the room, watching them.
“I love you too,” he said quickly, eyes still locked on Erika.
They danced a while longer, but he was somewhere else entirely. When Antoinette asked to go outside, he agreed.
In the garden, they kissed. She laughed against his mouth. He smiled back, but it felt wrong. Like wearing someone else’s shoes.
Eventually, she said goodbye. Her driver was waiting.
As soon as the gate clicked shut, he rushed back inside.
Pepper was still there. Alone.
He grabbed two drinks and dropped into the seat beside her. “Where’s your date?”
She nodded toward the crowd. “Talking to your dad.”
Alex followed her gaze. His father and Lance stood in deep conversation, smiling. Like old friends. Like family.
It hit him hard.
“I’m starting to hate your friend,” he muttered.
Pepper glared at him. He gave her a peace sign.
“Have you eaten?”
“I was supposed to,” she mumbled.
“Don’t bother. Business people. They talk more than they serve food.”
“Where’s your date?” she asked.
“Gone.”
“Already?” She laughed.
“Well, she said yes before she left,” he said smugly.
“Really?”
“With my charm, I’m surprised it took her this long.”
She rolled her eyes. “I hope this one lasts.”
He didn’t answer.
“Are you happy?” she asked quietly.
He glanced at her. She was staring at the ballroom floor, trying to look casual.
He smiled. “Right now? Happiest I’ve been all night.”
She didn’t answer. But he saw her smile, just barely.
An hour passed. Lance didn’t come back.
When he did, it was only to whisper something to Erika and then vanish again.
Her shoulders sagged. Alex stood.
“Wanna escape?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
Just like every year.
They slipped upstairs, to the attic. Their hideout. A dusty, quiet place that never changed, even when everything else did.
“This is supposed to be the best night of my life,” she said, peeking through the small window that overlooked the party. “My first real date... and I’m spending it in the attic. With my best friend.”
“Ouch,” he said with a grin. “Thanks for that.”
She turned to him. “Isn’t this weird for you? Seeing me... like this?”
“You mean grown-up?”
She nodded.
He shrugged. “It’s terrifying.”
“Why?”
“Because it means you’re falling in love. And I can’t protect you from that.”
Her voice softened. “You sound like my dad.”
“I mean it. Are you really into him?”
“I don’t know. It’s special. But... I’m not sure.”
Alex sighed. “Promise me something?”
“What?”
“Don’t get hurt.”
“You’re crazy.”
“I’m serious.”
“What if I do?”
“Then I’ll hurt him worse. A thousand times worse.”
She looked at him then, eyes wide. He wasn’t joking.
She stepped closer, wrapped her arms around him. “Promise me something too?”
“Yeah?”
“If it happens... if I get hurt... be there for me.”
“I’ll always be here.”
They exchanged a glance just as a faint rustle broke the silence.
Before Erika could react, Alex grabbed her hand and pulled her behind the heavy curtain. Her heart thundered in her chest, each beat louder than the last.
The whispers were getting closer.
“Not here, Helene.”
“I can’t wait, hon. I want you now.”
Through the narrow gap between the curtains, Erika caught a glimpse of the couple. Hidden in the shadows, they remained unseen—but she could see them clearly.
Her eyes widened in shock.
It was Alex’s father.
And he was kissing the woman he called Helene.
Erika closed her eyes. She could feel Alex's fury—in the way his chest rose and fell in sharp, uneven breaths. She turned toward him, pressed her face against his chest, and gently covered his ears as if trying to shield him from what they were both already witnessing.
Then, suddenly—ping!
The sound of her message alert shattered the silence.
“Someone’s here,” came the voice of his father.
Erika’s eyes flew open in horror. She looked at Alex—his expression had gone rigid.
They watched as the two lovers quickly separated and disappeared down the hall.
Alex didn’t move. Didn’t say a word.
But when Erika turned to him, she saw it.
Alex's eyes are filled with tears and burning hatred. A kind of heartbreak that didn’t have words.
Her hand rose instinctively to his cheek.
“Please forget what you saw,” she whispered, her voice trembling. The pain in his face was tearing her apart.
She wanted to take away his pain. She tiptoed to kiss him on his cheek. But Alex suddenly turned around and his lips met hers.
And their lips met.
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Their eyes wide, breath caught, world frozen.
It happened in a blink.
Then they pulled apart, stunned into silence.
Erika reached up and touched her lips, dazed.
She had just had her first kiss.
- Writer
