Mine Alone

Chapter 8

I wake up to headache. It's 10:17 in the clock, but my room is still dark due to the curtains that block the sunlight from coming in. I feel like throwing up as soon as I leave my bed. I headed to the bathroom.

I feel weak after puking. But I managed to smile after remembering what happened last night. That was our second kiss. He even said that I'm his. That made me blushed.

I reached for my phone in the side table. I am excited to tell what happened to Shaye.

There are 5 messages from Shaye composing a thread of her rants. She was so drunk last night, but I witnessed his envious look at the girl with Dylan. I read it all before calling her. Dylan is such an asshole. What's going on between him and Shaye is vague to me and maybe to them as well, but they hold right to get jealous whenever they see each other with others.

"Hello, Shaye?"

"Viel, don't mind my messages. I can't remember anything that happened to me last night. But I heard what happened to you and Zander. You're a crazy bitch." She sounds like she just woke.

"You heard from Dylan?" I asked teasing him.

"Don't even mention his name." She's pissed.

"Okay! But I still can't believe that Zander admitted he has feelings for me too. He did not say it directly, but you know.. the way he talked to me last night was different. He said he was jealous." I giggled when I remembered how cringe-worthy last night was.

"b***h, you kissed and then you passed out. Do you even have an idea what happened next? Dave and Dylan caused a fuss! It's a relief that most of the people from your company are gone by that time!" I stopped from giggling and sat straight in my bed.

"Why?" I am totally dumbfounded with what she said. Why would they make a fuss?

"Dave is your fake boyfriend, but Dylan is not fine with that. You didn't even tell him that you and him have something going on between you. He's a lot stricter than your parents and Karlo. But last night, your brother with Dave caught you kissing Zander while both of you are drunk!"

"That's not their business. What happened exactly?"

"Dylan asked Zander what you guys are doing, but you passed out. Then Dave who was also under the influence of alcohol didn't like what Zander said and started the fight. He pushed Zander, but Zander get back by hitting him on the face. Dave ended up being the one who got hurt. Dylan was so furious that he yelled to both of them. Imagine, he yelled at Zander too! Girl, you must be crazy for getting caught by your own brother! You know how much he protects you from guys."

I suddenly felt guilty towards Zander and Dave.

"T-thanks for telling me, Shaye. I will call Dave to say sorry. Afterall, he shouldn't be in trouble with Dylan, Zander and me. Do you want to come over later? After reading your messages, I guess I should at least support you in killing my brother." I didn't even know how Shaye was able to get home last night.

"I'm fine, Viel. I have my ways to resolve it with Dylan. Go talk to him now and explain then call me afterwards and tell me everything, so when he asks me, our explanation isn't conflicting." She's really my bestfriend!

"Okay. Thanks, Shaye. I'll call you later again."

I took a shower and prepare myself to go down. Dylan is my brother, and I know that he cares for me so much, but it isn't right to hinder my relationship with anyone. I'm a grown up!

While going down the stairs, I contacted Dave's phone, but he's not picking up. There's no one in the sitting room. I stayed there while typing my message to Dave. I don't want him to hate me. I am responsible to every hit he got from Zander because I get him into this.

'To Dave

I heard from Shaye about what happened between you and Zander. I'm sorry, Dave. I really am. I wasn't thinking right last night when we did kiss there. I really appreciate your help, but I didn't expect that you will get hurt like that because of me.'

"Viel.." I looked at Karlo who's walking towards me.

"Karlo. I'm sorry about last night." I stood when he gets close.

"It's okay, Viel. It's not your fault. You were so drunk last night, your headache must be killing you now. I'll ask them to prepare a hot choco for you. Let's eat." It looks like he just woke up too.

I keep praying that Dylan went somewhere else. I am not mentally prepared for everything that he'll tell me. He's not as nice as Karlo. Our parents had a flight early in the morning, but I hope the news didn't reach them.

I settled for bacon and loaf for breakfast. Karlo kept asking about Dave and me

"I thought you would stick to Zander after how many years, but I'm glad you're with Dave now. I know him well." I don't have the courage to tell him that our relationship is fake.

"He's a good man." That's all I can say.

From my peripheral view, I saw a man walked into the dining area where Karlo and I are having brunch. I bit my lower lip when I saw Dylan in jogging attire. I can tell from the sweats evident in his shirt that he went jog earlier.

"You're early. Join us in breakfast, Dylan," Karlo told him.

Dylan sat diagonally to me. Someone served him a plate and glass of cold water. His eyes remained at me.

"Who's the good man you're talking about?" He asked sardonically.

No one answered him. There was a sielnce between us.

"Is it Dave or Zander?" He added.

"I'm sorry for what happened last night. I was irresponsible and didn't think of the consequence of what I did. I have no excuse, Dylan, so please let me fix what happened between Dave and your friend."

"You can't find an excuse? I want to clear it for once, Viel. Who do you love between those two?" He asked distressed.

I can't answer him not because I am unsure, but because I'm afraid that he will serious put a barrier between me and Zander. I can't understand why he never wanted Zander for me. They're best of friends!

"Why won't you answer?!"

"Let's take it easy, Dylan. Our sister can make decisions on her own now. We are not in the position to dictate how she should live unless we see that her decisions are misleading." Karlo interrupted.

I took a deep sigh because I'm stressed why Dylan is so against me and Zander. But I don't want to nag him because I know his temper. Now is not the right time.

"I will never allow Zander for you; just so you know. Enjoy your breakfast." My legs shiver when he stood to leave. I'm more afraid of him than in our father. How am I supposed to enjoy the breakfast after he said that he forbid a relationship between me and his friend. At least give me a reason!

The next day, I came to school earlier. I planned to talk to Dave, I have to. If he won't answer my call, then I'll go search for him in person. I am sincerely sorry.

I tried contacting him through Shaye's phone, but his phone was off. I'm really worried for him. We had lunch together in the cafe. She's telling me how she went home that night. I can't believe that my brother took her home. I didn't notice that they're gone that night. And after that, she still denied that they have something special going on between them. I just agreed and pretended that they're not too obvious.

"Don't be so worried about Dave. Have you talked to Zander?" I didn't dare try to contact him. First of all, I don't have the courage to do so.

I bought shake while Shaye ordered a full meal. We worked on the assignment to be submitted in the afternoon when someone sat beside Shaye.

I immediately hit his arm when I saw him. He has a bandage beside his left eye. The wound in his lips looked manly, however. He's smiling like how he used to be.

"Hey! Why are you slapping my arm?!" He asked.

"You are not answering my calls!" I shouted. I don't care if we caught attention.

"I lost my phone, Viel. I'm getting a new one this afternoon. I haven't gone online too since that night because I have to attend a family gathering yesterday. I'm still tired from all the events this weekend." His words are always reassuring.

"Why did you start a fight with Zander? Are you, guys, teenager?" I asked irritated. I know I shouldn't hate him because it's not his fault. He's tolerating everything because of my favor.

"I don't like how conceited that guy is. Even I know that you really like him, I still can't accept that among all the boys who admire you, it's him you chose. He's just a man with money."

"Why do you hate him so much?" That didn't sound like a question. I am used to him being bitter when it comes to Zander. "Is it still painful?" With wrinkled forehead, I touched his wounds.

"These are nothing to me. I was so drunk that I can't even feel the pain when I got these. How are you and that guy going?"

"Wow! You really look cool with those wounds!" Shaye also touched his face as if making sure those wounds aren't fake.

"Ladies, please..." He said trying to move away from us. We just love irritating him. This guy right here deserves a loyal woman to give him all the love.

"Oh wait, by the way, my birthday is approaching. I'm planning to celebrate it with you and some other friends." Shaye said when the food arrived.

Dave placed his order too.

"Good. I thought you will neglect me again. I was the only one who didn't receive an invite last year. You didn't know how much that hurt. We hang almost every week, but I didn't know that--"

"I remember! I didn't plan to miss you out. That's Viel's fault for forgetting to tell you." Yeah. I admit that's my fault. I just smile every time I remember. But he was seriously hurt by that. In return, we plan a trip to Hong Kong to celebrate Shaye's birthday again.

"Excuse me, Francesca." I stiffened when I heard Zander's cold voice at the back. His manly perfume creeps into me sending shivers to my spine. There's a butterfly in my stomach again. Dylan's presence added to my intimidation.

I faced him and my eyes went down to his laptop bag that's hanging in his shoulder. He's wearing a uniform, but still so handsome. My eyes widened when I saw a bandage in his right hand. What happened?

"Are you done touching his face? I want to talk to you." My jaw dropped with his question. He saw everything. So Dylan also saw me and Shaye touching Dave's face? Damn.