Chapter 6: New Guy

Kane looked at me like he was seeing a ghost.

Oh. Did I hit a bullseye?

I become more confident and proud after seeing his expression. So I continued.

"You know Kane, I don't like you personally but I think you're a good man to Layla. Do you want Layla to stop dating those absurd guys and playboys?"

Kane did not answer, he just looked down. However, his jaw was clenched.

I took it as a yes.

"If you hate seeing those maniacs hover around her, then go forward and confess to Layla. But of course, you will not blindly confess. If you do that, I'm 100% sure you will get rejected ruthlessly by Layla. So let's do this. I know Layla than any of you guys. I know her soft spot and bottom line. So if you court her with your sincere heart and my strategy, I'm 80% sure, she will accept you and will fall in love with you." I said with confidence.

Kane just looked at me. His brow was furrowed. His eyes were at me but their focus was far away. He was thinking deeply about it.

Then he slowly asked, 

"What happened to the twenty percent?"

"Oh that...Well, Layla is unpredictable. That's for her unpredictable nature."

Kane: "....."

I blinked at him. At least I am honest. But I am still confident that Kane would have more chance with me playing cupid.

"It will be too bad if another guy caught Layla. I'm more comfortable if she ends up with you."

I persuaded him more. It's not that I'm rushing.  But I'm afraid it might be too late for Layla and she'll choose the path where she could not return. Like being pregnant with some douche bag.

Besides, Kane really likes Layla. After eight years of unrequited love, it's time to move forward and take action.

"You have to move Kane. Layla isn't interested in any guy yet. Grabbed this." To make it more effective I added some more words and extend my hand.

Kane's frown deepened. My hand is itching to get my credit card and swiped it between his dense brow. 

Kane stared at my hand. He surely takes his time. I was starting to get tired and was about to bring down my hand when he finally moved.

Slowly, very slowly, his hand reached out to mine. Finally, he took my hand.

The moment his big warm hand covered mine, I shivered. Not because of the cold, but there's a spark and I felt like I got electrocuted. The heat crept into my heart. I quickly took my hand back.

I stared at him, stunned. I wonder what was that. However, my thoughts were cut off when he smiled lightly.

"Alright. You promised. Help me to get her."

That was the moment when our alliance was founded.

The stupid me at that time did not know that these three sentences he said would hunt me down through the year. This was the moment when I dug my own grave.

******

I was sitting on the bench staring blankly at the ground. Why did I feel so down? I stared at my hand which Kane held earlier.

I should be happy since I finally got Kane's participation. But why...I don't feel like celebrating? It's not like me. Is my great aunt* is coming?

"- must be Eduardo Calvano. I am Gabriella Olson. You can call me Gab." Gab's cheerful voice made me look up to the scene in front.

Me, Kane, and Gab were on the bench waiting for this person to welcome him.

Nah. It's just a show in our part to say we are united. Ironically, the two members, Layla, and Levi were not here yet.

Would he feel welcomed by this warm welcome from us? Note the sarcasm.

Eduardo Calvano was a ghost for me since childhood. He was always mentioned but we never saw him. Finally, after eight years, we finally got to meet this rumored genius man that could handle the Calvano empire even though he was only in his teens.

He was insanely tall. I don't know who's taller if he was compared to Kane. He has black hair, a handsome nose, and a manly jaw. Just by standing there, he attracted all our eyes.

But the moment we crossed eyes, I looked down.

Geez. That Eduardo was too handsome with his deep brown eyes and dark hair. But what makes me look down was his aura. There was an invisible 'Don't mess with me people' aura around him.

I got that man. I won't mess with you.

I should better stay away from this kind of person who is so intimidating and could flick you with one finger.

It was better to face the furious Kane than this mysterious man.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Layla from the distance. My spirit lifted. I run to her.

Geez, this girl! Where did she go? I don't see her coming out of Kane's car.

Layla saw me as well and hugged me. I hugged her back. We are so clingy to each other that we hug every time we meet from the distance. It's been a habit since young.

"Did you get your book?" She asked.

Book?

Then I remembered the excuse I had made up before leaving the car.

"Er...I did." 

"Where did you go after Kane's car?" I asked her. Do you know you just lost an opportunity to be alone with Kane to develop your feelings?

"I just met some bitches," Layla said with rolled eyes. Probably remembering what she encountered earlier.

"Don't hang out with them if they make you uncomfortable," I told her for six hundred times.

Layla just smirked at my nagging. We are always like this. I am like a nagging parent around her. I enjoyed it though. This is how I show my care for her. Well, what can I say, I only care for a few people and I care deeply about them, in my case, it was only Layla who I cared about. She was the only person who I let into my world.

"Stella and Layla, come here! Meet Eduardo." Levi also carried and shouted to us from the distance.

Oh yeah. The new guy.

Then Layla gives them a middle finger.

"Hey!" I put down Layla's hands.

Don't mess with the guy! The newcomer has an aura of a killer!

"Layla. He will live with us. You better behave and don't mess with him. Can't you see how his scary brow deepened?" I somewhat scolded her. Not all people can be offended.

"His Levi's friend. They are cut out in the same sleeve. They are both unwelcome. Why should I be scared?" Layla said while grinning mockingly at them.

Seeing her acting like this I knew then something must have happened.

Layla, this girl loves to hurt herself. And this made me worry for her.

I mean she clearly holds her brother and father to her heart. But she hated them intensely. Layla loves them so deeply that her love turns to hate.

To be honest, I don't understand that kind of deep emotion. I'm indifferent to my family. All I did in childhood was embraced myself and be indifferent to them. Now, they are far away from me. I did not even receive a call or a text asking if I am okay or did I settle comfortably and safely ever since I moved here. But I'm not hurt. I don't mind it. Cause I don't love them deeply. My parents probably feel the same way.

Enough with parents. I'm a big girl already.

Maybe people have just different ways to face their problems. Like what Layla was doing.

As I was leading Layla to the group. I noticed two sets of eyes was staring at Layla intensely. I can reason out the first set of eyes that looked at Layla. That was Kane's.

However, the second one was from the new guy.

My brain who got fed by a lot of romance, mysteries, and supernatural novels noticed his stare.

There was shock, disbelief, relief, intrigue, and something like amusement passed flashed into his eyes.

I looked back quickly at Layla.

Layla just looked at him and there was no recognition in her eyes.

I looked back again at the new guy. There's no remnant left of any look he had earlier. He changed his feeling so fast. Or should I say he hide them quickly? It feels what I saw was just a hallucination. But I trusted my instinct.

It looks like this new guy knew Layla.

And maybe Layla doesn't remember him. Knowing Layla, I am a hundred percent sure she did not remember him no matter how exceptional this new guy is.

The new guy felt my back and forth staring at him and Layla. I stared at Layla like I was listening to what nonsense she was saying to Levi.  My heartbeat was fast. Scared that I'll be found out that I'm watching him.

I don't know why but when I saw the new guy was staring at Layla with unreadable eyes, I got the feeling that this new guy was interested in Layla. And this guy would be troublesome to deal with.

I looked at Kane who was watching Layla bickering with Levi. His obsidian eyes were gentle. The man did not even notice the look he had now.

Kane noticed my stare and turned to me. His gentle eyes turned into a question.

I showed him the face of having a stomach ache.

Kane, if this mysterious guy interrupts, I'm not confident anymore. We should move fast!

Hopefully, this new guy doesn't meddle with my plans.

But that only remained as a wishful thinking.