011 Unwanted Rival

Karl

Lana didn't look happy to see me. She stiffly turned and walked towards me slowly.

“What are you doing here?” She asked.

“To see you,” I managed a smile.

“Why?” She questioned me.

“Do I need a reason to want to see you?” I questioned, and she sighed.

“People would talk,” she complained.

“I would love to see them try.” I shrugged, and her expression changed into something I couldn't quite read.

I am very good at reading a person's expression or behavior, but when it comes to her, it's like all my skills have no meaning at all.

“Where are you going? I would drop you off,” I offered.

Lana turned around to see some of her colleagues walking out of the restaurant.

She turned back to me and shook her head. “No thank you, I would call a taxi,” she rejected.

Is she really scared of gossip?

A smirk formed on my face as I held her hand and turned her over, making her lean on my car and pinning her to it.

The expression on her face showed she wasn't expecting this.

At least I can read that.

“What are you doing?” She frowned.

“I believe I didn’t hide the fact that I am interested in you, love." I raised an eyebrow.

Lana pressed her lips together, probably thinking of a response.

Her eyes went behind me for a second, and she sighed.

“I would let you drop me off, now can you get off me?” she said hurriedly.

A smile formed on my face as I stood up straight. “Of course, love” I replied and opened the door for her.

She looked at me with that same expression I still couldn't read before entering the car.

_

The car ride is awfully silent, Lana has been on her phone, and she told me where to take her and has been quiet since then.

“Is your phone more interesting than me?” I asked, turning slightly.

Lana raised up her head for the first time since the drive started. “I still don’t know your intention, I mean, it's hard to believe YOU would be interested in me.” Lana said.

“Do you belittle yourself that much?” I asked, and I could feel her frown.

“it's called reality. Have you heard of it?” Lana retorted, and I smiled.

“I guess I have to put in more effort,” I replied, and Lana remained quiet.

The car stopped in front of an oddly looking apartment building.

That's where the GPS on my car led me to after Lana described her location.

“Thank you,” she said to me and opened the car door.

“you're welcome,” I replied.

My eyes watched her leave, I was about to drive off when I saw someone at the building entrance.

I decided to turn off the engine and come down from the car.

“Lana” a male voice called out to her.

“Cole? What are you doing here?” She said in surprise.

My gaze went to the man in front of her.

Familiar looking.

The man she went on a date with?

I couldn’t stop the low scoff that escaped my throat, which gained Lana and, unfortunately, Cole’s attention.

“Why are you still here?” Lana asked me, but before I could answer “Cole” walked up to her quickly.

“I have been waiting for you, sorry I came to your place, I just really needed to speak with you,” Cole said hurriedly.

How did he know where she lives? Something about this doesn't sit well with me.

Mr. Nobody should better not be a problem I would need to get rid of.

“Cole we would talk tomorrow,” Lana replied, but he didn’t look like he wanted to leave just yet.

“You heard her. Why are you still here?” I chipped in, and Lana turned to me with a frown.

Love, I am on your side here.

“Who is he?” Cole asked. “Your boyfriend?”

“And if that’s the case? Would you leave immediately?” I asked.

“Karl!” Lana reprimanded.

I smiled, knowing she referred to me by my name.

At least we are getting somewhere.

“Is he why you don't want to give me a chance?” Cole asked.

Lana remained quiet, and how glad I am that she isn't denying it.

“Alright, good night,” Cole said with a sigh and walked past Lana.

He stopped in front of me, glaring, and I returned it with a calm expression.

He rubs me off the wrong way, and I hope he stays away from Lana.

“You better treat her right,” he told me.

“There's nothing to worry about,” I replied, the corner of my lips tugging upwards slightly.

Cole walked away, and Lana turned to me with a frown.

Why is she mad?

I helped her get rid of a parasite.

“Why didn't you leave? I would have handled Cole myself” she complained.

“Cole wouldn't have left you alone if I wasn't here ” I said.

“You don't know that,” she retorted. “Just leave already.” she walked into the building.

“Good night, love.” I said behind her, but she didn’t turn.

Cole should erase Lana from his mind. He may have seen her first, but she belongs to me.