Chapter 6

ALENA

"Uh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you were in here. I'll leave," I apologized, nervously turning to leave. 

"No. Please come in, Alena," he offered, pausing his game. 

He stood up and guided me in then he patted next to him gesturing for me to sit down. He looked friendly and welcoming so I sat next to him making sure there was some considerable distance between us. 

I avoided eye contact with him and started playing with my fingers. 

"Awww. You are so shy, it's cute,” he gushed tucking loose strands of my hair behind my ear. 

My cheeks immediately heated up and I found myself smiling shyly like an idiot. There was a dramatic pause as he stared at me with his elbows resting on his thighs. 

I turned to him and saw an amused sparkle in his warm welcoming chocolate brown eyes and then he broke into a smile. 

"What?" I asked, trying my best to avoid eye contact. 

Who on earth was he? 

"You are so adorable and lovely. I think I'm falling,” he murmured in a singsong voice that made me slightly chuckle. 

"Gosh. Even your smile is quite a killer," he teased, making my smile brighten up. 

It made him chuckle. Wow. 

"You must be wondering who I am. Well, allow me to introduce this heavenly masterpiece to you," he said, dramatically tilting his head and raking his hair with his fingers. 

"I am Ezra Grayson AKA your husband's best friend but others like calling me his brother from another mother," he introduced himself. 

"Well, nice to meet you, Ezra. I'm sure you already know who I am," I tried to sound a little loud. 

"Of course I do, Alena. We'll be seeing each other very often this coming year so get ready to be wowed the whole year." 

"I really can't wait," I replied, grinning widely. 

He was one of a kind. He was carefree, humorous, energetic and generally the lit type. In just a few minutes I could tell he resembled the old Alena. The real Alena. 

"So for starters, I'd like to apologize on behalf of Dylan for being a jerk to you. I might not have been there but I know he has been a jerk to you from day one." 

“He hates me," I said and sighed. 

Ezra scooted over to me and placed his hand gently on my shoulder. 

“He doesn't. Dyl is an amazing guy. He is not some cold and uptight billionaire. He is fun, free and generally an amazing human being. Take it from his day one friend." 

"I guess I'm just the unlucky one, then." 

"No. It's just that you walked into his life at the wrong time." 

"I didn't know he had a girlfriend." 

"Well, there must have been some miscommunication but we clearly told your family about this and they said you agreed to it, plus Celeste knows that Dyl has been in love with Gwen for like two years now." 

"Even though. I just don't get why he hates me. It's not tike I'm disturbing their relationship, right? I mean they are free to do whatever they like." 

For the first time in five years I finally found someone I felt comfortable talking to. 

“It's just a tough phase. but don't worry, he will come around soon.” 

"Well, if you say so," I replied, looking at him and giving him a dry smile. Hands down, he had the die hard for looks. 

"And I want you to know that if you ever want anything, I'm here for you, Alena. I'll support you.” 

"Says my husband's best friend. Of course you'll always take his side.” 

“Well, you are right but I'll take his side if he is in the right and if he is in the wrong, then I'll drag him back to the right. So this is like a win-win situation, you see." 

"So you like, cover for him all the time?" 

"If you'd like to phrase it that way then, yes." 

“How do you phrase it?" I asked, my interest piqued. 

"I'd normally say he is a lost cause without me." 

"Wow. I wish I had a friend like that." 

"You guys can always share me. I'm one of a kind, you know. Confirm." 

"Confirmed. You know I wish I was like you," I told him as I turned to face him. 

I was suddenly feeling confident and my voice was no longer troubling me. 

"Umm. How so?" 

"You are a free person and your socializing skills are quite impressive. I try but I can't find my way around socializing with people.” 

"Maybe you should start by working on your inner self. Believe in yourself and be very self confident," he encouraged. 

I listened attentively as he told me more about believing in myself. 

"Don't worry, Alena. We'll work on it." 

"Thanks, Ezra. It was nice meeting you. I'm looking forward to an amazing year." 

"Trust me, you won't be disappointed. It was nice meeting you too." 

At least there was some positivity. 

Ezra told me that we'd be having dinner together at a restaurant so I went upstairs to get ready. I had spent the entire day lying in bed. A little bit of fresh air would do. 

I settled for a pair of jeans and a cute white sweater. I seriously needed a wardrobe redo since most of my clothes wouldn't be good for going out in public. I barely went outside back at home so it wasn't exactly my fault. 

I made it downstairs and joined Dylan, Ezra and Gwen. They were all in casual clothes, at least. Ezra gave me a smile that assured me that I looked fine. The rest did not even acknowledge me. 

Dylan was driving with Gwen on the passenger's seat next to him. His hand was on her thigh the whole drive. 

We finally made it to the restaurant after a long drive of watching cute couple fights over silly stuff and Ezra trying to distract me. 

The entire restaurant was empty. I guessed they had booked the whole place. We sat at our table with Ezra and I facing Dylan and Gwen. I was beginning to get sick of their cuteness. 

We were going through the menus with the rest sipping red wine which we had been served when we heard the clicking of heels. I shot my head up and saw a brunette parade towards us. Everything about her screamed trouble. 

I noticed that everyone around the table quietly groaned as the entire mood took a three hundred and sixty degree turn. She joined the table and sat next to Dylan, immediately clinging onto his arm then she grimaced at me. 

"Dyl, baby. How are you?" Her voice was really disturbing. 

“Crystal, what are you doing here?" Dylan asked, his brows furrowed. 

"Are you giving me a cold shoulder because of her?" she glowered, rolling her eyes at me and it was as if they would pop out of their sockets. 

"Your presence here is not needed. Leave, Crystal," he cautioned. The tension was thick as the veins in his neck were standing out. He looked mad. 

"Dyl..." 

"I said leave!" he bellowed, freeing his arm and causing Crystal to jump back. 

She furiously stood up then and snatched a glass of red wine from Dylan. The unexpected happened. She ruthlessly emptied the contents of the glass on my face and the liquid ran down to stain my sweater. I closed my eyes immediately. I didn't want to see anyone's face. The humiliation was way too much and the silence was killing me. 

I stood up on impulse and ran out as fast as my legs could carry me. I just wanted to run away from everything. Run away from the world. I did everything I could to make sure no one was following me and if anyone was, then they would never catch me. 

After a lot of running, I found myself in a park. It was quiet and empty. Perfect. I fell into a disheveled heap and felt hot tears prick my eyes. I was about to break down when a voice interrupted me. 

"Are you okay?" an unfamiliar voice asked. 

“Just… just leave me alone, please.” 

I didn't want to look back at him. 

"Do you need a hug?" he asked.

“I said leave me alone!" I shouted. 

Whenever I was mad, my voice came rushing back to me. I couldn't control it which was why I preferred staying quiet when I was mad. I suddenly felt someone hug me from behind. The hug was sudden and warm. It was something I had been yearning for for years. My tears involuntarily poured down my cheeks like tiny rivulets. I cried my heart out like a baby with no limits. I needed it. 

After a while of sniffling and sobbing, I felt better. I stood up and so did the stranger. I looked up at him. He was taller than me with glorious features. 

"I saw you running across the street and thought I'd help. Are you okay now?" 

"Yes. Thank you.” 

"Sometimes life's a mess. But hey, crying is totalty normal and we need it," he said gazing at the stars. 

I was shivering so he took off his coat and offered it to me. I rejected it but he insisted. 

“Who are you?" I asked out of interest. 

"Don't worry. We'll meet again soon, Alena Cora Weston Cameron," he replied casually and then he left the way he had come. Mysterious. Weird. 

I saw a familiar car pull by and Ezra and Dylan bounced out. They both looked concerned and I felt important. 

"Alena! Are you okay?" Ezra asked, worriedly grasping me by the shoulders. 

“How did you find me?" 

I had made sure to go via complicated routes so that they would have a hard time finding me. I was impressed. 

“Dyl got an anonymous message that you were here. Are you okay?" His kind face was laced with concern. 

"Can we go home? I don't feel like talking right now." 

"Sure, Alena," Ezra replied then he went on to open the door for me. 

I was about to move forward when Dylan gently grabbed my arm. 

"I'm sorry, I mean it," he said.