Chapter 8

ALICIA POV

Of course, it was none other than Claudia, and this time around she was alone. She looked like she was going for a special outing, and even the way she dressed, her unique taste always stood out, and of course, she gained everyone’s attention.

She looked at me and then hissed very loudly as Alexander was clearly holding his cutlery. I could see the way he held it; I could tell he was already angry. It felt like he should just squeeze it until it shattered into pieces. Arnold, not aware of the atmosphere, looked at Claudia and gasped.

“Where exactly are you going to?” he questioned her as she smiled cheesily and pulled one of the chairs from the other table toward ours. And of course, she sat right in between me and Alexander just like she always wanted. She would always find a way to get in between and cause more trouble.

I rolled my eyes and just pretended like I was eating my food as she stared at me with full attention, not even answering Arnold. And of course, Arnold did not even care again and did not bother to question her again.

“Wow, I can see you're already feeling so eager to eat despite what I heard,” she said. “I heard that you had some sort of food poisoning.” Instantly, I felt a fright in me, remembering how my belly pained me badly and how I fell to the ground just because of a little food poisoning that was more than enough to ruin my day. But I still tried my best to hold it in as I looked at her and laughed.

“And so what? Just because some jobless person gave me food poisoning does not mean I would now starve myself to death,” I said sarcastically as I laughed. And then, without even waiting, she rushed and wrapped her arms around Alexander and pecked him on the cheek as Adrian laughed.

“Oh, now I get it. You two are going for a date. It makes perfect sense. It's just that I don't know why exactly you have to trace him all the way here. If you two were going out, you could have just called him,” Adrian said like he did not care. Even though I was more than sure he understood what was going on in the atmosphere, Claudia laughed.

“Oh, our date is right. Yeah, we are gonna have whatever we want to have in this place. And of course, I dressed my best because I don't want someone outshining me beside my own boyfriend,” she stated and then looked at me as I did not even stare at her for a second. I could still feel her eyes poking holes in my body, but I continued to eat my food, and for some weird reason, I suddenly lost my appetite for what I had ordered and had so much interest in leaving the restaurant.

I felt so frustrated, but I had to hold it in. After all, it was the triplet's special treat to bring me here and treat me due to my illness. I looked at Adrian, and immediately his eyes met with mine. I signaled for him that I wanted to leave badly, and he motioned for me to relax. But I guess Claudia understood.

“Alexander, you are not saying anything, my love. At least talk to me, please. Can we discuss it in private? If you don't want me to interrupt whatever you guys are having, whatever family reunion you're having with your stepsister, at least just give me five minutes of your time somewhere private,” she said.

As Alex dropped his fake smile on the table angrily and stood up, just as he was about to walk away, he turned to Claudia. “I'm waiting for you outside now,” he said and walked out as Claudia smiled and then followed after him, her heels clicking on the tiles as she walked majestically. Even though she was racing behind him, she still made sure to show off her perfect figure.

I looked down and felt a bit bitter. Why would he suddenly be acting that way towards me? I never knew Alex as somebody who would be angry at me. Yes, I might not have known them for a long time—just a few days—but I have come to get used to Alex being the only nice one towards me. But suddenly, he seemed like he was turning his character around and becoming even more aggressive.

As I sat there, I became a bit bored, or should I say anxious, and wanted to know what exactly Claudia and Alex were talking about. “Can I use the bathroom for a second?” I questioned as I tried standing up, but I could still feel a little bit of sharp pain in my belly. And of course, Arnold, sitting right beside me, noticed and assisted me up.

“Should I follow you?” he questioned in concern as I shrugged. “No, do not worry. I will find my way,” I stated and then walked away. But I did not go straight to the bathroom. Instead, I found my way and came close to where Claudia and Alex were discussing. Of course, it turned out that they did not go outside but instead went to the backyard to have their so-called discussion, and I followed.

I did not know what had gotten over me that I was actually following them, but I had no choice. I got so close that I could actually see Alex's back, only for me to take a few more steps, and what I saw shocked me. Claudia and Alex were actually making out in the back, and it did not seem all aggressive as it was earlier.

I felt a bit disheartened, or should I say heartbroken? Because I thought Alex was different. And I thought he cared about me. I thought there was something brewing between the both of us because he was my mate. Even though Arnold and Adrian were just as much my mates as he was, I still felt like there was more of a connection between the both of us. But here he was, still all over the same Claudia that he acted like he hated. What if he was just playing a trick on me?