15 I Do Not Like You, either

"This is what happened." Madam Anderson explained the whole matter to her cousin.

They both were women and mothers. They wanted the best for their children.

"Oh Cousin Mia, your situation is dire. Your son is so oblivious and slow-witted. So unlike you and my brother-in-law," Amelia White did not look up, so she did not detect the expressions on her cousin's face and continued observing her nails, "If it were me I would have taken Zaria as my daughter-in-law already the moment I saw her first. She could have looked more compatible with my son." Amelia White sighed.

She needed to visit a spa and get her nails done again.

All of a sudden, she felt an aura coming out from her cold-hearted cousin.

Black!

It was purple!

It was purple she saw, not black.

Wait.

No, it was both!

She suddenly nervously laughed.

"I was just joking, cousin. Your Zaria belongs to you and only to you and your son. Besides, I already have a daughter-in-law remember?" Only after that, Mia Anderson calmed down.

Zaria Smith had it all.

Looks, great manners, and a rich wealthy family. She also knew how to talk back when others tried to degrade her. That was why Amelia adored her because she could see herself in her, but it was a pity that Zaria was a youngster compared to her son.

Zaria could have become a perfect wife for her son if he waited for some years, but who knew he would marry someone so early.

He was only twenty-two when he married. Now he was twenty-four the same age as Elian's. It was not like she hated her daughter-in-law.

On the contrary, she loved her as well.

But, it was in human nature to sulk for the thing that they could never get, right!?

"So, what do you suggest?" Mia Anderson asked.

Amelia's eyes lit up and she smirked. A plan came to her mind.

"Elian's birthday is coming soon, isn't it?" Confused, Madam Anderson nodded. His birthday was just around the corner.

"Then, leave this to me, dear cousin." Amelia had a clever smile plastered on her face.

Not only she had a fox-like personality, she could even resemble one. Golden eyes with bright red hair.

No one could beat her in her schemes.

This time, Elian did not drop her at the campus. They were grounded, and Zaria was only allowed to go to her campus for her studies, so she did not think it was nice to disturb him.

Remembering yesterday's event made her heart flutter. She cherished the little moment they shared.

"What's up?" She jumped, scared when she heard someone speaking to her up so close.

She let out a sigh of relief when she saw Mason.

Albeit, Ria was reserved when it came to boys, but when there was Mason, she forgot it all.

She treated him like a sibling she never had and vice versa. There was not any awkwardness between them, because their feelings were pure like siblings.

He had come early as usual.

With a book in his hand, he casually questioned.

"I am g-good. No need to scare me like that. I almost had a heart attack." She put a hand on her chest dramatically and looked at Mason with a glare.

"Sorry." Mason Waters was not apologetic at all.

He just wanted to know about Elian Anderson. He was curious about him like a scientist being interested in a lab rat.

What was so special about him was that his enemy also glanced at him.

"Don't you want to talk about some stuff related to science?" Mason took some time to think.

"That, we will talk about later. I am here for something else." Zaria was caught off guard.

Her friend who had a fine record of being a pure nerd had something to talk about other than studies?

"So, where's your driver friend?" He looked around.

"He isn't my driver!" Zaria snapped, anger surrounding her. She was upset.

How could her Elian be just a mere driver?

"I meant your friend."

"Home."

Mason relaxed. 'He is not here. It's great.'

"Why are you so perturbed by Elian?" Why was her groupmate asking about her crush, it was yet to be found out.

It was not possible that he also had a crush on Elian, had he?

Would he be a rival of her now?

"Why would I? I just wanted to ask whether he has some kind of superpowers or anything like that." Mason had guessed what was running in Zaria's mind. Anyone could read her thoughts on her face.

He liked girls!

He thought Ria knew him better!

With a scrunched up nose and by wearing spectacles, he looked a lot like their old teacher, Sir Vincent.

But Mason was the nicer version of Mister Vincent.

"Special powers?" Her eyes lit up, "Do you mean his charm? His smile? Or his eyes?" Mason smiled at her, tight-lipped as if he was done with the world.

PDA- The Public Display of Affections was never a good thing for singles.

It was too bright when he saw her reminiscing her knight in her memories.

It was a blinding light.

And he was getting blind.

She was obsessed. Highly obsessed. She needed to be treated soon.

But if he told her that, then she would punch him to death. Violent Ria was not a good Ria.

He did not want to face her wrath like the boy she beat once on campus just because he tried to hit on her.

It was scary to imagine what would be her reaction when someone insulted her love for Elian Anderson.

"Yes, yes, I wanted to see him." Zaria took a glance at his face, scrutinising. She had seemed to understand his source of worry.

"Don't worry. He's mine. He isn't your rival." She smiled at him with a teasing gaze. One that he knew very well.

It was alerting.

Mason was startled. What was Zaria talking about?

Rival?

"N-no. Why would I take him as my rival? I was just concerned for our group of girls. Last time, I saw how everyone was looking at him like he was a God. Even that cold queen Jessica discussed him." He murmured dryly, looking down, unable to have control over his tongue.

He was taken aback by his own words.

Why the h*ll did he mention Jessica in his words?

Why did his mouth not become full of venom!?

Crucial thing was, why was he bothered when Jessica looked at another male?

No, he did not like her. How could he like his enemy!?

He was just worried about her heart getting broken as beauty was a fatal thing for both men and women.

Something he knew from his experience.

Moreover, she was also a part of their group.

'Yes, that is all. I do not like her, but I do not seem to hate her even if I say I hate her. What is up with me?'

Seeing Mason conflicted, a realisation flickered in Zaria's eyes.

Her friend did not realise he liked Jessica all along?

And, was not his favourite colour blue?

'Jessica is bathed with the blue colour from head to toe! Is he blind or something?'

Well, that was a first.

One was cold and one was social among people.

He and Jessica could be a great couple. Maybe, they could even go on a double date together one day. He with Jessica, and she with Elian.

Ah! Just the thought of her going on a date with him was enough to make her bashful again.

She was exhilarated.

"You, my brother, your choice is great." Zaria hit her friend's shoulder; hard, looking proud as a parent. Mason harrumphed, probably

He did not like her. He did not like her. He did not like her.

"I do not like Jessica Miller!" His outburst shocked both him and Zaria and the students who were passing by.

"I never mentioned Jessica, Mase." She smirked and he felt his muscles tensed.

Their staring contest broke when a usual cold voice interrupted them.

"Hey, Zaria, Nerd."

"Hey, Jessy!" Zaria hugged her friend Jessica and smiled at her before looking at Mason.

Mason looked away from her and chose to remain silent today, restless.

"Oh look, how forgetful I am! I forgot to give this to Sofia." She randomly picked out an accessory from her bag and ran away from the spot, leaving both of them alone with an invisible tension hanging around them.

They both knew Sofia did not have this type of accessory.

"Don't be so tensed and uptight. I do not like you, either." She went away to her class without saying anything further.

'Uptight, she said?'

"Wait-"

This day hearing her cold voice made his heart tremble, and he did not know why. What was it today?

What was up with him?