Chapter Eighteen

  "You left already, why didn't you tell me?"

  "I'm sorry Rella I wasn't feeling too well."

  "You should've let me know so I could've had someone drive you home."

  "I didn't want to bother you besides you have enough on your plate as it is and I can't let you add mine to it."

  "Nonsense! You're my best friend."

  "Precisely why I don't want to take advantage of our friendship."

  "You're the most frustrating person I have ever met."

  "I love you too."

Rella sighed. "This doesn't have anything to do with Jake Calloway does it.?"

  "What? No where did you get that?"

  "I don't know I saw you two in a heated conversation just now. "

  " I assure you nothing of the sort happened. "

  " You're sure. "

  " Positive don't worry about me okay enjoy the party. "

  " Okay take care of yourself. I'll call you later."

  As soon as Rella hung up her call with Van the first person her eyes connected with from across the room was Stefan. She felt her pulse quicken and her stomach turn in knots making her forget that she was supposed to be worried about Van. She willed herself to look away but she couldn't. Ever since they agreed to simply get along with each Rella noticed that something's changed between them, they were too close for comfort and Stefan was getting too comfortable she realised so was she and so she's made it a mission to avoid him for as long as she can. Rella didn't know how long her little game would last after all she couldn't avoid him forever.

  She was so enthralled by his gaze that she realise that he'd left his spot and was striding towards her.

Her heart skipped a beat and she began to panic.

What am I going to do?

Surely he was aware that she was avoiding him.

  She whirled around only to walk into Christian's arms.

  "You look like a deer caught in the headlight." He remarked.

  " I'm so sorry…" Rella began to detach herself but Christian pulled her tight.

  "Dance with me." He said.

  When Rella glanced back she couldn't find Stefan. "So tell me how are things working out for you?" 

  " Good I guess."

  " So you weren't needing any rescuing avfew moments ago."

  Rella scoffed. " Of course not."

How did he know she was avoiding Stefan?

  " Huh. On the bright side it seemed like you and Stefan are getting along quite well."

  " Too well in fact. " She muttered and didn't think he heard.

  " Isn't that a good thing though? You two are married to each other it is expected that you go well with each other unless you have a reason fro not wanting the relationship. "

Precisely and she'd be damned if she told Christian the truth. That secret was hers alone.

  " No of course not I just feel overwhelmed. We used to hate each other's guts and now we're civil towards each other I'm just weirded out a bit but I'm sure things will settle."

  " Mm. "

The look Christian gave her was cryptic, she couldn't decipher the meaning behind it and then it turned wistful. But before she could ask him about it he was gone. 

  "I'll see you around." He said. 

  "If I didn't know any better I'd think you were avoiding me." Stefan took her hand and guided her into a dance.

She opened and shut her mouth light a fish out of water at being caught off guard. "Have I told you how stunning you look in that dress?"

  "No."

  "Well you are, and you managed to make me breathless each time I look at you."

Their gazes locked and held. His palm on her waist was scorching all of a sudden.

  "Um, I am worried about Van."

  "What happened? "

  " I think there's something going on between her and Jake."

  " What makes you say that?"

  " I think I saw them arguing by the beach."

  Stefan shrugged. " I don't think it's anything serious, plus they'd tell us if there's something going on. And I believe they're adults who can sort out their own matters."

  " You have a point. But Van is vulnerable right now she just lost her dad."

  " I don't think you have anything to worry about Jake is a great guy and I know he wouldn't want to do anything to hurt her. Trust me." Stefan tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and his fingers scraped her skin sending jolts of electricity through her she gasped softly. " We should go home."