CHAPTER 21

Adela's Point of View

"Alright, what time?" I asked when Olivia invited me to the bar, and a grin spread across her lips.

"Tonight, around 10 or 9?" Olivia replied.

"Are you going to pick me up?"

"Yeah, just in case you change your mind later!" Olivia remarked, causing me to sigh.

"Okay, I'll head up first, alright? I'll come pick you up at 10 to make sure," Olivia bid her farewell and left, leaving me staring blankly at the doorway.

I swallowed hard as someone suddenly entered through the door, and I found myself staring at the person who had just walked in. Primo, his gaze fixed ahead. He glanced at me briefly, then quickly looked away. I stood up from the sofa, intending to go back to my room when Primo faced me, currently ascending the staircase, probably heading to his room.

"Are you going to Olivia's bar?" he asked me emotionlessly, causing my heart to race.

After several days had passed since our conversation, he was only talking to me now. Why does it feel like I missed the sound of his voice?

I took a deep breath, shaking off my thoughts, and focused my attention on Primo, who was questioning me.

"Uh, yes, at her bar," I replied shortly, because I wanted to keep our conversation as brief as possible.

"Are you going to drink?" he asked further, but still, he didn't show any emotion.

"No, Olivia just invited me to talk there."

"What are you going to talk about?"

His question caught me off guard. Seriously? Why does he need to know? We were going to discuss him, but I can't tell him that he's the topic of our conversation with Olivia. It's complicated enough that we're not on good terms right now, and he might get angry if he finds out we're gossiping about him.

I stared at him, thinking about how to respond to his question. What else could Olivia and I talk about besides him? He raised an eyebrow and shook his head before turning away abruptly. He walked away, leaving me biting my lip, and as he disappeared from my view, I finally made my way upstairs.

I'm convinced now that Primo really hates me. I don't need any more confirmation.

Thirty minutes before ten, I had my dinner. I made sure everything was done and over with. I just didn't want to have anyone else around. After eating, I quickly got ready because Olivia would be arriving soon to pick me up.

I decided to wear black sweatpants and a gray ¾ turtleneck top. The upper half of my outfit fit snugly, while the lower half was a bit loose. I wasn't in the mood to wear a dress or anything fancy for a bar. I opted for rubber shoes and waited for Olivia in the living room.

"Where are you?"

I was startled when I heard someone speaking nearby. I turned my head to locate the source. Even though I didn't need to find out who it was, I was certain it was Primo.

I reached for my phone, intending to dial Olivia's number, when I heard Primo's voice again.

"Okay, I'll come pick you up. I miss you already," Primo said, chuckling, prompting me to put down my phone. So, he's talking to his phone, hmp.

I didn't feel like calling Olivia anymore; I'll just wait for her. My mood had vanished.

"Yeah, yeah, I love you too," Primo murmured, causing me to scowl. It's like he's forcing himself to say that, tsk.

I was surprised when he emerged from nearby, our gazes locking briefly, and I quickly looked away. I placed my hand over my chest where my heart was. It was beating fast. I tried to calm myself, closing my eyes for a moment.

When I opened my eyes, Olivia was standing in front of me.

"I thought you fell asleep."

"I was about to," I said, chuckling softly, and she raised an eyebrow.

"Tsk, were you planning to escape from me?"

"Let's just go home before midnight."

"Are you a Cinderella?"

"Why, do I have to be?"

"Come on, let's go home before midnight, Cinderella," she teased, laughing at my choice of curfew.

"Tsk, no. I don't like Cinderella."

"Why not?"

"I don't like her, she's too perfect," I explained, and she raised an eyebrow.

We got into her car, and she replied after a moment.

"Maybe she's not so perfect after all; her stepfamily doesn't like her," Olivia remarked.

"No, I mean her traits. She's too kind, like she has no flaws. Far from someone like me. Okay, let's stop talking about this. Are you joining Disney?" I asked, trying to divert our conversation from Cinderella.

"By the way, I saw Primo leaving earlier. Where was he going?"

"I don't know, he's not my girlfriend for him to ask for my permission," I replied, and she peeked at me through the rearview mirror since she was the one driving.

"Why? Do you want to be Primo's girlfriend?" she said with a grin, her eyes focused on the road now.

"We'll discuss that at the bar," I interrupted her, and she shrugged.

When we finally arrived at the bar, I got out of the car first. I looked at the entire building of the bar. The design was impressive, and even from the outside, it was well-organized. I smiled and faced Olivia.

"Let's go," she invited, and I followed her inside.

As we entered, the loud music greeted us immediately. The dance floor was a bit far from here, but I could already see people dancing over there.

"Do you really think we can talk here?" I asked Olivia, and she turned to me.

"Of course, we'll just stay at the far end. Away from everyone," she said, and I furrowed my brows.

"Don't you have VIP rooms? We could use one of those," I suggested, and she pouted.

"Oh, I don't like those, there's no thrill. Come on," she replied, grabbing my wrist and pulling me toward the spot she had in mind.

She seated me on a small sofa in the area she chose, then left to get our drinks. She said I should just have milk since I don't like alcohol. I didn't argue and simply requested fresh milk, hoping she'd finally be quiet.

I let my gaze settle on our spot, which was indeed far from where the other customers were. The music here wasn't too loud either.

I rested my elbow on the table and stared at the wall. When I lost interest, my gaze wandered to the second floor, visible from where I sat. There were many people up there too, dancing and having a good time. Some were seated seriously, engaged in conversations, while others were laughing.

I was startled when someone sat down on the sofa in front of me. Olivia was taking quite a while.

"Looks like you've found yourself a seat," I greeted the guy who seemingly occupied the sofa, his gaze fixed directly on me.

"I didn't find my seat accidentally; I was drawn to your inherent beauty, miss. Are you from around here? I've only seen you now," he said, and I was left gaping at his deep english words.

"You speak like you lived in the era of old English, you know."

"Ah, I'm just practicing."

"For what? Are you going to recite poetry?"

"No, it's for a business meeting. My dad said I need to speak only in that way," he explained.

"Wow, that's unique…" I commented.

"Are you alone?" he asked, and I quickly shook my head.

"I have someone with me; she's just getting our drinks," he nodded in response, and his smiling face turned serious.

I was taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor. Did I say something wrong? I don't think so. Well, I really didn't.

"Sorry for taking so long," Olivia said as she walked over, looking at me. Her enthusiasm disappeared from her face when her gaze met the guy who had come to our spot.

"Leave," Olivia commanded as she approached, her gaze fixed on the guy, and he looked at her the same way.

Okay? Do they know each other?

"How long would you act like that, Olivia?" the guy said in a cold tone, and Olivia smiled, but her smile carried a hint of sarcasm.

"As long as I keep seeing you. So leave, Phineas, you're an eyesore," Olivia retorted in a snarky tone, and my eyes widened at what I heard.

That's harsh, but I don't know what happened, so I don't have the right to intervene. I glanced at Phineas, who seemed somewhat downcast. If Olivia's eyes were filled with anger, Phineas' eyes held a sense of loneliness.

"Do you really not want to see me anymore?" Phineas asked Olivia, his gaze shifting to me briefly before returning to Phineas.

"You said that. You can stay here, as long as you don't come near me," Olivia's words were cold, and Phineas looked at me briefly, nodded slightly, and then turned to leave our table.

"He'll just bring our drinks later," Olivia said, looking back at me.

"What did that guy say to you?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Phineas.

"Ah, nothing much," I answered, and she simply nodded.

Even though I was itching to ask, I held back. Olivia might get mad at me too, and I might end up walking home.

Wait. I blinked and checked my pocket.

"Did I forget to bring something when I got into your car?" I asked Olivia. She furrowed her brows and appeared to be thinking.

"I think not," she replied, and my lips dropped in realization.

"Oh no, I left my wallet and phone at home!" I exclaimed, and Olivia started chuckling.

"Gosh, out of all the things to forget! Well, lucky I'm here. Don't worry, you'll get home," she said, raising her eyebrows. I smiled at her words. Just as our drinks arrived, Olivia's expression turned serious.

"So, now let's begin our conversation," she said solemnly, leaving me surprised.

"Do we really need to be this serious?" I asked her, and she stared at me for a while.

"Yes, so we can make sure we both know what's going on," she explained, causing me to nod like a child.

She pushed the glass of milk closer to me and said, "Take a sip first, hehe."

I took a sip and waited for her to continue. Olivia's antics were quite something; it's a good thing we're close, and I can go along with her.

"Alright, now you choose: discussion or distraction?" she asked, taking a sip of her cocktail.

I paused for a moment, pondering which one to pick first.

Maybe a distraction for now?

My gaze wandered, but I was interrupted by a thought that seemed to taunt me, imagining Primo here with me, even though I knew he wasn't. Why is he living rent-free in my head anyway?

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