Chapter Three

A few days later Jason woke up late as he did not go to bed early. He'd been down and In a bad mood ever since that day.

He had a crucial class that morning and he had left his phone on silence for the alarm to wake him up. He'd received 3 missed calls from Eric, his friend. He checked Ryans bed and could see he wasn't in, he must have hurried off early to class he thought.

Jason went to the showers to have his bath. Luckily for him it wasn't as crowded as it usually was on mornings then hurried back to the room. Opening his wardrobe he took out a pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt. Pulled it on and dashed out the dorm.

He took a cab and drove to school. Arriving there he walked into his department. He spied into the class and the lecture was ongoing. Eric was quick to spot him and threw him a questioning hand to which he signaled he'd tell later.

An hour later the class ended and he slid in to collect notes.

"Why did you come late?" Eric inquired.

Eric was tall and handsome. He had dark brown hair and a serious face people misjudged him as strict. First year they'd been in the same group for a project and he knew then that he was a wonderful person and they became close friends.

" I slept late"

"You have eye bags... are you sure you're okay?" He asked stroking Jason's head.

"I'm all good... please share your notes"

"I'll send it online... let's go for the next class."

" Yeah" The headed towards the next class when Jason's stomach roiled.

"Did you at least have breakfast ?"

"Nope..." he gave a tiny smile.

"you've been weird this week" Eric remarked.

They passed by a snack shop and got some snacks to go.

****

By Noon, Jason and Eric were at the cafeteria waiting to order food. Being around Eric had improved his mood. Vanya sent him a text.

"Can we meet up today for lunch"

"Sure" he replied. He had missed her greatly. He checked his schedule and saw that he had time for lunch before work.

"I'm sorry Eric I've gotta go"

"where are you off to ?"

"I'm meeting up with Vanya"

"who's that? "

"You don't know my girlfriends name?" Jason asked.

"I do but you never say her name...you go by Vee or baby or the love of your life and so" he said.

Jason chuckled.

"The way you say stuff with a straight face always gets me" Jason laughed. "we are having issues...I'll tell you when next we meet"

"Okay bye".

He hadn't told Eric cause he wasn't in the mood to share yet. Everyone would say he should break up with her but they'd never understand how much he loved her. He hastened his pace and got a cab to the dorm. Arriving there, he dropped his bags and headed to the showers. Had a quick bath and back to the room. Ryan wasn't back from class yet he noticed.

Jason Spent extra time dressing up...he always had a cool swag. He wore a light blue shirt and a black jeans with Nike shoes. He stood in front of the mirror for a while checking himself out. A thought popped on his mind that maybe that nigh had been a prank or maybe a test. He winked at the mirror.

He got to the location she had sent earlier on. It was the coffee shop not too far from the dorm. They had studied there together a couple of times.

When he got to the place she was already seated in. She waved him over.

"Jason you came early" She complimented him with her bubbly smile.

" I was bored in the hostel when your text came through" He said locking eyes with her and she smiled.

"Okay...we can hang out till Alex gets here" She said sipping her iced Americano.

"Wait what?...Alex is coming too?" Jason asked in disbelief, her reply bursting his bubble of hope.

"Yeah...we're gonna discuss about us " She said leaning forward to hold his hand.

"I thought you meant the two of us " Jason stated. He brought out the phone and showed her the text.

"No...us three" she said bringing forth her phone to show him. She had forwarded the text to him and Alex also.

"You're unbelievable Vee...are you freaking kidding me right now" He asked annoyed. His tone made people turn and look at their table.

A waiter came by thinking they'd called her.

"Get him a latte" Vanya said and the waiter left.

"You really wanna do this ?" Jason queried.

"Yes Jason....please" she held his hand tightly. "I don't wanna lose you" Tears were now stemming from her eyes.

"Why isn't one enough though Vee...why?" He softly asked. One thing he hated was seeing her shed tears.

"You guys are so beautiful in your own ways but you're also different two and I like that..." She said.

"Just say he has money and I don't " He stated scrunching his face to the side.

"Come on Jason you know I'd never think that way" her sob increased.

"I just wanna know " he said leaning and caressing her face.

The waitress brought his latte and he took a sip from it.

"Jason there are people out there who do this sort of relationship successfully with no stress at all. Can't you just do this little thing for me...can't I be happy and experience this too" She sniffed.

People were staring at them and he was sure they were abusing him silently as the reason for her tears.

"You're making it sound like I'm the only one against it" He asked bringing out an handkerchief from his pocket. Sh took it and dried her eyes then blew into it. Her mascara was ruined and circled her eyes.

"Yeah...you are Jase. Alex is cool about this... about us, I haven't heard him whine at all" She said clinging to the hope that he'd agree to this. She wanted this to work out, she had to make her dreams come through.

He watched her face as she sniffed and pouted her lips too and the ruined makeup smeared across her face. He decided to believe then that this was just a phase that she'd grow out of. Over time she'd realize how much he loved her and what extent he was willing to go just for her.

"Okay fine...I'll do it" he resigned.

"You're the best " She excitedly stood up and hugged him. People's gaze darted to their direction then she went back to her seat grinning from ear to ear. She excused herself and left for the restroom to fix her makeup.

Alex stepped in later on oozing the rich boss vibes. He was so hot looking in the dark blue suit he wore. His black hair styled sleek back.

"Hope I didn't keep you guys waiting...the meeting stretched on longer than I thought" Alex said plopping on the seat next to Jason and explaining to Vanya.

"Hope you aren't too stressed out now...we could postpone this talk though"She soothed and Jason scoffed.

"No it's fine" Alex said and glanced at Jason with a smile.

Jason kept staring at him as he spoke to Vanya. Wondering how a man like him was cool with Vanya two timing. A man hot enough to have all the girls he wanted.

Alex stared back and his eyes where a beautiful grey shade , deep enough to drown someone in his stare.

His face was so beautiful....

"Hi" Alex said to him.

"I'm straight" Jason stated.

"Jason!"

" just saying cause he keeps giving me creepy vibes"

"I know you are" Alex replied. " I'm straight too so we'll have no problems.

"How old are you?" Jason asked.

"Jason don't you think it's...."

"I'm twenty five....so I look older" Alex said with a smile directed at Jason.

"You look thirty though" Vanya replied with a flirtatious giggle.

"Why do you wanna do this ?"

"Jason come on..." Vanya warned....

"As you can see"

"I can't see nothing " Jason shook his head.

"Jason..." Vanya was getting pissed at him now.

"Calm down Vee" Alex snapped at her then turned back to Jason.

"So Jason I'm a busy man. I spend a lot of time working and hardly have time for dating so...."

"I'll use the restroom " Vanya said and left them.

"....I can't be in a full time relationship so she can have you too..."

"Relationship involves feelings....

"Please not the love talk...my mom has preached that so much that I had to move out

"Why are you telling me though "

"Cause Jason I want us to be friends...I like your person "

"Well I don't like you...i despise you for brainwashing her...when she returns tell her that you can't do this and break it off with her "

"But she'll know that I'm breaking up with her cause of you.. would she be happy with you knowing that"

Jason emptied the glass of latte in front of him. As he drank Alex watched him with hands crossed.

Vanya came back .

"Can we talk now" She said.

"Yeah...go on" Jason said.

"I'd love for us to do things together like have lunch, watch movies, dinner dates and stuff"

"Vee we don't have to do things together... let's just meet you separately "

"Jason we have to talk later..." Vanya she said sharply.

"I'll leave now" Alex said. His phone was ringing. He walked towards the counter to settle the bill Jason noticing his direction stood, dashing there. When he reached, Alex had already swiped his card.

"I can pay for my own drink" Jason argued.

Alex walked out of the place.

"Show off" he mumbled, feeling small. Vanya walked past him and he followed her outside.

"Jason I don't like this vibe you're giving off...it's irritating me to the core" She spewed as he got close to her.

"I'm irritating you ?"

"No your actions are...if you can't put up with this tell me let's break up. Alex is cool with this but you just keep crossing the line"

"Tell me one thing Vee...did u ever love me ?"

"I did and I still do Jason" she patted his head "And that's why I'm saying if you can't do this it's fine with me but we'll have to break up"

"Just know I'm doing this for you" he said and pulled her in for a hug promising himself to split them up. He could see from Alex's eyes that he didn't love her. He just had to show her...wake her up from her fantasy.