Leanna

[Leanna's POV]

[Internal Struggles]

"Hey! Have you heard what happened to Edward Walsh and Reynold Barks?"

"Keep this a secret. My brother's friend is a doctor at the hospital where those two are in. He said that they are suffering from . . . severe anal fissure."

"Y-you mean like . . . *gulp . . . they were . . . raped by men?"

"Seems like it."

"Guys! Is it true that Rowan is gay?!"

"Must be. Some of the girls who he slept with confessed that Rowan couldn't get it up." *snicker

"So his reputation as a notorious player is a lie to cover up his true sexuality?"

"No wonder he doesn't have a girlfriend. It turns out, he wanted a boyfriend!" *chuckle

"That's nothing compared to Holley and Nixon's engagement. I thought Holley is in love with Cain Fay?!"

"Don't you know? There were rumored scandal videos of them circulating all over the net, but it was magically erased. But not until some people took a glimpse of it."

"Really?! I soooo wanted to watch that steamy video. Do you have a copy?"

"So much happened this weekend that I didn't even know what's shocking anymore! I guess finding my boyfriend cheating one me isn't much a shocker than this news."

*whispers

*whispers

I ignored the murmurs and the occasional thrown glances at me. I felt like all gazes were following my every move. More so than before. I couldn't blame them, all the main characters in their rumors' had tied with me.

I shifted my attention at the two swollen eyes, lifeless ladies, sitting opposite me.

"Hey! What happened to the two of you?!" I asked.

I snapped my fingers at Estela and Zoe, but Estela ignored me while Zoe just threw a bored look my way and resumed playing with her food. Something was definitely wrong. Why do I feel like I was isolated? Was it because I left them in the casino at that time? 

No, it was not it. We've already talk each other on the phone and everything was cool when we parted ways.

"Nothin' . . . ," Zoe replied as she played with her meatballs. She then put down her fork altogether and met my eyes.

"Don't mind us. Don't you know the latest rumors about you?"

Why won't she tell me what's troubling her? I leaned on my chair and crossed my arms.

"No, I don't," I said, disinterest in my voice.

"You know," Zoe started, "at the start; you were labeled as a poor farmer's daughter. You were the slut who slept for money and now . . . You're some kind of a member of an international mafia organization."

I snickered and looked at her funny. "Ahahaha! I like the last one––"

"It must be nice knowing that someone is protecting you."

I froze at Zoe's indifferent words. Her voice stained with jealousy.

"Zoe, what are you––"

"You have a loving family. A cool awesome boyfriend who will do anything to protect you. You have . . . everything that I don't."

Zoe's tone was accusing, and her last sentence was barely a whisper. Like she was saying it more to herself.

I cringe. Was she jealous of me? This is rather serious . . .

"Zoe––"

I grabbed her hand, but she recoiled.

"I-I'm sorry . . . I just . . . have a lot of things on my mind. I have to go." Zoe seized her things and exited the cafeteria without glancing back.

I gaped at Estela in disbelief. "What happened in Vegas?"

Estela shrugged her shoulders as her lifeless eyes stared daggers at me. "Leanna, I know it's not your fault, but I can't help but feel jealous of you."

"Wha––" Estela too? Why?

"Zhander said he's serious about you and will continue to pursue you."

Estela's voice was monotonous and dead. Gone was her melodious harp like tone that I lover to her.

"And you believe him?" I asked in incredulity.

"Leanna . . . ," she breathed. "I've known Zhander for years to know if he's serious or not."

Before I could react, Estela stood and snatched her things.

"Let's go. We'll be late for class."

She smiled, yet her eyes glint in the opposite way. She then went out of the cafeteria without waiting for me.

What the hell just happened?!

I realized that no matter how hard as steel Zoe's heart had become or how cheery and bubbly Estela was –– they were still normal teenage girls undergoing internal struggles. I'd be upset too if I was in their shoes. 

I couldn't prolong this problem anymore. I had to help them someway or another.

I brought out my phone and dialed Zhander's number.

----

[Leanna's POV]

[Choose]

The simple Zen-like interior complimented the elegance of the modern restaurant. Cozy padded chairs and pristine linen draped on each table. Subtle paintings hanged on the monotonous colored walls. Highlighting the center of the room was an aquarium which stretched from ceiling to floor, glittering like waterfall under the dim lights.

It was intimate.

A popular lovers' restaurant.

I wanted to ogle at the interior if not for the handsome man in front of me, distracting my every thoughts.

Zhander was wearing an all-black tieless three-piece suit, showcasing the sexy line of his collarbone and the drool-worthy slit of his chest.

My nose flared beyond my control, smelling his alluring scent. A mixture of bittersweet chocolate and sweat. Very much male. Very much enticing.

Of course, Cain still smells the best!

I smiled at the thought.

"How are you?"

Zhander's pleasant voice waked me.

"Fine. A little bit busy with school."

"How come I can no longer contact you? Is something wrong with your phone?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I just called you a while ago."

Zhander's brows furrowed. "It must be Cain then."

What does Cain have to do with anything? I thought.

. . .

. . .

Wait.

Was the reason why I hadn't received calls or messages from Zhander since Cain and I started dating was because the man had done something on my phone. Like blocking Zhander out?

I restrained a snicker from barking out of my lips. I was afraid Zhander would take offense.

I straightened my back, intertwined my fingers on top of the table and with all seriousness, stared him in the eyes, exerting my authority over the situation.

"Let's get to the main point of why I asked you to meet with me today."

Zhander raised his hand, stopping me from talking.

"Leanna, please . . . Don't ask me to stop pursuing you." He placed his elbows on the table and leaned closer towards me. His expression was melting while his voice was soft like a whisper. "I'm serious about you."

His robust built and alluring scent enticed me, and I had to move back to break away from being pulled into his charms.

"Zhander, please consider my feelings––"

"Leanna. I can be a better man than Cain. What he can give you, I can give more."

Zhander's voice turned overbearing and a little pleading as he repeated the words he said to me in New York.

Honestly, I should have lashed out at him right about now, but I couldn't seem to get angry nor irritated with him. Mostly because he hadn't done anything bad and is a good guy to boot. He was also Uncle Luke's grandson. 

However, his feelings for me was . . . how should I put it . . . misplaced?

"Zhander, it's not about what you or Cain can give me. Nor is it having something you have that Cain doesn't. It so happens that the one I fell in love with . . . is Cain," I explained with a gentle and soft voice, being careful not to hurt him.

"Leanna, all I'm asking is for you to give me a cha––"

"No, Zhander," I cut in. "Cheating and disloyalty are never in my dictionary," I said with finality without any room for argument.

. . .

. . .

Zhander gradually leaned on the couch. Shoulders slumped with a defeated expression. Like the world had just ended.

I felt pity and a little guilty. I reached out and consoled him.

"Zhander, I like you . . . but it's not love. It's more a level of like for a friend or a brother. I know you feel the same way about me too. You're just confused."

I guess I was not really made for consoling people when Zhander's face turned dark. It looked terrifying in the dim lights as the air between us turned violent and oppressive.

"Don't you dare say you know how I feel when here I am, begging and pleading . . .  shamelessly asking you to give me a chance!" His tone was rough while his voice was accusing as his eyes narrowed. 

Oh! You didn't just use that tone on me, little man!

My heart pounded, and my blood rushed to my brain, giving its needed oxygen. My muscles tensed, ready for action.

"Alright. Let me give you a hint then. Imagine, if Estela and I are about to fall to our doom and you can only save one." I leaned closer to him. My teasing eyes locked on his.

"Who will you choose?"