"Was that Ivan?" Eric asked and I nodded.
"Whoah what's wrong with him?" He asked
"Let's forget about him " I replied hoping he can help cheer me up . He nodded and led us to a table. I ordered an iced americano and Eric ordered latte.
"How are you coping with Jared?" He asked and I was pleased he remembered him
"He is such a sweetheart " I smiled and we talked about a lot of stuffs in his life and mine.
"Why do you keep on staring at me " I smiled shyly
"You are beautiful Amara!" He said and I blushed
"Is this what you wanted to talk about so bad!" I teased.
"No there is actually something I've been wanting to tell you "
"And what's that?"
"I think I'm in love with you Amara! " he said and my heart skipped a beat. Not Eric too ! I thought
"Are you kidding me ?"
"No dear I've actually liked you for a long time and I want you to be my girlfriend " he said and I looked at him in disbelief
"Are you okay?" He asked taking my hands in his
"I'm fine sorry…"
"So what do you say , do you accept my proposal?"
"Can I think about it please?" I asked
"Sure I'm not forcing you to make a decision now I just wanted you to know how I feel " he said
"I like you too Eric but I will let you know if I want to be your girlfriend later "
"No problem Amara" he said and kissed the back of my palm. I smiled and thought about how much of a gentleman he was. We finished our coffees as we talked about random stuffs. Eric dropped me at home after and kissed me slightly on the lips before leaving.
Ivan's POV
I drove straight to James' apartment right after dropping Amara . Her words kept ringing in my head and a part of me wanted to believe her . Ever since I laid eyes on her , I felt a connection between us but I didn't understand what it was . I didn't want to accept my feelings so I acted rudely around her and always tried to get on her nerves so why I'm I upset when I've gotten the outcome I wanted. I didn't want her to be close to me and now she dislikes me. I created this mess in the first place but I'm not ready to give up . I love Amara and I'm going to make her mine no matter what.
"Are you okay?" James asked removing the pillow from my face
"Yeah " I said sitting up right
"Are you thinking about her?"
"Who?" I pretended
"You know who I'm talking about… that girl you've been talking about recently "
"My girl!" Eric interrupted from nowhere.
"What's up buddy " he tapped me on the back.
"What's up ! You dropped my girl " he said
"She's not your girl yet!" I blurted
"She will be. Very soon… I guess she turned you down " he teased
"She told me she didn't like me but I don't believe her"
"Believe her buddy cause that chick is in love with me " he said and my heart ached
"Relax Eric that girl didn't accept to be your girlfriend " James said
"She will be mine in three days"
"Are you betting?" Bernard asked
"Do you want to ?" He replied
"Nah I will bet on when you get her laid " Bernard said and I glared at him.
"The girl is a virgin do you think it will be that easy to sleep with her " James said
"No she is not!" I replied in defense and they all gave me this weird look
"What makes you so confident bro!" Bernard said
"Have you slept with her ?" James asked
"Of course he hasn't he is just being protective… relax Ivan Amara told me herself that she has never had a dick inside her vagina okay " Eric said , chuckling. I knew Eric was right , it was obvious she was telling the truth at the party earlier but she being a virgin was making matters worse . Eric's intentions are bad and I don't want her to get hurt . I don't like the idea of them betting on her but I guess it is all my fault. I'm the one who started the bet in the first place but now there was no way I can convince them to stop. Eric is my best friend so I can't warn Amara against him and that's really driving me insane.
"So what's the deal Bernard?" Eric asked
"Nobody is betting on her !" I said.
"You know you don't tell us what to do right " Bernard laughed.
"Are you seriously going to do that to her Eric, Amara adores you!" I said
"Come on Ivan… you've known me since high school and you should know I don't give a fuck about her!" He laughed
"I do ! I fucking love her Eric!" I held his collar angrily.
"Relax Ivan , chill!" Bernard said and pulled me away.
"You don't love her buddy! Stop deceiving yourself!" Eric said straightening his collar. I glared at him and walked away . There was no way I was staying and listening to them bet on her.
I arrived home around 7pm and mom was serving dinner. Lilith was helping her but she ignored me when I spoke to her and that was the least of my worries. Chloe has been texting and calling since morning and I was returning neither of her calls. The phone rung again and mom looked at me .
"Ain't you gonna answer?"
"I will mom .. later" I replied climbing up my stairs.
"Ivan!" Mom called out and I stopped in the middle of the stairs.
"Sorry to bother you son but can you please open the gate … I think Amara is in" she said
"Amara? Why would she be here?"
"I invited her over for dinner baby"he teased
"I've told you to stop calling me that!"
"I can never!" She laughed and I went to check the gate.
"Hi!" She waved at me.
"It's nice to see you " I replied staring at her from head to toe. She was looking beautiful in her pink dress even though she had no makeup on.
"Your mom invited me …" she said
"Yeah sure come in!" I replied and opened the gate for her . She walked slowly in front of me as if waiting for me to catch up with her or lead the way but I enjoyed watching her walk and there was no way I was leading. She kept on turning several times but each time she did , I looked away before she could tell I was looking at her.
"Ivan…" she stopped and turned to look at me.
"I'm all ears" I replied
"There is something I think you need to know "she started
"Is it about what I said earlier today?" I asked
"Not really but it's somehow connected "
"I'm listening then"
"I don't know whether you meant what you said earlier or not but can you answer this question sincerely?"
"I meant what I said Amara I …"
"You don't have to repeat it .." she cut me off guard.
"Do you by any chance know what Eric feels for me ?" She asked and my heart skipped a beat in shock.
"I understand this is a dumb question but you are his only friend I know and I feel you must know something… I'm sorry… it's okay if you don't want to answer… what was I even thinking " she stuttered and turned away from me, heading towards the living room door.
"I do !" I said and she stopped immediately.
"You do?" She turned to look at me , her eyes filled with hope.
"I will tell you after you tell me how you feel about him… do you like him?" I asked, my heart racing.
"I'm I suppose to tell you ?" She replied
"I can only help you after that "
"Fine… I like him " she replied and I felt as if the world around me was collapsing.
"You like him!" I whispered sadly.
"Yeah so can you tell me what he feels ?"
"I don't know!" I replied angrily and walked away.
"Are you okay Ivan? Where is Amara?" Mom asked but I ignored her and rushed to my room. My heart was aching in a way I've never felt before. It was as if someone has pierced an arrow through it . I entered my room and rushed under my shower. That was my way of calming down whenever I was angry or driving insane.