Chapter 7

No one talked and Coraline didn't change the mad but curious expression on her face. I was just stucked, thinking what to answer and Mezakiel's waving his brows as if he's now counting on me. 

Who would expect that we'll get caught by someone who knows Aspen here?! Alright, Karin. Calm down and be practical by just dropping a handy lie. 

I faced Coraline who was glaring and tapping her foot on the floor. "I thought you're deeply in love with Aspen but you're already having a backup boyfriend!" 

I performed a facepalm and sighed. She's overreacting by saying that. And I need to explain. 

"And who are you to stick yourself in Aspen and Karin!" Coraline added and Mezakiel even stepped bckward. 

"No, Coraline! What are you saying? Calm down. He's my, my cousin!" I lied and looked at Mezakiel who was really, really shocked. That was the only way she'll believe us! 

Coraline pouted. "Cousin, huh? He's just your cousin that you're almost hiding from me? Now that's kind of greedy of you?" she asked with disbelief. And I was here who was simply gritting my teeth to prepare another explanation. 

I nodded at her. "Why would I hide Mezakiel from you? I was just scared that maybe you'll get surprised about his... his presence in my apartment." 

I gave Mezakiel a look, asking for assistance or else we're doomed! He shook his head and sighed, munching another cookie. He won't get tired of eating those! Even at this moment! 

"That maybe you'll misunderstand things and more people will know it. Hey, Mezakiel, explain!" I poked my elbow on Mezakiel's waist that made him choke from eating his cookie. I was almost sweating, shaking in fear that Coraline will remain suspecting. 

"Oh, why do I need to explain? She already knew who am I so there's no need for you to prove it deeper. You're scared that this Aspen-guy will be disappointed?" Mezakiel answered back which made me twitch my lips. Fine, that was a nice acting but it somehow annoyed me. 

Coraline's brows knitted but she sighed and that relieved our racing hearts in nervousness. That was close. 

"Okay, okay! You didn't tell me your cousin pays you a visit, huh? He's somewhat... cool?" She added a shy laughter and Mezakiel smirked at him. I chuckled back but what it meant was about how Coraline said he's cool. 

"Ah, haha! Yes, he's from the next town but he's on his way back now," I answered and pushed Mezakiel. 

"I didn't even introduce myself to her---hey!" He tried to stop me and he waved at Coraline with a smirk. "M-My name is Mezakiel Art Soren!" 

Coraline giggled and waved her hand at him. What's with that smile of hers? She's really entertained by Mezakiel just because he looked cool on her eyes.

"Bye Mezakiel. I'm Coraline by the way!" 

Oh, come on. He's really flattered about Coraline's compliment to him.  

"You better go now," I told him while waving my hand. He slid his hands on his jacket's pockets. "I'm sure you don't want to let Coraline wait to see how close we are as cousins!" 

I even emphasized the word 'cousin' for him.

Yet he scoffed and waved his hand while walking away. "What if I say that I want to? Why, can you only see me as a gambling partner?" 

"Of course that's the case," I added with a smile at him. He continued walking. It seemed like Mezakiel's personality's been appearing little by little. It's not that I hate his attitude but I was just curious about how he interacts. It's just that... Mezakiel's a partner at stake to me, nothing's more than that. 

I sighed out of the thought until he's out of my sight. 

I should focus on my role on this wager we're participating at. And that's to stick myself into Aspen. I must focus on Aspen. There's no point of thinking Mezakiel at this moment because he's just thinking about our business. 

"You two are really close, eh? But, hey! Look who's taking a step closer to Aspen!" Coraline giggled, teasing me with Aspen after witnessing us together earlier. 

She poked my waist many times that made me giggle. "S-Stop that! Aspen just came here to give my ribbon back to me." 

"Oh, is that so? Then what's with the cute chit chat you had while walking together?! See? Your confession wasn't so bad at all!" she proudly exclaimed with her undex finger and I looked away. Deep inside me was the figure of my face gawking at nowhere. 

If only Coraline knew why I had a chance to talk with Aspen and how on Earth did I get the chance to get noticed by that guy. All thanks to my cousin. Yes, to my cousin every time Coraline's around Mezakiel and I. 

"Well, I didn't expect that I will have the opportunity to talk to him like this after that confession," I replied and we both entered my apartment. She sat on the couch and picked a cookie too. 

"Is he nice? Like how you always described him before?" She munched the cookie and I hugged my knees on the couch. 

I nodded. "Really nice, nicer than what I'd expected, Coraline." 

"W-Well, you have a chance with him."

That's not what I really wished because that's the fact I couldn't imagine to come true. I was happy to have a chance with him due to the gamble. But having him because of my secret role sounded not good. 

"I hope so. Coraline, I really like him. You must know that. I really like Aspen no matter what reason will I have," I told her out of the blue and she was found clueless. She couldn't get me.

I sounded so guilty, like I was saving myself from a fault. But I was being honest after all. 

Her head tilted as she looked at my eyes. "Are you okay? You don't need to sound like you're swearing. I knew that, I knew how you fell for him deeply." 

I smiled and pursed my lips. "Then that's good to hear from you." 

Thanks to Coraline, she will be the witness. The one to know how I sincerely like Aspen. 

"By the way, that handsome cousin, huh? You didn't just inform me!" She sounded like she's complaining. I sat properly and thought of Mezakiel. Gosh, she couldn't get over that guy! 

"Wait! You couldn't get over him! I'm sorry if I didn't tell you things about Mezakiel," I responded but we both laughed. Speaking of that guy, I hope we'll get along very well soon. That moment I was asking for his assistance to explain, he couldn't get me. 

"It's just that I was shocked that he came out of your apartment, you know. Anyway, I went here to tell you something!" she whispered, changing the topic and I was excited to hear her out.

"Yeah! I was unalarmed about your arrival!" I complained. 

"Because I was too excited! I was invited to a Birthday Party that'll be held  tonight. Since the Party will be open for students like us from the Academy, both of us can attend," she stated to invite me. I parted my lips as I sank the idea in my mind. 

Coraline's keen eyes gazed at me knowing she's excited for my approval. I'm not into attending parties even if I'm close with the host. 

"So, what? Want to go with me? Aspen might come! The Birthday guy was from his batch anyway," she added and my eyes sparkled suddenly. She expected me to nod so she wasn't surprised to my answer. 

If that's the case, I am willing to go. No--- I should go. I must stsrt grabbing every opportunity to find closure with Aspen anyway. 

"So it's settled. You'll go with me later. We'll meet by this building's lobby and wear what's best for you, Karin!" Coraline happily added and she even winked at me before leaving the apartment. 

She didn't even bid good bye! 

But now that Coraline even gave me such a big opportunity to Aspen, it felt like I was just elevating from an escalator instead of a staircase. Mezakiel and I will surely win this. And I will finally have the chance to sincerely tell him about my deep feelings. 

My target in attending was to meet with Aspen if he ever attends so I must get his attention. I went outdoor to look for something red that I could wear. He said I was good in red so why not try to obviously show him that I was taking every word he says seriously. 

While riding on the city's bus, I called Mezakiel and to my surprise, he responded rapidly. 

"Yeah? You called!" 

"I want to thank you for suggesting me to wear that red outfit earlier," I happily told him. I know it was not something I could thank about because it's his job to search what's Aspen's taste. 

"That's it? I told you it's my job to know things about Aspen so there's no need for a happy gratitude," he answered on the call but I shook my head. 

"Still, I want to thank you for that. It somehow made me happy, Aspen's talking to me like this!" 

"I couldn't get you. You participated on the stake so thank yourself. You were enjoying things to the point that you forgot the big reason of pushing yourself to him." 

"Th-That's a bit harsh you know," I whispered, his words hit me so bad. "I was also enjoying it because I like him, sincerely!" 

"My bad, my bad. I'll be seeing you if I'll think of a tactic again. Take care," he replied and it felt like I didn't have the interest to answer back. 

"Yeah, take care." 

"I'm also here to listen to your words every time. If he ever says bad things about you. Hey, Karin? Still listening?" he asked, reminding me like he's cheering me up.

Aspen won't do that. So he didn't need to be concern. 

"Yes, fine. I'll end the call then," I said and he agreed so I ended it. 

Until I made it to the mall, I kept on searching for a nice red outfit to wear. Even if it's a simple one, it must fit with me. 

Coraline will be on my place any sooner yet I was still here, searching every stall to find the best red cloth to show. About her, she's been very supportive to me with Aspen since then and it somehow made me feel relieved. 

Coraline's very informed about how I was longing for Aspen. How I admired him for so long to the point that it overpassed sincerity. To the level that I ended up confessing confidently and it turned out that it was hard to accept his response. 

Right now, I was glad. I was blissful that both of us ended up talking and explaining what had happened. I knew him furtherer as well. 

And since today, Mezakiel and I must act as cousins when Coraline's around us. I must not let Aspen meet Mezakiel. I must find our opponent. 

In that way, I will be able to hide my weakness, my informations from that opponent. I couldn't just stand and wait for another girl to stick herself to Aspen! That's so depressing! I was done eating sweets when I was dumped! 

When I entered a new store, my eyes caught a catchy red off-shoulder from the corner part and it made me dash there. I just need to hurry and check it out. Or just buy whatever's red that'll catch my attention. 

When I picked the off-shoulder from the hangers of clothes, my eyes sparkled and decided to buy it. In that way, I will still have time to prepare myself. 

When I was about to pay...

I stopped when another woman was holding the same off-shoulder outfit that I was about to buy. She's about to pay it too. 

Look, who she is...

The way she looks at me too.