Chapter 20.

I took the elevator to the penthouse. Somehow, Ada seems to have disappeared from the lobby. I leaned my head to the cool wall of the elevator. Suddenly, I remember what transpired downstairs and a smile suddenly made its way to my face. I touched the cheek he kissed and I can swear I felt goosebumps all over my body. The elevator dinged indicating I have arrived on my floor. I stepped out and made my way to the house. I opened the door with my keys and entered.

"Adeline!!!! Are you here?"

"In the kitchen." She shouted back while I made my way to the kitchen. As I neared the kitchen, the sweet smell of the lasagna she was making filled the air. I entered to see her bent down placing the lasagna in the oven.

"What's with the cooking? You ordered Chinese food right before I ate." I said as I took my seat on the stand.

"Well, you left me here with nothing to do. I had to keep myself busy one way or the other. And for the food I ordered, I already ate all." She shrugged and wiped down the counter with the tablecloth.

"You're lucky Chinese isn't my favorite. But you were downstairs like 10 minutes ago. I saw you when I drove in." I asked her.

"I had to leave what I was doing and come wait for you downstairs. I couldn't trust the both of you, don't blame me for trying to be a nice friend." She said looking everywhere but at me.

"Ohh, really now?" I asked tapping my fingers on the table.

"Whatever. I was curious. So tell me what happened. Every single thing to the letter." She squealed.

*********

Adeline looked at me with her mouth slightly open. "You said yes, right? You definitely can't leave my boy hanging like that." she asked, her eyebrows rising higher.

"I thought you were mad at him." I smiled.

"I can't stay mad at the both of them, he and my twin. I love them both with every fiber of my being. Anyways, what was your response?"

"Well... I couldn't reply cause your call chose the right time to come in." I rolled my eyes.

"Ohh, shoot. I have a knack for destroying things." She made the puppy face and tried to hug me.

"Stop it, will you? I'm not sure if I would've accepted though, dad's proposal or not." I said pulling off the sweat shirt I managed to put over my top before going out.

"This is definitely one of those moments where you're trying to crack a joke and it turned out not being funny after all, right?" I lifted my eyebrows letting her know I wasn't joking. She stomped her hand on the counter and stood up.

"Okay, let's assume I believe you..." She pulled her brown hair back into a ponytail. "Can I know the reason why you would refuse his proposal or should I say your dad's proposal? You obviously like him, so why won't you just let yourself be happy for once, McKenna?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying. I like him, I'm not in love with him. I'm in love with someone else." I said.

"Are you daft? You're in love with a man who left and showed up out of nowhere after two months before disappearing again. Wake up, girl." She said.

"You have no right to judge him. My heart wants who my heart wants." The timer went off indicating the lasagna's ready. Ada pulled out the dish and placed on the counter to cool down. She leaned against the counter and folded her arms.

"Are you sure though? Are you sure Jason is still somewhere there?" She said pointing to my heart. I couldn't find it in me to say a word, maybe because I know that I'm deceiving myself. Somewhere deep inside me, I know that I'm lying to myself. I really like Dixon and I don't think Jason is the one for me anymore. I guess saying it out loud makes it just even more real.

"Look, McKenna, I understand you but you have to look deep in your heart. You'll regret it if you let this guy go. Let's forget the fact that your father asked you to date him, what do you want?" She asked looking me in the eyes.

"I like him. I do like him. He makes me feel things I've never felt before, not even with Jason. His smile alone gives me goose bumps. so, yeah, I do like him. But..."

"No buts. You know you can't fall in love with a man if you were already in love with someone else. Let fate play it's part. Don't try to hinder or stop it." I nodded and gave her a hug.

"So, let's go pick up your clothing for tomorrow." She squealed and dragged me to my room.

*********

The next morning, Friday, I forced myself to get up early so I could get a head start on today. It took me a while to sleep last night cause Ada and I were talking all through the night, I feel more closer to her than ever. I got to know more about her family and her brother, she even promised to introduce me to him soon. While we were talking last night, Dixon texted me the address of where we'll be meeting which had Adeline so happy. I wonder why she's so happy though, it's like she knows something I don't. I might well have fun while all this lasts. So, let the jolly ride begin.

I got up and made my way to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and took a 15 minutes shower. I got dressed in a light blue cotton sundress and my favorite Chanel sneakers, my long, soft blond hair gathered in a loose bun. I did a simple makeup enough to cover up the fact that I didn't get enough sleep. The clock read 7:45 as I picked up my phone from the bed. I decided not to wake Ada up since she doesn't have work today so I left a note instead.

I left the building at exactly 7:50 and made my way to the Retro's, the diner Dixon said to meet. I called Dimitri to make sure he remembers to get Liam for school and also spoke to Liam himself. I feel like I haven't seen the champ in a really long time which I have to rectify immediately.

I was there five minutes past 8 and Dixon was already waiting in a booth, typing away on his phone.

"Hey," I said when he finally looked up.

His grey eyes flickered with some unidentifiable emotions as he appraised me from head to toe.

"Like what you see?" I said before taking a seat at the opposite side of the booth and I tossed my bag on the seat next to me. He flashed his pearly white teeth at me as he smirked.

"Just thinking about how beautiful you look today. You look almost...young."

"I am young especially compared to you," I retorted smiling at him "You're practically ancient from the caveman era, I believe."

"Yes, I believe I am older and wiser than you." I scoffed.

"You do know that real wise people need not to point it out. Those who wish they were point it out often."

He smiled and placed his hand on his chest feigning hurt, "That hurts, Princess. It hurts right here." He said showing me the part that he claimed hurts. I shrugged and pick up the menu.

"Let's eat now, shall we?" He said as he picked his up too.