Someone's Jealous

                                                          L I A N A

“We actually tried setting her up with blind dates,” Daddy said looking comfortable with Phoenix. "But she easily ignores them, after the blind date then boom, goodbye."

"Because they weren't interesting!" I said. "They are super chatter, I'm annoyed. Pure self -talk. I prefer boys who's listening, with thrill, quiet. Who will hear your thoughts first before boasting about themselves.”? My nose.

When I glanced at Phoenix, I saw his earnest look. I saw his blazing green eyes, cold and unmoving, just staring at me. His jaw clenched a bit and then licked his lower lip.

"There, there's nothing like that in real life, Liana Baker, just in that book you’ve been reading." Daddy said so I looked away and sipped the juice.

"Anyway, Phoenix, you, do you know anyone?" Mommy said to him.

"No," he said sparingly and glanced again so my heart pounded again.

"Lance? Your older brother? Maybe we can set her up?"

"Lance was too old for her." He said and Daddy and Mommy laughed at him. "And he has Narcia, you know, her long-time girlfriend."

"Cousins?" Even Daddy.

"Yes!" My Mom exclaimed happily. "How about Wave, son? You're close with your cousins, right? Vox, Jeff? "

I saw how Phoenix's forehead creased, I saw his lips twitched and his brows met, looking like he disagrees a lot.

"I am not close with them, Aunt." Phoenix said and read his lips and glanced at me, no smile.

"You don't talk to them?" My Dad asked.

"Not really, I barely see them. I just know them but not that close." He answered and played with the cup.

"Oh, too bad!" My Mom pouted. "It doesn't matter, dear ..." Mommy stroked my hair. "You'll attend the reunion! We'll have a treat there with your cousin's friends--"

"Mom! I don't want a reunion!" I frowned. "I'll be asked again when will I’ll be getting married!"

They laughed again and I just frowned.

Lacy called and my friends will come here today for lunch. I immediately took a shower and prepared myself for my friends to go.

I wore a simple navy-blue spaghetti strap dress and flats, I let my hair down and arranged my dress up to my thighs.

I put on powder and lip tint first and put some blush on. When I was satisfied with the look and Kary called me, I left the room.

I looked around the hallway to look for Phoenix but he is nowhere to be found so I arranged for us. I confidently and straightly went down the stairs and smiled at my Mom and Dad who's on their way to another campaign.

"Mom, Dad, take care." I said softly and kissed their cheeks.

"Take care too, dear. Will be back later tonight, let's have dinner together, okay? ” Mommy caressed my hair.

"Okay, Mom."

"And dear, Phoenix will stay with you today, alright? Don't mention anything to your friends about him, they can't know he's your bodyguard, okay?"

"Why?" I asked, confused. "I already told Lacy panty about it."

"It's Lacynia dear, my god! That’s why your sister is always annoyed at you!!" My Mom laughed with that. "Lacy Is good, although she’s not here, we trust her, Just some other people apart from your sister. Keep this a secret."

"Okay, Mom, Dad." I kissed them again when they left.

After they left, I caught up with Kary and a few housemates who were already bringing food to the pool side.

I walked over there and saw from afar my troubled friends.

They were six of them outside, Lacy, my sister, my super best friend. Lindsay, Steff, Justine, Julian and Ash, my suitor.

I opened the sliding and was immediately greeted by fresh and cold air outside.

They were having fun there, the boys were laughing, the girls were whispering and giggling. I saw them staring at somewhere and will laughed again so my forehead furrowed.

I barely stepped out, followed their gaze and was almost stunned to see Phoenix sitting quietly on a bench in the shade of a tree near the pool.

My mouth parted and my breath almost hitched the moment I saw him, just sitting there alone, tapping on his phone. I looked at the phone seriously and saw the tightness of his body. Damn, Phoenix. How can you be this hot?!

Maybe, he noticed my stares so he quickly caught my eyes looking at him. I gasped, I suddenly remembered that my knee must have hurt so I suddenly walked like a heel.

Damn you, Liana! You look like a fool!

I saw how Phoenix stood from his seat while looking at me so I smiled but it all faded when I felt something on my waist and to my shock, I saw Ash holding me.

"A-ash?"

"Hey, let me help you." He said softly and held my finger and my waist close to his.

I was nervous, I quickly glanced at Phoenix who was already standing there and frowning, looking cold. I saw his jaw clenched, his lips thinned and avoided my gaze.

When I arrived at my friends, they immediately called me a young man. The girls kissed my cheek and the boys hugged me tightly. I greeted them one by one before sitting down next to Lacy and Ashton

On my seat, I can clearly see Phoenix sitting there, unmoving and alert. He just stared at me quietly and when I smiled when I caught his eye, he had no reaction.

Hmp! Annoying!

"Who's that man over there, sis ?!" Lindsay's eyes widened when she said that.

"Uhm," I cleared my throat and bit my lip.

"Yeah, I noticed him when we got here! He's handsome too!" Even Steff looks thrilling.

"Babe," Justine warned her so Steff giggled and grinned.

“I’m just kidding,” She said.

"Yeah, I noticed it too. Who was that man, it was still here yesterday, right?" Ashton suddenly asked approaching me.

I felt his hand on mine, I saw the smirk of my friends and I just pout.

"Uhm, a family friend." I'll just answer for a moment.

"Oh?" Lacy suddenly turned to me so I slapped her thigh. “Our family.” She whispered

"You're really brutal, Lia!" she said irritably and I just widened my eyes.

I talked to them and had fun as we ate our lunch. I glanced at Phoenix who was just silently typing his phone.

Is he hungry?

"Sorry to say, Lia, but Mom called. I have to go after lunch." Ashton leaned in and whispered softly on my ear.

"Really? That's too bad." I whispered back.

"I don't want to be away from you this fast but I really have to, I'll just take it back." He said and came closer. I felt his lips touched my ear; I was a little surprised there but also smiled afterwards.

"Okay, it's alright." I smiled at him.

While eating we were just chatting about the upcoming ramp. They were my model friends, sometimes I bring them here at home to bond like before. Ash often tells me something, about random things, making me laugh. He whispers to me and I get closer when I can't hear him.

"Uh-oh ... Someone's looking like a mad ape." I was stunned by Lacy's sudden pinch on me and giggle.

"Huh?" Tires I said.

"Oh, look at that handsome! Look!" she said and sniffed so I was surprised. I followed his gaze and was stunned to see Phoenix's serious face.

He was eyeing Ash who was playing with my fingers, his face dark and his jaw clenching.

"Uh-oh, you're going to be baptized, Lia. Bye-bye, drought days!" Lia whispered in a sing-song so I quickly took my hand from Ash and took a sip.

"Uhm, lunch is over, they might be looking for you." I called his attention.

"Uh, yes." Ash suddenly woke up and nodded. "All right, Lia, I got to go. I'll see you again, babe." He said and I was shocked when he put a kiss on my cheek.

What the fuck?