Eyes Like Ice by Radia Al Rashid (the false prince .TXT) 📖

day before she left the house. She must be devastated, isn’t she? I’m wondering if everything is quite okay out there with you guys. How’s Jules now? I tried to call you several times, texted you some more, but guess you’re back to the no-phone and no-Wi-Fi mode again. Take care Sweetie.”

“Oi... I’m going out of the country with Dad for some office work. I really wanted to drop by at your place but dad suddenly popped up with this sudden trip. I’m sorry Eve, I will visit you as soon as I’m home. Text me back whenever you’re out of the solitude mode. Oh! One more thing I was thinking about lately... did you know Anna’s having a cat? I can’t remember her mentioning it to me! Anyway, see you soon! XO

The first text is from the last week and the second one is from two days earlier.

Her cat died... someone killed... she suddenly showed up here... she is sleep-walking again... she told Zac how she’s allergic to cats and... she doesn’t seem to be devastated. At all! I have doubted her not for nothing! Maybe, now I need to face her... some real talk is on its way Annabelle Gaston! Do not think of getting away with whatever the shit you’re messed your brain up with.

Although I am seething at this point but do not think that rushing to pick another fight with her would be actually worth it. I try to come up with a proper plan to catch her red-handed. Well, first I need to figure out what is happening underneath her half freaked out, half nervous face. She did tell me about the sleep-walking before the day she came here being a bit weirder than usual. It is not just weird to kill a bloody cat during an episode. This is downright murderous. I nervously scratch the back of my neck. My mind shifts back and forth from Anna to Julia’s words... he called! I mean, where can William be possibly at this moment? Why did he call? When did it happen? We do not have any idea about it. God! things are turning out to be much more messed up than I could ever think of.

“O hey!”

“Seriously! Did you shift your place or what!” I stare blankly at happier than usual Miller standing with his laptop-bag swinging on his shoulder.

“Um... No! why do you think so?” sarcasm is profound in his voice.

“Well! You’re on your way from office, I get it.” I nervously fidget my phone.

“Anyway! What is it that makes you avoid my shadow to save your life?”

“Really! After what I did that day, do I have any reason or decency to face you again?”

Wow! I’m pretty fluent with him. Did that crazy incident amped up my confidence?

“I honestly do not find the incident at all offensive or embarrassing. Rather it seemed sort of fun.” He stumbles looking at my you-kidding-me eyes, “No! not fun... I mean, it’s alright. Happens among neighbors, no biggie!” he shrugs.

“O wow! You’re being pretty casual lately! Where is your always-use-formal-words ethic?” I give a little wince.

“Guess the formal mode fades away with people I get to know better.”

“Hm! I see.” Darn the voice! Still places a tight knot in my stomach!

“So? We okay here? Just forget about that stupid incident. Could’ve been worse.” He smiles.

“Stupid incident?” I grunt.

“That’s what you said, not me! I just reiterated!”

“You enjoy pulling my leg, don’t you mister?” I cock my brow.

“Hell yeah!” he winks which automatically makes me smile.

Without giving it a second thought, I blurt out, “Hey, can we have a talk? I mean, when you’ll be free maybe. I really need to discuss something with someone, who is not from my family.”

“Well? Um- I’m free right now...” he looks surprised at my so not usual request.

Am I being a maniac or what! I really wanna talk about everything that is going wrong with me now. but... is Miller the best choice here? Shoot! I could’ve talked with Zac instead. Kate told that He’s gonna visit soon... do I tell him it’s nothing or should I maybe share bits and pieces so that I can have two different solutions! Argh, why is it always so hard for me to make a decision...

“You done with your thought-battle?” his voice snaps me back to reality.

My face instantly blushes crimson. “I mean... I wasn’t in any thought-battle! I was just thinking... anyway, see you at 8? In here, the backyard?”

“8 will do for me. Sure, see you then!” he leaves giving a little wave of hand.

Guess it’s not at all wise to pierce Anna with questions that are terribly bothering me as I already blurted about having a discussion with Ted already, I’ll just wait till 8. Then everything can be decided. No biggie!

I keep sitting on the bench peacefully as the nature seems to cooperate with my steady mind at this point. No sound except for the chirping of some kind of birds with interval can be heard. Suddenly, I feel my wrist being really skinny... like much skinnier than I’ve ever been. I haven’t thought about my health or the need to run a thorough check-up since my returning home from hospital, it’s been a fricking marathon of despair and devastations. Wow! Who could think I’d be this strong not to cry every now and then whenever the thought of mom and dad crosses my mind? I think as Coelho said, some storms come to clear some paths of our lives. Exhaling a long breath, I shift to the other side of the bench.

Does Ted like me? He seems to be very relaxed and kinda happy whenever he sees me. I mean... even after what nonsense I’ve done that other day he doesn’t look at me any differently than before. If he does like me, will it lead to any potential relationship between us? Cos, I think I do have feelings for this mysterious guy. I’ve literally kept gawking at him when I got to know him first. It must be some charm of his that made me feel totally different, weakening my knees with that ever-calm voice, letting my heart pump gazillion litters more blood than usual with that ice like eyes, making me do all stupid stuff of the world every time sending me off-guard with that flashy, warm smile, letting me blurt out all possible so-out-of-place words just with his presence. O boy! Ain’t I drooling over the guy! I really like him. Guess, if he reciprocates, we can have a beautiful relationship. Who knows!

“Hey! What are you doing up here?”

“Kate? Just enjoying the calmness of nature. Gosh! I could’ve been a really great naturalist if I wanted to.” I grin.

“I can see that!” she sits by me letting out a giggle. She remains silent for several minutes absorbing the quietness maybe.

 “Eve! I want to ask you something.”

“What! Yeah, sure... what is it?” I ask in an easy voice.

“Do you... I mean, do you like our neighbor guy?”

“You mean, Miller? Why do you ask out of the blue?”

“No, it’s just... y’ know, I see things.” She chuckles softly to hide the hint of nosiness in her own words.

“See things means?” I grin.

“Well, you instantly flush crimson whenever you see him. Even the other day, when you were hell enraged and tried to kill him, you immediately stopped when he took control of the situation. I mean, I’m not being nosy but if you really like him, I think it’s not that bad.” She gives a full smile.

“Is it so? I honestly don’t have any clear idea. One moment I feel like sitting on the rooftop under one gorgeous starry night sky holding his hand, and just let the moment of ecstasy sip into my soul. The next moment I am so taken aback by his mysterious nature doubting some terrifying secrets hidden underneath those gravitating eyes. Well, tell me now, am I really into him?” I laugh a little.

“Look at you, all grown-up with confusing and scattered thoughts! You know when thoughts become this messed up?”

“Nope! But can you tell me?”

“When you know you like someone, you actually do like that someone but you’re in denial of accepting the fact.” Her eyes shine.

“You serious?” I really am trying to deny it.

“O yeah! Totally. You know what you need to do now? Talk to him, spend some times together. Figure out your feelings for him and yeah, also try to know how does he feel about you. Don’t hold back this time. Alright?” she taps on my shoulder.

“I don’t know! Never been so swift in dealing with guys. What if I mess it up? What if he has a girlfriend or, a fiancé, or, a wife in a different state? Or worse, what if he’s a gay?”

“Are you done with your awfully illogical what ifs?” she rolls her eyes.

“Seriously, Kate. I am hell afraid of these stuffs. Literally, very thought of going a step ahead freaks me out.”

“And this is why you should go for it. Win your fear, missy! Let’s face the fact, what can possibly go wrong? He’ll politely reject you, cos he seemed to be very gentlemanly around you. My observations never go wrong. So, consequently, you’ll know he’s not the one for you as he failed to see that beautiful Evelyn in you. You’ll feel low for couple of weeks, then you’ll find someone else, and you’ll not feel this fear that second time. See? It’s nothing, you won’t die of his rejection, weirdo. But I’m telling you, if you do not take a step forward, you’ll end up thinking “what if I tried” for the rest of your life. am I clear to you?”

“I-I think so... no, no, I get it.” I say looking at her gonna-kill-you face.

“Atta girl. now, let’s go inside and have something to eat. God! I’m starving.” She sneers.

“Yeah, let’s go then.”

“One more thing, Eve...” she halts midway to the house.

“Sure, spit it out.”

“Are you guys still on bad terms?”

“Who? Me and Anna?” I try to keep my tone calm.

“Yeah, I think you guys should sort it out. Y’ know, we all know it was nothing more than an accident. I know you are matured enough not to hold the bad blood only for this simple reason. Don’t forget, you’ve been friends for a really long time. Do not let this heat of a moment spoil this beautiful friendship.” She purses her lips.

“I get it, Kate. I think I’ll go now and sort things out with her. No worries, I’m not gonna sue her over one single incident.” I try to sound sarcastic.

“Cool, you’re the best.” She puts an arm around my shoulders while pacing towards the house.

“Anna, I have things to talk about.” I stop her from ducking out of the living room as soon I get there.

“Things? What things? You still have more insults to throw my way? I better get off before you begin then.” She turns around to head towards upstairs.

“Quit talking trash. I’m here to sort shits out. I think I’ve overreacted and you’ve hid things from me earlier. So, let’s just call it an even maybe.” I scratch the back of my neck.

“Why? Now you’re admitting it was an accident after all? Who made this fricking stubborn understand this! I wonder.” She eyes Kate.

“Come on, guys! It’s been enough already, can’t you two, stop wandering back at igniting old flame?” Kate waves her hands.

“I can, but can I have a little heads-up about something first?” suddenly my mind starts working in different direction.

“What is it again?” Kate huffs.

“It’s fine, Kate. Let her ask.” Anna puts the hands on her hips.

“So, you’ve had a cat, who, coincidently died just a day before you came here. I do not understand, why didn’t you mention about it to me? You even told Zac the other day that you’re allergic to cats. How’s that possible then if you really owned a cat just a few weeks earlier.