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

Shame on you for doubting this innocent lady for nothing. You can be really judgy at times! Just quit thinking trash about your own aunt from now on! I wince at my own stupidity.

                                                                   

“I’m registering for the next semester, Jules. I’m already lagging behind and probably won’t get any course with my buddies.” I frown at the laptop screen while Julia is silently staring my way.

“Gosh! Jules, when will you be able to roast the hell out of me like before? When will I have to be breathless laughing so hard again at your stop-for-God’s-sake jokes? I know you’re listening to everything I’m babbling about now, cos Doc told me you’d hear everything, you’d know everything but couldn’t respond. It’s so harsh Jules, don’t you think? Plus, I’m still in the dark about your accident. Who was the owner of the car that pushed you out of the road? Where the hell is Will right now? You’re gonna be so sad but you need to know that we’ve not heard of him since your accident. Sometimes, things like these overwhelm me a lot that I just want to quit, quit from life.” I blink off the irritating tear that attempted to roll down.

“Eve! It’s Anna.” Serena’s voice floats across the corridor.

“Where? Is she here?” I crane my neck.

“Surprise!” Anna shows up at the door holding out her hands in a V.

“You kidding? You didn’t say anything about coming.” I push to my feet and clumsily head to pull her in for a hug.

“Yeah, well! Didn’t plan it actually, but guessed it’d be fun stopping by.” She swings her long flowing hair to a side.

“Cool! You didn’t sleepwalk last night, did you?” I lower my voice a little.

“You don’t want to hear it but yeah, I did.” She presses her lips in a firm line.

“And you told your parents about it.” My gaze steadies on her face.

“Yeah, I did, they seemed to take it pretty normally, Thank God! then Mom made me call Doc Kevin, told him everything in details. So, he told me to... well since it’s semester break, he told me to change the place, stay outside the house for a month or so.” She wrings her hands nervously.

“So, you came to stay? That’s crazy, Anna! It’s gonna be so much fun. I can’t remember how long it’s been since we two stayed at my place for sleepovers.” I start hopping and clapping my hands like a baby.

“You okay with it? God! I thought you’d be a little upset as you’d already got a lot on your plate. Hell! we’re gonna have a blast.” She singsongs with a full-faced grin, then hugs me again.

“Is it Anna? Woah, long time no see.” Kate puts her hands on her hips. She is looking 100 times more gorgeous in her skintight black velvet dress.

“Kate? look at you! Are you aging backwards? Such a sinful beauty.” Anna flies across the room to reach her.

“Well, well! Complement from the Beauty-queen herself.” Kate hugs Anna tight.

“Seriously, Kate! you’re looking astoundingly gorgeous. Woah! That guy is real lucky.” I smile.

“Guy? What guy?” Anna quirks up her brows playfully.

“He’s just a friend, nothing else. You better not tangle things up missy.” Kate gives me an I’m-getting-mad-at-you glance.

“Not buying it.” I giggle waving off my hand.

“Get her a guy quickly, Anna. Then we can tease the hell out of her too.” Kate smirks.

“She’s got that 1000 years old Alchemist already, don’t you know?” Anna winks at me.

“Alchemist? Haven’t heard of it. Tell me, tell me...” a sudden doorbell cut her off.

“Go, go, open the door for him.” I shove Kate with a laugh.

“You’re telling me all about that Alchemist thing when we’re done with dinner.” Kate tells Anna before ducking out of the room.

“She’s a sweetheart.” Anna smiles.

“I know right?” I agree with her while getting embarrassed at my stupid anticipations about her and Ted just a few days back.

“Oi, Anna, I forgot to ask you about your adventure last night, sorry, I mean...”

“Shut it, bitch.” She tugs my arm slightly.

“I’m sorry, it’s no joke, seriously! What happened? Was it... as bad as the one from before?”

“Hmm, well, it was a bit weird, I’ll tell you after dinner.” She motions towards Kate’s voice.

“Yeah, right! We should get acquainted with her man. I’ll be right back, Jules.” I squat to brush a kiss on her cheek.

“This is Eve, my other niece I told you about.” Kate cheerfully introduces me to a sharp-featured, undoubtedly good-looking guy in black shirt and dark blue jeans.

“It’s an absolute pleasure meeting you Evelyn. Zachary Jones.” He shakes my hand.

“Likewise. Thanks for caring to come by to see Julia. It’s so kind of you Mr. Jones.” I try to give my sweetest grin.

“Zac, please. Getting so formal isn’t my thing.” He grins back.

 His ocean blue eyes look so full of life and can ease any stranger in an instant. It doesn’t take much time to like the guy. He is well-built almost sculpted, attractive faced and needless to mention, extremely easy-going. Within five minutes, his joking remarks and eloquence make the environment so happy and lively.

“Why don’t you bring Julia here? She can eat with all of us. Trust me, she’ll feel good about it.” Zac pulls out a chair to sit.

“I-I was thinking about feeding her first at her room, then I could have dinner.” I sense the confusion in my tone.

“No way, Eve! Just bring her over here. She’ll be alright having dinner together with all of us.” He nods at me.

“Sure thing! I’m going then.” I push to my feet.

“I’m also coming with you, Crackpot.” Anna ducks out of the room following me.

Quite a personality. I like it when people are easily understandable rather than twisting and mysterious, like that weird neighbor of ours. Kate is a sweetheart and she deserves a sweet guy like Zac... I smile inwardly.

“You guys look a lot alike.” Zac gives a little nod at me.

“Nah, Jules is much more beautiful than me, no doubt.” I smile.

“Well, well, maybe it’s kind of a strategy ladies use to get more complements.” He shrugs with a playful wink.

 Kate rolls her eyes, “We ladies already know well how beautiful we are! Your complements are not needed, mister!”

Me and Anna agree in unison, “So freaking true.”

“Apologies! Not taking any risk of being outnumbered here!” Zac hold up his hands with a smile.

Dinner is spent with a full dose of entertainment and loads of laughter, after a long time. Somehow, I can feel Jules’ eyes gleaming with joy too. My heart flutters at it, I couldn’t be happier at the moment.

“O wow, your surname is Jones, ha?” Anna turns back while helping me in doing dishes.

“Yeah, why?” Zac sinks into a sofa with a glass half-filled with red wine.

“I-I mean, Julia’s fiancé, Will... his surname is also Jones.” Anna swallows realizing the inappropriacy of the topic right at this situation.

“Ow, Julia is engaged! I didn’t know that.” Zac blurts out before scratching his head nervously. His blue eyes shift quickly to find some other topic to burry this one.

I keep washing the dishes silently when I hear Kate gasp.

“Um, you guys! Do you like having pets around? Not seeing one here.” He takes a quick glance around.

“I actually am Cynophobic, so no dog for me. I don’t mind cats though.” I shrug.

“No, no cats! I’m allergic to these little monsters.

“Since when?” I frown.

“Like forever!” Anna rolls her eyes, but dogs are so cute, I had one until... well until I didn’t have her anymore.” she sighs.

“Guess we get to bail on this topic, so, ladies! Not into alcohol, I think?” he raises his glass a little.

“No, not really. I have medically prohibition, you know.” I air quote with my hands.

“Shit! That’s a shame.” His voice filled with condolence.

“It’s fine, never been a huge fan of wine anyway.”

“I do want to take a sip or two, but I think I’m gonna pass for tonight.” Anna pouts.

“It’s only me then, as your aunt is going sober.” he shrugs.

“Oh! Are you?” I turn to Kate.

“Nothing’s wrong with trying, I believe.” She grins.

“Course!” Zac gives a smirk indicating the infamous drinking nature of Kate.

We silently laugh without making Kate go mad.

Chapter Nine

“I think Julia was trying to say something.” Anna tugs a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I don’t know, her eyes seemed gleaming a bit while we were laughing over dinner. I mean, she hasn’t given off any expression since coming home. Do you think she’s progressing? Ah wait, is it the laughter and joyous environment that will help her get well soon?”

“I was thinking the same, you know? I think she liked it; she liked the fuss. Maybe, we should start taking her out, do some more fun stuff.” She puts her hand on my arm.

“I think so too.” I squeeze her hand.

“O boy! Isn’t Zac so darn sexy!” Anna chews on her lower lip.

“Shut it! He is dating my aunt for God’s sake.”

“I am just telling the truth, Crackpot! Well, what can I say if sexy aunt’s boyfriend is another darn hottie?” she snickers.

“Can’t deny!”

“Netflix or, sleep?” she raises a brow.

“Um, Netflix, babe!”

“That’s why I love you, bitch.”

“I think Jules is all set, right?” I take a look over my shoulder.

“She is in deep sleep already, Eve! No worries. You do have that alarm set up in your room. If anything happens, God forbid, we’ll be the first ones to know.

“Ya, right!” I take a last look at Jules before closing the door.

“I’m not taking the charge if I fall asleep amidst watching the show. You know I can’t compromise my sleep for anything.” I give a side-eye to Anna.

“I know! You’re excused, I’ll enjoy the show by myself, and yes, I’ll finish as many episodes as I can.” She smirks.

“You suck, bitch.” I roll my eyes.

When we’re so engrossed in keeping our eyes glued on the TV screen, I sense a shadow moving somewhere near the window. I cannot help jumping a little.

“Woah, woah! What is it?”

“Didn’t you see that? Something, I mean, someone is there outside the window.”

“Really! You were hallucinating, maybe.” Anna furrows her brows at me.

“Maybe! It’s nothing unusual for me now.” I lie back but my mind keeps wandering through all the possibilities that could be happening right now outside the window. Obviously, Mr. Miller is the very first one to cross my mind at this point.

The sound of police siren wakes me up. I squint at the bright day light coming through the half-closed window.

Police siren... that shadow moving about somewhere near this window...

I swallow back the heart that has instantly crept up to my throat at the thought of some danger... maybe a murder.

“God! Eve, are you not gonna go check on Jules, or what?” Anna’s voice cracks down as she’s still half-asleep.

“What? Why?”

“Can’t you hear the alarm? She might be in a darn problem, you, crackpot!” her voice clears off a little as she sits up.

“Is it... is it the Goddam alarm? Holy moly! I thought it to be ambulance siren. O no! what happened to her?” I abruptly push to my feet and almost instantly hold on to a corner of the table beside my bed. My head begin spinning like crazy. I squeeze my eyes before shaking it