OMG : two updates in one day. I spoil you guys :P Enjoy :D

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Chapter 10

I was upset, but I couldn’t exactly tell Chad why. How do you tell your boyfriend that you’re jealous of his best friend’s girlfriend? I heard someone coming up behind me and turned to see Christine had followed me out.

“Hey,” She walked up to me, giving me a worried look. “What’s the matter? You look bothered by something.” I battled with the thought of telling her exactly what was going on in my head. The confusion and raging hormones that I wasn’t sure how to control. I didn’t answer her right away and she put an arm around me. “You’re basically like my sister now, Lana. Please tell me what’s bothering you.”

I let out a long sigh and pulled Christine along with me, looping our arms. “Take a walk with me, Christine. I could really use a walk right now.” was all I started with. She furrowed her eyebrows and gave me a questioning look.

“Is it about Chad?”

“Not exactly.” I was trying to think of exactly what to tell Christine. I looked over to her and saw her genuinely concerned gaze and I let out another sigh. I had to tell her the truth. She would do the same for me. I only hoped she would keep my secret. “You could say I’m in a delicate emotional state right now.” I started, struggling with my wording. “You see, I have a bit of a problem.”

“A problem?” She asked, then her hands flew to cover her mouth, her eyes wide. “You aren’t pregnant are you?” She gasped and I shook my head vigorously.

“No! I’m not pregnant!” I snapped, then I took a deep breath to calm myself. “I think I might, maybe, perhaps, have feelings for your brother.” I finished the last part so quickly I was surprised she understood what I had said.

“I’m assuming you mean Ian, and oh my god.” Christine stretched out the last part.

“No, Alex. Of course I mean Ian!” I hissed. “But, everything is so messed up. First of all I’m dating Chad, and despite the fact that he’s amazing in every way I can’t seem to get my mind off of Ian. Then there’s the fact that I work for you all, and that he’s a prince and nothing could ever happen between us!” I knew I was rambling now, but I couldn’t stop. “It gets so confusing in my head, keeping my head about my job when all I can think about is his stupid face.” I plopped down onto a bench and let my face fall into my hands. “And now he has Amelia. And I hated her before, but now I hate her even more. But for Ian I have to pretend that nothing’s wrong.” I felt so helpless.

I felt as Christine pulled me against her. “Why does life have to suck?” I sobbed. I was able to keep myself from crying but I couldn’t stop the panging in my chest. I sniffled and pulled away from her looking up at the sky. “What am I doing?” I shook my head, almost disgusted with myself. “I’ve gotten everything I’ve asked for. A great job, great friends, I live in a damn palace…and I still complain that life sucks?” I snorted. “I’m sorry, Christine.”

“It’s all right. It’s nice to see you just being honest for once, and I’m flattered that you can open up to me.” There was a moment of silence. “I don’t really like Amelia either.” She admitted. I started to wring my dress in my hands as I thought of Amelia.

“I wish a comet would enter the earth’s atmosphere and smash her in the face.” Christine gasped and I shook my head. “I don’t want her to die or anything. I just want her face to become horribly disfigured so that she goes through life looking like something the cat hacked up.” I gasped at my own comment.

“I’ve never heard you say anything like that before!” Christine burst into laughter and I couldn’t help but join in.

“Oh my, you’re more interesting than I originally thought!” came another voice from behind us and I yelped in shock when I saw Fiore standing not too far from us. “Now I understand why you hate Amelia.” She put a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, I do too.”

I pulled away from her, mortified. “That’s not why I hate her! I mean, I don’t hate her!”

Fiore laughed. “You just admitted you did.”

“I didn’t mean it!”

“Ah, here’s a lovely fact for you. It is a complicated process to talk, to do so requires a lot of brain power. Despite what anyone says, no one accidentally says anything. We just say things we don’t want the rest of the world to hear. Unfortunately for you, I can hear quite well.” I looked up at her, horrified.

“You won’t-…you wouldn’t…?” I asked, scared.

“Are you asking, or telling?” Fiore asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Asking.” I replied, confused by her question.

“Then no. I won’t tell Ian that you have a little crushy-wushy on his studliness.” Fiore assured me and Christine’s eyes widened as she turned to Fiore.

“Wait, did you just call my brother a stud?” She asked.

“He’s handsome.” Fiore shrugged. “Anyone with eyes can see that.”

“But…he’s like your brother!”

“I didn’t say I was attracted to him. It’s like me saying Christine is gorgeous, it doesn’t mean I want to sleep with her.” Fiore poked me on the nose and smiled. “You’re silly. And I am not nearly drunk enough. Christine,” Fiore whined. “That was my favorite dress. It was handmade for me, in Italy. Why is Ian so mean?” Christine patted Fiore on the shoulder.

“Because he’s a dunderhead.” She replied simply and I looked at her, confused. Fiore nodded.

“Yeah, and Amelia’s a bitch.” She concluded. She let out a long sigh. “I have to break into her house now.”

“What?” I exclaimed.

“Or I could set it on fire…” She thought out loud.

“Fiore,” Christine scolded and I stood going to head back in, away from the madness.

“What? I’d rather it be in ashes than on that…disfigured body!” I heard her explain to Christine as I hurried back to the house. Mental note: never get on Fiore’s bad side.

Unfortunately, in my attempt to avoid the madness, I ran into Ian. Literally. “Ouch.” I groaned, rubbing my forehead where it had hit his chin.

“Sorry…have you seen Fiore?” He asked.

“Christine is consoling her,” I replied, avoiding his gaze.

“THAT STUPID PIG-SNOUTED DUNDERHEAD!” Fiore’s voice roared in the distance and Ian looked nervous.

“Oh my…did-um…did she mention me by any chance?” He asked and I held in a snort.

“She called you a couple names…” I smiled and patted his shoulder. “Good luck.” He stopped me as I was heading into the house. “What?”

“Are you okay? You look-…”

“Bothered?” I interjected. “Don’t worry about it, I’m fine. Go make sure Fiore isn’t planning your demise.” I said quickly before walking inside back to Chad. I walked up to him and he smiled down at me nervously, holding out a drink. I took it with a ‘thanks’ and started sipping it.

“Are you all right? You stormed out and Christine told me to wait here and she would see what was wrong.” Chad started and I smiled up at him.

“Everything’s fine. I just needed some air.” I assured him. He nodded and gave me a quick peck on the cheek.

“I’m glad you’re okay. You had me worried.” He said and the guilt hit me. I felt really bad for lying to Chad. I felt almost like I was leading him on. It wasn’t that I didn’t like him; it was that I was overly attracted to Ian and that presented a huge distraction. I couldn’t allow myself to be happy with Chad because all I could think of was Ian and Amelia.

“Don’t be worried about me. I’m perfectly fine.” I went on my tiptoes and kissed him gently. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer, deepening the kiss. How could I possibly compare this to Ian? I froze in shock and Chad pulled back looking worried.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!” I squeaked. “I just thought I felt something on my leg, but it’s not there anymore. Ha ha, freaked out for no reason. I’ll be right back.” I turned and headed back outside, covering my mouth in shock as the memory of my drunken night flashed back to me.

That jerk thought he could just kiss me and pretend it never happened? And not even tell me? He had another thing coming…

I stormed in the direction I heard his voice coming from, furious. “You think you can just kiss me and not tell me about it!” I shrieked as I came upon him.

I yelped and covered my mouth the second I saw he was not alone.

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