In my absence I had asked Alex to take care of Harriet, it was good to see her again.

I was somehow able to wrap up all the work earlier than I planned.

Now I was sure whatever I felt for Jannet was nothing but a mere attraction which didn't last longer.

I know Harriet never ever expected me to kiss her, she was hell shocked when I placed a kiss on her forehead.

After our little moment, I went into study where Alex was sprawled on couch playing Rubik's cube.

"What's the matter?" I ask plopping on bean bag next to couch.

Placing the Rubik's cube on the stand, he sat upright and cleared his throat. "You know - Harriet gave you space to think and sort your feelings right?"

Alex looked nervous.

"Hmm so?"

"Do you like Harriet?" He blurted making me look at him baffled. Something was seriously wrong.

"Why are you asking me this. Is she okay?"

"She is okay. I know you don't like Harriet. I feel bad for her Zayden. I want to see her happy. I just -" Alex huffed raking finger through his hair, "You know I have soft corner for her right?"

I closed my eyes shut and gulped down all the anger which rushed out after listening to his sentence. Whatever Alex confessed was true and something I don't want to hear and accept.

I know Harriet and Alex are very close. I don't like the fact that Harriet seems more comfortable and joyous around Alex.

"Alex I am not getting whatever you are trying to tell." I answer completely ignoring his last sentence.

"I like her okay."

He likes my damn wife. Out of all the girls on this planet, he likes my WIFE.

"Hmm so..?" I mutter calmly. I don't like it when someone wants things which belong to me. I never share my things with anyone and that was one main reason why Alex doesn't have any friends other than me.

The person who knows my personality the most was saying that he likes the girl who solely belongs to me.

"Can you allow her to have her space to?"

I look at him with confusing laced on my face. Alex knows very well that I will never say anything to him. If I am standing alive today it was all because of him, he saved my life.

"What are you trying to tell Alex? Can you say it clearly."

"Fine," he exhaled and continued, "I like Harriet and she is confused right now. Till you sort your feelings I want Harriet to be with me... Once you sort your feelings if you choose Harriet, I will never come in your way. But if you won't choose her I will always be there for her..."

What on earth is he speaking?

"So you want to play the role of escort?"

"I don't mind being one." He shrugged.

"You are not getting it Alex. This is about Harriet. What does she want? What you and I want doesn't matter here." standing up I walk towards the window and peer outside. My back was facing Alex and I was trying to compose myself. I can't be rude to Alex, at the end even he wants Harriet to be happy.

"She is confused Zayden. She likes me but she likes you too... She wants time to think and to sort her inner feelings."

"Did she tell that to you?" I ask, my voice came out heavier.

"Yes"

"So... You guys have already spoken about this?"

"Yeah"

Seriously?

I never imagined Harriet will speak all this with Alex. Not once did I thought she was going to ask me for space. I was very much sure she was into me - only me to be specific. I had secretly listened to all her conversation with fish and in all her sentences my name was must.

And now just in thirteen days she wants time to think about her feelings?

What the hell is going on in our lives. If by any chance my mom hears all this, I am done for real.

Clenching and unclenching my palm I inhale deeply.

"If you and Harriet have already spoken about all this and if this is what Harriet wants then I have no right to question. You know I can do anything for you Alex. You also know I will do everything possible to see my mom happy and somewhere Harriet is not only mom's choice but also her happiness. So... if you can't make Harriet clear her feelings about you within this span of time, you'll have to back off." I mutter facing Alex.

I just wanted to give Harriet a chance to think too.

"Cool...This was easier than I imagined. Let's go outside."

Alex looked happy but I couldn't say I was happy for him. I just hope the time span I have given to Alex ends soon.

Once we move to LA for vacation, this deal is done. If Harriet doesn't choose Alex within that time, she is bound to stay with me for this lifetime.

To be honest, I don't like this concept of giving each other space. But Harriet did give me time and space to think about my feelings which actually made me realize that Jannet means nothing to me. So I owe her one too.

I know we don't like each other but we are married and we have to stay together now.

If against my wishes Harriet chooses Alex then I'll free her from this relationship.

♡♡

Zayden walked inside the room and plopped on couch staring at his phone.

Zayden's demeanour changed completely after his talk with Alex. He went back to his cold and hushed mode.

I was peering at him when he heaved his eyelids and looked at me for a second and then his eyes dropped back to his phone.

Seriously?

Can't he ask why I'm constantly staring at him?

My phone buzzed with an incoming message.

Unknown - What you doing?

Me - Trying to start a conversation with my husband ! !

Unknown - Why?

Me - He is acting strange.

Unknown - Like?

Me - After talking with Alex he went back to his cold mode. I am not sure what Alex told about us!

Unknown - Us ?

Me - Me and Alex.

Unknown - Wait ! You guys are seeing each other now?

Me - I don't know. But he did call me his girlfriend in front of Zayden.

Unknown - So you like Alex?

And this was the most confusing question. I do like Alex but I am not sure if I like him in that way. My heart flutters only at the sight of Zayden. I should feel all this towards the person who was with me from the start. A person who helped and comforted me but my heart only craves for Zayden.

Me - Yes !

I was typing 'I like Zayden more' when suddenly Zayden spoke halting my fingers.

"Congrats!" He muttered with almost clenched jaws.

Huh?

I stare at him baffled. Congrats? For what?

"What?!" I ask with my brows furrowed.

"I said - congratulations!!" he repeated with straight face.

"Why?"

Instead of replying he shrugged his shoulder and turned his phone in my direction. I narrowed my eyes trying to see what was displaying on his screen but I couldn't get it cause he was sitting at the other end of the room.

"I can't see anything."

"Is it." He asked flipping his phone with his index and middle finger. When I didn't answer he stood up and strolled towards me.

Throwing his phone on bed next to him he walked into restroom.

I pick his phone and peer at the phone screen. My heart dropped in my stomach while one of my hand involuntary moved towards my rapidly beating heart. I stare at his phone dazed.

💜

I was stunned. Albeit my heart always said it was him but this still left me flabbergasted.

I didn't knew how to react. Should I be happy or mad?

I still had not completely believed my eyes when Zayden snatched his phone from my hand.

"When were you planning to tell me." I found myself asking him with a feeble voice.

"It doesn't matter anymore." He was brusque.

What have I done? Did I ask him to text me with some unknown number?

He did everything according to his wish and now he is being rude to me.

"Why did you tell today then. You could have continued playing with me right?"

He stopped typing on his phone and looked up. "Playing?" he started with one his brow raised, "Are you serious? Anyways I don't want to speak about this matter. You like Alex and he likes you. End of discussion." He snapped and turned around to leave.

"Didn't you like Jannet?" I question making him halt in his track.

With clenched jaws he gazed at me intensely, "First of all - I never said I like her. It was a damn attraction which didn't even last longer. Wait!" he stopped raising his hand, titling his head a little he rambled his gaze all over my face. "Are you doing this to take revenge on me?"

"What revenge? You are acting so rudely just because Alex said he wants to date me? Think about my situation when I saw you looking at Jannet with affection brimmed eyes. Did I complain or snapped at you?"

Throwing his head back he closed his eyes and gulped. Raking finger through his hair, he looked at me.

"See I know I was wrong. But now I am clear about my feelings..." his voice was soft while he looked tense.

I looked away from him, I wanted to get out of this room.

"Do you really like him?" he whispered.

"I don't know."

I heard him sigh loudly, "Harriet I don't want my mom to know any of this. I will give you time to think and be clear about your feelings."

"Mm-hmm"

❤..