Oh, God! She found out. She saw the news!

I frantically paced back and forth across the room. My heart was racing rapidly like a car on the racing circuit.

I didn't notice Alex's presence until he got closer, and his scent hung in the air, taunting my poor nostril. I suddenly jerked upright and glared down at him. My chest felt like it's going to explode, my temper barely unconcealable. I could literally feel the smokes puffing out of every hole of my body as I tried to stave off my temper. My whole body tensed from the overwhelming frustrations building up within me.

"This is your fault!" I seethed, my hands involuntarily dug in my hips as I squared my shoulders. A headache starting to grow.

His eyebrows darted together, his face filled with confusion, though his body was still relaxed.

He didn't say anything, confusion was written all over his handsome face. "Apparently, someone caught you in your boxers in front of my building, and it's in the news," I said, clearing out his confusion. His face still neutral. Utterly relaxed to which it only ignited my temper. Sharpening my eyes at him, "Now the whole world knows about it," I snapped, huffing, my hands cut through the air then dug to my waist.

I drew in a long sharp breath, trying to calm myself.

"Why are you so wired up?" he asked as he lurched past me.

"Excuse me!" I snapped, swiveling hastily and followed him. He winded his way around the table, then sat comfortably on the couch.

How could he?

This is a serious matter! What would Claire think of me? I am her best friend, and here I am, tolerating her boyfriend or ex, whatever, his actions.

Whatever I heard about her, it's not enough reason for me to hate her or treat her the way Alex and some of the people I know. She doesn't deserve this treatment after being a good friend to me. She did nothing to me but goodness.

How can I betray her?

I stared at Alex incredulously. My face hard and my heartbeat picked up speed. I badly want to throttle him. "Why Am I so wired up?" I hissed, teeth grounded. He just stared at me in utter amusement.

He found this funny? I can't believe it!

After all, what I've heard, I planned on talking to her as soon as I see her.

"Are you serious? Claire doesn't need to know through someone...or through the media. I planned to talk to her about it, but now..." I drew in a harsh breath and paused, forcing to keep a tight reign of my anger. "Oh, God!..." I inhaled sharply. My hand unconsciously brushed my hair back with force, then tucked it behind my ears.

I shook my head, gaze swept around the room, negative thoughts racing through my head. "She's gonna hate me," I mumbled to myself as my fingers brushed away the hairs that are tickling my cheek.

He mumbled incoherent words under his breath.

I sent him a glare that layered with contempt. He just stared at me not the least bit scared. His gaze was intense, dark eyes filled with dark passion.

I quickly looked away. I didn't entertain the sudden rushed of heat through me.

I stared obliviously at the green indoor plants on one corner.

And then paced across the room, occasionally letting out a huffing sigh as I thought about calling her now or just wait till I get back to New York and talk to her personally.

I want to see her reaction when I open about these issues I heard about her. I want to tell her and ask her is it is true. I don't want to make an assumption or conclude. I need to hear her story, that's what a good friend should do.

Just as I made up my mind to call her and listen to what she has to say, my phone rang. I stopped and frantically stared at my phone's screen.

It was dad calling.

I let out an inaudible sigh of relief.

"Dad," I said, my free hand rested on my waist.

"Mi princesita, I don't want to meddle with your life, but I can't help it. I'm your dad, and I can't allow these people to ruin my child, not when I'm still breathing," he ranted, and I rolled my eyes.

"Dad—"

"Listen," he interrupted "if Alex is there, he better come to me and ask my opinion about him pursuing you," he said which made my blood boil.

"Way to go, dad!" I said sarcastically. I thought he's going to stop him. They know that Claire is my best friend.

"Of course, I'm not telling him to go on without going through an ordeal?" dad quickly pointed out. "I'm not going to make it easy for him!" he stated firmly, but his tone were tender, as always.

"Dad, his ex-girlfriend is my best friend," I reminded him and dad fell into silence, but only for a few seconds.

"Oh, is she?" dad asked, sounding like it was the most surprising thing in the world.

"Really, Dad? She came to our estate many times!" I cried out in frustrations and dad only chuckled.

"Mi princesita, I know. That's why I was wondering if she treats you the same, she was flirting with your two brothers if I'm not mistaken. Ask Nikolai," dad said causing me to frown deeper.

"Dad! She's just too sweet! Why Am I hearing all of these now? Why didn't you tell me before?" I grumbled in disappointment.

Dad chuckled again to my frustrations. "I did! You were busy texting, you probably didn't hear me...I guess," Dad said, and I breathed out a harsh breath.

Even dad is not taking me seriously.

Why won't they understand me?

I glared at the wall mindlessly. "We'll talk when I get back, Dad. I'll fly back as soon as the launch party is over, in a couple of days," I said dismissively.

"Alright, I'll see you then, mi princesita. I'll tell Nikolai to come and visit you," dad said before hanging up the phone.

Whatever I wanted to say, it was swallowed back down.

Argh!

My doorbell rang, and Alexander beat me to it. He trotted past me before I could make a move, and headed off to the direction of the door.

I let out a frustrated sigh, then decided to call Claire. With all these things I grasped, I can't wait any longer. And if I ignore her text, she'll think that I'm betraying her.

My hands tightened around the phone as I pressed it closer to my right ear.

"Hello?" her sweet voice and I almost dropped the phone.

"Claire, it's me," I said, closing my eyes shut briefly then opened then again, and I stared at the TV screen.

"I miss you," she cooed causing my heart to tighten. A pang of remorse hit me like an unforeseen cyclon.

"Are you okay?" I asked, gripping the phone tightly.

"Yes, of course. I'm here at my parent's house since I don't know how to face some of our friends after Alex dumped me," she bit out, her voice quivering.

"I'm sorry," I said, a tug in my heart.

"It's alright, I know I will forget him, in time," she choked out.

"Is there anything I could do to ease the pain?" I asked, my hands loosening around the phone.

Exhaustion suddenly washed over me.

There is nothing I could do for sure to help her.

"Just be my friend, Clara Bell. That is all I could ask. I'd rather want my friends beside me than a boyfriend who doesn't stick nor stay true to me," she answered.

True.

But the words didn't leave my lips. And guilt tore my heart.

Should I ask her now all these rumored things about her? I know it's not the best option talking about it on the phone, but I'm itching to know the truth.

"I am a true friend, Claire. I never doubted you, and I hope my bestfriend always tells me the truth. Cause hearing it from someone hurts surely than breaking with a boyfriend..." Alex's confession rang through my ears. She loves the fame and connections that comes with my name.. Staring sharply at oblivion, I added with a clipped tone, "that she never loved." A silence took over.

Summoning all the courage, I spoke calmly. "Is it true that you cheated on him many times?" I asked.

I heard her sighed. "To whom did you hear it?" she asked.

I swallowed hard. "From Alex," I replied. Some told me, but I don't want Brittany to get involved in this, nor the rest of those girls. Besides, they don't have any proof, it was only hearsay. But coming from Alex, it's another thing.

"So he tried to clean his image?" she scoffed. I could sense the bitterness, the pain in her broken voice. "Do you know that he likes you, Clara Bell? That's why he's doing everything to make his image clean in your eyes. He wants to win your affection, but that is for you to decide, Boo. All I did was love him, while I work hard for my career," she explained.

"I'm sorry, at some point, I believed him," I said feebly through remorse. My shoulders sagged in embarrassment. So many doubts, but I said, Alex could also be lying. He wanted me.

I sighed.

What kind of a true friend Am I?

"It's okay, Boo. I know he'll resort to that thing because it is who he is. A shrewd, ruthless, and cold Demakis!" she gritted out, her voice rising at the end.

"I won't stop you or meddle with your decision. I just want you to know that I am here as your friend, and I'll respect your decision, but if ever I'm in your shoe, I won't ever take my best friend's ex or exes," she said. My head spins at her statement. Suddenly, a light it up in my head.

She is a lying manipulative bitch!

Holding the urge to throw my phone against the wall, in a mordacious tone, I replied. "I hope you'll tell me everything about you, Claire since you said, I'm your best friend, and I treat you like one. You don't have to doubt my sincerity, I treasured my real friends because you can rarely find a true gem. If that applies to you."

....

It was short, hope you like it.