CHAPTER 12...
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Mabel ran out of the room after getting zero reaction from Raphael. It looked like Raphael lost his expression for a while there.
The moment she dashed out of the room. Raphael blinked getting back to his senses.
He exhaled sharply.
"That was so close!" He exhaled rubbing his chest.
He got out of the couch and put on his sunglasses and face cap.
I guess now's not the right time to say it to her. I'll do that some other time.
~ RAPHAEL'S APARTMENT ~
Josh was seated in the sitting room. Keeping himself busy watching a movie on the TV when a call came in through his phone then he tuned down the volume.
"Hey, Violet!" He responded after taking the call.
Violet smiled nervously at the other end.
"Em... You saved my number already!" She uttered in surprise.
"Just like a gentleman would! You've arrived home already... I hope y'all are having a great time over there? I could tell you missed each other so much back at the restaurant" Josh said with a smile.
Just then Raphael walked into the house.
"I'll go change!" Raphael cut in and rushed up to his bedroom.
"Em... Raphael left already, he was in a hurry to leave. Is he home?" Violet asked calmly.
Josh nodded before answering. "Yeah, he just got back! I'm guessing your party didn't go as planned... Did anything happen back there?"
"Nothing... I think he got a call then zoomed off without a word! Em... Josh, is Raphael alright? Did he say anything to you when he got back?" Violet asked curiously.
Josh sat up right on the couch. He could sense the tension in her voice.
"Violet, is everything okay? Raph didn't say anything to me and he just got home now... Nothing happened right?" He questioned in a supportive tone.
Violet exhaled sharply as she became hesitant to speak.
"You can share anything with me. Did Raphael say or do anything to you?" Josh asked calmly.
"Not really... I was the one who did the saying. I might've said something Raphael might find offensive... I keep having the feeling he might've heard what I said but pretended not to..." She uttered worriedly.
"What did you say? I don't think Raph is gonna find anything you say offensive. You're the cutest friend Raphael has..."
Violet pouted.
"I bet you're the only one who sees me that way. I blurted out some words when I was having an intense argument with Simone and it forced out the words I've been hiding my whole life..." She muttered sadly.
Josh leaned back on the couch as he got a hint of what was going on.
"You said you like Raph in a romantic way?" He asked.
"I fear, I did... The moment I uttered those words, Raphael went missing. I was so loud. I think he might've heard me and pretended not to" She said worriedly.
Josh smiled, he thought of her to be so cute at the moment.
"Shouldn't you be relieved he found out? Like you said you've been hiding those words your entire life, I don't think you should feel burdened about letting out your feelings. It's no crime to love someone" Josh supported.
Violet shut her eyes, her heart was pounding anxiously.
"It's not just anyone but my best friend. I don't wish to lose what I have with him, not our friendship in question!"
"You're not losing your friendship so you can relax. Raph heard nothing, you would have heard him say something or even look at you, don't let it bug you" Josh comforted.
Raphael sauntered out of his bedroom.
"Josh, did you get the delivery?" He asked looking around the kitchen in search of his food order.
Josh chuckled and turned back to his phone.
"Violet, I'll call you when I'm done with Raph... Don't stress yourself out concerning this okay, it's nothing for you to bug yourself with"
"Thank you, Josh! Bye!" Violet said with a smile and hung up.
Josh stared at his phone for a while.
"Raph isn't the issue here... Sim is... I can tell how heartbroken he must be feeling now" Josh mumbled before leaving for the kitchen.
Raphael turned to him after taking out the box of pizza from the microwave.
"Who were you on call with? You were grinning so hard, I could see all your dentals.." He teased.
Josh laughed unboxing the pizza with him.
"Violet... She called to check if you were home!" Josh answered staring at Raphael whose face was fixed on what he was doing.
"Oh... She did! She's still at Simone's?" He asked looking unbothered.
"You definitely heard her..." Josh uttered and Raphael looked up at him.
"What are you talking about? Heard what?" He asked.
Josh shook his head and took out a piece of pizza for himself.
"How long have you known Violet has feelings for you?" Josh asked then had a bit of his pizza.
Raphael bit his lower lips and smirked.
He said nothing, he only took out a chair from under the table and sat down. He quietly ate his pizza.
"You're quiet?" Josh asked.
Raphael dropped his pizza, wiping his lips with his thumb.
"I've known that for years now but it means nothing. Violet is my best friend and she's like a sister to me. Let's not even go there" He uttered calmly.
Josh dropped his brows in surprise.
"I've never seen such a cold dude my whole life. Bruh, someone's feelings are involved here! You can't just ignore it"
Raphael scoffed. "Should I say it out loud to her and break her heart and ruin our friendship! Violet knows what my feelings are... She knows it!"
"And by the way, Simone is in love with her and with the look of things, you might be joining that queue also... Please don't get me involved in your drama okay!" Raphael uttered jovially.
Josh laughed.
"You can't just brush off conversations like that. It's unhealthy and where have you been all night? I heard you zoomed off in the middle of your party"
Raphael took a huge bite from his pizza.
"I met with Mabel and she told me, she can't think straight when I'm around, that she's losing her mind. I have no idea what she meant by that... When did she learn to hate me that much?" Raphael uttered chewing on the piece in his mouth.
Josh laughed hard and slammed his forehead with his palm.
"When did you become so dense? Or you're probably trying to crack me up" Josh said still laughing.
Raphael stopped chewing and fixed his eyes on him.
"I've never been called dense my whole life. What are you saying?" He asked seriously.
Josh looked at him for a while and shook his head.
"How about you figure it out yourself? This is fun!" He mumbled smiling.
TWO DAYS LATER...
~ THE BU RESIDENT ~
The whole mansion have been decorated with balloons and all flashy things to give out a party look.
Guests were starting to arrive at the party.
The birthday girl Charlotte was seated in her bedroom staring at herself in the mirror before stepping out to go exchange pleasantries with her guests.
A call came in through her phone. It was a call from her Aunt.
She took the call hurriedly cos she has been waiting for this call for the past two days now.
Charlotte walked to the window placing the phone on her ear.
"Hello aunt... How are you doing? It's been a while" Shd uttered softly over the phone.
"Happy birthday sweetie! Your dad told me, he's throwing a birthday party for you. I'm hoping you have a wonderful birthday celebration! I called to wish you a happy one, I'll go ahead now so you would go enjoy your party" Her mum said politely.
"Wait a minute Aunt... I've got something else I've been meaning to ask you... It's regarding my visit to your place tomorrow... Aunt, I find my dad's plans very suspicious. Please tell me if Dad got something else planned over there? I don't believe dad's going to let me go without putting up conditions" Charlotte stated putting deep thoughts into her mother's warnings.
Her Aunt went silent for some minutes.
"Aunt, please tell me! What's going on?"
"I shouldn't be sharing this with you but I believe you have the right to know this. If you arrive here... You will be getting married, Charlotte. Your dad has spoken to the boy's family and they've all agreed. All that's left is for you to fly down here!"
Charlotte dropped her jaw in shock.
"What!!!" She gasped in between her breath.
****
"Dad! Dad! Dad!" Charlotte called out angrily as she ran out of her room.
She went into her parents room, they weren't there so she head downstairs.
"Happy birthday, princess!"
"Happy birthday Charlotte!"
Her guests walked up to her throwing wishes at her from all corners, it stopped her from continuing her search for her parents.
Mabel walked into the party hall with her brother Kent next to her. She was putting on a white short dress, which had feathers round the neck and hands.
Kent was dolled up in a black suit just like always, he was holding a tiny gift box.
Mabel looked around the hall in search of Charlotte and she noticed Charlotte invited so many celebrities over for her party.
"She's over there!" Kent pointed after picking Charlotte out in the crowd.
They walked up to her with a warm smile. Mabel hugged her tight.
"Happy birthday, bestie! I'm wishing you all the happiness in the world!" Mabel squealed hugging her tight.
They both laughed and broke the hug.
"I've been waiting for you. What took you so long?" Charlotte asked holding her hand.
Kent grinned widely as he got lost staring at the beautiful birthday girl.
"I bet you'll grin like that the whole day..." Mabel cut in sarcastically and Kent glared at her.
"Happy birthday, Charlotte!" He uttered handing his gift over to her.
"Thank you!" She responded politely then placed the gift on the gift spot.
Henry walked up to them.
"Happy birthday queen bee! You look stunning today" He complimented and Charlotte pushed Mabel forward.
"More stunning than her?" She asked laughing.
Mabel looked away awkwardly.
"Of course not... Mabel never seize to take my breath away!" Henry blushed.
Charlotte chuckled.
Mabel cleared her throat feeling awkward.
"Stop it!" She whispered to Charlotte who was making matters worse.
Just that moment, Simone and Raphael walked majestically into the hall.
Raphael was giggling at Simone's weird jokes, his smile made him way more attractive than anyone in the room. His broad shoulders standing firm in his black suit, as he walked orderly with Simone.
Everyone in the hall turned to get a glimpse of them. Raphael have always been the attention snatcher, he draws attention to himself without even putting much effort.
"Now, everyone's staring... You don't usually attend such occasions if it ain't work but here we are... Don't you find this uncomfortable?" Simone whispered.
"I told you, I'm here for business! You'll find out at the end of the day" He responded with a wink.
"Why didn't you drag Josh with you? I bet he's going to love this"
Raphael laughed.
"You don't like him and Josh doesn't like parties, it messes with his peace of mind!"
Simone rolled his eyes.
"The birthday girl is staring so hard. One might think you're the celebrant!" Simone uttered jokingly and they both chuckled.
"Don't be like this, Simone" Raphael said with a serious face.
They were both headed to Charlotte when Mr Bu blocked their way.
"Hello, Mr. Kris!" Mr Bu cut in with a smile.
Raphael forced a smile on and stretch his hand out for an handshake.
"Likewise Mr Bu!"
Charlotte wore a frown when she saw what her dad did.
"Dad's acting like he's the birthday celebrant... Give Raphael a break please!" She groaned frustratedly.
Mabel looked away sharply, her heartbeat was racing. She just saw Raphael and just like always, he's looking his best.
I can't take this... Why's he here? She squealed in her head holding her chest.
"Excuse me!" She said to Henry about to walk away when Raphael stood in front of her.
"You're not in any way trying to avoid me right" He cut in and Mabel's spirit almost left her body.
She looked up with her eyes widened in shock.
Charlotte stood in front of Mabel with a smile on.
"Oppa, you haven't wished me a happy birthday yet..." She pouted.
Raphael laughed and ruffled her hair.
"Happy birthday, Charlotte!" He stated with a smile.
MINUTES LATER...
Charlotte was done cutting her cake but she was still holding on to her knife. Mabel was standing next to her with a smile.
"Mabel, help me with the knife!" Charlotte uttered.
She noticed Raphael's eyes have been on Mabel all night. She felt a heavy flame burning inside of her.
Mabel stretched out her hand to take the knife but Charlotte gave her a deep cut without anyone's notice.
Raphael saw this and the vision for the whole night appeared before his eyes, it became more visible than he has been seeing.
He ran to Mabel and pulled her into his arms, cos Mabel trembles at the sight of blood.
Mabel stood there completely frozen, she still couldn't comprehend what just happened.
"I'm not leaving your side, not tonight! Not ever!" Raphael declared still hugging her.
He swiftly tied her hand with his handkerchief.
Charlotte dropped the knife in her hand angrily.