"Is what you're saying true, Zyke?" Eli asked me.
I nodded, studying Eli's expression, but her face remained emotionless, leaving me feeling sad.
"Eli, are you upset that Oli is now my girlfriend?" I asked.
She shook her head before replying calmly.
"I may not understand everything, but if you're happy with Oli, I have no reason to be mad."
"Why don't you ask if I love her?" I asked again.
With a soft laugh, Eli gently pinched my cheek.
"If you didn't care for her, she wouldn't be your girlfriend," she said.
I sighed, looking into Eli's eyes.
"Tell me, Eli, would you be mad if I confessed that I used Oli to hide my feelings for someone who may not love me back?"
I noticed her frown, showing she disagreed with me.
"Zyke, do you believe this is right?" Eli asked, staring at me.
I felt scared suddenly, seeing Eli angry for the first time. Though she didn't say it, her expression revealed her anger.
"I know what I'm doing is wrong, but she agreed to help me because she needs my help too," I explained.
Eli's face became even more unreadable.
"Zyke, do you realize what you're saying? What's going on with you? It's only been a few days since we last saw each other, and you're telling me stupid things like this now," she said, trying to control her anger.
"I'm not sure how I got into this situation. All I can say is that I strongly dislike that girl," I stated.
She shook her head, a hint of annoyance on her lips.
"It's impossible for you not to know what you've walked into now, Zyke. You're a smart person; that's how I know you," she said.
I couldn't respond immediately; Eli's expression had turned serious, and her intense gaze made me hesitate.
"Eli, I know it's hard to believe what happened, especially what happened when Oli and I first met; maybe there's a reason why this is happening to us now.".
"Zyke, you know you're important to me, so I don't want to put you in a situation you'll regret later," she says.
At this moment, I was even more hurt because, like Zia, I also have secret feelings for Eli, but I can't confess them to her because I don't want to ruin our friendship.
"Zyke, are you okay? Why do you look at me like that? Do you want to say something?" she asked.
I smiled.
"Eli, no matter what happens, I'm happy that we became friends. You are one of the best gifts I have received in my life," I told her.
Her brow furrowed as she stared at me.
"Zyke? Why are you acting weird now? Is there something you're not telling me?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
I stood up and hugged her.
"Don't think about me anymore because I know what I got myself into. I just want you to promise me now that no one else will know the real situation between me and Oli," I told her.
I heard a deep sigh from Eli.
"Zyke, I don't want to promise you anything, but I will try my best; no one else will know what you told me today," Eli replied.
"Remember, Zyke, I'm here for you; if you need my help, don't hesitate to come to me," Eli said as she kissed me on the forehead.
At this moment, I suddenly felt sad because I knew that Eli only thought of me as a friend from then until now. I smile, even though my heart hurts so much now.
"Thank you, Eli; thank you for your kindness to me from then until now," I said as I ruffled her hair.
"I love you, Zyke, because we are friends. Remember that, so as much as possible, I don't want you to get into a situation that will harm you," she says.
"Don't worry, because I know what I'm getting myself into now.".
After my conversation with Eli, I went straight to one of the branches of the coffee shop owned by our family. When I got inside, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Zia was here, and Oli was with her. I watched them carefully, and I could see how Oli would look at Zia, and at this moment, I proved that Oli really loved my friend.
I had no intention of showing them, but it was too late because Zia had already seen me.
I saw her happy face as she waved her hand at me.
"Zyke! Come join us!" she called me loudly.
When I met Oli's eyes, I could see how her face turned pale. I walked closer to them while not taking my eyes off Oli.
Zia immediately came to me and hugged me tightly.
"My God, Zyke! It's been a long time. How are you?" Zia happily told me.
I looked at Oli first before moving my eyes to Zia.
"I missed you, Zia. How are you?" I asked while smiling.
At this moment, I saw Zia look at Oli.
"I'm going to introduce you to someone; meet Oli, my new friend." Zia introduces Oli.
I looked at Oli while smiling.
"Hello there, babe.!" I greeted Oli with a smile.
When Zia heard that I called Oli Babe, I saw her eyes widen.
"Babe? Why did you call Oli babe?" Zia asked me as she shifted her gaze to Oli and me.
I laughed softly while staring at Zia.
"Relax! I'm just kidding," I said, smiling.
At this moment, I saw Oli compose herself, then she spoke.
"Zia, the truth is, Zyke is my girlfriend," Oli said directly to Zia.
Like Zia, I was also shocked by what I heard from Oli. I never thought she would say such a thing in front of the woman she loves.
I saw Zia looking at me as if she were waiting for me to speak.
"Zia, what Oli is saying is true; I am her girlfriend," I said while looking directly into Zia's eyes.
A few moments later, Oli received a strong slap from Zia, which caused the other customers to look at us.
"I don't know where you got the courage to play with me. You already have a girlfriend, but you're still trying to pursue me. Are you happy now? Oli Zia said in anger.
"I'm sorry, Zia; I didn't mean everything," Oli said as she held her cheek.
Zia looked at her, full of disgust.
"From now on, I don't want to see your face. I thought you were different, but you're worse than her!" Zia said angrily while walking away from us.
Oli and I were left staring at each other and seemed to be wondering who would be the first to speak to the two of us, so I spoke first.
"I don't know what went through your mind right now, and that's what you said to Zia earlier," I said.
But instead of Oli explaining to me the reason why she did it, she sat down and quietly sipped the coffee on the table, like nothing had happened earlier.
