Elected To Love

Chapter 8

Ivan sat next to the wide glass of the quiet cafe and took a sip of his freshly brewed coffee. His mind raced with memories of what he had felt three days earlier as he looked at Aliara's joyful face and endearing laughter.

Then, again, a sudden warmth spread over him, making him smile as he looked outside. He knew something had changed that day and that moment, but he was too confused to understand why.

Federico's quick cough jolted him back to life, and his smile vanished as he saw Federico smile like the crazy man that he was. "Sorry, but you were way too lost and all smiley, had no idea how to bring you back," Federico remarked, taking off his apron with the cafe logo on it.

"So what are you thinking about being happy but still lost?" Ivan's friend enquired, reading his expressions. "Nothing," Ivan answered, his voice as composed and dispassionate as ever. Federico rolled his eyes, obviously not buying it, but he knew there was no point in squeezing anything out of Ivan.

"You didn't tell me Aliara knew about your relationship with Sofia?" In an attempt to start a conversation, Ivan questioned. Federico shrugged and remarked, "Aliara had known that even before you, Sofia told her, that little miss is every girl's idol," sounding distinctly irritated.

Ivan frowned, as if he was curious, and put down his coffee, he wanted to know more, So Federico explained,

"Are you unaware? Little Miss has always been an active part of the Windsor Valley High. You hadn't moved here when she was a middle school deputy. Her dad is a well-known businessman in our area, and she also continued to win debates and even represented our school at national levels. She did contribute much anytime she was given the chance." continuing to take a sip of his latte,  

Federico exclaimed, his eyes widening at the unexpected realization, "Wait—Her dad is the second shareholder of Valley Project Foundation," but the other person only nodded in comprehension.

"Why are you nodding? Your dad's foundation, dude, means that her dad and your dad are acquainted, and..." "You were unaware of it." Federico lost steam when he realized how erratic his friend was and how little he had kept track of.

Ivan nonchalantly stated, "It's not that I don't know who Mr. Marinelli was, I just never gave it thought," which caused Federico to shake his head in shock. "Did you not get to meet her at your dad's last celebration party last month?" Federico enquired, and Ivan promptly rejected it.

Federico, dissatisfied with his friend's circumstances, remarked languidly, "Dude this is the reason you never get a girl, you don't show interest in them." Ivan scoffed and shot out, "At least I don't go around playing. And I think you should calm your horses down at least till you turn 18." Federico scrunched up his nose showing 2 fingers, 

"Just two days remaining" he responded, soon taking a leave to take care of his dad's cafe, leaving Ivan lost in thoughts once more.

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While Aliara's mother clicked glasses with the only girl who could legally drink, Uma and Belle lounged on the bed, talking about Guliana's dull and depressing love life. Meanwhile, Aliara worked on the presentation that needed to be shown at the most recent assembly, sending the rest to Ivan for further detailing.

The other girls shrugged, realising that it was just another day filled with the same old crap, as Aliara's mother gave Guliana a hug. Before the two finished the entire glass, Mrs. Marinelli sighed and said, "But it's for the best, boys these days are no good, so honey stay single and glow a lot." She added, "Now girls, I need to go make dinner. Come hang around us tonight." She then got up and took the glasses and beer, leaving Guliana, who was already sleeping off, a little hangover drink.

As their aunt left, Uma remarked, "Thanks for your company, Aunty. We will take care of her," and the two pulled Guliana onto the bed."

"I don't understand; sometimes she talks about how to not love, and other times she mopes about how, even as an adult, she hasn't had her first love." Belle made fun of the dozing Guliana, and when the phrase "First Love" echoed in Aliara's ears, her thoughts abruptly turned to the person she had been messaging for the last four days.

Only two weeks and Ivan had taken over her thoughts, and she knew that his still, serene face would always captivate her. She quickly shook her head, hoping to shake off the unwelcome sensation. The person who had been occupying her mind abruptly interrupted her thoughts with a quick buzz on her phone.
"Greetings, head girl," the person said, making Aliara gasp and flush at the sudden change in his usual cold greeting.

"Hi there," she texted back, receiving a text in response. "I apologize for disturbing you, but I need to edit the remaining portions. Additionally, do you have any updates regarding the Varsity dealer?" With her blush still concealed, she texted back.  

"I'm sending the file over to you right now. One of my classmates has a dealer. We need the design update before we can move forward."

"Wow, excellent effort, and your Highness you are always one step ahead, don't you think?" Aliara's face started to flush once more.

The following message, "I know you have a dealer, but are you sure who has the right info of the dealer that he might not ditch us?" brought her back. "I do trust my classmate on this, after all, they are also a part of our school, Duh?" Aliara wrote in her text.

Getting a very intimidating text with the grinning emoji, "We never know head girl, but if anything goes wrong my people will be here to help."

Since Aliara could see the smirk on his face, she was aware that their mutual trust was ultimately misplaced. She texted her classmate to show up at the next council meeting with the dealer's details, taking Ivan's remarks as a challenge while shaking her head at the thoughts she had only moments before. She replied, "Don't worry Mr. Ivan, we will not disappoint you." 

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"Who do you text?" Aliara closed her laptop and kept her phone on the table, startled by Uma's question. Aliara looked around the room and saw no one else. "Belle went to help your mum and Guliana went to treat her hangover," Uma replied, observing the puzzled expression on Aliara's face as she moved on the bean bag near Aliara's study table.

Aliara said, "Hmm, was talking to Ivan, we have a lot going on with the assembly coming up and the Varsity design and its dealer," then she paused to look at Uma's beaming expression. "What?" Aliara enquired.

Uma said, quoting "IVAN" with two fingers, "Nothing, it's just that you were too lost in talking to 'Ivan' that you couldn't even hear when Belle called you several times while walking out but thankfully she left thinking you very busy with some 'SC work'" to which Aliara's face stiffened.

With a panicked expression on her face, Aliara responded, "I-I was not lost and it's work after all I don't trust this guy," but Uma's mind was racing and Aliara knew she would catch up on the smallest details, so she attempted to shift the subject.

"Let's just go down-" Uma closed the door behind Aliara as she attempted to go, pulling her onto the other bean bag and saying, "No, no, you are not walking away, are you sure you both are just being friendly-?" Looking directly into her eyes, Uma questioned, and Aliara swallowed.

"Friends No, in fact, we are enemies." Even though Aliara was still sweating she was grateful to see Uma take a step back, her grin carrying more meaning than just a smile. "Okay, then let's go," Uma abruptly exclaimed, getting to her feet and hurrying downstairs. Aliara trailed behind, confused as to why her friend had not dug more, but satisfied that Uma had not enquired further.

Uma was quite certain that Aliara's feelings were changing, but she chose to ignore them for the time being. This was something Aliara was unaware of, particularly in light of what Uma saw four days back, at the lunch area.  

~Maria