The Friend

Chapter 7

Amber knew that Lance was someone very emotional. He may look tough from the outside but Amber knew him better than anyone. He has a golden heart and will never refuse to help anyone. She will really miss him too. 

Lance felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He release Amber and look at his phone.There was at least 10 messages from Ashley and 2 miss calls. He pick up the phone.

"Babe, thank god you answer the phone. I was getting worried for you", Ashley said.

"I'm fine baby. I told you that i have some urgent work to complete."

"I know baby but i miss you so much. At least you could reply my messages".

"I will try but i cannot promise as i am busy".

"I understand baby", Ashley said. "Are you at home?"

"No I am at Amber's place and she is helping me in my work", Lance said irritably.

"I knew this", Ashley said angrily. "You are with that bitch and no wonder you don't have time for me, not to mention no time even to reply my messages....."

"What's wrong with you?",Lance said in a serious tone. "I am not a puppet. Even i can have friends and you cannot tie me down. I sure love you but right now i want you to realize  your mistake". 

Lance end the call and switch off his mobile. Amber was looking at him with wide eyes. At the same time, Lance heard the door bell. Maybe it was the delivery boy for pizza. He went to open the door and saw the pizza he ordered in the boy's hand. He paid for it and carry it into the bedroom of Amber.

"Ok so we are going to have dinner so you can get some energy and help me with my dream project".

"Which dream project, Lance?", Amber asked.

"You remember my dream of having my own law company. Well finally i will manage to get a loan from the bank if i could present them a nice project. And i will be needing your help for the marketing part", Lance sighed. "How irony is that! Here i am trying to build a future for Ashley and she is just so doubtful. I thought i will gift her the company as part of our wedding gift".
Amber knew that Ashley hate her friendship with Lance. In fact she thought several times that she will maintain her distance from Lance but Lance is the only true friend she ever had around. She blame herself for the fight between Ashley and Lance.

"Just give her some more time. I mean give her more of your time", Amber said. "It could be that she is unable to trust you."
"But if she truly love me then she should trust me. I am not sleeping around with anyone".
"Oh really?", Amber tease him
"Well people sure talk behind. Did you know that some people think that you are my mistress".
Amber hit Lance with a pillow. Lance ignore her and said "It's what they have said".

"Who exactly have said this?", Amber asked while Lance open the packet of tomato ketchup and put a small quantity on his pizza and as soon as Amber attention was diverted, he put the remaining on her hair.

Amber was rooted to the spot, trying to digest the fact that Lance just play a dirty joke on her and that she will have to have a bath again. She almost screamed his name angrily.

"Oh poor baby is angry!!!! I heard people's face become red with anger but here people's hair is becoming red", Lance jokes.

He went into the bathroom while Amber was fuming with anger. He took a wet towel and tried to wipe the ketchup off her hair. 

"Well i guess someone need my help to complete their work. But unless that person put some chilly sauce on their hair, i cannot help them", Amber said with a smile.

Lance watch her with innocent eyes, almost pleading her with his eyes to take back her words.

"I'm hungry!", he said while taking a slice of pizza and handing it over to Amber."Please!!!".

Amber wanted to remain firm on her decision but like always Lance ask her so innocently that she cannot refuse him. She nodded and took the pizza.

Lance kiss her cheeks and said "That's what i like most about you.I know that i can joke around with you and yet you will not stay annoyed with me for days. I remember that once i had spoil the make up of Ashley and she remain upset with me for almost 2 days".

Amber smile and said, " That's because she want to remain beautiful in your eyes. I think Ashley really feel insecure whenever you are with me."

"But why? I love her and want to marry her then why can't she trust me?"

"Maybe she is afraid of losing you", Amber said. "But I guess your relationship with her will improve when I will fly back to Paris next week".

Lance couldn't understand why she will go to Paris next week when she just return from there. 

"I don't understand...."

"I am getting married in two weeks", she said calmly. " There is a lot of preparation to be done and...."

" Are you really serious?", Lance asked with disbelief. "I mean you might have known Ian from your childhood but are you really sure that you want to spent the rest of your life with him?"

"Ian is a nice guy and he is perfect for me".

"Do you really love him?", Lance asked staring into her eyes.

"Yes", she replied smilingly.

"I feel you are been too quick to make this decision. Take your time and get to know Ian better before getting married to him", Lance advised her.

"I already took my decision. And this time I know that I am right", she insisted.

"Why are you so damn stubborn?", Lance said angrily. "I don't want you to make the same mistake you did with David. You are so impulsive when it come to love and I am afraid that your one mistake could ruin your life".

"This time no mistake Sir", Amber said confidently.

Lance look at her and knew that she will not change her decision. He will have to do something. He will do a research on that guy. He cannot let Amber marry anyone.

"I have to leave", he said abruptly.

"Lance, believe me Ian is perfect for me. I know your concerned for me but...",She waited. " I love Ian and want to live my life with him".

Lance had already decided that he will be doing his research on Ian whether Amber like it or not. The phone of Amber begin to vibrate and Amber was concerned when she saw the number of Ashley. Lance took the mobile from her hand and swipe to answer it.

"You bitch", Ashley said furiously." Why are you after Lance?" 

"Amber is not after me", Lance replied furiously.

"The bitch is afraid to speak to me", Ashley mocked.

"Please just leave Amber out of this", Lance said. "It's between you and me".

"Right but what is Amber doing in our life?", She questioned

"Listen Ashley I am telling this one last time. If you want me in your life then learn to trust me. Amber is helping me in my dream project to open my own law firm. And beside Amber is getting married in two weeks and she has only one week time to help me".

There was a complete silence for a few seconds and then Ashley said in a low voice, " Really?"

Lance said yes and Ashley murmured a sorry. Lance just cut the line and give the phone back to Amber. 

"I will need to make a move. Take care", Lance said before taking his mask and moving towards the door.