The Prophecy of the Red Wolf [WattpadPrize14]

Chapter 7

“Caleb!” She squeals, a slow smile spreads across her face before she launches herself at me. The unexpected force pushing me backwards into the house.

Natalya?? What’s she doing here? I think frantically. “Oh my God!! What’s the Russian dude doing here?!” Blake shouts at me through our mind link. I roll my eyes, I forgot how Blake and Natalya never got along and he used to shamelessly call her a man instead of a woman.

“Oh Caleb… darrrrling…. I have been trrrrying to find you for a month! You did not answerrrrr yourrr phone so I flew back after visiting Mama and Papa in Rrrrrusia… I was so worrrrried!!” Natalya drawled with her heavy Russian accent and I cringe.

“Guys.. Some help here, please?” I plead, still trying to frantically dislodge Natalya from me without much success as she would cling right back on. “Uhh.. Umm… I’ve been busy, Natalya and I couldn’t find my phone…” I rambled a silly excuse, finally managing to keep her at an arm’s length away.

She pouted, no doubt trying to look sexy but making me grimace instead. “Uhh.. Natalya! Hi! Haven’t seen you in a while; how have you been? How are your Mama and Papa?” Nate comes to my rescue. “Get out of here! I’ll distract her” he sent to me.

Making a beeline towards Arianna, I notice her posture was rigid and she was hunched over her plate, clenching her cutleries too tightly. Oh crap! She must have misunderstood! I curse at the stupid open plan design of the house. She could see the foyer from there.

Settling into my seat, I pull it close to Arianna. I place my hand on her elbow, gently tugging to get her attention but she doesn’t budge, as if I weren’t there. “Arianna sweetheart, can I please explain? It’s really not what it looks like..”I coo. I would beg if I have to.

She still doesn’t acknowledge me. Reaching out to touch her chin, I plead “Sweetheart, please…look at me…” I’m one step closer to begging.

She turns her head ever so slowly but her eyes are still downcast. Gently tilting it up, I notice the unshed tears pooling in her eyes. It breaks my heart to see the hurt, a betrayed and accusatory look in her eyes.

“Sweetheart, it’s not what it looks like. Natalya and I… There’s nothing going on between us. Natalya’s always shown an interest in me, that’s true but I’ve never reciprocated any of her feelings. She’s just very clingy and refuse to understand that I’m not interested.” My words gushing out like a burst pipe, eager to clear the air between us and ease Arianna’s anxiety.

“Do you believe me?” I ask as I lace our fingers together. Please say yes, I chant in my head.

“Caleb darrrling, therrrrre you arrrre…” Natalya drawls, her smile falters as she takes in Arianna and our closeness. But she’s quick to recompose herself as she flashes a megawatt smile Arianna’s way and asks “Who iiiiis ziiis?”

I notice Arianna start to shiver. She only recently managed to be comfortable in Nate and Blake’s presence. She was not ready for another person. Especially not someone as loud and shrill as Natalya. I curse inwardly.

Standing quickly, I grab Natalya by her elbow and drag her back to the foyer. “Caleb darrrliiing.. Who iiis she? Why iiis she weariing your jersey? Why iiis she here? Wh—“ I cut off her endless list of questions.

“Natalya, I would appreciate it if you don’t come here again. I have tried to tell you many times that I am not interested. You are a lovely friend, but that’s it for me. Do you understand me?” I ask. I know I’m being harsh but I really really need her to understand me this time. I can’t have her coming around and causing undue distress to Arianna.