ALPHA CYRUS

Chapter 11

CARMELA THOMPSON

His eyes glinted as the light hit them and his dimples didn't go unnoticed whenever he smiled. He talked and moved gracefully, like he knew what he was doing and here I am, wondering how I ended up being in his birthday party without knowing who he actually was. Except for the name he told that day.

"Frowning doesn't make you any prettier, you know that, right?" Cyrene whispered then sipped on her wine. We are both looking at Tristan.

"I'm just confused. I didn't know Tristan was your friend. I didn't even know that he owned a company." I said in a hushed tone. She then turned to look at me and smiled.

"That is why I brought you here," she trailed off, playing with the glass of wine in her soft fingers, "for you to get to know him."

"But why?"

"Because I learned that you two were, are friends and that stupid Cyrus punched him when you two had a date." I blushed.

"It wasn't a date." I said feeling the blush creep into my face more. I did my best to ignore the joy it brought my heart when she mentioned Cyrus. I am so pathetic.

But thinking about what happened, it's been more than a week since I last saw Tristan and I wasn't able to apologize for the punch he didn't deserve. And I still wonder until now, how Cyrus knew where we were and why he suddenly exploded like a bomb.

"Oh, of course." She said teasingly.

"I promise it wasn't a date." I said defensively. She just laughed a little and looked ahead of us.

"Here he comes." She said in a sing-song. I felt my heart hammered in my chest and as I looked at Tristan, I can't help but be enthralled at how handsomely glowing he is right now.

I looked down, acting unaffected by his charm. Tonight, he wore a black suit that hugged his body perfectly. He didn't look like the boy next door, Tristan, that I first met and I admit that he looks more attractive and mature tonight.

"I'm glad you came." He said with a smile. His dimples giving him away, making my heart throb in an almost painful way.

"I... I didn't know this was your birthday party. Cyrene just dragged me here. I'm sorry." I said, stammering. I wanted to slap myself for sounding like a teenager in front of him.

"And I should thank you for that, Cyrene." He said turning to look at Cyrene and she nodded with a smirk.

"Couldn't say no to your request." She said and I was shocked for a minute.

"You mean, he asked you to bring me with you?" I asked her, but my eyes held Tristan's. He's smiling at me.

"Kind of... But, I really did want having you around so I said, why not?" She said like it's the most normal thing to do.

"I didn't even get to buy you a present. If only I had known..." I was cut off when Tristan held my hand.

I looked at him with wide eyes and my heart won't stop beating fast at the contact. I didn't know he has this effect on me, not as effective as Cyrus though. I heard the voice in my head and I shrugged off the thought. I promised myself that I won't think about him anymore and that's what I am doing now. He squeezed my hand gently and that made me look at him again.

"I don't need anything, just your presence." He said the words like he really mean it and my heart swayed. He's so sweet. And then, I found myself smiling back at him. Everything in the background faded, it's just Tristan and his contagious smile.

"Now will you be his date?" A very bored tone pulled me out of my reverie and I saw how Tristan glared at Cyrene.

"You weren't supposed to say that!" He said, then I laughed, he looked at me shyly, like a cute teenager who was shy in front of her crush.