Billionaire Obsession

Chapter 9

Alessia's POV: 

I should have known who Kelly was referring to when she spoke about Jack's handsome friend.

I find myself sitting in a not-so-fancy Italian restaurant with two men dressed in suits.
Jack and his friend sat across me and Kelly overdressed for the brunch. I felt underdressed sitting with them. 

Jack's friend was none other than the man who seemed to be my knight in shining armor in the past few weeks- Nicholas Martinez Knight.
He wore a blue Armani suit and he seemed way too uncomfortable sitting with us- or maybe it was the crowd.

He kept staring at me and when I would catch his eye, he would turn away. I found his gaze lingering at my bruised arm a lot of times.

I tried to act like his gaze didn't bother me- but in reality, I was squirming. I wanted to go away. 

Kelsey and Jack weren't oblivious to the awkward tension in the air and didn't miss the pathetic teenager stare Nicholas and I seemed to exchange.

They tried their best to cut the ice but failed. They've given up on us and are enjoying their date, munching on the food- which is delicious, but I can't seem to enjoy it.

I twirl my fork in the cheesy Alfredo and I can't help but look at Nicholas who seems so done with this 'date'.
He doesn't seem to enjoy his food either, I can tell that from the way his jaw clenches every time he eats some of it.  

Kelly clears her throat which makes me avert my gaze from Nicholas. She smiles, "I need to go to the washroom."

She pushes her chair back and looks at me, an unspoken rule for females- always accompany your female friend to the washroom.

I get up from my seat and follow her. I glance back to see Jack leaning and smacking Nicholas on his head which earns a smile from me. 

Before I can see what Nicholas does, we take a sharp turn to the washroom and I dread the confrontation that I know is coming. 

She pushes open the door and I follow her in. We aren't alone in the washroom- thank god. One of the stalls is occupied and Kelly is aware of that as she shoots me glares, "Now Alessia, what are you hiding from me?"

I laugh at her, "Nothing," 

She scrutinizes me and shakes her head, "Come on, you guys have something going on and you aren't telling us!"

I roll my eyes as I look at my reflection in the mirror, "You're just imagining things Kel,"

She scoffs and I can see her glaring holes at the side of my head from the mirror, "You're telling me that I'm imagining all the tension that makes the both of you stare at each other like teenagers?"

I fix my hair and give her a tight smile through the mirror, "Yep, that's exactly what I said."

Kelly groans, "Alessia, please-"

"Kelly, I know how important this date is to you. I'll try and break the ice okay?" I sigh and face her.

Her face lights up and gratitude is prominent in her face, "Thank you! I love you."

I grin, "I love me too,"

She rolls her eyes and takes in a deep breath, "So, that's solved. Now, is it just the first-time-talking ice?" 

I nod, "Yeah, totally."

"But you guys talk at the cafe- and he doesn't seem so weird." She shrugs as she fixes her makeup.

The stall door opens and a lady walks out, occupying the space between me and Kelly. I always feel uncomfortable when I talk in front of strangers.