The Billionaire's Authentic Daughter ▶️

5 3 | J U L I E T

"Hi," Aurelio's voice was so soft, I almost didn't recognize it.

I turned to see him and Colin peering down at us, trays full of food in their hands.

"Uh...hello?" Frida said, a little unsure if he was talking to her because she looked at Eli and I.

"Julia said it was okay if we sit here with you," he explained, then added, "–if that's okay with you."

"Yeah, I don't mind," she replied, moving her bag away from the chair to give them space.

"Thank you," he said and meekly sat down next to her, huddling closer to her as far as his chair would allow.

I almost chuckled out at how weird and shy he was being around her. Frida was the least intimidating girl I knew. I guess it was different when you have a crush on someone.

Colin took the only seat next to me as Eli was on my other side and Frida on Eli's his other side.

I didn't tell him that that place was usually occupied by Abeo. A change would be nice. Besides Abeo was getting too clingy and Colin was a nice replacement, a lot less clingy for sure.

"I'm Aurora–" he stopped then realized he said his name wrong, instantly cleared his throat as he turned pink, "I–I mean I'm Aurelio," he introduced.

Colin sniggered, not even attempting to hide his laughter. My chuckles also made way past my lips at Aurelio's expense. "He messes up his name when he's nervous," Colin whispered to me.

"Today he's a mermaid," I replied and then we both burst out in silent laughter.

"I'm Frida," she said, smiling politely.

"Such a beautiful name."

"Thanks," she said, shooting me a panicked look. Apparently she didn't know how to converse with boys who wasn't Eli. "You too have a beautiful name."

Eli poked his head forward. "And I'm Eli. And there are other people at this table too," he said, shifting closer to Frida too.

Aurelio blushed and looked down at his lunch. "I–I know the rest of you. Just had never talked to her before."

Just then Abeo walked over, tray in hand. His face instantly turned sour at seeing Colin next to me.

"I sit here," he told Colin.

Colin looked up and his eyes widened at seeing the skipper of the soccer team in front of him. "Oh, uh okay."

He was about to get up but stopped short when I put a hand on his shoulder. "You sit here. Abeo can just sit next to you."

"No I won't. I sit next to you everyday." Abeo said firmly.

"It doesn't matter. Just sit the fuck down." I said, pointing to the vacant seat next to Colin.

He huffed but obeyed me. "Fine," he grumbled, taking me by surprise because I thought he'd be more resistant.

Squished between Aurelio and Colin, he did not look the least bit happy.

That lunch was the most awkward and chaotic I had with Aurelio trying to engage Frida in small talk, Eli and him trying to fight for her attention, Aurelio and Colin talking over Abeo and completely ignoring him, Abeo trying to talk to me over Colin while completely ignoring him as well and all sat at our table trying to talk to me too.

As usual I felt a familiar glare boring holes in me and as usual I spared Boonsri a glance who was surrounded by her two friends and several other guys trying to win her attention.