Chapter 185 - Secret

Twinkling lights were carefully laid out like stars under the faint glowing moon while the warm summer breeze swayed in a gentle dance, and the leaves clashed in a soothing serenade.

Elegantly draped tables surrounded a wide flamed finish stone floor at the center. The setting was planned with extreme attention to detail to match the theme.

It was straight out from a fairy tale with men and women competing who was fairest of them all!

Camera operators and different medias going on and about, making sure that everything was ready and perfect as they waited for the debutante.

All these decorations, the atmosphere, the settings . . . it was breathtaking –– if not for the tense atmosphere.

Men and women alike took turns to stare at a table with five simply dress otherworldly creatures, leisurely sitting, conversing in their own time and space.

Many emotions fluttered about, envy, jealousy, curiosity, admiration . . . Above it all –– disappointment.

No one said the words everybody was thinking. It was like a taboo that shouldn't ever be said out loud. It was the only thing the women tried not to affirm in desperation. Being ignorant was the only thing that held their hopes and dreams together.

But there was always that one person who couldn't read the atmosphere.

"Is Cain Fay and Leanna Lee going out?"

. . .

. . .

The supposed to be jolly atmosphere turned into a depressing burial.

----

"Did you have sex?"

Juices spilled from my mouth at Zoe's out of the blue question. I put down the bottle of tropical juice and was about to wipe my lips when Cain, sitting beside me, was faster. He grabbed a tissue, and with all gentleness, wiped my lips clean.

Series of the crowd's sharp intakes of air sliced through the silence as they stared at me with gaping mouths. I shifted my eyes here and there, wanting to know if someone heard Zoe's question, and accurate enough . . .

Lots of people did.

I shot her a pointed look. "N-No we didn't . . . yet," I whispered.

Zoe grinned and licked her lips. "But you did naughty things?"

This Girl!

"I-I . . ."

My face flared. I lowered my head, too embarrassed to admit what we did.

"It's written all over your face." Zoe then slid her eyes on the man beside me.

I knew without even looking that Cain was smirking, holding a smug expression –– oozing with pride while pretending to play with his bottle of beer.

"Zoe, don't ask me these kinds of questions in front of these many people," I hissed.

"Pft . . . Why not? Everyone knows already that you two are going out by now," Zoe continued to tease and place me in the hot seat.

Why does this girl like to put me in an awkward situation?

Out of the corner of my eyes, Zoe gave a thumbs up at Cain, and the latter reciprocated with a nod.

When did they became close?

"Zoe, whose side are you on?"

"I'm always on your side." She gave me a toothy smile. "But of course, if I have to choose between you and Cain Fay, I'll choose Cain Fay."

"Wha––" I yelled but didn't know what to say. Then I raised my hand in surrender. "I'm not talking to you."

I fixed my eyes on the two quiet people in front of me. Estela and Zhander hadn't said a single squeak. They were not even talking to each other!

Up close, Zhander's right cheek had a bruise. It was turning purple while his lips were busted and a little swollen.

Did something happen?

I was going to ask when Cain's warm palm caressed my leg up to my thigh under the table. Dragging my dress along with his hand, the skirt glided against my skin, showing more than half of my thighs.

I gasped and took a sharp turn facing him when his fingers continued to stroke my bare thighs. His eyes were stuck on his bottle of beer, pretending he was not doing anything naughty under the table.

Somehow . . . this situation excites me. Like we were doing naughty things, only the two of us know.

Our little secret.

. . . or so I thought.

I intertwined our fingers, stopping his advances when I noticed Zoe's smirking face, Estela's teasing gaze, and Zhander's shifting head.

I knew they couldn't see what we were doing. But why did it felt like they could see right through us?

Zoe stuck out her tongue as he held her chin in one hand. "Idiot, your face gave it all away."