His Beautiful Addiction

Tiana stepped out of the toilet after she finished washing her hands, her eyes gazed at the pictures she had taken earlier and a grin appeared on her cheeks, locking the screen, she raised her eyes up and her feet came to a halt when she saw who was in front of her, her smile faded quickly,

''Tiana, I'm sorry for earlier, i didn't intend to get you annoyed, I was just trying to start up a conversation. ''

Richard realized that Tiana wasn't at all thrilled by his previous statement, so he stayed back to apologize.

Tiana wasn't even in the mood to keep grudges; she had a birthday party to avoid.

''That's okay. I'll be heading out. '' She said and started walking forward;

''We could go away if you want to hide. '' Richard said, raising his brows.

This was the perfect moment for him to be alone with her without Nicklaus interrupting, his heart raced as he waited for her answer.

Tiana shook her head politely; ''Thanks but I don't want to 'hide', thanks for the offer though. '' With that she turned around and walked out, leaving Richard sunken in the passage.

She knew he was just suspecting that she and Nicklaus were faking their relationship, and she was very careful not to say anything incriminating. If she agreed to his request, it would mean that she was saying that there really wasn't a relationship between them, and not now that Nicklaus was getting better. What would he do if he found out that she went out with him alone?

Although he was kind to her now, she didn't know how his temper would be if he found out, and after warning her about him? Heaving a sigh, Tiana took silent steps out of the restroom. Stealthily, she walked to the backyard, where there was a small garden and sat on a bench, watching the sprinklers, water the garden beautifully.

''Hi ''

Tiana nearly fainted when she raised her head and saw Diana sitting in front of her. Her lashes blinked as she wondered the many things that she must be thinking about her and Nicklaus, after seeing her sitting there dejectedly.

''Oh... hi! Diana, I didn't see you just now. ''

Tiana greeted with a sweet smile. Diana was sitting a few feet away from her and there were flowers around her, unless you look closely, you won't be able to see her. She was eating an ice cream and Tiana wondered why she was not inside.

''It was stuffy right? ''

Diana asked out of nowhere, making Tiana's brows crease.

''I mean, inside, it was too stuffy, and you came out to breathe, right? Me too ''

Diana asked, taking a spoonful from her cup, Tiana sighed in relief.

She had just saved her the stress of thinking about a lie to tell.

''Yeah, so stuffy, so many people in there ''

Tiana replied with a smile; realizing where she was sitting was a bit exposed and anybody passing by could see her, she smiled at Diana.

''Care if I join you? ''

She asked; and Diana nodded; ''Sure. '' She said tapping on the spot beside her.

Tiana stood up and walked towards her, sitting down beside her, there was enough space for two on the bench.

''You know, fifty percent of everyone there are fake, they are all trying to curry favors, but you know that's life? No-one has all true friends, and even though they are fake, sometimes, that's what keeps you going. ''

Diana spoke, taking another spoonful of her ice cream.

Okay, why was she sounding so sad?

Tiana didn't know why, but she felt like Diana had a hidden meaning behind her words.

''I know if I'm in there, grandfather will try to make me get acquainted to one of their sons, and I'm not ready for that. So I'm here hiding. ''

Tiana's lips thinned and she turned to look at her;

Although she was just eating ice cream, her face looked really sad; her eyes were clouded with many thoughts which she wasn't saying.

Tiana knew better than to interrupt her, she just listened to her speak.

''You, why are you here? ''

She turned to Tiana and asked, Tiana's eyes widened at her question but she did not respond.

''It's okay, you don't need to tell me, it's obvious anyway. Tsk, life is so unfair sometimes. ''

She smiled at Tiana and just when Tiana was about to respond, some hurried footsteps into the garden interrupted them.

''I've told you, I don't like him! Where are you getting all those thoughts from? ''

Mia screamed; her face red as Alex held her hand, leading her into the garden, when they got to a safe spot, he let her go, facing her.

"Mia, you don't have to lie about it, I clearly saw how you looked at him and you always tried avoiding me when he was around. You can't keep lying to me Mia; do you think I'm a fool? ''

Alex blared angrily,

Mia was taken aback for a second then instantly, she replied;

''Alex, I love you and you know it. Why are you getting those strange assumptions from?'' Mia asked, tears clouding her gaze, she reached out to touch Alex but he backed away;

''don't touch me if you'll keep lying like that Mia! Let me see your phone? ''

Alex asked and Mia's face paled.

''Why… why do you need to see my phone? ''

''you shouldn't be asking that question of you have nothing to hide, let me see your phone or I'm going to walk out believing all my assumptions. ''

Alex asked, but from his tone it was obvious that he wanted her to prove him wrong.

Mia's hands trembled lightly and she bit on her lower lip;

''I'm sorry Alex; I really love you, I… ''

''That's not what I asked you Mia! Let me see you goddam phone, what's so hard? ''

There was sadness in his eyes and Mia felt pain lounge at her heart; she trembled and tears fell from her eyes;

''I… ''

''Don't, don't say it Mia. I don't want to hear it. ''

Alex bit his lower lip till he could feel a metallic taste on his tongue. After a moment, he looked towards the sky and laughed;

''You know I really loved you right? ''

''Alex, please… ''

Before she could complete her sentence, Alex turned and walked out.

''Alex… Alex, I'm sorry. Wait… please. ''

She cried and ran after him.

Diana chuckled sadly;

''You see why life is so unfair right? ''