TRINITY
"K, thank God. I found you here." Ranjiv's strong Indian accent catches my attention.
"You're looking for me?" I pull my hand from Bash's grip.
"I called the office, but you didn't pick up. So I decided to look for you instead." Ranjiv arches his thick brows at me.
I know what he's trying to say. Bash fakes a cough.
"Oh, sorry, Mr. Hughes, I'm-"
"I know who you are," Bash snaps.
I shoot him a glare.
"Oh, okay." Ranjiv nods and looks embarrassed before he faces me. "Can I have a minute with you?" he asks politely.
"No," Bash interjects with a stern voice.
"Bash." I groan.
"Does he need to talk with you alone?"
"This is work-related, Mr. Hughes," Ranjiv answers politely.
"Good, then you can tell her in front of me. Wait, which department are you in?"
"Information Technology consultant, Mr. Hughes," he replies delightedly.
Bash's eyes widen like he has an idea that pops out in his brain.
"Ranjiv, I need you in my office before four," he says dismissively, "Tri, we're not done talking." Bash kisses the side of my head and winks before he leaves.
I watch him walk away while I'm glued in my place, shocked at his gesture.
"What was that all about?" It's Ranjiv. I look at him with his dark eyes wide and mouth slightly open.
"You wanna tell me something, Ranjiv?"
We both went to the same university. He's one of the brilliant students who got lucky with a full scholarship sponsored by Hughes Industries. He came from India four years ago, and now he works at ITC, and he brought his family to New York with him.
"Ms. Hughes told me you needed me, so when I called up and you didn't pick up, I came to find you."
I roll my eyes. "Seriously, Lizzy?"
"What is going on with you and Bash Hughes?" he asks cautiously with a slight smile on his lips. Then his gaze falls to my lips.
Crap. Does my lipstick really smear around my lips? I should buy a waterproof one.
I mentally hit myself. What am I thinking? That we'll kiss again.
"We used to be best friends."
He raises his brow like he never believes me. "Is that all? Used to be best friends? And now, you're more than best friends?"
I hit his arm, making him laugh. "We're still best friends, Ranjiv. Now, shoo, and go back to work."
He laughs as he walks backward. "I guess K is finally back out there, ready to mingle."
"I'm not dead, Ranjiv," I retort.
"Physically, yes, but heartily?"
I raise my hand and shoo him away. "Oh, please. Go, go, go!"
"See you around, K!"
***
I noisily sip my peach iced tea with a straw to annoy Lizzy. There's still a devilish smile on her face, and it's really annoying. I wear a scowl and try my best to ignore her.
"Hey, guys!" Saph's sweet voice comes from my back. She kisses my cheek from behind and then moves to Lizzy to do the same thing.
"When will you be a minute earlier than us, Saphoera Hannahbelle?" Lizzy asks.
Saph never appeared a minute earlier than us. She took too much time curling her blonde hair.
"You know me better, so don't expect me to come early." Saph takes a seat beside Lizzy, and now I'm facing the two Goddesses in front of me.
"So, is it true? And since when did you two hook up?" Saph is grinning.
I almost spit the iced tea on their faces. My eyes pop out in surprise. We always share secrets, and I guess Lizzy filled her in already.
This is so embarrassing, and I feel my forehead starts sweating.
What the hell?
"Hooked up?" I ask with a surprised tone.
"Yes," Saph answers cheerfully.
"Me, hooking up?" I ask you again.
"Yep. You and Bash." She giggles with Lizzy.
I glare at Lizzy. "We never slept together, and sorry to disappoint both of you."
"Oh, so, you two are couples now? That's what you're trying to say?" Lizzy presses this time.
"Lizzy, whatever you saw earlier was a mistake, and it won't happen again. I can't risk my friendship with you, my family's relationship with yours, my job, and my friendship with Bash. I already made it clear to him after you left," I answer, even if I feel like I am being stabbed thousand times right through my chest. I can see the dismay on their faces.
"Really? Don't you feel anything towards Bash? I mean, even a little bit?"
My brain suddenly freezes. My mouth opens, but no words come out. I have to shut it close again.
"That's what I thought," Lizzy says quickly and sighs in relief.
"K, that's not real love if you won't risk something worth it. I can see the tensions between you too. Bash is my brother, and I love him so much. I don't wanna see you or him troubled as you two try to ignore or control your feelings. Take a risk for once, K. It's worth a try. If it doesn't work, then you really don't belong to each other. You can move on. But trust me, I can see how you two look at each other. I see myself in you, and that's how I look exactly at Dean." She reaches out for my hands.
"K, our families are friends, and nothing's going to break our ties. Whatever happens to the two of you will never affect us or our friendships. I will still love you and treat you like a sister. Nothing will change that, but if you do not even try, K, trust me, you will never be happy, and you will regret that for the rest of your life. Do you want that?"
I look at her, shaking my head. Finally, I understand what she's been doing since Bash returned from London.
"You loved Bash since we were kids, K. Everyone knew that. It's not a secret. Bash loves you, always and forever. He may be so dumb not to figure that out soon because he's an ass-a dumbass, arrogant bully before, but look at him now, he still sees you," Saph shares her thoughts this time, and it surprisingly good to hear from them that they are okay with this.
I can't say anything, and all I do is just look down at our hands clasping together.
"He loves you since then, K," Lizzy adds.
"I doubt it, Lizzy." I look at her.
"You'll find it out very soon." A familiar voice from my back startles me.