His Devious Rule

'That jerk had eyes on Annie? Was it the reason he was going to the library?' She never thought that way.

Krystle was mind-blown, totally unexpected, something like that from Alvin. She needed a minute to digest Alvin was interested in her friend.

But Krystle furrowed by recounting some memories. She just couldn't believe it because Alvin and Anya behaved like strangers outside the library. They never exchanged personal contact information or hung out anywhere but the library.

"How do you know?" Krystle's voice turned suspicious. She wasn't ready to get tricked by anybody.

Sarah let out a soft chuckle before she responded, "Ean Watson is my cousin." And Ean Watson is Alvin's best friend.

Krystle: "..."

Sarah sounded disappointed when she added, "I guess you and your friend have no idea what happened then." She pitied Alvin for sacrificing his dream for the woman who was unaware of it.

"What happened?" Krystle questioned as it was about Anya.

Sarah contemplated a few seconds before shaking her head in denial, "Well, I am not the right person for it. If my brother gets to know, he will skin me alive." She shrugged her shoulders showing she won't be of any help.

Anyway, Sarah only knew a brief part which her aunt, Ean's mother told her five years ago. She was apparently curious about the girl as there was a time she had fantasies of being with cold and handsome Alvin. Hence she had looked up to know about the girl and found out about Anya, just a bit.

Krystle was further annoyed hearing Sarah making it a mystery. And guessed Anya might be trying to look into the past because of the same.

….

Thus Krystle ended up inviting Linus for a private party of a wealthy circle heir. She was still thinking about how to know a complete truth but one led to another and both ended up making out in her car.

Although she contacted Linus for her friend, she didn't mind enjoying it at first. She was driving a car to a hotel when a tipsy Linus suddenly recalled Alvin and insisted on going to the Oasis mansion.

He wasn't in a condition to drive and she had picked him up so she had to drive from one end of the city to another to reach the Oasis mansion.

While driving, she got to know more tits and bits of Alvin from Linus. Importantly, she heard Alvin was still interested in Anya.

Krystle didn't dig up the past directly so that sober Linus doesn't doubt her.

——— In the bathroom ———

Krystle wiped the steam layered glass by her hand to look at Anya who was patting her face dry. She didn't respond to Anya's question but asked, "Annie, did Alvin ask you out?" She asked directly

Anya mused at the change in topic. Guessing Linus must have said something, she sighed loudly at the question. She wished Alvin was that easier. Turning around, Anya awkwardly answered, "He wants to marry me."

Krystle shut the shower tap, grabbed the bathrobe, and stormed out as she tied the robe, "Don't tell me you accepted him." Her voice significantly raised. Her opinion on Alvin hadn't changed yet.

Anya quickly shook her head before her friend could explode and broke into Alvin's room to create havoc. "He needs to pass my friend first." She grinned to cool the air.

Krystle was visibly satisfied. Even though she couldn't have done anything, she would have been truly disappointed if Anya had accepted without much consideration.

Krystle caught her friend's grin turning awkward and her expression was complex. She raised her brows and Anya added, "And anything can happen on Saturday." He might lose interest in her or just loathe her. So it wasn't the time to make any kind of decision.

Krystle pointed out, "Stolen hard disk!?" She was impressed her friend wasn't going to save Alvin by a lie but report truthfully.

Anya nodded in response as she fetched a towel and started drying Krystle's hair. The latter wanted to know the past before she decides whether to let her dumb friend go ahead and marry… Marriage!?

Krystle was bewildered. She turned to face her friend, "What the hell!? You guys didn't even date and he wants to marry you. Has he gone crazy?" She would prefer a breakup over divorce. More than that, it will affect Zane.

Anya chuckled as she turned Krystle around to dry her hair. "Well, it's Alvin Matthews and his ways."

Krystle rolled her eyes and continued to enjoy her friend's service. According to her, her friend is too good and kind. She didn't want to see Anya hurt as she will invest too much into everything. Just like now, how she is taking a nap and her friend is drying her hair. Her friend will turn into a caring mother, protective father, a partner in crime, a soul sister, and whatnot.

"Krystie, change to a nightwear." Anya helped her yawning friend up. Krystle whined in denial. "Noooo…" She was too lazy to change now, "I will sleep like this." She groggily said.

Anya helped Krystle, then checked on her son in the next room. She had to control with all her might from carrying him to her room or crawling to his bed. She feared someone harming her son in sleep.

,m Returning to her room, she lay down on her bed. Krystle suddenly opened her eyes and turned to Anya, "Annie, do you still love Alvin?" She doubted if Anya ever stopped loving that jerk.

Anya knew her response would rile up Krystle so she changed the topic, "You know… I am doubting if I was really in love in the past." It was something in her heart that she never could share with anybody but Krystle.

"Heh?" Krystle wanted to laugh at that.

Anya continued why she had that feeling, "I feel like I was just his fan. Like how those fans idolize those celebrities. They get happy seeing their idol happy, they get sad if their idol was in trouble. They try to fight for him when something happens and show their unconditional support."

Her love for Alvin was purely an admiration, probably adored him too, for treating her well. But she never wished to have him in her life or forced herself into his life. She knew the reality too well. She was a girl who set foot in a big city from a small town and he was a young man whose family controlled half of the city.

She never tried to know about his family, his troubles, or the reason behind his coldness. She just made him a perfect human being in her dictionary, ignoring his every flaw.

If she was walking in a corner of the road, he was having everyone's attention and high regard. If she was on the earth, he was a bird, flying high in the bright sky. He belonged to a place where she never could be part of and never dared to wish either. So she never got jealous of any girls with whom he hung out. Those were all far above her reach.

But her present feelings were different. She idiotically imagines living as a family of three. She wondered how he might react when he gets to know about Zane. It fears her what he might think of her. And she was undoubtedly thrilled to know he likes her.

Anyway, those weren't enough to be together and their situation was complicated. And what's more, it's been just a week since they met again.

Krystle blinked her eyes in hazy. A fan? No fan would sacrifice their life for their idol unless that fan is crazy.

Krystle went closer to her friend and hugged her neck. Leaning her head against hers, she mumbled "Because you were too sweet and dumb."

There are many kinds of people in the world just like how one reacts by watching a beautiful flower in the plant. One who plucks it and decorates it in their vase, one who admires it in the plant and water it, one who takes pictures, just to show it to the world, one who doesn't give a damn.

Anya was a type who loves the flower in the plant and adores it without trying to pluck it off. She would nourish and be happy just like that.

Anya pouted being called dumb by her best friend and Alvin. Soon she sensed Krystle's calm breathing. Sighing to herself, she carefully helped Krystle to comfortably sleep on the bed.

—————

In the morning at half-past six,

Dennis and Catalina were slowly getting adjusted to stay in the mansion without much awkwardness. Despite early morning coldness, they went on a walk on the beautiful lawn which never failed to leave them in awe.

They were returning to the mansion when they saw Anya stepping out of the mansion looking elegant and classy.

After a painstaking search in the closet, Anya was able to pick a simple-looking outfit. She was wearing black skinny jeans with a black round neck full sleeve top. Both the garments hugged her graceful curves making her look sophisticated.

She had layered with the brown long blazer and brown ankle-length boots. The expensive brands didn't fail to do their magic on her. She looked classy like a high-society lady.

Half of her hair was pulled behind in a messy knot as she had a lot of work to do. Without makeup, her dark circles were a bit obvious but there was no sleepiness in her bright eyes. She looked fresh and energetic.

Holding a nude handbag, Anya stepped out to start her busy day. She was about to go towards the car garage when she saw her mother wrapped warmly in a thick cover-up and her father wearing a jacket going towards her.

Her parents admired their daughter without moving their eyes away. Over the five years, they had witnessed their daughter grow to a stronger version of herself. Looking at her today, they felt her formidable, one who shouldn't be messed with. It was only until she flashed them a cute smile with her dimples.

Anya also admired her parents. Her parents could be role models for couples. She never saw a day when one of them went out alone for a walk or sat and drank morning tea alone. They were always together, supportive and caring.

Sometimes Anya wondered, they must be the reason she was expecting more from Alvin when he said marriage. But she is aware that Alvin and her life and work style were completely different from her parents. So she didn't keep her hopes high.

"Good morning, Early Birds…" Anya wished her parents affectionately.

Catalina flashed a lovely smile while Dennis and Anya hugged, "My daughter is gorgeous."

Anya smiled at the compliment and looked at Catalina when they broke the hug, "But I am jealous of your wife, Dad. She doesn't tell me the secret behind her evergreen beauty." She sounded mischief and envious.

Dennis chuckled as he continued to throw compliments like confetti, "My wife was born beautiful, Sweetheart." He openly showed his affection for his wife.

Catalina blushed as she chuckled. "You two don't start early in the morning." She resignedly stopped them from continuing their compliments aka teasing sessions.

Her husband always made sure to make her and also their daughter feel beautiful in their skin.

If such simple words could put smiles on their faces, why not?