2
Out of sight, out of mind
I retreated to my room, burying myself in work
A knock on the door
Qiana a mango pudding in hand, stood there, bearing
Her captivating almond ers sparkled, a few flecks of yellow roadding dasting her pretty face
“Lanie, the party’s hopping downstairs Come join the fun!”
I now right through her feigned enthusiasm
Tve got work to do Have fun,”
I said, my tone flat.
Suddenly, tears welled in Qiana’s eyes
She looked utterly wronged
Lanie, do you hate me? Is that why you’re rejecting me?*
1 frowned
I hadn’t done anything!
How could she play the victim?
“Seriously? I thought, my patience wearing thin
Save that act for Ethan and Mason It won’t work on me
I started to close the door.
Lanie, please
Qiana lunged, trying to stop the door.
Her hand got caught in the jamb
Her fingers instantly turned red and purple.
She gasped in pain
“Ouch
Erhan and Mason were coming upstairs
They saw the scene.
Both men rushed to her side, tending to her injured hand, their faces etched with concern Mason’s eyes were practically red–rimmed seeing Chana’s hurt
hand
His usually blunt personality flared
“Lame, if you don’t like Quana, just say it Why would you do something so low? What’s gotten into you?
Exban, usually reserved, looked disappointed
Lanie, it’s Qiana’s birthday You shouldn’t have done that ”
But when he looked at Qiana, his voice softened
“Chana, does it hurt? Let’s get you some ointment
With Ethan tending to her, Mason quickly followed soothing her
“Qiana, don’t be upset After the party, I’ll take you for a drive it’ll cheer you up
With both men showering her with attention Qiana’s face cleated
“Thank you. Ethan”
Then turning to Mason, her eyes still teary, she pleaded, “Mason, don’t ride your motorcycle tonight. It’s dangerous, and 11 worry”
Masom readily agreed
Okay, okay, my love Anything to make you happy!*
Watching them descend the ersirs, I felt a strange sense of unresting
I remembered a time when Ethan and Msson had showered me with the kind of affection
I was frail as a child, prone to athma
Miami’s humidity was terrible for my health
So, a five, my parents sent me to live with my aunt in sunny California, where she worked as a doctor.
That’s where I met Ethan and Masin, who lived new door
We grew up together, inseparably
At seven, they wouldn’t let go of me when they fire saw me
At thirteen. I developed a fondness for a particular soda.
Ethan bought every single can from every store in town.
Mason had his family acquire the soda company, ensuring a lifetime supply just for me
Ar seventeen, I was in a car accident.
The car caught fire
Everyone hesitated, but young Ethan and Mason plunged into the inferno, saving me. The scars on their backs are still visible
At eighteen, when my health improved and my family pressed me to return to Miami, they begged me not to leave, threatening to follow me even if it meant abandoning everything
For years, they were my protectors, my loyal knights, keeping every other boy at bay. Because of them, I delayed my return to Miami
But then Qiana arrived and everything changed
She was my intern
On her first day, she wouldn’t join the others for lunch
It happened every day until I found her alone, eating a meager meal of bread and packled vegetables
She was from a poor, rural background, struggling to make ends meet in the big city
As a wealthy heiress, I was shocked
1 felt immense sympathy for her
I treated her to meals
I helped her with her work
1 introduced her to Ethan and Mason
But I didn’t expect that in just three months, she’d systematically replaced me
Erhan usually aloof, was now attending noisy parties for Qiana
Mason, who lived and breathed motorcycles, now listened to Qana’s every whim
Things like thus had been happening for a month
Lastening to them defend Qiana and condemn the
I laughed, a biter, angry sound
Once, then affections were so blatant they’d created countless dramati sceses, practically forcing me to choose between diets.
Id even been tempted, considering choosing one of them
Now maybe this arranged marriage wasn’t so bad after all
I smirked, setting a countdown timer on my phone
From now on, I wouldn’t interfere in their litle triangle
