Chapter 49: Jealous Hearts and Hidden Motives

*Even though there was a surprise in my mind, I went out anyway. When I met the person Lyra was referring to, I immediately frowned.*

*What is she doing here? She was one of those people I didn't expect to see me so it was surprising.*

**Chapter 49**

My forehead wrinkled while staring at Lovelle. Why is she here?

I saw that she smiled at me briefly before speaking. "I'm not going to waver anymore. Is it true that Fire is courting you?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

I took a deep breath before nodding. I noticed a change in her mood. If earlier she was smiling, now it was replaced by irritation.

She took me inside a coffee shop that is also near where I work. I thought that what was important that she wanted to talk about, turned out to be gossip about our relationship with Fire.

I was secretly distracted in my mind.

"I see. Do you think Fire is serious about you?"

I raised my eyebrows because of the challenge I heard in her voice.

"No offense, huh? Because as far as I remember, besides me, Fire doesn't have any other serious women.

"I know Fire is serious about me. You are different, I am different. I trust him," I answered calmly.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm just concerned because he might just play with you." She even managed to hold my hand which I immediately took back. I don't know if she is sincere or if she is just acting well.

"Thank you for the concern," I answered her.

She smiled at me but there was something really different about her smiles that I didn't like. "I will only tell you this, Solene, since I don't want you to end up crying if ever. But Fire and I are always together now. He's always there for me, so it's not unlikely that his old feelings for me will return again ," she continued. Her voice and face were sad but I was not stupid enough to get manipulated by her.

"Maybe because he feels sorry for you," I said smiling.

She raised his eyebrows and immediately smiled so that I might not notice that she was affected by what I said.

"We're friends now, huh?" She said smiling.

Doesn't that smile tire her facial muscles? Because I'm already getting annoyed by her dog smile.

"Friendly reminder, Solene, tighten your guard on Fire or he will be stolen. Alright! I need to go now, bye!"

I didn't even say a word because she left completely. I just sat there thinking about what Lovelle said. I tried to deny it to myself but what she said affected me.

What if she is right? What if I just wake up one day and I'm no longer the girl Fire wants to be with anymore?

"Do you have a problem, Se?" asked my colleague Clea.

I smiled slightly at her. "I'm fine. Just thinking about something."

Then, I dismissed the things that were bothering me and just focused on my work. There are many customers because it's rush hour and I don't want my work to be affected by what happened earlier. I won't let Lovelle get inside my head. Because I also accepted to myself that what he said was true by chance.

"Oh, he's so cute!" Clea screamed loudly next to me.

I looked at the one who had just entered the glass door and Shan and I immediately met our eyes. He smiled and waved at me. I heard Clea whisper next to me and stormed off. I laughed softly before waving at Shan.

"He said he wants you to serve him, Solene," Lyra said, pouting as she approached me.

I just shook my head. I couldn't help but walk up to Shan to take his order.

"Good morning, sir. May I know your order?" I speak politely. Even though Shan and I have something together, I still want to be formal with him. He is now a customer and not a neighbor.

"One dose of Solene please, because she made me crazy like hell!" He winked and I winced.

What someone knows is pure nonsense!

I smiled. "There's nothing like that here, sir. Maybe you went to the wrong cafe."

"Come on. I know, there is. I am willing to pay just to have a dose of Solene." "Get well, Shan, or I'll kick you out," I said in a low voice. I also tried to smile so that the other customers wouldn't notice that I was pissed off.

"Jeez! Chill your ass!" He kicked my ass and grinned like a fool

"You idiot! What do you really want?!" I couldn't hold back any longer and my voice rose a bit. Some customers looked at us so I smiled and apologized.

"Lunch with me," he said seriously while his attention was on his cell phone.

"Fine! But don't tease me now," I said.

I haven't known Shan that long, but I've noticed one thing about him. They are like Fire who will not stop until they get what they want. If Fire is wicked, Shan is savage.

But why am I comparing them to each other?

"Okay, I'll wait for you here," he said.

After Shan gave his sensible order, I left his table. I might just go crazy if I continue talking to him. Lyra was the one I sent her order to avoid.

Time passed quickly and my lunch break arrived. I went to Shan and found him sitting quietly in his chair earlier. He seemed to be deep in thought that he didn't notice me coming in front of him.

I cleared my throat.

He looked at me and smiled. "Are you done?"

I nodded in response then we left. The fool has brought a car so we didn't have any trouble commuting. He didn't open the door for me like he used to so I went in on my own instead of looking like a fool.

He started to drive and only a few minutes later I found his car parked at a Japanese restaurant. He went inside so I followed. I was just bowing while walking so I didn't notice the person who suddenly pulled me. Fear swelled in my chest as whoever it was dragged me.

I looked up and found myself staring back into Fire's burning eyes. I feel that at any moment I will burst into flames from the intensity of his gaze on me.

"Fire...." I nervously uttered his name.

I glanced inside the restaurant and saw Shan looking like he was looking for something. Like me, he didn't see Fire either?

"Stay. Away. From. Martinez." He spat those words one by one. There was something else in his voice besides anger. He seems nervous. "He is bad news, Solene. Don't ever trust him."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Shan is my friend, Fire. That's why I can't do that." I feel bad if I stay away from Shan just because of his orders. Shan has helped me so much that I can't do that. "And one more thing, I thought, are you all okay?"

He laughed in a warning manner that made me feel annoyed. What is his problem with Shan and he acts like this?

"There's no way, Solene. That asshole is trying to ruin us!"

"Fire!" I scolded. "Shan is nice so I don't understand why you say those things! You're annoying, honestly!" I was surprised when I realized that I raised my voice to him. I waited for him to get angry but his reaction was different from what I expected.

"You don't understand, Solene. I have my reason. I just don't want him to hurt you by chance," he said in a tone full of fear.

I held his hand. "Fire, don't you-" I couldn't continue what I was going to say because he was suddenly brought to his senses.

"Are we going to argue again because of him?" His voice was serious, even
his gray eyes staring at me.

"But because, Fi-"

"He's dangerous so stay away from him! D'mn it, Solene!"