Chapter 25

Bella nodded. "Him."
Charlotte stared at him, checking him out.
He was a young man maybe in his late twenties or early thirties. He wore red fitted trousers with a white shirt, held up by matching red suspenders, along with shiny black shoes that looked like they’d just been buffed. He wasn’t wearing a bowtie, and a few buttons of his shirt were undone. His hair was packed in a man's bun and he had fancy glasses on.
"Isn't he cute?" Bella asked.
"Do you like him?" Charlotte asked.
"I-I did not say I like him. I am asking if you think he is cute."
Charlotte faced Bella. "You're blushing. It's written all over your faces that you have a crush on him."
Bella shook her head. "I do not have a crush on him, but in his sense of style. It's just an aesthetic attraction."
Charlotte chuckled. "I can tell it is. But why is your face red?"
"I do not know what you are talking about," Bella defended herself.
"Well, say that to him when he gets here," Charlotte said.
"What do you mean?" Bella whispered, looking in the man's direction.
"I think he is heading here."
"I don't think he is," Bella said.
"I think he is," Charlotte whispered.
The man got to them. He pulled out his right hand from his pocket and waved slightly.
"Hi."
Bella and Charlotte waved back. "Hi."
"I told ya," Charlotte said, leaning towards Bella.
He pointed at Bella. "You were the lady who welcomed us into the party a while ago. I mean on stage."
Bella nodded. "I am."
He stretched his hand to her. "It's nice to meet you. I am Jordan Myle."
Bella took his hand. "Bella Smith."
He raised Bella's hand up and pecked it. "It's nice to meet you once more."
Bella blushed but quickly concealed it. Charlotte who had seen what just happened, chuckled slightly.
Jordan held onto Bella's hand, not letting it go. Bella didn't want to let go so soon either; his hands were soft.
"You must be her best friend," he said to Charlotte. "I saw you encouraging her from the audience a while ago."
Charlotte nodded. "I am. You can call me Charlotte."
"Nice to meet you, Charlotte," he said, finally releasing Bella's hand.
Bella groaned slightly. He stretched his hand to Charlotte and shook her. He did not peck Charlotte's hand; instead, he complimented her ring.
"Thank you, Mr. Jordan," Charlotte answered.
"Just call me Jordan."
Charlotte nodded. "Jordan."
He returned his hands to his pockets and smiled. "See you around Bella... And Charlotte."
They nodded. "See you around."
He saluted them, winked at Bella, and then left. They watched him walk out of the door before screaming out. They quickly adjusted themselves when some people stared at them.
"Sorry," they mumbled.
"I knew it!" Charlotte whispered.
"His hands were so soft," Bella mumbled.
Charlotte smiled. "I know you like him."
"I do not," Bella defended.
Charlotte folded her arms. "Do you dislike him then?"
Bella shook her head. "I don't but..."
"There is no but. My friend is in love." Charlotte gestured with her hands.
"I am not in love with him," Bella defended herself again. "What are you thinking?"
"Nothing... I believe everything you say."
"You should because that is the truth."
Charlotte nodded but said nothing. They both decided to get themselves a glass of wine each. They went to get the glasses of wine and then returned to where they were standing before.
"Cheers to today's success," Charlotte said raising her glass.
"Cheers," Bella answered.
They clicked their glasses together before drinking from them.
"Do you think he has been watching us?" Bella suddenly asked.
Charlotte was confused. "Who?"
"Jordan."
"Jordan? Who is Jordan?" Charlotte chuckled. "I am so sorry. I get it now. Your crush."
"He is not my crush."
"I get that. Why are you suddenly talking about him? Don't tell me he has been on your mind."
Bella shook her head. "He is not. I am just wondering why he came to us directly."
"Maybe he fancies you like you fancy him."
"I do not fancy him."
"But you love his sense of style. Don't you?"
Bella nodded. "I do but that doesn't mean I fancy him."
"I get that too," Charlotte answered. "But what I don't get is why you choose to remember him and not the rest."
Bella chuckled nervously. "What are you talking about?"
"This..." Charlotte pointed. "This was your reaction when you first met Daniel. I think you like Jordan."
Bella sighed. Falling in love is not what she wants right now. Not after Daniel's betrayal.
"I think it's a fling," she said. "It will go in a few hours."
Charlotte nodded. "Maybe it is."
But in reality, she doesn't think it is.
"How about we go out and take some fresh air?" Bella suggested.
"Or we go back to our room? It's almost ten," Charlotte said.
"The party will be ending soon. I think we should wait until it's over."
"You want to see Jordan for the last time, don't you?"
"Yes... I mean no," Bella stuttered.
Charlotte chuckled. "We can wait. But first, let's get some fresh air... And maybe see Jordan."
She said the last sentence in a low voice but Bella heard her.
She smiled. "Wherever, Charlotte."
"I can't wait to tell Mia about this. Bella is finally ready to move on," Charlotte said, walking towards the door.
Bella followed her. "Don't tell Mia a thing. She's going to tease me."
"The same way you ganged up with her to tease me about Melvin."
"You and Melvin are already in love. Jordan and I are not."
"Why do I feel the feeling is mutual," Charlotte said.
"Well, I think it's not. Look who is standing with another girl."
They were outside the hall now. Just a few distances away from them was Jordan and a girl in her early twenties.
Bella could bet that girl would not be more than twenty-two.
Charlotte groaned. Was he not winking and holding hands with Bella just a while ago? And now he is with a younger girl?
Bella looked away. She felt hurt but she couldn't say why.
Charlotte patted her. "I think he is not meant for you. Don't let that weigh you down."
"Why will that weigh me down?" Bella tried to sound like everything was alright but it wasn't.
Maybe she had thought something could happen between them and seeing him with another girl crushed that dream.
"I think we should go in," Charlotte said. "He is heading in our direction with his girlfriend."
Bella stood firm. She has no reason to run away. He is not her boyfriend, and he never asked her out.
"There won't be a need for that," she said.
They are here for fresh air and not him.
Charlotte nodded. "I am here with you. If he tries..."
They got closer to them and Charlotte stopped talking. They both pretended not to have seen them.
"Hi, Bella... And Charlotte." He waved.
"Hi." They waved back.
"Bella, meet my little sister, Jade Myles."
Charlotte and Bella stared at each other. What?!