Chapter 105: Iris: Love triangle

A Bottle of champagne in the middle of a glass table whose legs are a chopped-up tree cylinder with three wine glasses surrounding it as three people involved in a shitty love triangle sit on couches—two on the other side whilst one is facing them, looking too apologetic for her good.

That’s the predicament Lucas, Bella, and I are in at the moment. The sun is beginning to set, and it’s evident by the golden amber light reflecting on the glittery art piece on the wall. If one looks closely, one will realize that the "glitter" is actually little pieces of mirror glasses designed and shaped to fit each piece of the artistic puzzle that looks like a peacock.

As if the artist’s intention was to make it the centerpiece during dusk like this, the peacock glows a luminous enticing shade of amber that lights up the entire wall it faces, creating an optical illusion two times its size on the wall receiving the projection.

Bella’s eyes are on the projection as we wait for Tim to be done with his setups. Like his custom beliefs and mannerisms, he prepares something for a guest every time they show up at his master’s house. I find it a bit inspiring how he doesn’t care who they are or what they look like. It’s as if hospitality was built into his core right off the bat when he was being made.

As if he is hospitality itself.

Placing his signature homemade avocado ice cream in front of us, he gives each of us a low bow, before raising his tray at the tips of his fingers and disappearing with the wine glasses and champagne. I watch in awe at his professional display. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he is trying to show Bella what he can do.

But I’ve seen him far too many a few times to know that’s just the way he is—a man who enjoys giving people a wholesome experience no matter where they are.

The glass table makes a clinking sound, drawing me into Bella’s bracelets scrapping on it as she picks her bowl from the table. Without waiting to be given the food, she’s already gobbling her ice cream up.

Lucas gives me a suggestive look but I swat it off, gesturing for him to pick his bowl. He’s been on edge since a while ago when he came in with Bella and I hugged him. I don’t know why, but I sure as hell hope it’s not something that’s going to give me a heart attack.

I wait until everyone is eating their ice cream before picking mine, glancing between Lucas and Bella, waiting for one of them to start talking but it seems they already did and are now feeling awkward around me.

Lucas keeps rubbing his thumb on my hip, doing his best to avoid eye contact with me as if he is to blame for something. As for Bella, she too is avoiding eye contact but my attention is on her eyes. They’re puffy and red. I can tell she was crying a while ago and my guess is that Lucas made her.

Sighing, I lick two scoops of ice cream and lose my appetite, before placing the bowl on the table with a loud thud. That manages to draw their attention to me and stops the lot from looking all sulky and afraid like sinners caught having an affair.

"Okay, times up! Tell me what the fuck is going on between you two before I flip and do something weird."

Lucas’ eyes widen a little and his grip on my hip becomes strong, almost like he wants us joined together.

"What do you mean you’ll do something weird?" He asks, totally ignoring Bella who keeps glancing between me and him with this curiosity in her eyes. I’m a bit surprised she’s not scowling at us this time.

"Don’t you dare have any strange thoughts, Iris. We all love you too much to lose you."

My hands twitch at his remark and at that moment I feel like grabbing his throat and suffocating him for a few good minutes just to make blood run in his brain again so he can start thinking rationally once again.

"I am not going to do anything strange you son of a..."

He’s my boyfriend l. He’s my boyfriend. He’s my...

"My point is, you need to tell me what happened to make you guys this weird around each other. I can’t help myself if you guys keep quiet and yet make me feel like I’m the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on even though it feels like you came here to make me know something."

"If you don’t say something I might start having ideas like you’re imagining sooner. Are the two of you back together? Is that what’s making you this mysterious?"

"No!"

"Hell, no!"

They answer simultaneously. Even I know my accusation is biased. For Bella to have been crying, they must have told each other a hurtful truth or finally broken up—for good this time. I should hate seeing somebody suffer because of me, but knowing I won’t have to fight with Bella over Lucas is somewhat refreshing in a sense.

"Then spill it. Why are you guys here and why did you come together?"

Silence.

"I don’t have all day to sit here and listen to you guys. I have somewhere to go after this." I surprise us all with my last remark. I didn’t have plans to go anywhere, it just came out on a whim.

"Where are you going?" Lucas finally looks at me directly in the eyes.

"Home," I reply knowing very well he can’t deny me the right to go to my grandparents. "So either you guys hurry this up or I’ll leave you to sob together until you’re finally happy to speak to me."

"We’re ready now," Lucas cuts me and turns his head to Bella. "Bella," he whispers and shouts at her.

She rubs her hands together before raising her head and finally looking at me. "I’m here to apologize."

★★★★★

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read