Drown Me in Love - Chapters 9 and 10

Chapter 9

*Alexander's P.O.V*

"Why?" She asks slowly.
I shrug, "She really wants to meet you and I want my best friend to meet one of the most important people in my life." She chews her lower lip thoughtfully. "You don't have to. It's completely up to you."

She watches me before tilting her head to the side and asking, "Do you want me to?"
"It's up to you Adi." I place a few tins in the cupboard, emptying the last few bags.
"Do YOU want me to Alex?"

Turning around, I study her expression before answering, "Yeah. I do." As she opens her mouth, I hold up my hand, "Doesn't mean you have to. Think about it. Really Adriana, I'm serious." When she nods, still uncertain, I glance around the kitchen. "So what's for lunch?"

Her eyes widen, "Shit."
Chuckling, I shake my head, "How about you go, do your homework or housework or whatever while I make us lunch?"
"But -"

I shake my head, "You know what? It's not up for discussion. I want you out of the kitchen."
Throwing me a beautiful smile, even though her eyes still seem troubled, she leaves.
"Adriana?" I knock on her bedroom door.
She looks up from the book she's reading.

"Yup?"
"You wanna eat now?"
"You're done?" She asks, getting up and following me to the table, her voice sounding incredulous.

"It's not much. I didn't have much to work with." I look at her once we're seated," Please don't tell me you have microwaved food every night."
"Okay. I won't tell you." She shoots me a smile as she sits down.

I almost give up the subject seeing that smile. Almost. "Ri, it isn't good for you."
"Mmm... These are delicious." She takes a bite and shaking my head, I drop the topic. We eat quietly for a few minutes before she looks up. "Alex, I'm scared."
I put my sandwich down, meeting her eyes. "Scared of what?"

"She's your twin sister, right? So what if she doesn't like me and so doesn't approve? I really want to meet her, but.."

I shake my head, sighing, "First of all, I don't care what she thinks. I don't say anything about the weird guys she brings home. And secondly, she'll love you. I'm sure of it. Who wouldn't?" Adriana watches me, chewing on her lower lip again, her beautiful big eyes on me. "I just thought it to be the best time. Mom's traveling and we'll be the only ones."

She nods, "All right. We'll be eating at home?"
"If that's what you want."
"Yes please." Seeing me grin, a smile lights up her face, "You really wanted me to come, didn't you?"
When I nod happily, she laughs.

*Brianna's P.O.V*

I make sure the food's hot as I set the table with the Chinese food that just got delivered no more than ten minutes back.

Since he's made up with her, my Alex is back, happy joking around Alex that just loves troubling me. Happy Alex that now has a girlfriend. When I told Brittany on the phone last night, she didn't believe me. I wouldn't either. Just the thought of Alexander having a friend that's a girl is just..unbelievable, but not just that, he actually admitted to me that he was 'drawn to her'.

As I pass my the mirror, I glance down at my outfit. A rose pink crocheted top over a white sleeveless top and white skinnies. My hair left down loose with just my bangs pulled back.

Alex had called late in the afternoon to say that he was bringing her over and not to make too much of a fuss of anything. He'd practically drilled into my head what to ask and what not to ask.

When the bell rings, I head towards the front door, excited.
You would be too if it was the first time your brother was bringing home a girl who's his friend, lover, fiance, wife, or whatever. As long as it's a girl. Who I'll like.

I open the door to see Adriana standing in black skinnies, a gray halter top and a Alex's black hoodie. The cold breeze is blowing through her black hair and her cheeks are slightly pink from the cold. No wonder Alex never liked any of the girls that I set him up with. This girl is beyond beautiful.

"Hey! Finally! You guys are here. It's freezing outside. Come in."

*Alexander's P.O.V*

"So, did you have fun?" I ask Adi as we walk towards her apartment building.
"Yup. Thanks a lot."
"It was nothing. My sister absolutely loves you by the way. If you're still worrying."
"Really?"
"Yup. No doubt about it. And you guys were talking like as if you knew each other all your lives." I joke, "I don't think you've talked that much to me!"
"Hey! I do!!"
I laugh, "Right!"

I watch her as we walk and see her shiver slightly. Reaching over, and not to mention taking a big risk, I entwine my fingers through hers and squeeze her hand. She looks up at me but I keep looking ahead. A minute later, her hand finally relaxes and as we near her house, a gust of wind suddenly blows in our direction and she cringes into me. I pull her close, slipping her hand into my hoodie pocket, and take her other hand in mine.
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I slip my hand into my pocket to make sure they're there before I open the door of the shack. Stepping in a shiver runs down my spine at the sudden heat that welcomes me, a wonderful change from the bleak weather outside.

Adriana looks up from the computer and smiles, "Hey."
It's been more than a fortnight since we made up and that smile of hers has made me go through a million and one new emotions that I can't come to grip with.

*Adriana's P.O.V*

Alex walks up to the counter, pulling off his hood to reveal the collar of his green turtleneck underneath.

"Hi. How are you?" He leans against the counter and scans the place before turning to me and giving me a beautiful smile.

"I'm fine." Reaching under the counter, I pull out my thermos. "Here."
Chuckling he takes it and takes a sip of coffee. "Do I look that bad?"
I grin, "No. Not THAT bad."

He rolls his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. Setting the flask down, he runs a hand through his hair and glances around. I bite my lip to keep from smiling and turn back to my computer. After making sure the accounts are right, I glance up at Alex and see him staring off into space.

"What is it Alexander?" I ask, switching off the program.
"What?" He looks at me.
I try to hold back my laugh, but a chuckle escapes. He raises an eyebrow in question, his expression completely serious.
"What's so funny?"
"You are!" I laugh and watch as the corners of his lips turn up. "Now what was it that you wanted to ask me?"

Sighing, he pulls something out of his pocket and placing it on the table, pushes it towards me. Picking it up, I see it's a cream-colored expensive looking card that has one word in the middle. Guest is written out in a gold cursive font in the middle. I turn it over in my hands to see an address at the bottom. The Crown Plaza Hotel.

Wow. That's like where all the super rich people have parties and all.
I look up at Alex, who's been watching me.
Oh. My. God. Please don't tell me he wants to take me there...
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Chapter 10

*Adriana's P.O.V*

"What is this?"
"Well... Mom got invited to her boss's birthday party and it's this weekend. And all the senior managers got an extra pass to bring along a date. So Mom managed to get two tickets and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me."

"As your date?"
He grins, "Why not?" But then his smile dims and he shakes his head, "No, as friends. Whatever you wish."

"Why me?"
He shrugs, "Cause I don't want to go with anyone else."
"When is it?"
"This Saturday night, but I kinda need your answer tonight so that I can tell mom whether I'm coming or not."

"If I say no, you're not going?"
He shrugs, again, "No point."
"But Alex..." I bite my lip looking at the card then at him, "It's going to be fancy, right?"
He studies my expression before nodding, "Very."
"Even if I did say yes, what on earth am I going to wear?"

"I don't know. We'll come up with something. It's entirely up to you if you want to go or no but," He reaches over and places his hand over mine, "I'd really like you to come Adi."
I sigh, "Fine. But what am I going to wear?"
"Don't worry. I'll come up with something." He grins, happy and I smile.
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"So come up with anything?" I ask Alex as we walk to school the next morning, which is Friday.
"About what?" He asks looking up from the sidewalk.
"What I'm going to wear."
"Have you?"

"Alexander! You said you would!"
"But you've obviously been thinking about it. Did you come up with anything?"
I shake my head. "No."
"I didn't either." He looks away but not before I see the small smile on lips.

*Alexander's P.O.V*

Glancing at my watch, I push open the door to the Shack and make sure that Adriana's not there.
"Yes?" Simon appears behind the counter and seeing me, raises an eyebrow. Well, it is surprising that I'm here seven-thirty on a Saturday morning, a good half hour before Adi's shift starts.

"Good morning."
He nods, "Morning."
To tell you the truth, I find him a little intimidating. "Um... I was wondering if you would help me with something..."

I push open the door and see Adriana helping out a customer. Smiling, I watch her before approaching the counter. Glancing at me, her smile falters and I feel a sudden pang of worry in my chest. What's wrong?

"Hey Alex."
"What's wrong?"
"What am I wearing tonight? You know how close I am to backing out?"
"That's why I'm here."
"Adriana you have the rest of the day off." Simon calls from his room.
"What?!"

We hear a chair being pushed back and he appears in the doorway. "Don't worry. It's paid."
"But why?"
"I don't want you in the shop today. Go get some fresh air." With that he disappears back into his room.

She turns to me, confused, before shaking her head and meeting my eyes. "And what's your idea?"
"We're going shopping."
She looks up from a notebook at me, "I don't want one of those rented dresses Alex."
"Yuck. Are you kidding? No way."
"I can't afford a dress right now."
"So?"

"So I can't buy one."
"Who said you were buying one?"
"Then?" She stares at me and then shakes her head, "No. No way."
"Why?"
"No!"

"Come on Adi."
"Alexander, No." She shakes her head, as if to emphasize her 'No!'.
"Why not?" I ask, completely prepared for the argument. I knew she wasn't going to agree easily.
"I'm not letting you buy a dress for me."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to."

Blowing out a loud breath, I narrow my eyes, "You know Adi, I thought we were friends. I thought we'd established the fact that if I did anything for you it was because I cared not because I pity you. And I was wrong all this time." Pulling on my hood, I spin on my heel and stalk towards the door, pretty happy with myself for pulling that off without cracking a smile.

Before I can get the door fully open, she's got a firm grip on my arm and the other hand closes the door. Keeping my eyes on the door, I don't look towards her.

"Alex looks at me." When I don't move, she tugs my arm, "Alex." I turn towards her, my face towards her. "You know I can hardly see your face with that hood on." I stare at her silently and sighing, she reaches over and pulls it off. Her fingers brush against my forehead, leaving a burning trail on my skin.

"I'm sorry. That isn't what I meant to imply."
"What DID you mean to imply?"
"You can't buy me a dress Alexander."

"Why not?"
"Because."
"Adi, you're coming tonight because I invited you. You need a dress in the first place because you're coming. Now you can come buy a dress with me or turn up in your pajamas, but either way you're coming tonight because I can't let Mom down."

"She knows I'm coming?"
"Yup. And she's very excited."
"I don't have any other option, do I?"
"Nope."

"Let me go get my bag." I watch as she walks back to the counter and retrieves her stuff. "You sure you'll be fine?" She asks Simon, peeking into his room.
"I managed the shop twelve years before Eric turned up by myself, I'm sure I'll be fine." He answers, his voice gruff.

"Okay, then."
"Come here and give me a hug."
I chuckle as she disappears into his room. He's putty in her hands.
"Are we walking?" Adriana asks once we're out.
"Nope." I point towards my car and she gasps.
"Wow."

After closing the door behind her, I take my place behind the wheel.
"Relax Ri." I glance at her as I drive. She's been quiet for the past ten minutes. "I'm not going to get you anything expensive. I'm just going to get you some scrap of cloth that'll cover you up and will cost me no more than 50 bucks."

She lets out a sigh, "Now that's a relief."
Looking around in the mall, she takes a step closer to me, "I'm scared already."
Chuckling, I lead her towards the escalator. "Food court first. Shopping makes me hungry, so let's get some fuel burning before we hit the stores."

After going through five stores, in each of which Adriana's liked nothing, I finally drag her into a store that sells nothing but dresses and shoes. After pushing her into a trial room and ordering her to stay there, I find a shop assistant and the both of us look for dresses for her.

She tries on the first dress, which bunches up on the side, and after looking up to meet my eyes, we both burst out laughing. It gives me an idea and I quickly go around the store and pick out the most ridiculous dresses I find. I've already got three dresses picked out that I think will look good on her, but I want to loosen her up a bit, make her have fun.

After she tries on the wonderful artistic dresses that I'd chosen for her and we've spent the better part of an hour laughing like maniacs, I hand her my three choices.

The first one is a spaghetti-strap red dress which has a subtle cream floral print. Once she puts it on, Adi slowly opens the door. I look up from my phone to the beauty standing in front of me and my eyes bug out of their sockets. It's the first time I'm seeing her in something that reveals her figure.

"I don't like it Alex."
"Why?"
"It's too... ugh. My arms feel so bare."
"Why don't you try on the other ones?"
Nodding, she closes the door.

"Alex?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm definitely not wearing this one."
"Why?"
"I might as well not have any clothes on!"
"Can I at least see?"

She doesn't answer for a few seconds, before finally sighing, "Fine." She starts opening the door, and I don't know what changes her mind, but she starts closing it, "Actually."
My foot stops the door from closing, "Adriana."

Sighing, she opens it. The first thing I see is that her clothes are covering the mirror. Remembering that she doesn't look at herself, I bite back my sigh. I need to do something about that. Looking at her, I freeze. She has a black dress on that hugs her figure perfectly up to her waist before falling down past her knees like a skirt. Meeting her eyes, I blink.

"It looks... really nice." I manage to get out.
"Thanks, but I'm not wearing this."
Shrugging, I step back, "Try the other one then."
"Okay."

I lean against the opposite trial room door. Three minutes later, when Adriana opens the door, I'm not prepared for the sight in front of me. At all. I mean like, nothing in the world could prepare me for it. NOTHING.
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Replies to comments for Drown Me in Love - Chapter 8

Love you guys! Thanks for everything!

Jeny - Aww! I'm so glad I was able to change your day! Ur welcome n thank U!

PH - Thanks! You'll see Adi's father soon, no worries! Ur welcome and thank U! =)

Hajar - Hajjaaaa! Lool! Thank you so much! I won't just remember you, I'll remember you as one of the people who's supported me all the way! Love you loads!

Lucy - I know, right? Adi hasn't got much! And you just Love revealing people's past, don't you? Lol. All in good time. I promise you'll get it soon enough! Thanks for everything! I am so glad you're happy about the sequel! Enjoy!

Ada Okarafor - Thanks!

Aashna - Best for last! I read your comment at school and I had this big smile on my face and one of my friends had thought I'd gone crazy! I understand, no worries... yeah, you can tell me if you want. No Aashna, I've got so much to improve on, I'm not even close to perfection! But if you think so then I'm honored and very thankful! I know, you don't come across many people who would be as patient and understanding as Alex is with someone he hardly knows... Lool! Guess we're similar then! Because I always put myself in my characters place and see how I'd react and that's what I end up writing. Thanks for your fabulous comment. You can't say that you have nothing to say, I think you've said it all! BTW, have you seen together as one, the Winning Hearts sequel? Take care and thanks for everything! And God bless you!