We reached my house and I opened the front door. Riel still has her arms wrapped around my arm.
Josh looked up when he saw the door open.
"Did you get Auntie Vena squared away?" Josh asked.
"Yeah." I looked at Alec who had no expression on his face looking at us. I noticed his eyes going down and stopping to look at my entangled arm.
"I'm sorry for leaving abruptly like that." Although everyone saw Riel pulled me and insisted that I leave.
"This pie is excellent, Gian. It isn't too sweet. It is just right." Lo-Ri took another bite.
"Thanks. I don't care much for overly sweet food."
Riel still not letting go of my arm, slightly nudge me to sit down.
"My brother gets enough sugar from Riel so he doesn't like any added sweetness in his food." Says Grace in a teasing manner as she winked at Riel who still has her arms around mine.
I instinctively looked at Alec after hearing what Grace said. He is still staring at my arm.
I slowly moved pretending to be reaching for a slice of pie to have a reason to take my arm out. I don't know what would compel me to do that. I sat back comfortably again after taking a slice of pie. I have no intention of eating it. It is just a reason to avoid Riel wrapping her arms around mine again.
"Grace, sooner or later you'll have to give up on hooking up Riel and G." Josh patted Grace's head.
Lo-Ri looking amused joined the conversation.
"So, you guys never even tried hooking up?"
I shook my head.
"Grace just won't give up teasing us," Riel told Lo-Ri with a smile. "We never tried and doubt will even try."
"Really? Are you sure?"
My heart started pounding again hearing Alec ask Riel while glaring at her.
"You know something I don't, Alec?"
Then Riel placed her hand on my leg as if she were pouring gasoline into an open fire.
The room suddenly got eerily quiet.
Before I could find the right word to say, Josh got up holding his cup.
"Anyone for refills?"
Grace and Lo-Ri shook their heads.
Lo-Ri got up and asked where's the washroom. Grace excitedly told her she would take her.
The three of us left in the living room weren't making any sound.
Riel and Alec seemed to be in a staring contest.
I don't like this atmosphere and I don't understand how and where it started. My head is a mess right now and I couldn't think of any way out.
The next thing I heard was Riel breaking the silence.
"Gian, I am spending the night here."
I gave her a confused look but she wasn't looking at me. Riel is still in a staring match with Alec.
We discussed this earlier and settled that she doesn't need to spend the night. Her tone was different this time, using my name and she wasn't asking. She's telling me.
"For someone who said earlier that there's no relationship other than friendship between you two, you are doing a lot of flirting."
My jaw dropped with what I was hearing. My heart is now beating so fast, it feels like it will explode.
I was about to respond to Alec but Riel sat up, straightened her back, wrapped her arms around my waist, and looked at Alec like she was about to pounce on him.
"You hardly know me to say I am flirting."
Alec got up. "I don't care to know you. I only want to know Alec."
He then looked at me. "Thanks for having us over. Please tell Lo-Ri I will wait for her in the car."
I quickly got up, causing Riel to let go of hugging my waist. I wasn't fast enough to walk him out of the door.
I stood by the door confused as to what just transpired. It seems like my confusion got worse.
Riel has a sheepish smile on her face like she discovered a secret.
Lo-Ri and Grace returned to the living room giggling.
"Your boyfriend said he will wait for you in the car." Riel sweetly told Lo-Ri.
Grace started whining about Lo-Ri needing to leave already.
Lo-Ri grabbed her purse, hugged Grace, and slowly walked toward me. She hugged me and whispered, "I may have a clue on what's going on."
In her normal voice, she told me to thank our parents for being an awesome host.
Josh returned with his cup of coffee and was surprised by the empty room.
"Where are they?" Josh asked
Grace sighed. "They went home." She's pouting like a little kid who didn't get what she wanted.
"Alec was so polite and respectful all day that leaving without saying goodbye is so out of his character," Josh said wondering.
"I am tired...." I said out loud as I walked towards my bedroom.
I heard Josh asking Riel what happened but didn't hear anything else after I closed my door.
I changed my clothes and crawled to bed. I grabbed one of my pillows and dropped it on my face as I lay flat on my back.
I need time to think about this entire day but I am mentally exhausted. I wanted to figure things out quickly but my brain is refusing any more thinking.
I heard my door open. I know it is Riel. I felt her crawl in my bed and she snuggled me.
"We can talk about it another time. You rest." She whispers as she pats my chest.
I took the pillow off my face and turned to my side facing Riel.
I looked at her as I moved some of her hair away from her face. I kissed her forehead and said goodnight.
I closed my eyes determined not to think of anything for now. As much as I want to resolve this mess, I can't do much anymore with a tired brain.