Chapter 5 Surprise

"Is there something about your new secretary?" Magnus's voice echoed.

Elliot was currently at the mini-bar in his friend's house. He didn't feel like going out, so he just came over.

He scowled. He hadn't even noticed Magnus because he had been lost in thoughts about Rosè's face.

"Nothing. Why?" he replied, then took a swig of the gin Magnus had prepared.

Magnus frowned. "I was just curious. Ever since you got here, you've been spacing out. Is your secretary that pretty?" he teased.

Elliot gave him a nasty look. "I'm not interested in her. Besides, I have a fiancée," he reasoned.

Silence fell between them.

"Out of all the women out there, why Juliette?" Magnus muttered.

"Did I upset you, Magnus? If it were up to me, I wouldn't go through with this arranged marriage," he carefully said.

"What are you talking about, bro? I don't have the slightest bit of feelings for Julie. I've got no problem with you marrying her," Magnus quickly explained, though the pain was obvious in his eyes.

"Since elementary, Julie's been openly confessing she likes you. How can you just reject her like that? If I recall correctly, she's already confessed 49 times."

"I don't care, bro! I'll never like her!" he said loudly.

"I know you, bro. You were really upset when my family announced our engagement," Elliot said, watching as Magnus's face soured.

"Elliot, what else do I have to do to convince you that I really don't have feelings for that girl?" Magnus said irritably, then downed his gin.

Elliot's shoulders slumped. He was certain Magnus did have feelings. How long would Magnus keep denying it? He thought the guy would've moved on after the engagement. He pitied the two of them - both killing their feelings because of him. He felt like a roadblock in their lives.

He drank more gin.

Magnus was about to speak when they heard the clacking of heels approaching.

"Speaking of the devil," Magnus muttered irritably.

Juliette entered, holding a fancy box of chocolates. She was dressed casually but looked effortlessly stunning. Her face lit up when she saw Magnus.

"Well, well, what do we have here? Two handsome men enjoying some gin without me?" she said playfully.

"Just killing time," Elliot said with a grin.

Juliette walked over to Magnus and handed him the box. He had no choice but to take it.

"Thanks. You didn't have to," he said neutrally. Juliette deliberately touched his hand as he took the box. The two froze for a moment. Elliot almost laughed.

When Magnus came to his senses, he quickly pulled his hand away. Juliette smiled sweetly and leaned closer to him.

"I just wanted to let you know how important you are to me," she said, meeting Magnus's gaze and searching for a reaction.

Elliot observed the two while sipping his gin. This was the first time Magnus accepted a gift from Juliette, and she seemed overjoyed.

"Oh, come on, Julie. You know Magnus has a heart made of stone. You might need more than chocolates to break through," he butted in.

Juliette looked at him and pouted.

"You're just jealous because I'm trying to put a little sunshine in his life," she accused, then looked back at Magnus.

She liked flirting with him, even though he was oblivious to her feelings.

"Magnus, could you come with me to..."

"Julie, you're engaged now. You should ask your fiancé, not me," he said, clearly uncomfortable.

Juliette frowned. "Elliot doesn't mind," she sighed dramatically.

"No problem with me. I'm rooting for you both," Elliot said as he stood up. "I think I need to go."

Magnus's eyes widened. He was the first to stand up from the stool. Elliot adjusted his wrinkled shirt.

"Where are you going?" Magnus whispered, looking worried. "Don't tell me you're leaving me alone with her."

Elliot grinned mischievously.

"Enjoy your moment together. I just remembered I have somewhere to be," he lied under his breath.

"I thought you said you had nothing planned this Saturday. Please, bro. Take your fiancée with you," Magnus begged.

Elliot patted his back.

"Julie came here for you. I'm off," he said before finally leaving the two behind.

He silently prayed that Magnus would finally realize how he truly felt about Juliette.

He decided to hang out at a pub instead. He'd just roam around the old nightclub where he and his friends used to go. There were seven of them - all guys - who became friends in college. They were all business majors, children of CEOs, and now owners of their own companies.

He just wanted to forget all his problems, but Rosè's face kept flashing in his mind.

Irritated, he sat on a stool after ordering tequila. He tried to push away the troubling thoughts about his secretary.

He was drinking when a woman sat next to him. He looked at her blankly. She smiled at him. Apparently, she was interested. His annoyance grew. The woman spoke, but he didn't listen. He just nodded between sips of tequila.

The woman was about to touch him when he suddenly stood up. Someone passing by caught his attention. She was with another woman, and they were happily chatting amidst the club's noise.

He recognized her face. It was his secretary, Rosè. He followed her with his eyes. It looked like her friend invited her to dance. The two were happily dancing when three men approached them. He became alert. This was his chance to approach Rosè - but then, one of the men grabbed her arm. She struggled, trying to escape, but the guy was too strong.

He immediately stepped in, and without hesitation, grabbed the man's hand. He was so furious that he nearly broke the guy's arm as he twisted it.

Rosè's eyes widened. Her face was a mix of fear and shock.