- I'll explain later. - I mean, before Ryder asked any questions.
- Okay. Okay.
Hand in hand, we walk towards where your bike is parked and head to the restaurant. Ryder writhes from laughing while I tell you what happened to Tiffany. He kisses my cheek while wearing a watch with thin bracelets, adorned like little sapphires and diamonds. He had stopped by a store to buy the watch and give me a gift for graduation.
- Now that you've bought me a present, can we finally go to the restaurant? - I mean, when you get close to the bike. - I'm starving to death!
Ryder lets out a laugh, rubbing his nose in mine.
- Sunshine, you're always hungry!
Making a beak, I look at Ryder like a dog that fell off a moving truck. He lets out another laugh.
- Don't look at me like that! - he says, still laughing. - You know you've been eating too much lately. If it goes on like this, it'll end up the size of a balloon.
- Ryder! - ...I shoot him by slapping him in the arm and he laughs again.
Although I was a little offended by the possibility of getting fat from eating so much, I had to agree with him that lately I had been feeling an unusual hunger. As I attributed it to the stress of class and work, I believed that I would soon be eating normally again.
- Ryder?
A voice called when we were riding the bike. We turned to look in the direction where the call came from and Ryder's laughter dies the instant he faces Leila. His face transforms and he contracts a sober, cold face.
- Can I talk to you? - she says, approaching.
- No! - Shoot him, in anger. - I have nothing to talk to you about, Leila!
Ignoring his harshness, Leila grabs his arm in a desperate gesture.
- Please, please, please, please, please, please! - she begs. - I need you to listen to me!
Ryder stares at her for a moment, so I grunted by shaking hands on the handlebars of the bike, until the knuckles of my fingers turned white.
- Leave me alone! You hear that, Leila? - he growls at her. - Or I won't answer for myself!
Starting on the motorcycle, he goes towards Hudson Street, leaving a Leila stunned and stopped without any reaction. I look in her direction as the image of the woman disappears as the distance increases. Ryder's body shivered under my hands. There was a lot of tension in his body because of his anger and that worries me. He breathes deeply, aware of the high speed at which he rides the bike and slows down gradually. As we headed for the restaurant, I wondered what would be so serious that Leila was looking for Ryder. A bad omen takes over my body, making my heart beat harder. Something told me we should be careful with that girl.
Chapter 16
Ryder
I look out the window and breathe deeply. I had been in the same position for some time and I was aware that Brooke was watching me in silence. We waited for the waiter to deliver our dishes and barely touched the juice I ordered.
- All right! All right! Why don't you say what's bothering you? - says Brooke, no more patience, breaking the silence.
I knew that she was bothered that I did not say a word during the whole journey and even after we had arrived. I ignored her without realizing it. Huffing, I place my elbows on the table and support my chin in my hands.
- I don't know what you're talking about! - I mean, taking a sip in my juice. - There's nothing bothering me.
- It's Leila, isn't it? You always look that way when you see her. - Brooke says by drinking some of the tea you ordered.
I sigh, looking away with a frown on my forehead. I didn't want to talk about the meeting with Leila, because there was nothing to be commented on, but she managed to annoy me whenever we saw each other.
- I don't want to talk about it! - I mean, harshly.
Brooke looks at me with a penetrating look. I didn't want to fight with her, but my patience was on edge.
- I know you're angry and I didn't like that woman touching you either, but I'm still here trying to talk to see if your mood, which seems to have gone for a walk, will return as soon as possible.
She smiles at me and taking my hands she sighs.
- Ryder, you can't just dwell on your past. It'll only hurt you. - she says softly. - I know it must have been horrible what Leila and her father did, but it's been a long time. You should talk to them, put an end to this thing. Just like your mother did.
I'll let out a laugh I've attracted the eyes of people from other tables. Brooke's got his eyes wide open in trouble.
- You know what I really think? - I ask in a cold tone. - That you're too good. Always a dreamer, she thinks that people have surrendered to her fairytale princess look. Except life isn't a fairy tale, Brooke. It won't be a conversation that will
