Eyes Like Ice by Radia Al Rashid (books successful people read TXT) 📕

“Are you doubting someone, or something for that upcoming danger?” he asks me with his ever-calming voice.

“I think... I think it’s Anna, I’m not believing her! More appropriately, I cannot believe her anymore. It’s just, it’s not what happened back with Jules and sedative! But there’s got to be more to it. My instinct is warning me repeatedly this time not to trust Anna. I know I’m sounding like a bitch for doubting my best friend, but...”

A gentle yet firm hand grips my left arm, “Evelyn, you’re not sounding like anything. Feel free to spit it out. What is the reason behind your doubting your friend to begin with? There must be one.” A perfect mixture of firmness and assurance in his voice. For a moment, I feel like I made the best decision to share the stuffs with this guy. Something in his voice gives off that warm trustfulness about him.

Gulping the lump in my throat, I tell him the entire incident of Anna’s sudden allergy about cats and that sinister possibility of her killing that tortoise shell cat of her mom before getting here out of nowhere.

“Did she somehow mention about coming here the night before, when you guys talked over phone?”

“Not really, I mean no! she didn’t mention a word about that but she did talk about the sleepwalking episode.” I bite the knuckles slightly, mostly out of nerves.

“Do you think, by any chance she’s hiding stuffs from us? Guess I should talk with her mom directly, don’t I? Again, I keep feeling like there’ll be some new danger as soon as I leave home. What do I do?”

His lips purse in a fine line. Waiting some more, he says, “Hm, I’m not gaslighting you against your best friend, but talking with her mom will set your tensed mind free, you know! I think, you should go talk to her if you think talking over phone will create further problem between you and Anna. Besides, your Aunt, she is here with your sister 24/7, isn’t she? You need to let go of some worries in order to clear out some doubts.”

“Guess you’re right! But...” my fingers fidgeting the mobile restlessly, “But Will, Jules’ fiancé, he’s missing for... like for a long time.” I lick my dry lips.

“Who? Julia, your sister is engaged, ha? Was he there, I mean her fiancé, was he there with her during the accident?” he scoots a bit closer.

I silently grind my teeth at how my cheeks flush scarlet as he comes closer. This is not the time, idiot!

“Yeah, no! well, yeah, she’s engaged, and no, he wasn’t with her then. And I haven’t been able to reach him.”

“You what? It’s been what... months? since she’s had this accident, no? you guys didn’t inform police or anything? Wait, you’ve informed police, right?” his eyes flash with shock and something else, I can’t quite read.

“I don’t know, Richard! I can’t believe I haven’t seriously thought about it the whole time! I mean, o my God! I totally forgot that part. I mean, the other day, Jules was trying to say something like, Will called her that day... only then I actually started mulling it over. I’ve messed up big time, haven’t I?” my breathing becomes hoarse.

“Hey, hey look at me. Shh! It’s ok, Evelyn, just look at me now.” his hands reach out to hold my face with concern, heating up my stupid cheeks unintentionally. I am such a jerk!

“Steady now, ok? Look you’ve been through a hell lot! It’s not so unexpected of you to forget things when you are not in a stable condition yourself. It’s been months, and I don’t think informing Police at this point will do any good, they can actually doubt you or, any other member from your family now. Not that I’m doubting you guys, but that’s how it works dealing with Police, sometimes.” His voice a little grave.

“Do you have experience? I mean, I’m sorry to intrude, but do you have any experience in dealing with disappearance, Police and stuffs?” I don’t know why of all things I have to say these?

“Um, no, not disappearance!” suddenly his eyes go blank. That Icy stares become a bit obsidian sending a ripple down my spine.

“So? What do I do now?” I ask like a little child asking its mother what to wear.

He runs his hands across his face, “Guess, we’ll need to check on him. Do you know anyone from his family? His siblings? Parents?”

“Well, I tried to reach his parents several times before, but couldn’t. They’re not even here so that I can meet them, they’re actually in France, for the business purpose, I guess. Besides, he is the only child as far as I remember, so no sibling to contact.” Shit! I’m sounding too stupid right now. how could I ignore all these so not normal things about William this entire time! God, give this guy the patience to deal with a retarded rat like me.

“Gosh, Evelyn! You should’ve at least let me know earlier... but guess what! It’s still fine, it’s never too late to find him out. No worries.” He tries to sooth my stupid ass. I am officially a fricking fool, no doubt on that one!

“You free now?” he pushes to his feet.

“Me? Yeah, why?”

“You know the address of William’s apartment, no?”

“I guess, I mean sorry, I’m terrible with roads and directions.” My face flushes, this time with embarrassment.

He lets out a little chuckle, “Cool! Still, we have hope, no worries. Um... you know his full name at least? Or, are you also not good with names?” he teases.

“God! no, I know this one.” I rub my temples nervously, “William Henry Jones.”

“Hm, okay, let me figure out the address, then. Give me five.”

“You sure you wanna get involved in my problem?” I sound guilty.

“O yeah, Ma’am! That’s positive.” His eyes sticking to the mobile screen.

“Woah! His accounts are not private! So, we’re gonna head towards hm... hm... hm!”

“You figured it out?”

“Wait”

I wait some more minutes, “Now?”

“Yep! No sweat! Let’s go then, shall we?”

“That was pretty quick.” I cannot hide that dubious expression from my face.

“I know!” he smiles, “Don’t you worry, I’m no stalker. It’s just, you can easily find out someone’s address from Social media accounts. It’s just too easy that any of his account is not private.” He shrugs.

My face heats up for being stupid with him... AGAIN!

“I think we should head now! it’s almost 10 already! Or, do you wanna go there tomorrow? Any time will be fine by me except for my office hours.” He grins.

“10? I don’t know. I think, um... tomorrow will be fine. You know, I don’t know! Damn it.”

“Should I take it as yes or no or I don’t know?” hint of a smile is apparent in his voice.

I roll my eyes, “I’m not a fool, kay? I’m just an indecisive individual standing in front of an extremely decisive one.”

He laughs in reply. Shoving both his hands into his pockets, he looks at me, “Seriously! I don’t think going out with me at this hour will look much decent to your family.” He cocks his head to one side.

“Going out? Oh! I get it.” I’m becoming expert in making fool of myself, particularly to this guy.

“Fuck it,” I mutter under my breath. I find him lowering his head, clearly to hide his smile.

Course! It’s not his fault that you’re on top of the list of idiots!

“See you, at what time then?” I quickly stumble on my own feet in the middle of the attempt to stand on my heel. “Ugh! What’s wrong with me!” frustration oozing out of my voice.

“It’s alright, Evelyn! Just relax a bit, take it easy on you, huh?” he smiles putting a hand on my arm.

Here goes my stupid heart! Only if it didn’t tug at the stupid face and specially the cheeks too while doing its job! No doubt my cheeks already turned into tomato as I catch him smirking with the side of my eyes.

“Yeah, right! So, what time?”

“Will 2:00 work for you? It’s actually weekend but need to deal with a project meeting!”

“Course! It’ll be totally okay with me. Thank you so much Mr. Miller, for listening to my babblings without attempting to punch me.” I comb my fingers through my hair.

“Why would I punch you?” the hint of a smile is intense in his voice now. “I’m actually feeling honored to be able to help you in this. One more thing, do not worry much! You’re also not physically fit, remember? Take it easy on you!” his sexy tone emphasizes the word easy a little more.

Oh! my tiny idiot heart! It’s pumping the amount of blood that the whole human race can survive with! You just stay normal, maybe? You have no right to weaken this much after talking with him sitting side by side the whole evening! Come on!

“Yeah sure, I will take it easy on me.” I smile a little, “you too take care, good night!”

“Good night, Evelyn” this time, damn! His voice turns into its softest and sweetest texture. I need to go back home, fast! Before showing any more stupidity to this enticing creature.

“Bye!” I cut it short before turning on my heels.

He silently waves back at me with a ghost of a smile on his face. Yeah! That... that expression sends chill across my skin! I cannot be 100% positive about his being innocent, seeing this expression. Every time. Every. Single. Time!

Without gawking at his way, I quickly make my feet pace towards the house. Stepping inside, my heart jumps to my throat at the sight of Anna. She is standing right in front of the door, confusion and doubt smeared across her face. Gulping the lump in my dried-out throat, I try to give a genuine smile steading my eyes at her.

“What? I didn’t kill anyone!” I try to joke with so inappropriate words. Holy shit! Joking about killing! Why!

“Nope! I know, you can’t kill anyone. You seem to start dating that alchemist, I see!” she cocks her brows.

“Date? You got to be kidding, girl! Just having a conversation doesn’t mean DATING!” I roll my eyes at her.

“O well! I really want you to finally have a love life, y’ know. But not quite with this one, I guess?”

“Why? I mean, it’s not like I’m thinking about starting a relationship with him, but seriously, why do you say so?”

She clicks her tongue mindlessly before turning to me, “Do you not find him, well weird? I mean to say that he seems all successful and good-looking yada...yada... yada! But he doesn’t seem all innocent and not-to-be-doubted to me. You see what I’m saying?”

That mysterious expression of his instantly makes its way to my mind. He does have some secrets, doesn’t he? I wouldn’t be surprised if I found out he’s the one who killed all of his family members... like a mass-murder! But why do I have this unaffected belief somewhere at the corner of my heart that he’s a good guy? Is it because I’m all smitten by him?

“Hello!” Anna waves her hand before my eyes. “Where have you dived