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

“Don’t even start on that. I’m not interested in creating a love life! This will just remain as non-existent as ever.” I wave her off. “Where’s Jules?”

“She’s upstairs, I think already deep in sleep.”

“What? Did she even have her dinner? Meds?”

“Relax! She had everything already. She actually looked for you while eating but I said you were busy in dating the Alchemist.” She smirks.

“You didn’t! argh! You could’ve just called me.” I frustratingly let out a breath.

“It’s okay, Kate was there, I was there. Even, Serena was there too. Wait, are you now doubting all of us because that Sherlock Holmes of a brain of yours is signaling you that we can harm her?”

“What! Anna, why are you bringing back the old shits? I told it cos you just said she was looking for me and I was NOT dating or whatever with Richard. It was just a friendly neighbor-to-neighbor conversation.”

“Yeah, right! Didn’t seem to me like that though.”

“Why are you being intentionally mean to me? Did you pry on me while I was outside? I cannot believe it.” My voice filled with disgust.

“Pry on you? Girl, I’m not so useless as you to do something like that. I just opened the window for fresh air to let in, then spotted you guys being in too close proximity...”

“Shut it! What’s wrong with you? Even if I was in a relationship with Richard, who are you to control my life, huh? Do not even try to boss me around.”

“Cool! You’re being a dumb bitch, probably because of those brain shits you’ve been through! There will be no help from me when that dearie Richard will not hesitate to slit your throat open. Oops! Or, maybe just do something more fun and sadistic.” Her words feel like sharp daggers piercing right through me. Hot tears start brimming in my eyes.

Blinking away I stroll by her towards the stairs. She definitely is doing all these on purpose, to hide that ugly, obsidian, murderous face from me. I cannot waste my energy dealing with her psychotic blows right now. I have lot more important things ahead to deal with.

“Woah! You even started giving up so easily too! Guess you don’t have any logical explanation for drooling at that weirdo’s feet.”

I completely ignore her gritting my teeth to stop the curses from getting out of my mouth that are fiercely brewing right under my lips. I silently check on Julia before quickly ducking in my room. All the way, holding on that breath which leaves through my nostrils shakily after plopping down, sliding my back slowly against the door. I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs to let out the disgust and pure rage that Anna’s nonchalantly blurted words ignited. I can feel my skinny hands shaking like crazy, I do not seem to steady them at all. My cheeks are burning furiously, this time not by the Icy yet hot vibe of Richard. My skin is pricking with real anger. I even almost open the door in an instant to be out and kick that she-demon out of my house right now. But something suddenly stalls me making me mull over the important stuffs awaiting to be focused on. Taking a deep, shaky breath I let go of the door letting it slam with a booming sound. O no! the last thing I want right now is company! Didn’t you just make the stupidest move to grab the attention even from that old alien who’s lamenting on his death-bed somewhere around Andromeda? Suck it up and focus on the REAL IMPORTANT THINGS now. Nobody would side with you at this moment, remember Anna can be dangerous enough to villainize you to your family in no time. So, all you can do now is zip your mouth and wait till 2pm tomorrow. Just shut it.

I cannot bring myself to sleep, at all the whole night. All I can hear is the echoing of Anna’s direct and come-fight-with-me words. My eyes hurt because of crying and wiping off the tears furiously, this time the rage is on me. why couldn’t I kick her out already after that Jules incident. You can be a mumbling, retarded rat sometimes, you should’ve been more stubborn in shutting her out then. Oh! Come on! Now is not the time to think it over. You’ll have to face the God-knows-what happened to Will only some hours later. You’ll also have to talk with Anna’s mom, remember? Only then you’ll be able to sweat your big head over finding the right reason to stand against Anna! Therefore, voice from two distant poles keep battering me the entire time till the sunlight peeks through the slit of my window-curtains. Looking at the window, Richard’s face makes its cameo appearance before my eyes. I really like the guy not because he is banging and irresistible but because he does seem to have a very kind and pure heart. Aside from Jules and dad, nobody ever listened to me without frowning at my stupidity before. Why then, everyone around... no, not everyone only that she-demon is trying hard to make me hate him? Obviously, she’s trying her ass off to villainize Richard so that she can be the cooing innocent faced criminal! Anyway, knock it off!

I keep lying, more like plopping down on my bed like an inanimate object for some more hours, swimming my head with tons and tons of what ifs and whys. It is around 12, when I hear Anna’s lighthearted laughter coming probably from down the corridor. I decide to finally leave my bed to well, take the meds. I need to get going with my frail body if I want to unravel that notorious mystery brewing under the surface of the entire house. Thinking about taking meds, Richard’s request slash order from the last night comes crawling back to my mind. Take it easy on you! His enticing voice echoes in my ears, heating up my stupid cheeks. Yes, you guys are allowed to frown at my nonsensical drooling over session! I am even fed-up with my heart’s wrong signals in totally wrong hours. Another bout of laughter floats in from the corridor.

What is so funny! I think it’s Kate, the other voice laughing her heart out with Anna! What’s up with them this early! Just hope the battering and intentionally venomous stare of Anna from last night will at least fade away now that she seems “happy”. Scoffing at the mental picture of her presence, I head towards the washroom.

“Hey guys, what did I miss?” I try to keep my voice calm and interested.

“Eve! Come over here. We’re having a random fun session.” Julia’s voice sounds so jovial that it makes me smile.

“Woah! How can I miss it?” I quickly take a glance at my watch to find it’s still about an hour to go before 2. I enthusiastically hop on the couch beside Jules. After some passing of lighthearted humors, Anna snaps her fingers.

“Can you believe that neighbor guy was wearing a cat PJs when I had my sleepwalking episode that night?” her voice shaking with laughter.

I immediately shoot her a look, to check on the expression. She cocks a brow with a fiendish smile.

“What? You kidding?” Kate starts laughing.

O dear Lord! Is she now trying to make a fool out of Richard to bother me? how weirdly childish!

“O yeah? Maybe he is a cat lover or something.” I take a sip from my coffee mug.

“Course, you’re here to defend him. Gosh! Even if he’s a cat lover, he’s a fucking adult for God’s sake! Why would he wear something so stupid like that? He even tried to flirt with me being in that Pjs? Hilarious!” She tries to forcefully make her laughter louder.

I smirk at her in reply and decide to stay quiet without messing up with her anymore.

“So what? Being adult doesn’t strip you off the right to wear a cat PJs, you guys!” Jules lets out a snicker.

“Tell me about it!” I slightly roll my eyes.

“Guys! It is hilarious enough, and wait, when that tight-lipped, overtly civilized and formal creature wears it... shit!” Kate’s laughter sounds too stupid to me at this moment.

“Come on, Kate! you still don’t know why Evelyn is too worked up at us right now? She LOVES that Cat PJs. Remember I told you once about the alchemist? It’s him.” Anna flips her long thick hair over her shoulder.

“What? When did you say that?” Kate seems to be that lost, annoying twin of Anna who is riling me the hell up. She already knows about Richard, doesn’t she?

“Come on! The day Zac came, we had a lot of fun. Remember?”

“Yeah! Now I do. Ehm! Eve? What’s that all about?” Kate cocks her brow.

“Nothing! There’s no love, no BS guys! It’s just, we’re good friends. If anyone is having problem with that, she can step the fuck out of my life.”

Kate finally catches the brewing anger in my voice. She quickly steals a glance at Anna before turning to me, “Cool! We’ve been just messing around dear! He’s a really cool guy, to be honest. If you guys were dating... I mean hypothetically, it wouldn’t matter to any of us. This is your life and he’s drop dead gorgeous, needless to mention that.” She grins.

“What? But he’s a psycho...”

“Enough, Anna! Knock it off.” Kate cuts her short, “Zac will be here like, after two hours or so. I have stuffs to do before that.”

“Zac’s coming? Wow! He’ll be here for quite a while, no? I have to go out with that friend right now. I really hope I won’t miss out on the fun conversation with him?” I push to my feet.

“You haven’t even had your lunch yet, you sure you wanna go out at this hour? And which friend?” Julia’s motherly concern kicks in.

“Never mind, Jules! I can have lunch out for once at least, can’t I? I’m not a kid anymore.”

“O wow! That’s quick.” Anna clicks her tongue.

“What’s quick?” I try to keep my face straight.

“That’s a little too much love going on, I see! Weren’t you just literally all over each other last night? It’s already the time to meet again! I’m impressed.” She smirks.

I eye her deadpan, but cannot hide the flame from my eyes. Kate stumbles to see me flying off the handle.

“Oh! Anna, can you not be the naughty friend for once? Let her go out with the friend and you don’t even know if it’s Richard Miller or not. I’m sure it’s just another friend of Eve, she worked with last year.” She waves off Anna from saying anything further. “Yeah, sure! Guess he’ll be here till dinner. You’ll be back by then, no worries!” she grins at me.

“Yah, some weirdo like her.” Anna murmurs which I decide to ignore completely.

“Be careful, Eve. Don’t drink, don’t do anything more stressful and don’t be late.” Julia blurts in a single breath.

“Alright, Mom! I’ll keep these in mind.” I hug her, then waving Kate goodbye I head towards the door.

“Guess, I’ll be out during dinner tonight. Got a date!” Anna’s cocky voice floats in from behind. I fight my urge to turn and ask who the guy is before quickening my pace. I don’t have the energy to deal with this version of Anna anymore! God! what actually came over this girl.