Chapter 26

I groan and roll on the bed as I hear knocks on my door.

"Who's that?" I asks a bit irritated as the knocking becomes louder.

"Finally! Are you some hibernating bear?" Debby asks in astonishment as she pops her head in through a small crack. "Oh... You were up all night weren't ya?" She asks with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

"Shut up, Debby." I command, throwing a pillow at her which doesn't even go halfway as she laughed at my weak attempt.

"Leave me alone." I whine burying my face in my pillow, needing more sleep cause she's right- I spent half of the night in wonderland.

Don't judge me!

"Okay, okay. I just came to let you know that Blake's here... But I can tell him to leave... "

"I don't believe ya." I say shoving my face back in the pillow though all I want to do is run downstairs.

"Fine, whatever. I'll tell him you don't want to see him." She teases as I glare at her.

"He's not here, is he?"

"Come take a look for yourself" she smirks

Grudgingly, I get up while trudging towards the staircase "Debby if he isn't here I promise you..." I stop halfway not seeing him anywhere. I turn around to find Debby laying cozily on my bed

"what? You've got work today and that was the best way to wake you" she grins while I roll my eyes

"whatever" I reply, getting into the shower.

~~~~~~~~

I walk into the restaurant, heading for the SR but stop as the door is halfway open and Thomas and Bailey are having an intense conversation; Thomas backing me and Bailey facing me.

"So you're taking their side?" she asks, frowning as Thomas sighs.

"I'm not taking sides Bailey, I'm just saying you were actually rude to Debby yesterday."

"Really, cause it's seems like you prefer them to me." She folds her arms.

"Bailey... " He starts but she cuts him off.

"... And I've been sensing something lately- do you have a thing for Dianna?" At that question, my breath hitches and it's obvious Thomas has been caught off guard too. "See, I knew it." she drops her hands as my heart beats faster.

"No, no I don't." He says quickly, as my heart sinks and I bite my lower lip to keep myself together. "We're just friends that's what we've always been; nothing more, nothing less." It stings- his words... So all those times I thought he felt something.

"That means anytime, anywhere you'd prefer me right?" She asks with a smile as Thomas nods.

"Yes, anytime." He replies. That's it... I can't hold it anymore. At that moment, Bailey looks at me with a smirk.

She knew I was here... What a b*t*h!!!

Thomas turned around, probably wondering who Bailey is looking at. Once he sees me, his eyes widened as they are filled with pity.

I run... Not wanting to know what else is swimming in his eyes- those beautiful eyes of his that once looked at me like I'm a gem; I guess it was just me.

I knew he has a girlfriend and probably would always love Bailey more but to hear him say he never felt anything, it's more painful than I could imagine which is why I can't hold them back- the tears that are spilling from my eyes as I sit on a bench a bit far from the restaurant.

"Dianna?"

Debby? What is she doing here?

"What's wrong?" she asks sitting beside me. "You forgot your phone and I thought I should bring it to you."

"Thanks." I say, cleaning my eyes as I take the phone from her.

"Is it Bailey? If it's her she's going to hear... " She starts before I cut her off.

"It's not... I just- I don't want to go back there for now." I say, looking away.

"C'mon, let's get you home." She says, lifting me up as we head home.

THOMAS'S POV

I wanted to run after her, hold her back and tell her it was all a lie- that I do feel something... But I can't. It's only right I love Bailey cause I'm with her and running after Dianna would only get on Bailey's nerves... I owe her and have feelings for her; she was there for me when no one was.

'But you want Dianna'. A voice in my head says and even though it's right, I push the thought away.

Bailey let's out a breath, sitting on the couch. "Well that was dramatic. At least now she should know her place." She says getting out her phone.

I run my hand through my hair.

This is messed up.

I walk out of the building needing fresh air... I have 5 minutes before I have have to get to work. Telling Dianna I do like her would only get her confused and make things complicated among the three of us- maybe her thinking I never did is for the best.

No matter how much my heart constricts at my not being able to tell her the truth, I know it's the best thing to do...

'Is that what you really think?' the voice asks making me sigh.

DEBBY'S POV

Though Dianna said Bailey has nothing to do with her being down, I have a gut-wrenching feeling she does and how badly I want to hurt her for whatever she did cause Dianna has never been one to argue, fight or hurt someone.

I dail the number of the only person I've seen except Mia back here that cares deeply about Dianna.

"Hello? Who's this?" He answers on the second ring.

"It's Debby. Uh, are you free today?" I ask, making sure Dianna is out of ear-shot.

"Kind of. What's wrong?" He asks, concern lacing his tone.

"Dianna's down- she's not letting me in but I need you to take her out... Can you?" I ask, hopeful.

"Of course, does she know you called?" He asks which makes me grin mischievously, hesitating a bit while he chuckles.

"I take that as a no... It's alright. I'll be there in half an hour." He replies.

"Thank you." I chirp, really grateful.

"My pleasure."

With that, I end the call before going back to Mel's bedroom.

"Hey, you better?" I ask, leaning on the wall.

"Yeah, it was something really stupid." she smiles a bit.

"Sure you don't wanna talk about it?" I ask in concern.

"It's fine, really."

~~~~~~

*Ding dong*

I run to the front door in anticipation as I open the door

Thomas?

"Uh, hi." He greets with small smile.

"Hi. I'm guessing you're here to see Dianna."

"Yeah." he says silently, looking around.

"Oh, silly me. Come in." I smile stepping aside.

"Debby who's... " Dianna starts but stops as she sights Thomas. I watch as her face pales letting me know it was probably a bad idea to let him come in.

"Dianna I... " He starts, but is cut off by the bell ringing again.

This time I open it with a grin as Blake's face comes into view and I hear Dianna's slight gasp.

"Blake?" She whispers, unbelievably as Thomas stares blankly at the wall.

"Hey, Debby." Blake greets before stalking towards Mel with a bouquet of Irises. "Hi damsel." He greets with a knowing glint in his eyes.

He's definitely smitten even if Mel can't sense it.

"Hi." She greets shyly, "How did you know I love Irises." She whispers in awe, taking the flowers he offered with a smile before glancing at Thomas who manages a small smile.

"I just wanted to apologize that you got to hear our conversation back in the SR. I'll be taking my leave now." He says uncomfortably before practically scurrying out of the house and closing the door behind him.

I notice the slight gloominess in Mel's mood when he said that but I brush it off.

"Is everything alright?" Blake asks, concern masking his features while Mel nods.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Is there something going on today I'm missing?" she asks with a smile.

"No. I just thought you'd want to spend some time with the best guy you know." He quips as she rolls her eyes fighting a smile.

"Let me help you keep those." I say, taking the bouquet to the kitchen to find a vase and fill with water.

I'm glad someone like Blake came into Dianna's life. Since Nicholas left, I never thought she'd be free with guys again. Blake and Nicolas are so alike though: funny, persistent, gentlemen and very interested in Dianna.

I place the vase which now holds the flowers on the dinning table while sniffing the flowers. How did he know her favourite flowers are Irises if she didn't tell him? I look back at both of them. I hadn't noticed before but Blake's features seem really familiar... Like those of Nicholas.

Blake Starks... Starks... Starks...

Sh*t!!

... I think he's Nicholas Starks!

Ding! Ding!! Ding!!! Someone else has figured it out... Dianna really did a good job pushing Nicholas out of her mind for her not to realise it yet... Oh well, keep reading😁