Chapter 18 - Tension

"What a wonderful performance coming from our two beautiful ladies. A round applause please." the MC said.

Applause and murmurs rang out in the crowd. Aila went back to her seat and to her surprise found Hanna is also back in her seat.

Why does this girl move so fast? is this another one of those crazy novel logics?

"I didn't know you can sing honey."

"Neither did I."

Calvin chuckled.

"Your funny. How come you didn't sing last time?"

"Uhmm...I thought what I did will get your attention."

"Well, it certainly did in a way."

Aila smiled sheepishly. Recalling the old Aila's antics was certainly embarrassing but undeniably entertaining.

"Sing for me next time. If I had known, I wouldn't let you go up there and sang for Dalton first."

"It's his birthday, don't be petty."

"I couldn't help it; I've always been competitive. I wanted to be always first."

"I..."

"And now, for the cake cutting. May we have the birthday celebrant up here on stage please." The MC's voice rang out again interrupting the couple's conversation.

Applause rang again as Dalton walked towards the stage. A 5-layer exquisite cake was rolled in. Decorated with hand crafted edible flowers in shades of blues and whites.

"Alright everybody, at the count of 3. Let's wish him a happy birthday."

1

2

3

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Dalton then proceeded to slice the cake, and the applause and well-wishers continued for another 5 minutes.

"Thank you everyone, it is indeed quite a happy birthday. You may request anything from our waiters if the food or drinks is not to your liking. Please enjoy the party to your hearts content." Dalton said with a beaming smile to the crowd.

Then the live orchestra started playing in the background.

Waiters came in and started serving food on each table. Aila instantly forgot the topic beforehand and was already distracted from the food being served.

Truth be told she had been quite hungry for a while now. As soon as it was laid out in front of her, she simply started digging in. Not caring about the other people on the table.

"Your singing is quite beautiful Aila. I didn't know you had it in you." Hanna suddenly said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Yes, Calvin is such a lucky man to have someone as beautiful and talented as you." Bryson chipped in with his saccharine compliments.

"Oh...uhm...thank you. It was nothing compared to Ms. Hanna's piano skills. Am afraid mine being just hobby wise and not at a professional level." Aila responded, trying to take off the topic from her. She just wanted to enjoy her meal in peace.

"Nonsense, you were great!" Dalton interjected, having returned from the stage and proceeded to sit beside Aila. She turned to Dalton as she was startled that he suddenly grabbed her hand while praising her.

"Well, thank you everyone." She simply responded and was waiting for Dalton to let go of her hand.

Calvin noticed something was amiss with Dalton's actions and tried to pry away his hands from that of Aila's.

"Hey Dal, Aila's needs her hand to eat."

Dalton reluctantly let's go.

"Sorry about that. I got too excited. Let's eat everyone."

Aila didn't overthink it and just ate her food, unbeknownst to her, tension is rising as the two men eyed each other warily.

*****

The party finally came to a close and the two of them went back to their room.

Aila immediately took off her heels and massaged her feet. She wasn't used to wearing them for too long.

Calvin seeing her do this sat down on the sofa beside her and twirled her around so she could rest her feet on his thighs, and then he continued massaging her feet.

Oh my gosh! That's feels so nice! How is he good at this too?

"Did you have fun?" Calvin asked.

"Well, in a way. Yes. Did you?"

"It was fun watching you."

"Stop it, owww...easy on that side."

Calvin adjusted again his massaging.

"I'm not the only one who thought so though."

"Still, it's not like I'm the only one performing tonight. Hanna was there too."

Aila threw in the bait, looking closely at Calvin's reaction.

"Oh Hanna, she was great too." Calvin responded woodenly.

Why is his reaction to the female lead so lukewarm? Am I in the wrong novel?

"Alright, just get ready for bed. I'm going to step out for a bit. Don't wait up for me."

"Well...sure."

Oh good, finally it won't be too awkward to slip under the sheets with mother's lingerie.

Calvin then kissed her on the cheek.

"I'll see you later, hope it's another nice little number you'll be wearing like last night." He said teasingly.

"Wha...! You!" Aila then threw a pillow at him. Calvin dodged easily.

"Bye honey!"

Aila silently screamed into the now empty room.

*****

Calvin went to the beach to clear his head. There was a lot going on today. One of his family members actually planned to kidnap Aila, afraid that once he marries and has a legitimate heir, they will have no chance to take over the Harrison conglomerate.

He immediately nipped that on the bud and had that person's businesses and wealth destroyed overnight.

Bunch of idiots.

Calvin took out a cigarette and lighten it. He realized he hasn't smoked since that time he got drunk over Hanna.

He was surprised at himself that he didn't think of her as much as he used to. He thought that one night with Aila was a one-time deal. Just to stave off the emptiness he feels from time to time. It just goes to show that you never know where life would lead you.

Remembering her speechless, red face before he left brought a smile to his face.

"Calvin, can I talk to you?" A sweet female voice interrupted Calvin's reminiscing.

As he turned around, he found that it was Hanna. He then threw the cigarette on the ground and extinguished the light with his foot.

"Yeah sure. What is it?" Calvin responded almost boredly.

"Uhm...did...did you get engaged immediately because I rejected you back then?" Hanna went straight to the point. Afraid Calvin will find an excuse to dismiss her again.

Calvin paused. He didn't even think of her when he made that decision with Aila.

"No, of course not."

"It's just that I needed more time to think things through Calvin, I didn't think you'd immediately decide to find someone else."

He felt his frustration growing at the moment. It's always been like this with her. He's not blind that he couldn't see that his friends as well thinks of Hanna as more than a friend. As someone who also had women hanging on his word, he knows that Hanna has been stalling for time for each of them. He just couldn't understand why it takes her so long to make a decision.

For him, seeing her in someone else's arms was the final straw. Since high school he made his intentions obvious, but she keeps coming up with excuses on why she couldn't reciprocate his feelings. His heart finally got tired and in a drunken weakness he ended up sleeping with Aila and the rest is history.

Sighing Calvin responded.

"Look Hanna, we've been through this a couple of times already. I already accepted your rejection gracefully and we simply aren't meant to be. I know you have your reasons whatever that maybe, but I am only human. I get tired too. Just like your decision to reject me, I have my reasons as well to choose Aila which remains between the two of us. So, I hope you'd let the matter rest already."

"But you just met! look I realized that what I did was wrong and I finally see that you are what I'm looking for. I came back with the thought that I will finally accept your proposal from before." Hanna responded almost pleadingly.

Calvin thought about Aila at that moment. He was confident that she wouldn't do something like this. Aila would not even think of entertaining other men while she was with him. He realized how lucky he is to dodge a bullet called Hanna who always made him insecure and unsure of where he stands in her life.

He smiled at Hanna, feeling the relief of not holding on to her anymore.

"I'm sorry, but there is no 'us' now or ever Hanna. It's just too late."

Hanna's tears then started falling. Her beautiful face marred with such sorrow that any man seeing her will instinctually want to protect her and prevent her from feeling sad.

Calvin having seen her cry so many times eventually develop some immunity to it. In the past, he would have gone to her as soon as a tear just peeked out but now all he could think of is getting back in the room to see Aila as soon as possible.

Sensing someone coming, Calvin breathes a sigh of relief to find that it was Bryson. He nods at him as a signal to approach Hanna. He felt like his feet is on fire and can't wait to get away from there.

"I'm leaving, Hanna."

He then turns without a second look and immediately walked away.