30


    n, why are you looking at them like this? They will feel easy," Ronald said to far.


    For quite some time, Tan had been fixating his gaze on Ava and Stephen.


    It bothered him that Ava was getting closer and closer to Stephen. He was mad at Stephen because,st night,


    when he asked him about what Ava was saying to him, he replied that it was nothing much.


    It was obvious that something was going on between them and he did not want to tell him about it.


    "Don''t you think he is talking too much with that nerd?"b asked his friends.


    "Everyone is aware of Stephen''s personality. He never engages in unnecessary conversations with others. There must be a reason," Cryan assumed.


    "But what might be the reason?" Paul asked.


    "There is nothing, guys. He is a man. He can fall for anyone you know," Ronald said, ncing atn.


    "What? Did I say anything wrong? Don''t you all agree with me?" Ronald asked others.


    "I know him. He can''t fall for that nerdy omega. In fact, no one can fall for a weak girl like her." Ronald nodded his head. "Who knows what he really wants? But I feel like you are telling it to yourself."n gave him an indifferent expression, indicating that he did not care.


    "Why am I getting the impression that you are jealous of Steph because he is talking to your ex-mate?" "Excuse me? Is there anything about her that piques my interest or makes me jealous?"n asked with a scoff. However, his eyes turned darker when he saw Stephen hugging Ava. His jaw clenched as he stared at them.


    He saw Ava hand her phone to Stephen, as if they were exchanging phone numbers.


    Ronald raised his eyebrows and looked around at his other friends, who were also looking at him.


    "Cherry on top, he got the girl''s number."


    "Now this looks serious. We have to ask him," Paulo said.


    inside. He wanted to go to Ava and scolded her for giving her contact number to anyone else.


    ''How cheap she is! She is giving around her number to other boys!''n thought.


    After some time had passed, Ava left, and Stephen eventually came back to join them.


    "What were you talking about? It took too long," Paulo asked him.


    Stephen had a big smile on his face, which maden frown.


    "You look like you have won a lottery."


    "Bro, I have got more than that. I can''t exin to you all how happy I am right now."


    30


    Ronald patted his shoulder and said,


    "Then tell us."


    Ewetw


    Stephen was about to speak, but he nced atn and recalled what Ava had told her.


    She asked him to keep it a secret from everyone until their parents married.


    "I am so sorry, guys. I can''t tell you anything right now. But I will let you know about it soon. I promise."


    "Don''t forget about tonight''s party."


    "Noting,"n replied without hesitation.


    "Why?"


    "Not in the mood today."


    "You never say no to a party. In fact, I invited Nova for you.


    Hearing that,n red at him. "Why did you invite her? You all know I don''t like her at all."


    Stephen shook his head and replied,


    "But you made her your girlfriend. How can I not invite her?"


    He had no desire to attend any party tonight. The sight of Stephen with Ava


    and Stephen''s wordsing out of herpletely ruined his mood.


    He turned around and started to walk. But he paused when he overheard his friend''s conversation.


    "Ava is alsoing." 1


    "Why did you call that nerd at your party?"


    Stephen took a deep breath and tried to exin it to him.


    "I have a request for you,n. You are not Ava''s mate now. So she said she wanted to stay away from you. I promised her that you would stay away from her at the party. Please keep that in mind."


    "What did you just say? You promised her? Have you two gotten so close that you have started to make promises to her?"


    Stephen stared atn''s engaged face. He knew thatn was misunderstanding him. But he did not borate on that. Ava agreed with this condition, so he would have to make sure thatn would not get close to her.


    "Look, buddy. You have already rejected her. There is nothing to argue over. You clearly mentioned that you have no interest in her. Or do you have


    any?"


    30


    "Are you crazy? How can I get any interest in that girl?"


    Before Stephen could say anything, Ronald spoke up.


    "Then there is nothing to talk about. Ian does not care whether you invite


    her or anyone else. He ising tonight to join us."


    "I am noting,"n muttered and left. 1


    Stephen looked at his back. ''I wish I could tell you the truth But why are you reacting like this,n?'' he thought. Ronald gave Stephen a careful look. He understood that nothing was like what they were assuming. But he wantedn to think like that so he could understand how he truly felt. "Don''t worry, Steph. I can bet on it.n wille to the party for sure."