Chapter 5 A Twisted Web

Immediately after lectures the next day, Leo chased after Rose, who was trying desperately to avoid him.

"Hi," he said when he finally got to her. "Why are you talking to me," she replied while increasing her pace. "Well, because of last night," he said, matching her pace. "Last night was a mistake," she said in a whisper while turning to face him. "Well, it did happen," he said in a smile. "Don't tell me you're in love with me," Rose said in fear. "In love with you? Lady, what in heaven's name are you talking about" Leo asked in shock. "What are you talking about," She asked in dismay. "Getting Shea, your advice," He said in a breath. "Oh, thank God. I thought it was because of the... you know," she said while eyeing him. "Oh, that? No, no, no, no, did that really happen? I thought it was a dream," Leo said.

"I've given you all the advice I can, and now it's up to you. I can't help you anymore." Rose said in a bid to walk away. "Oh," Leo said, feeling hurt, "so you're just gonna give up on me?" he asked in conclusion.

"I'm sorry, but this is it. I feel so guilty for last night, and you coming around me is making it worse, so please go away and never come back." She said in pain.

"You were the one who started whispering in my ears," he said, casting blames.

"Dont do that. If we're doing that, you're the one who kissed me," she said without remorse.

"You kissed me back," Leo said while looking away.

"I was drunk, Leo; you weren't. This is on you," Rose said while going close to him, "I thought you loved Shea. If you did, how could you do that to her," Rose said before walking away from Leo and towards her friend's table.

Leo put his hands in his pocket and started walking out of the cafeteria when his friends called out to him.

"Hey man, you coming or what," Greg asked. "Not today, guys, not today," Leo said while walking out of the cafe.

When Rose was seated with her friends trying to eat a meal, they wouldn't stop bugging her about Leo.

"So you and Leo are now a thing," Shea asked.

"We're not a thing; he only came to me for help," Rose said abruptly.

"Wonder why he's been avoiding me of late," Shea concluded.

"What kinda help?" Emilia inquired.

"Trust me, ladies, it's juicy, but on a you-don't-wanna-know-basis," Rose said, stuffing her mouth full with food.

"I noticed he walked out sad," Shea added.

"Yeah, I said some things to him," Rose said without looking at her friends.

"And you look sad too," Tracy added.

"Yeah, he..., hold up, why all these questions," Rose said, tensed up.

"Well, you're the one who's trying to sneak in and steal her guy," Tracy said in bitterness.

"I'm not stealing anybody," Rose said quietly, "Leo's not my type, and since when is he your guy, I thought you weren't into him?" Rose said, addressing Shea.

"There's no need for all this about one guy," Shea said while looking down.

"Are you jealous? Wait a minute, does it really get to you seeing I and Leo together, noticing that he no more cares about you like before?" Rose asked in a spectacle.

"I'm not jealous; as I said, I'm not into him," Shea said while eating.

"Yes, you are. You're dying of jealousy. You're not yourself when he's with me," Rose said in jest.

"You're just being a bitch now, Rose, you know he's into her, and she's into him," Tracy said.

"Would you guys just stop speaking for me? I'm right here, and I said I'm not into him. She can do whatever she wants with him, don't nobody cares." Shea said, looking them all dead in the eyeballs.

"Even kiss him? Or date him perhaps," Rose asked jokingly, and Shea looked at her intensely. "Read my lips, Rose, do whatever. It's not gonna affect me and also not gonna affect our friendship," Shea said in conclusion.

"Alright then, we'll see about that. I'll prove to everyone that you're in love with Leo," Rose said in a grin before leaving.

"Honey I..." Emilia tried speaking but was cut off. "Don't say a word," Shea said while storming off.

Rose ran out of the cafe and searched for Leo. She saw him buying snacks from a nearby shop and walked towards him. On seeing Rose, Leo picked up the pace.

"Leo, wait," She said before catching up with him.

"What is it you wanna say now? How I'm incapable of Shea's love? If that's it, forget it cause I've given up already," Leo said in a breath.

"No, you've not. I won't let you," Rose said with her hands on her hips.

"And how are you gonna make me?" He asked in mockery.

"By dating you," she said in smiles.

"You're funny," Leo said while walking away.

"I'm serious," she said, following him.

"I don't get it; what kind of slut are you?" Leo asked in a breath, and this question landed him a hot slap from Rose.

"Didn't your mom ever teach you not to call a lady any abusive names?" she asked while dragging him by the ears to follow her.

"Now, where are we going?" he asked.

"Somewhere quiet and secluded," She said.

............................

"So you're saying that we're gonna act like we're in love just to prove that Shea loves me?" Leo asked, clearly confused.

"Exactly. You and I are gonna fake a false relationship. In public, we'll act all-loving and erotic. In private, we'll do nothing of the sort," she said.

"I've watched movies like this. They always end up together, Rose; you will fall in love with me," Leo said.

"If you truly love Shea, you won't fall for me," Rose said in assurance.

"And what about you? Who's to say you won't fall for me" Leo asked.

"I wouldn't. Trust me," She said.

"How long are we gonna do this? I can't hurt Shea for so long," Leo asked.

"Well, you'll just have to hurt her, we both will, till she accepts her feelings for you," Rose said with pain in her eyes.

"You know you're gonna lose all your friends, right?" Leo asked in concern.

"Sadly," she said while looking down.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you taking the risk?" Leo asked.

"Because just like you, Leo, she's my best friend, and I care about her emotions, and right now, she's getting hurt," Rose said honestly.

"So tell me, how good is your acting" Leo asked.

"I was born an actress. Be my date, Leo?" Rose asked.

"Hell yes," he said while hugging her.

"It's settled then; we're lovers now," Rose confirmed.