Zoe by Miu

"Hello, Leanna? Can you come to my dorm? I'm working on something, and I want to know your opinion."

I placed down the brush and stared at the canvas at different angles.

"Zoe, I'm sorry. I can't. Estela and I are going to fetch Cain."

I blinked.

Cain Fay!

I got excited about the idea of meeting the elusive man.

Without thinking, I shouted, "I want to come with you!"

I stood from my stool and ran to my closet.

"Hello~! Zoe, be here in Azure Sky in an hour," said a melodious harp-like voice.

"Estela? Where are we going?" I stumbled, trying to get out of my pajamas.

"Oh~! Don't worry. It's not that far~ tehehehehehe."

"Alright. I'll be there in an hour. Wait for me here," I said and ended the call.

----

I should have known talking to Estela Fay would either infuriate me or left me dumbfounded.

I shouldn't have trusted her words when she said it was near.

It's a whole fucking seven hours to Vegas!

An enormous, elegant Casino!

I forgot myself at the grandiose in front of me. Good thing that Leanna grabbed my hand and pulled me along.

Inside, I didn't know which to take in first. The cosplay of people. The extravagant high ceiling. The large dance floor, or the delicious mouth-watering food.

I'll go with the latter.

I made my way towards the food section when Leanna walked forward.

"Hey! Leanna, where are you going?" I said, intending to grab her hand when Estela stopped me.

My attention shifted to Estela's charming face and noticed her pretty eyes were locked forward. I turned to follow her line of sight.

I knew somewhere in me, I didn't believe Leanna was going out with THE Cain Fay. I mean, no offense to Leanna, she's pretty –– but Cain Fay was like a whole new dimension altogether. I even thought Estela was not a Fay . . . for many reasons.

But seeing it now.

Leanna was dancing intimately with a man with a silver mask. Just one look, I knew it was Cain Fay. I could never forget such a charismatic man. That silver hair. Frosty eyes. And that intimidating air surrounding him. A man who demanded respect. Demanded attention.

Is this what real love is?

Watching as the two dance in their own little world, radiating warmth and happiness.

I didn't know Cain Fay could be so warm.

I felt a pang in my heart.

I knew what it was –– that heavy, unpleasant, suffocating feeling.

Jealousy.

Don't get me wrong. I was not in love with Cain Fay. Just a crush. Just a silly admiration for him, like any other female, when they saw the handsome guy. I was jealous of Leanna because she was experiencing love, and also . . . proud and happy for her.

What a strange feeling.

I couldn't take my eyes off them as well as the audience –– the two where mesmerizing. I didn't even notice Estela, who was busy taking pictures of Leanna and Cain (where did she even hide that thing?).

WOAH!

I held my mouth as my lips twitched upward into a broad grin when THE Cain Fay embraced Leanna in front of the sea of gaping people.

But I was jolted awake when the cold man led Leanna out of the Casino.

agh!

I was about to chase after them when out of the corner of my eyes, a beautiful young boy flashed into my view.