Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 31

Obsessed

ARABELLA’S POV

If there was one thing among several other things Alvise was eerily good at, it was his ability to unnerve a person with his eyes. Those eyes, blue and extremely hypnotizing, were now fixed on me, his stare unwavering like I was the only one in the room. Suddenly uncomfortable, I shifted in my seat, the question he asked now out of my memory.

I blinked, snapping out of whatever embarrassing trance I’d forced myself into. “Wh… What did you say?”

He stroked his chin, held my gaze for a second later, then without another word, he looked away and turned his attention back to his food.

I was about to do the same when Sierra kicked me under the table again. I turned to send her a sharp glare, only to find her already glaring at me. “He asked what you think about the food,” she said, urging me with her eyes to answer.

I didn’t need a seer to tell me that in her own little way, she was trying to encourage us to have a conversation. She had no idea that the man didn’t do conversations unless it was to bark out an order. Nonetheless, I bit my lip and answered the question, “It’s really nice… I… Kind of like it a lot,” I said, my voice low.

He looked up, his eyes finding mine immediately. I couldn’t read them as usual, but oddly, the fact that he acknowledged my statement made me feel slightly better. I know, I know… I was ridiculous. Already uncomfortable, I forced my eyes back to my almost empty plate, just as my brother threw his head back and laughed.

I frowned and pulled my head up to look at him. “And what’s got you laughing like a hyena?” I asked, annoyed.

My brother flashed me a smile as he sobered up from his laughter “You!” He threw his head back and laughed again before clearing his throat and turning to Alvise. “Arabella is obsessed with Chinese food, but she’s also very picky.” He forced back another chuckle. “She definitely loves what she ordered. I mean, her plate is literally empty.”

My cheeks flamed up as Alvise glanced at my plate before his eyes trailed back to my face. “Shut up.” I mumbled to my brother before finishing off what was left on my plate.

I zoned out of the rest of the conversations since it was either Archie and Alvise talking about business or Sierra flirting with Archie.

“I’m too full. I don’t think I can drive.” My brother announced before leaning back in his seat lazily.

I rolled my eyes and gulped down the rest of my wine. “You have to be kidding me.” I eyed him wearily. “You need to drop us off!”

Sierra nodded beside me “Yup!”

Archie shook his head. “You girls will have to decide who’s going to drive me instead.” His eyes found mine and he blinked dramatically. “I think that’s the least you can do for your big brother, right?”

I hated how much his voice affected me because immediately, I turned around, my eyes searching for his. Only, he wasn’t looking at me. “I’ll drop her off.” Alvise said to no one in particular.

But, Archie seemed to understand because he stood instantly. “Thank you, man.” He tapped Alvise’s shoulder before signalling Sierra to stand and follow him.

We said our goodbyes and Archie ruffled my hair before he pulled my excited best friend out of the restaurant. I stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do as I watched the man who seemed to be oblivious to my presence. It was either that or he simply didn’t care. I would bet good money it was the latter.

Sighing as a result of exhaustion or annoyance or both, I sat down and unlocked my phone. If he wanted to act like I didn’t exist… I could try to do the same. Try being the keyword because the man affected me in more ways than I was willing to admit.

I soon got carried away with watching some makeup tutorial videos, something that seemed to be my newest obsession. I was so engrossed in it that I didn’t realise the silent man in front of me was now speaking to me.

It wasn’t until his voice hardened firmly and he set his phone on the table that I paused the video and pulled my eyes up to his face, “what did you say?” I asked, genuinely confused and flustered.

Alvise stood up, grabbed his phone from the table and slipped it into his pocket, “Get the fuck up.”