The lunch was absolutely delightful, and Logan's family welcomed me with open arms. Their kindness and warmth were truly remarkable. They didn't fit the typical image of a wealthy family that I had in my mind. They were down-to-earth and accepting, despite the misunderstanding that had occurred.
I couldn't help but blame Logan for giving them the wrong impression and making them believe that we were together.
They were also surprisingly accepting of the significant age gap between Mr. and Mrs. Lopez. It was evident that love knew no bounds in their relationship.
After the delicious meal, it was time for me to bid my farewells. I still had a promise to keep with Alice, so I needed to help her with something.
"I'll drive her," Jude offered, flaunting his car keys. I glanced at Logan, and he didn't seem pleased either.
"No, I'll be the one to take her home. You, Jude, stay here," Logan stated firmly, his face devoid of humor. It was clear that his skilled brother was to blame for his irritation once again.
Jude raised his hand in a gesture of surrender. "Chill, bro."
Logan placed his hand on my waist and guided me away from his brother. I said goodbye to his parents before leaving. Sometimes, Logan's mood bothered me. It was like the changing seasons, unpredictable.
He showed me his brand-new, expensive-looking car. Its worth could easily cover my college education at a prestigious university. Being familiar with car models and brands due to my brother's passion for them, I recognized its value.
Opening the car door for me, he displayed a newfound sense of gentlemanly behavior. It bothered me, yet it made me happy at the same time. If I were being honest, I had developed a significant crush on this man. Logan's kindness was deserving of nothing but praise. The way he treated me now was refreshing, and it felt good.
After he safely dropped me off, I sent him a message to drive safely. He replied promptly, but I refrained from messaging back, not wanting to distract him while he was still driving.
Entering the house, Alice was already there, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"The smile of a Lopez is truly something," she remarked, widening my eyes.
"Alice! Mom can still hear you," I scolded her playfully.
"Oh, come on, girl. Auntie is secretly rooting for you two to end up together."
I shook my head, dismissing the idea. "Stop imagining things. That would never happen, ever."
"It's hard to speak in absolutes!"
I brushed off her straightforward thoughts, and we headed outside. Christian was already waiting, and I didn't want to keep him waiting any longer.
"Why are you wearing different clothes? And I saw your clothes earlier, they were wet. Hmm?" Alice interrogated me as we hopped onto the motorcycle.
I realized she would make an excellent investigator in the future. There was no escaping her keen observations.
Reluctantly, I shared with her everything that had transpired earlier at the Lopez mansion. Throughout my narration, all she did was squeal with excitement.
"What's wrong with you? You've been squealing since earlier. Is there something wrong with your neck?" I quipped.
"Oh my gosh! I'm too thrilled to contain it. Just imagine, you're the one who made Logan Lopez fall! That's so amazing!" I sighed.
"Let's not put malice into it. He sent the wrong signals to his parents and siblings. I have nothing to do with his trip," I clarified.
She shook her head. "Girl, you're the only one in denial here. It seems like the whole world already knows that Logan is interested in you! Among all the girls who tried to heal his heart, you're the one who succeeded. So the crown is rightfully yours."
I offered an awkward smile. "No thanks."
When we arrived at the cemetery, it was crowded with people. Daylight was fading, and the moon began to reveal itself amidst the clouds in the sky.
We made our way directly to Alice's relatives' gravesite. The whole gang was there, and we had a full spread of food and drinks, even juice.
"Here we are, all together!" Kyla exclaimed, hugging Lance, whose face remained emotionless as usual. We were accustomed to this dynamic, so Lance didn't mind.
"I have something to tell you," I announced.
"Are you and Sir Logan a couple now?" Christian abruptly interrupted. I glanced at Alice.
"Sorry, sis, we've already started a fan group for you! It's crazy! There's just undeniable chemistry between you," she confessed, leaving me in disbelief.
"And what if the rumors spread? You know how persistent people can be in creating unwanted gossip. I don't want to be involved in any scandal, especially if it tarnishes my family's name. We already have enough problems to deal with in the present. I don't want to add more," I expressed my concerns.
Kyla hugged me tightly. "We're okay with it. It's just a ship within our group. It's just between us."
I sighed, placing my trust in them. "I trust you guys. I've never trusted anyone in my life as much as I trust all of you."
Christian pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his nose. "Did my nose just start bleeding? That hit must have been hard." Laughter filled the air.
"Where did it happen? I'll add it to the blood stew!" Kyla joked, lightening the mood.
We were about to light some candles when I realized I had left my belongings in the motorcycle. I didn't want to risk losing them.
Alice offered to accompany me, but I declined, assuring her that it was just a short distance away.
As I sat in the car, a wave of relief washed over me when I found my bag with important cards and personal belongings still intact.
I was about to head back when I spotted the true villain of my life—Maribeth and her friends. They raised their eyebrows, looking at me with disdain.
"Let's see who's here. The national flirt and gold digger of the year. Are you happy now that Andrew is gone? You removed Logan's brother just so there won't be any obstacles between you and Master Logan. You truly have twisted thoughts, huh? Maybe you should give us a seminar," she sneered at me. Thankfully, there weren't many people around, as we were almost out of sight.
I smiled sweetly at them. "If there's anyone who should be giving a seminar here, I beg your pardon, but it's not me. It's actually you. I'm not promiscuous, never have been, and never will be. Can you at least spare me from your confrontations? What have I done to you? What have I done to any of you?
Last time I checked, my business is none of your concern. Especially since you're not even Logan's girlfriend. Who are you, anyway? Are you his girlfriend? Or are you just one of his fanatics, obsessed with him, Maribeth? I can't fathom why I should entertain your delusions once again."
"You're so rude!" she angrily shouted, and they were about to gang up on me when a familiar, deep, masculine voice shielded me from their hands. I couldn't afford to make a mistake—it was indeed Logan.
"Girls, I'll be furious if you try to lay your hands on her," he warned in a low, threatening tone. Fear flickered in their eyes at his words.
"Let's go," Maribeth said to her friends, and they left, but their anger toward me was still evident in their eyes.
I let out a sigh and placed my hand on my chest. They were becoming more aggressive lately as if they knew the whole story.
Well, I never expected them to become more understanding. They could stay in their narrow-minded world. Whatever floats their boats.
"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Logan asked, genuine concern evident in his voice.
I nodded. "I'm fine. You saved me just in time, but you shouldn't have intervened. They'll only find more reasons to gossip and twist our friendship."
"Does it really matter? What's important is that I saved you from them. If they ever bully you again, let me know, and I'll do my best to make sure they can't touch you." What was going on with this guy?
"I can defend myself. Even if there are many of them, I can handle it," I assured him.
He let out a sigh. "You're still as stubborn as ever. So, where are you headed now? And why are you alone?" His irritation was palpable. What caused this sudden shift in his mood?
I showed him the small bag in my hand. "I left this behind. Although it was at the back, so you didn't see it, I still had to go back for it. It's nearby, so I didn't need to ask for help."
He shook his head. "You should be more cautious. You know how nasty people can be and how they can take advantage of you."
I sighed. "Yeah, thanks for the advice, but I have to go now. They're waiting for me."
He shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, let me accompany you back."
I shook my head. "I'm familiar with the place, so I know the way back."
He let out another sigh. "There's no point in arguing. It's better for me to accompany you, rather than worrying that something bad might happen to you."
His words made me think, and I agreed. Who knew if there were ill-intentioned people watching my every move?
In that moment, I longed for a safer world—a world without threats to women. I never dreamed of living in a world filled with fear for us. As Logan and I walked side by side, many eyes were fixated on us. For once, I forgot that he wasn't just an ordinary companion.
Firstly, the Lopezs were well-known figures, and I hoped it wouldn't become an issue. Although it seemed almost impossible.
"I'm here now. Thanks for the ride," I said, breaking the silence.
"Take care," he replied, his tone implying he didn't want to say goodbye just yet.