Stefan seemed to follow Alexis out of the floor as she stepped down. Alexis pretended she didn't feel his gaze boring on her back. There wasn't any reason to acknowledge his gaze anyway. Suddenly she felt a gush of warm air on her shoulders as Stefan removed his coat and draped it around her.
"Why didn't you dress warmly?"
Alexis halted, looking back head straight at him, her eyes filled with unfathomable emotions.
"Why do you care, Stefan?" Words seethed like burning fire, but that didn't do any justice to what she was actually feeling.
"I just wanted to check if you're fine," Stefan replied softly, like it was his place to say. Hypocrite, isn't it?
"I'm fine and I will be more than fine if you excuse me," Alexis looked at the towering figure in front of her as she spoke in a low voice, afraid of drawing any more attention to them. She looked around her to find Arthur but he wasn't anywhere near her. If only he could help her right now like he did six years ago, she thought. She was shameless to desire his help over and over but she couldn't help it. He felt like a better option at times like these.
"You avoid me as if you hate every other man but you seem to enjoy your time with your PLUS ONE a lot," this time Stefan didn't seem all cool and calm anymore as he put a bit too much emphasis on the plus one part while stepping a little bit closer.
"Of course, I did. He is my date today, Stefan. And I don't hate every other man at all," Alexis put a hand on his chest and stepped back, declining his advances with clear indication.
"So you just hate only me but you are fine laughing with a stranger, huh?," she didn't know if it was a question or statement but she knew one thing, that arguing with this man will never be fruitful.
"You got it wrong. He is not a stranger and I don't see any problem in enjoying his company."
"You just met him at the bar today. Do you think I will believe you if you stage a lie on my face with that mouth of yours which isn't used to lying?" Stefan's eyes lingered on her lips this time. But Alexis didn't see that action as her eyes drifted to Rebecca and Arthur next to her. Arthur was talking to her as Rebecca nodded. When did he go there?
Returning her gaze to Stefan, she replied, "Yes, that's true. I did meet him today after quite a long time. But we just clicked, and decided to enjoy the night like that. It's not like I'm married to him. He is just fun to talk with. Most of all, he knows the boundary as everyone should. And I think instead of running your parade on me, you should be with Venessa right now. Please stop paying attention to what I do all the time."
She didn't know why did she even bother explaining all this to him.
Stefan's gaze became cold again. "Looks like you don't do the same."
"I don't, why would I? I know it's hard to avoid not knowing about you. You're all over social media after all. But I tend to block all the pages that feature you, you see," she replied honestly, keeping her tone as neutral as possible.
Alexis turned around to walk instantly. She just wants to go home. It was too much drama for her anyway. She came back to the city just for the wedding and yet she will be hearing gossips bubbling around her college group chats. All of her classmates were invited to this wedding and she knows their eyes didn't escape this interaction from afar surely.
"So you do hate me, even though you never replied to that question," Stefan's voice sounded from behind. The tone wasn't that strong anymore, maybe because she was standing a bit far from him. Who knows?
"That wasn't exactly a question, was it? And I never hated you, Stefan Ashford. But I wish I did," she replied without turning her back while removing the coat and placing it on the decorated tea table beside her. She didn't thank him for giving it to her, nor did she show the decency to return it back to him directly. They are way past decencies anyway.
***
"Hey, you vanished all of a sudden, I couldn't even find you," Rebecca caught Alexis in the parking lot who was already on her charade to go back home. Rebecca didn't see what happened back there but she heard from others. She knew expecting those two won't cross each other would be a luxury judging her brother never listens to her and does as he pleases even now. If she was in Alexis's shoes, she would have gone home already.
"I'm just thinking about retiring for the day, Becky," Alexis's voice sounded a bit hoarse. It wasn't from crying but from her mental exhaustion.
"Without saying goodbye?"
"No, not at all! I was just going to text you."
Rebecca hugged Alexis and handed her a jacket. "The weather's suddenly a bit chilly. Wear it before you hop inside the car."
"Thank you." She started the car before taking the jacket and hugging Rebecca again. She was so done with today.