Chapter 37: Fire of Competition

Milie's POV

Dax and I made up for the lost time in the pool.

With Sammy dragging everyone into games, we ended up playing water volleyball—us three versus Alan, Emma, and Tessa.

The girls hovered around Alan like bees around flowers. But surprisingly, it didn't bother me.

Because he didn't let it, no matter where he stood, no matter who spoke to him, his eyes kept finding me.

Again. And again. And again. And every single time, my heart forgot how to behave.

By the time we got out of the pool, my cheeks were permanently flushed.

After a long shower, I stepped out of the bathroom. "You guys can go," I said casually.

Both girls were just wrapped in towels, completely comfortable in their skin.

I rolled my eyes and flopped onto the bed, face down, arms dangling.

And just like that, my brain went back to him.

The way his arms had held me. The way his heartbeat had felt against my ear.

The way his cologne lingered was calm yet dangerous.

And his voice—Soft. Close. Just for me.

My breath hitched. A stupid smile spread across my face as I buried my head into the pillow.

"God… what is happening to me?"

Before I could stop myself, I grabbed my phone.

Milie: Hey, idiot.

Alan: Yes, my love.

I froze. Then blushed hard.

Milie: 🙄 One moment, and you turn romantic.

Alan: All your effect 😉

Milie: Stop it.

Alan: Do you really want me to?

My heart screamed no. My brain screamed yes.

Brain won.

Milie: Yes 🙄

Milie: btw thanks.

Alan: save it for later.

Milie: Oh? Confident I'll need it again?

Alan: Not once. Often 😉

Milie: Mr. Overconfident.

Alan: Only for you.

Milie: Ahhh… bye.

I threw my phone aside before I could smile like an idiot again.

"Is something going on between you and Alan?" Emma asked, and I jolted. She was watching me with raised brows.

"What?" I sat up straight. "No. We're just… buddies."

"Thank God," she exhaled dramatically.

My eyes narrowed. "Why does that sound like relief?"

"So we get a fair chance," Tessa walked out, grinning. "I mean… who wouldn't want Alan?"

My jaw clenched.

"I swear," Emma added dreamily, "if he proposed right now, I'd say yes."

"And by the way, there is no we. It’s just me." Emma warned. "I have my eyes on him since day one.”

Tessa laughed. "Competition is tough."

I stared at them. "He likes me. I asked for time. And here, these girls, are even ready to marry."

WTF! Something ugly rose inside me. Jealousy. Ego. Fire.

Before I could think, I stood up on the bed. "Girls," I sang sweetly, "hate to break it to you… but he’s already taken."

Both of them looked at me, Confused.

"One more contender? "Who?" Tessa asked, curious.

Wow!! I was so close to Alan, almost intimate, yet they didn't even think of me as a competitor.

Not just for Alan—for anyone.

"Am I that invisible?" The thought stung. "Can't anyone love me?"

I frowned to myself and then put on a fake smile. "Me."

A pin drop of silence followed, and then—

"A few seconds ago you said you're just friends," Emma pointed out.

"That was to fool you. We are almost a couple."

"Almost a couple?" Tessa smirked. "What is that even? Situationship?"

I shrugged. "I don't owe you explanations."

They laughed. "Such a bluffer she is." Emma said.

And that's it. It had come to my ego.

"Believe whatever you want," I said, grabbing my phone. "We have plans anyway. Just the two of us."

I walked out with a full attitude, closed the door, and immediately dropped to the floor.

"Oh my God… what have I done?" Realization dawned on me instantly.

I rushed to the boys' room. Dax opened the door.

"Problem," I announced.

Sammy groaned from the bed. "What now?"

I sat down, restless. "I told those girls that Alan and I are basically together."

"Wow, now that's something."

"What?" Dax's voice sharpened.

"They think I can't be anyone’s girlfriend," I blurted. "So I—"

"So you lied?" he cut in.

I paused, huffing.

"…yes."

Dax ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. "Since when do you care about this stuff?"

I frowned. "Since they made it a point."

"That’s not the issue," he snapped. "Why is everything about him now?"

I softened instantly.

"Because he's everywhere," I said quietly. "And… because he helped me."

Dax looked away.

"I know," he said, voice lower. "And I'm grateful. But it feels like…" He paused.

"Like he's replacing us."

That hit. Hard.

Sammy sighed. "Bro…"

"No," Dax continued. "You both have been choosing him over us. Again and again."

Guilt flooded my chest. He wasn't wrong. For him, we were everything.

And now… we were slipping. I moved closer, holding his hand.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Sammy nodded. "We didn’t realize."

Dax looked at us for a moment. Then a small smile appeared.

"Fine," he said. "Apology accepted… on one condition."

We groaned in sync.

"Sammy sings. Milie dances."

"What?!" I protested.

"No negotiations."

Five minutes later, Sammy was howling like a dying goat. And I was shame to the entire dancer coummnity.

"Stop embarrassing me!" Sammy yelled.

"You're the embarrassment!" I shot back.

"NO TALKING!" Dax shouted, laughing now.

And for a moment, we were okay again until I froze.

Alan stood at the door, smirking. Fresh out of the shower. Hair wet. Towel low on his waist.

My brain short-circuited. My eyes betrayed me. It scanned him from top to bottom.

Sammy nudged me. "Dance, idiot."

I snapped out of it and covered my face. "Don’t you know how to use a bathroom?!" I snapped.

Alan smirked. "A few seconds ago, you were admiring the same body."

"Shut up!"

Sammy burst out laughing.

Alan shrugged. "My room, by the way. You’re the intruder."

He walked back in casually, and I died out of embarrasment.

And just then... Reality hit again. "My lie," I muttered.

I turned to Dax. "Can I ask him to pretend to be my boyfriend? Just for the trip?"

"What?!" Dax stood up instantly. "Are you serious?"

Sammy narrowed his eyes. "Is this ego… or jealousy? Don't lie."

I smiled pretentiously. "Just ego. Nothing else." I said confidently, but even I didn't believe it.

I walked up to Dax. "If Alan agrees—"

"What do I need to agree to?" Alan's voice echoed right behind me.

And I froze again. Even if Dax agrees, how was I supposed to ask him?