Billionaire's Childhood Love

LI. Ski Trip Part II

Ricardo.

He's studying.

Lately, all he does is study.

He notices my presence.

Immediately, I look away.

When I peered over, his head was facing the book. I lean in closer to see what he's reading.

Chemistry.

Boring.

"What do you want?" He asks.

"I'm curious about what you're reading," I mumbled.

He exhales and turns the page. "Bored?"

Ricardo has been a bit nicer nowadays. Probably because he's used to my existence like Taniyah. My body slides down, "Yeah." The snow covers my boots.

"Where's your little boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend?"

"Greyson."

"He's not my boyfriend."

"Hm."

"He's up there-" I turn towards the mountain. "With his friends...and Jasmine." I know it's not just them, but it still bothers me.

"Jealousy is not an attractive feature." I look at Ricardo with pouty lips. "It's ugly and, frankly, a turnoff."

"I'm not jealous."

"Denial is unattractive too."

My hands curl, "I'm not!"

"Whatever."

I bit my lower lip and exhale a warm breath. When I noticed Josh from a distance, I got up from my seat and sat next to Ricardo. He looks up, "What are you doing?"

I tried my best not to look at Josh. "I don't know." I really have no idea why I would get up and sit beside the guy who always bickers with my best friend.

Okay, maybe I do have a bit of an idea.

Ricardo nudges a brow, "You-"

I can hear Josh scream: "Hay Bug!"

Ricardo halts his sentence and lifts a brow. Then, steadily, a prolonged motion; a smirk made across his lip. He rests his chin against the ungloved hand and leans in closer. He whispers: "Crafty diavoletto, aren't you?"

My face blew up into a deep shade of red. I have no idea what he said, but somehow it sounds good. I hope he didn't insult me. "W-Wha-"

I stopped talking when Josh came to view. His eyes cast towards Ricardo before it went towards me. He smiles, "There you are. I've been trying to find you."

I swallow while my fingers play against one another underneath the table. "Here, I am."

Jasmine and the others walk towards us. "Ready to go again?" Jasmine asks.

"Nah. I think I'm going to take a break." Josh sat down across from us. "Maybe, later."

Jasmine looks at me before she smiles slightly. "Alright." They all head towards the mountain again.

Silence.

"So, what are you guys talk-"

Before Josh could finish, Ricardo closed his book and stood up. I thought he was going to walk away, but he didn't. Instead, he leans down beside my ear and whispers: "I'm not particularly fond of being used bionda. I'll return for my payments."

That whole two-sentence sends shivers down my spine. Maybe Ricardo is a part of some gang.

"What did he say?" Josh asks.