C9 Found Nine

Andrew’s statement made a reason for Lance and Mike to tease him more.

Tomorrow is my first day of work as Vince’s stylist assistant. And because I applied as an assistant stylist, I should also be keen on my fashion style.

I have decided to go to the mall and shop for new clothes. And because my four unofficial boyfriends are free, I have decided to tag them along.

But I am not sure if tagging them along is a good idea because all I could hear from them are their complaints.

“You girls took so much time shopping. Why don’t you buy the whole mall because it seems like it because of the many things you want to buy.” Lance said, a bit annoyed.

I just glared at him. But I can also see that the three other guys are also a bit impatient.

“You know what, guys, I did not force you to come with me, okay?! If you want to leave, then go ahead. No one is stopping you!” I told them, then I rolled my eyes at them.

“Why are you getting angry with us? It was only Lance who keeps on complaining.” Mike said defensively.

I rolled my eyes again. "Yeah, right. Even if you guys don’t say it, I know that you also think the same with my cousin.” I hissed at them.

“Chill, guys! We were just all hungry. That is why all your moods were like that. It's almost lunch, so we should have lunch first.” Vince said he grabbed my hand and pulled me outside the shop.

Before we went out of the shop, I heard some girls from the shop murmuring.

“Is that Vince and his rumored girlfriend?” I heard from one of the girls.

“Yes. And it seems like the news is right. That girl is his girlfriend.” Said the other girl.

I was shocked when Andrew removed Vince’s hand from mine, and then he pulled me.

“Hey, let’s wait for them,” I told him because we are a bit far from them.

We were already in front of a restaurant when Andrew stopped.

“Are you okay?” I asked him while waiting for the three boys.

“Yes.” He coldly said.

“Why did you remove Vince’s hand on mine and then suddenly pull me earlier?” I curiously asked.

“Why? Do you want that Vince to put his arms around you?” He asked seriously.

“Hey, why are you like that? When you said ‘that Vince,’ it seems like he is not your friend.” I commented.

He just hissed.

“Hey Drew, it's not because I want his arms on mine. It's just that you act too rude earlier.” I tried to explain to him.

“He should be careful with his actions. That's why you guys are in the headline because he is not careful with his action!” He said, a bit pissed.

I smiled at him. I can understand his point, but I feel so comfortable with Vince. That is why sometimes I forgot that he is a celebrity that was prone to gossips.

The three have arrived. No one reacted to what Andrew did. We were about to enter a restaurant when someone called him.

"Drew!" The woman called.

We immediately turned to the woman who called him.

The girl smiled at us.

I also saw Andrew smile when he recognized the woman. The woman is beautiful; she also looks rich and a kind woman.

The woman approached us. As she got closer and closer, I could see her beautiful face.

I suddenly felt pain in my chest when I see them smiling and looking at each other.

The woman also looked at me. She looked at me from head to toe, but I don’t feel offended.

"Hi, Iya!" Greetings from the three.

So I, therefore, conclude they also knew her.

She smiled at them and looked at me again as if she is trying to remember me.

"Hey, Iya, it's rude to stare." Said, Andrew.

She rolled her eyes. "She looks familiar."

Lance put his arm around me. "Ah, maybe in the news. Vince and Alli is the hot topic today. You know, about their date last night. She is Allison, my cousin." Lance introduce me to her.

"I said it was not a date." I clarified.

I can’t stop them from teasing me. I don’t like to be teased by a guy, especially Vince, because we will work together, and I don’t want to be misunderstood.

I was shocked when Andrew suddenly spoke. "You know what cuz, I shouldn’t have rejected your suggestion before to buy shares from Vince. You are right. The business that our parents took was wrong."

Iya frowned. "What are you saying? Don't you like cars? Why did you suddenly become interested in media?"

"Nothing. The media looks okay." Then he went ahead to the restaurant.

We don’t have any choice but to follow him.

"Want to join us?" I heard Vince invited Iya.

"Sure," Iya said.

We were eating together when Iya suddenly asked me a question.

"Is the issue about you and Vince were true?" She asked.

"No. We just had dinner at that time because of work. There is no malice in that." I explained.

She is kind, like me she also wants to work in media. That is one thing that we had in common. I also found out that she is Andrew‘s cousin.

“Oh really? You are famous now, Vince because you are being intrigued!” She commented.

“You also quite famous, DJ Iya,” Vince said.

I heard one time about Andrew’s cousin who works as a DJ in a radio station. They don’t like listening to the radio, but because of Iya, they listen to Iya’s radio program. I got curious, so I also listen to the said radio program.

That program of hers is good, so I always listen to it. I was thinking of calling her program when I had a problem with my love life because she and DJ Mavin were good at giving advice.

“Oh yes! I also heard that you also have a secret admirer. So you already have a love life!” Mike started with his teasing job.

Mike looks like he has a new victim.

“Did you know who is that M.J.?” I asked Iya.

That M.J. is the one who always sends gifts to her. She always gives thanks to her supporters who send gifts to their studio. And every day that M.J. is always included in the list of fans that she thanked.

She just shrugged. “I don’t have any idea who he is.”

I frowned. "Don't you want to know who that is?" I asked her.

Because if it were me, I would be interested, and I would want to know who that person is. Maybe he is the prince charming that I was waiting for.

We all look to her to hear what she has to say. I noticed that among all of us, Andrew was the only one who was very serious.

"I want to, but it's not like it's a big deal." She replied.

My forehead furrowed even more. There seems to be something wrong. Could it be that she already likes someone else, that is why she is not interested to know who the person was?

I saw Andrew's changed expression. He seemed very satisfied with her cousin's answer.

"Mavin!" Vince called.

I turned to the person Vince had called. Is he DJ Mav?

"DJ Mav, DJ Iya is here!" Mike said suddenly when Mavin arrived at our place.

So he is DJ Mav. In fairness, he doesn’t only have a handsome voice, but he also has a handsome face.

I saw Iya giving Mike a death glare. Is there something going on between her and DJ Mav?

“Oh, hi Iya! You guys were here!” Mavin said while oblivious to Mike’s teasing.

“It's just us boys and Alli, but we also tag Iya along because she looks pitiful alone.” Mike with his teasing tone again.

“What are you saying?! Shut up, Mike!” Iya said while rolling her eyes at him.

I think something is going on between these two.

“Are you also alone, Mav?” Vince asked him.

“Yes. I was buying something then noticed that it is already lunchtime, so I decided to eat here.” He explained.

“Wow! So it means if we didn’t see Iya, you two might have an instant date.” Mike butt-in.

"Stop that, Mike!" Andrew said seriously.

This is the other side of Andrew. I didn't know he was so protective of his cousin. He is also protective of me. Does he see me as his cousin?

Suddenly my heartfelt hurt at the thought.

"Join us," Andrew said in an authoritative voice.

We ate quietly, but we tell jokes from time to time.

I found out that Vince is the closest to Iya. Since she also likes to work in media, the two got along quickly.

Because I was busy getting to know Iya and Mav, I didn't eat much. And Andrew seems to have noticed that.

He put a lot of food on my plate. Can I finish all that?

"Drew, you put too much on my plate," I said because it looks like he has no intention of stopping putting food on my plate.

"That's just right. You didn't eat much." He replied.

I pouted. I’m on a diet. He is ruining my diet.

"I'm on a diet, Drew. I need to lose weight." I said.

He frowned. "You look so skinny, but you want to lose even more weight? What do you want to be a bone marrow?"

My cheeks heated with embarrassment because of what he said. I rolled my eyes on him and ate quietly.

He noticed my reaction, so he immediately comforted me. "Hey, sorry. I don’t understand why you need to be on a diet when your body is already good?"

I did not answer; I just stared at him. It's annoying because I feel ashamed of what he said.

“Hey, Alli, I’m sorry. Talk to me, please.” He said.

I just hissed at him.

"Alli..." He softly said.

I frowned at him. He showed me his pitiful eyes.

I suddenly felt sorry for him, not to mention her cousin's teasing smile.

“Okay fine. You can stop the act.” I just said for him to stop.

“Really? Are you not angry anymore? You will talk to me now?” He asked.

“I said fine already. You are acting like a child.” I said while trying to control my laugh.

I saw him smile and continue eating.

Andrew, why are you so cute?

"We're leaving first. Do you want to come with us?" Drew asked Iya when we got out of the restaurant.

"No. I still have something to buy." Iya said.

"Besides, I also brought my car." She added.

"You‘ll go alone?" Andrew asked while looking at Mav; he was very protective.

"Of course," Iya said.

"If you're worried about Iya, I can come with her." Mav butted in.

We all dropped our jaw at what he said.

Drew frowned at Iya and then looked at Mav.

"There's no need," Andrew said seriously.

I don't expect him to be so protective of Iya. I hope that he will not be like that to me. I might never have a love life.

"Yes, Mav, my cousin is right. I can do it alone. Besides, you might be busy." Iya said that the growing tension between the two seems to be noticeable.

"I insist. I have nothing to do." Smiling, he said.

"Oh, so it's settled then! Mav and Iya, we are going first," I said to settle the issue.

I did not let Andrew speak, and I immediately pulled him away.

"What was that?" Andrew said as I pulled him away.

"Leave your cousin alone. Mav looks kind." I said.

"Tsk. I don't trust him." He hissed.

“Well, I think you will never trust anyone for Iya because you are very protective of her. Oh no, don’t tell you will also be like that to me? I might never have a love life because of you.” I tease him just to divert the topic.

"Don't worry. You will have a love life. I assure you that." Then he winked.