Steal my Heart.

64

For the next few days, Alastair and Howard were on their worst terms with each other. They either shot glares at each other or indulged in some sort of bickering. I was like a mother trying to discipline two naughty boys. So today I decided to sort out their differences. It was already the end of November. Howard would be leaving at the start of December. I had taken it upon myself to make sure that they be on good terms before he leaves.

So I called them up at a coffee shop. Both of them were unaware that the other one was coming. In the afternoon, Alastair reached the shop at the exact time I called him. He sat on his seat and saw three glasses of water waiting. He drank from one and asked me, "Grace, who's coming?"

I bit my lip and looked at him from under my eyelashes.
"Don't use that trick babydoll. And don't even tell me it's your ass brother." He said deadpanned.
"Alastair please." I said, holding his hands.

"Let me go." He said, getting up. Oh my. Howard emerged through the door right then. I think he understood the scene because he came and calmly sat on the other chair.

He said with a smug look on his face,"Grace, if your love doesn't want to stop despite you stopping him so sweetly, trust me, he's not the one."
Alastair shot him a glare that might have cut through Howard if looks could kill. He stopped protesting and sat down on the chair.

"You see Howard, I just can't stand anyone coming in between me and her." Alastair smirked.
"You shouldn't feel bad about people coming in between you two when you do the same thing you know." Howard said.

"Well I was always taken in between, I never forced myself." Alastair said very coolly.
"Stop blaming your mistakes on others." Howard said.
"We're getting personal here, are we?" Alastair said, sitting up straight.

"Guys please, I didn't get you two here to fight. I want you'll to sort out your issues. Christmas is round the corner, please?" I said, almost pleading.
"Explain that to your pathetic excuse of a boyfriend. I still can't believe you're dating him." Howard said.

"Oh please, her choice is perfectly fine. Too bad we can't choose our relatives." Alastair fired back.
"Atleast I don't go around stealing what's not mine." Howard flared up.
"Yeah right. Because you can't hold on to what's your's. What was your problem Howard? Weren't you satisfying your girlfriend enough?" Alastair touched a sore point.

Howard lost it at that. He lunged across the table to hold Alastair's collar and moved in to punch him. The people around the cafe stared at us and whispered amongst themselves. I was beyond annoyed now.
"Shut the fuck up." I hissed.

Both of them turned to look at me. Instinctively, they moved apart and sat down at their respective places.
I took a deep breathe. "See I would really, really like it if you two forgive each other, learn from each other's mistake and simply be good to each other. No need to be friends, just learn to stand each other. Is that too much to ask for?" I asked, looking both of them expectantly.

Alasair stifled a smile and said,"Yes." He was finding this situation way too funny. I scowled at him. He just gave me a flying kiss. I looked at Howard who was glaring at him. He turned to me and said,"Gracie, you won't understand. You just won't get it."
I shook my head and said,"Howard, Nicole was a bitch. I'm really sorry for saying this. But she cheated on you. She went to Alastair and he refused her out flatly. He might have had a tainted reputation but he didn't try to get your girl. She hurt you and you should try to forget her because she clearly doesn't deserve you." I ended my speech.

The rage in Howard's eyes turned unreadable and then he spoke up,"I didn't know Grace, that you'd belong to the types who forget friends and siblings once they find love."

With that he got up and left, not even leaving enough space for me to say anything. I sighed and turned to look at Alastair who was looking very amused. I scowled at him once again. He just pouted. I knew I couldn't stay mad at him for too long. So when he pulled my chair towards him with one single strong arm, I let him. He tilted my chin so that I was facing him.

"It happens babydoll." He whispered.
"I didn't mean to hurt him like that. I wasn't even taking sides. I just wanted to make him happy. I really care for him." I say, feeling terribly guilty.
"We'll see okay. I'm trying too." He said.

I glared at him. "I can see that."
He burst out laughing. "It's hilarious actually. He's living his life in misunderstandings and he's not even ready to sort it out. That's way too stupid."

I let out an exasperated sigh for the tenth time that day. "Do you even care Alastair?"
"Frankly, no. I'm doing this reconcilation only because you care."
I pursed my lips. Too bad. I got up and we started walking towards home.
He hit me on my head.

"Stop hitting me." I said sticking out my tongue at him.
"I was hitting on you." He said.
"You don't have to do it literally. And well, I'm already your's. You can cut the flirting part off."
"I heard somewhere that if you want her to stay, behave as if you're still trying to win her. That's all I'm doing."
"Impressive."
"Only for you."
"Did you flirt with everyone?"
"My smile was enough. Not everyone needed a pick up line after that."
"How modest."
"Aaha. Sarcasm goes well with you Ms. Hyde."
"Flirtation goes well with you Mr. Kerr."
"Smart girl."
"I know right."