Chapter thirty
Chapter thirty
Oregon
I clenched my jaw and looked down at the ground, avoiding Vivian's sympathetic gaze. "Isabella?" she asked, and I nodded.
"I heard your mother say that you and Isabella were childhood sweethearts," she continued. "She said you were each other's first love." Her tone was gentle, but I could sense the sadness behind her words.
"That's not true," I blurted out, my voice rising in frustration.
"She isn't? Then, did your mother lie?" she asked in disbelief, doubting that Laura would ever make such utterances just for them to be lies.
"It's not actually a lie," I said. "Should I say it's not entirely true?"
"What do you mean?" she asked quickly, taking strides towards me.
"Why are you so curious to know?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest.
"I guess you don't want to talk about it. I'm sorry for being unnecessarily curious. I need to leave now, please excuse me," she said, bowing lowly and heading towards the elevator.
I sighed and entered the closing elevator as well. I glanced around and noticed that she had a stern look on her face. Her eyes refused to blink as they continuously stared at the elevator door in front of her.
"Isabella isn't my first love... neither is she my childhood sweetheart," I said, keeping my eyes on the door.
"Okay," she simply responded, her voice cold.
"You don't believe me?" I looked at her.
Vivian sighed and looked back at me. "I never said that. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let's just forget it. Don't mind me for asking."
"Well, I don't want to forget about it!" I snapped, causing her to flinch in fear. She really was startled.
I continued. "Isabella and I were old friends, but we suddenly drifted apart. I guess the friendship bond was no longer there. All I know is that I used to be Isabella's first love. I don't know about now. I remember those days when she would crawl to me and tell me how much she liked me. I can't believe that little girl is grown up now."
I chuckled and faced Vivian, whose face looked cold and mean. I almost flinched when I saw her straight face, glaring at me like she wanted to gnaw at me.
"Gosh! You startled me! What are you thinking about? What's with that face too?" I asked.
"Nothing," she replied and looked away. NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.
I hummed and nodded. Immediately, the elevator stopped and its doors opened, and I stepped out. Vivian didn't follow, so I looked back.
"What is it? Aren't you coming out?" I asked.
Vivian blinked her eyes and looked around. "Oh! I didn't realize we had reached," she forced a chuckle and stepped out.
"What's wrong? What were you suddenly thinking about?" I asked.
"Nothing," she grinned. "I need to go to bed now. I'm feeling so sleepy."
"Won't you have dinner before you go to bed?" I asked, studying her from head to toe.
"No, I still feel okay," she replied, rubbing her stomach.
"If you say so," I said and started to leave. Her room was on the other side.
"King Oregon, can I ask one last question if you don't mind?" she asked.
I turned to face her and quietly nodded. "What is it?" I asked.
Vivian sighed deeply and avoided my gaze. She seemed quite timid now.
"What is it, Vivian?" I asked, already exhausted by the silence. She wasn't saying anything, and I was growing impatient.
"You said Isabella liked you and told you about her feelings?" she asked.
"Hmm... Yes," I replied, nodding at the same time.
"I guess she really likes you," she said, her face giving a smile.
"I don't know about now, but she liked me when we were both young," I replied.
"No," she whispered and shook her head.
"What do you mean?" I inquired, feeling puzzled by her short statement.
"That Isabella still likes you. I noticed it," she said, her voice serious and sending shivers down my spine
.
"Alright then. That's her business. Look at how a short question turned into a longer discussion. Are you done now? Let me take my leave, and shouldn't you go to bed as you said?" I smirked, trying to leave, but her voice stopped me again.
"Wait, please. I have one more question to ask," she said.
I groaned and rolled my eyes. "What is it again? I thought you said that was your last question."
"Sorry. I never knew I would be this curious," she said, biting her bottom lip.
"Whatever. Let's just hear it. What's the question? Firstly, I hope this will be the last one?" I asked, bringing my face close to hers.
"Yes," she chuckled. "But only for today."
"Ugh. What was I expecting? Anyway, out with it already. What is it about?" I asked.
"So, what did you do or say when you heard her feelings?" she asked, slowly, her eyes blinking rapidly as she spoke.
My tongue ran across my lips, and I rubbed my nose with my thumb. "I wish I could remember," I muttered.
"Huh? You don't remember?" she asked.
"Yes," I nodded. "But I think what I said was, 'I'm sorry, Isabella, but I don't think I can love you back.'"
"Is that what you really said?" she asked, raising both eyebrows.
"I'm not really sure, but that's what I should have said. It's been so long, Vivian," I replied.
Vivian sighed and shook her head. "I understand. You should go to bed now. You look quite tired."
"Yes," I nodded and slowly walked away.
I stopped and turned, only to see Vivian still standing and facing me. Her body trembled when she saw that I suddenly faced her. She seemed not to be expecting that.
"Aren't you going to your room?" I asked.
"Oh, yes! I am. Goodnight!" she waved.
I nodded and walked down, reached my door, and opened it. As soon as I was inside, I ran to the bed, jumped on it, and dozed off.