"Did you ever like me?"This was a question that had been weighing in his mind for months. This was the question that made him feel anxious and less than a man. This was the question for her appearing every time in his mind even though he was together with Sisley. This was the question that made him blame her for everything. Justifying his actions for betraying her. Comparing her every chances he got. Pointing at her character every time they were together. Ridiculing every little actions she took.
He was bitter.
He was angry.
He was sad.
He was… hurt.
Hurt since he had truly liked her. Had given his attention and affection to her only to feel that the affection wasn"t mutual.
Evangeline"s icy countenance somewhat wavered as the coldness in her gaze cracked. Her eyes stung and slightly moistened… or was it the effects of the light?
Her lips curved in a smile. This time, the smile didn"t contain anything, it was just purely…. a smile. A sad smile – from the bottom of her heart.
"I never would have said yes if there was no feeling involved."
"…..."
"..."
Aghh…. So that"s how it was….
Daniel"s eyes dropped. His eyelids grew heavy while he smiled sadly at himself…. I….
….screwed up.
He raised his head and looked at the woman seriously. His eyes, unwavering and remorseful.
"Evangeline… I"m sorry." With this, let us end our chapter together.
Evangeline remained silent, yet beneath her gaze held complicated emotions as she watched the man that she once liked finally ending things between them. Her feelings were in a complete mess!
However….. she felt relieved….
Was it because she no longer had any resentment towards the man or was it because she felt relieved that the man didn"t hate her despite everything else?
She herself didn"t know the answer.
…..
…..
After a while of silence, Daniel grabbed something inside his pocket and handed it out to Evangeline.
The light atmosphere brought by their reconciliation instantly turned heavy the instant Evangeline laid eyes on that thick brown envelop.
Her eyes revert to its usual coldness, even more freezing than before as she asked in a soft voice laced in frozen ice dripped in scorn. "What is this?"
Daniel instantly regretted his rash actions, but it was too late to back out now. "I heard that you"re in a tight spot... Let me help you."
Daniel"s tone was soft and pleasing, yet Evangeline didn"t hear any of that as she sarcastically smiled without any intention of taking that envelope.
"Looks like you believe the rumors."
Daniel frowned and sighed. Still, he didn"t lose his patience. Though they had broken up officially and now settled everything, he wanted to help her as a friend.
But he did regret his impulsive actions. He admitted that he was too thoughtless just handing the envelope like that. He should have asked about it first before he acted.
He brushed his hand through his hair as he retracted his gaze from hers. For a time, he didn"t know how to explain himself.
"It"s not because I believe it... It"s just that… I"m worried about you."
Evangeline dryly laughed without humor. "You speak that you don"t believe the rumors… but the moment you brought out that envelop, isn"t it proof enough that you already took a side?"
Contrary to expectations, Daniel didn"t get angry. Instead, he seriously looked at the woman as his voice turned solemn.
"Evangeline… if you tell me that all of those are just rumors, I will believe you one hundred percent... but you didn"t. From the start, you don"t trust me enough to tell me anything. From the start, you didn"t give your all in our relationship for reasons I don"t know. How do you expect someone to understand if you don"t explain? How do you expect someone to trust you if you don"t talk? If you don"t say something, how do you expect me to understand? I can"t read minds."
"I"m offering you my help not because I believe the rumors, I"m offering it because I"m really worried about you." Daniel leaned and was thinking to grabbed the girl"s hand, but quickly eradicated the idea.
"Even though we"ve broken up, it didn"t mean that I"ll be heartless and turn to the other side knowing that you"re in trouble. At least… from the one year that we have been together I…." For a moment, Daniel didn"t know what he should say as he just stared at her.
"….."
"….."
When there was still no reaction from Evangeline, Daniel sighed and leaned on his chair once more as he looked at the racing droplets of water on that foggy window. His eyes, melancholic and a bit sad.
"…I thought of you as a friend…." He absentmindedly murmured when silence engulfed them once more.
Evangeline"s eyelashes quivered, without saying anything, she stood up and walked towards the exit while Daniel said nothing more. He didn"t even glance at the woman. His eyes fixated on those droplets of rain yet his mind appeared to be drifting.
Eric too abruptly stood up. He slightly bowed, expressed his grat.i.tude for the meal and hurriedly catch up to where Evangeline was.
Rumble!
Rumble!
The sound of the rain greeted Evangeline and Eric when they went out of the restaurant.
"Wait here. I"ll go and get the raincoats." Without letting the woman reply, Eric stormed towards the parking lot amidst the rain while Evangeline remained rooted on her spot.
She appeared calm and composed. However, her mind still wondered to that point in time where the summer breeze blew past the open window of a half-empty cla.s.sroom. Her eyes glint in forlorn as she remembered that blue eyes, like the sky was staring at her. His dimple smile that made her lips curved in a delightful smirk. His pleasing, friendly tone as he introduced himself while his ears blushed in faint red which made her lips quivered.
You are the first man that has been nice to me without judgment. Without prejudice. You are… kind…
Because you told me you like me, I a.s.sumed that you"d understand even without me speaking my feelings.
Was I wrong?
Or is it your feelings wasn"t that deep to begin with?
She smiled bitterly and closed her eyes.
Am I not the same?
Then she glanced at the man who was now hurrying back with raincoats in hand.
Are you…. are you also the same?
Did you misunderstand me too? Or is it that you simply didn"t care?
"What"s wrong?"
No….
"Come on… let"s go while the rain isn"t heavy yet."
Only you…
She held his raincoat, halting the man as she looked straight into his bewildered silver eyes.
"What is it?"
Only you… I don"t want you to misunderstand….