Chapter 41 - Coward

"Do you like her that much? I never saw you like that before, even when that woman was alive." Alonzo unconsciously said to Felix but regrets right away. His cousin's mood instantly dampened at the mention of his deceased girlfriend.

Felix doesn't love to hear his family talking about her. Besides, he rarely talked about it to not reopen past wounds.

"I never treated her well. I loved her but back then, I was bad at expressing my feelings. That's why I try my best not to make the same mistakes." His past memories of the woman named 'Cara Laria' lingered in Felix's imagination.

That woman was such a fool! She still loved him even though he was never warm to her. Back then, he was the perfect epitome of the domineering CEO's in the modern-day romance novels.

He loved her with all his heart but he didn't know how to express his feelings. As such, he always comes out as a cold lover.

No one knows that endless regrets and heartbreaks were the things that molded this once cold man into a warm and affectionate lover!

When Caria Laria died, all Felix have was guilt and remorse. He should have treated her better! He should have been warmer to her! He should have given her all his time when he had the chance! But it's too late! What's done is done!

He learned his lesson in a hard way. He realized that he should learn to treasure a person when he had the time. As such, he tried his best not to have any other regrets.

He gave his all for Yelena. He treated her in such a way that he wouldn't have regrets even if they were separated by the most dreadful thing called death. It was the same reason why he keeps on chasing her stubbornly despite her constant rejection, not to have any regrets.

The cousins were on the quiet ride back to their apartment. Felix returned to pack his things as they would leave early in the next morning.

Alonzo repeatedly glanced at his cousin who seemed to have a lot on his mind. Did he behave like that because he mentioned the deceased woman? Will it be best to remain silent? While he debate with the idea, Felix spoke up and break the silence.

"Did you really came just to meet Yelena? Any other business?"

"To be honest, the Shiny Art Gallery contacted me. They want me to participate in their exhibition which will be held three weeks later. I was already informed a month ago and I came here yesterday to talk about the details of the exhibition with them." Prince Alonzo explained.

"The Shiny Art Gallery? Isn't that one of the most prestigious art gallery in the world?" Felix gasped.

He almost forgot that the only thing his problematic cousin was good at is art. In that field, he's the best of the best. He was already a world-renowned artist at this young age. He had participated in many prestigious art exhibitions all around the globe. A single piece of his work also cost a fortune!

"Yes. I'm currently working on a project with them. So, make sure to come when the exhibition starts. Bring your girlfriend too." Alonzo simply said.

"But her condition -"

"Oh! Come on, Flix! It's three weeks later. She will improve greatly at that time." Alonzo rolled his eyes at his cousin's protective nature towards his girlfriend.

He didn't even ask for much! Just an hour will do!

"Fine, but I can't promise you. As you heard, we will be leaving for the countryside tomorrow. We will come if her condition is stable enough." Felix refused to make any empty promise to his cousin which made the latter quite upset.

"Then you can still come alone if she is not stable enough." Alonzo opined with a hopeful smile.

"I'm supposed to look after her when we reach the villa. I won't be able to leave her side." Felix brushed away his cousin's hope once again but thought that he was a bit rude.

He tilted his head to his cousin and almost chuckle when he noticed his displeasure. "We will try to come. Okay? Stop acting like a little kid." He teased him with an amusing smile.

Alonzo looked at his cousin and blinked. He had surely changed! He never talked to him with that smile and above all, he never entertained his childish behaviour!

Just what did that woman had done to change him this much!

* * *

Yelena was quite surprised when Lt. Morris appeared on the door of her hospital room. She didn't expect him to show up unannounced.

"Morris, what brings you here?" She asked him right away. He didn't seem to be in a good condition which worried her.

"Captain, how are you? Are you doing well?" Morris walked to her and stand beside her bed.

Yelena recalled and realized that it was the first time they meet each other since Nolan Iselin disappeared. Was he still feeling guilty? She knows very well how devoted Morris was to her.

"I've recovered a lot. Come and sit." She offered the man to sit at the bench next to her bed but he shook his head.

"I'm fine, Captain. Don't mind me." The Lieutenant eyes were glued to the floor and he seemed to be nervous which really troubled the Captain.

"What is it, Morris? Just say if you have something to say." Yelena was a bit annoyed. Not because of him, but his cowardice act. The Morris she knows will not behave like this.

"It's been a week but there is no progress, Captain. What if -"

"What if we never found him?" Yelena cut him off and finished the words for him.

Morris raised his head and look at his Captain. But when he saw her displeased face, he immediately lowered his head again.

"We will just keep on looking for him, no matter how long it is. One week? That's nothing. Morris, did you forget that we already waited for 6 years? And now, you stuttered before me just because of failing for one week?"

Yelena tried her best to maintain her composure but her voice was already high than usual. She finds it hard to believe that Morris felt discouraged just after a week!

"But Captain, it's different this time. It's my fault. I didn't pay enough attention to them and -" Lt. Morris keeps on struggling which made the Captain cut him off once again.

"So what? Will you give up then?" Yelena calmly asked with a nonchalant face.

"What if the one who took the Iselin's away is the one we are after? Does that mean they already know that we are digging the incident?" Lt. Morris eyes grew wide open in fear.

They already find out that they were after someone powerful and influential. Now that their cover had blown, the enemy won't sit still and let them be!

Yelena's face showed no fear! Instead, she was dreadfully calm. She then shook her head and stared at the Lieutenant in disappointment. "Back then, I didn't know that I risked my life and sacrificed myself for a coward, Lt. Morris Flavian." She muttered in a dreadfully low voice.....