68 Chapter 68: He knows

Hazel froze in her steps while her friends pursed their lips. They looked at her doubtful of what to do. But they were surprised to see Freya sigh deeply.

'He knew.'

She couldn't resist her lips from curling upwards. 'Why did he even try to pretend earlier?'

Jinha raised his eyebrow when he saw her giggling softly. He shook his head sighing in defeat. He didn't even want to know what she was thinking. He wasn't surprised by Usui's question, he even figured that the guy couldn't pretend after seeing him being close to the woman he loves.

Although he knew it, he couldn't help but look laterally at Usui warning him with his cold eyes. He didn't want this idiot messing up his girl's mood.

Usui shivered under his gaze, he instinctively rubbed his arms feeling ants crawl on his skin. 

Freya sighed seeing Jinha act all protective over her. Her friends were so protective that they would try to expel away anything that would break her sanity. If there was an award for being overprotective, she was sure Jinha would triumph.

She tugged at his arm causing him to glance at her. She smiled as she mouthed, "It's going to be alright."

Jinha couldn't help but furrow his brows in worry. He didn't want her to get on with that story in this state even if she was obliged to answer his questions. Watching him Freya knew what all thoughts he had in his mind. She urged him again with her eyes making him finally sigh. He slowly removed his arms from her shoulders.

Smiling at him in gratitude, Freya turned around and said calmly, " Sure."

....

Minutes passed and yet Usui hadn't voiced anything. Both of them sat by the pavilion, which would have been a perfect spot for gazing the flowers if the place wasn't destroyed.

It still made her wince thinking of the memories she held close to her heart.

'It appears like even nature is against me living in the darkness.'

Usui glanced at her from time to time not knowing from where to start. 

'Why do you go by two names?'

'What happened back there? Who were they?'

'What are you hiding?'

'Why were you avoiding me?'

All of these questions spun in his mind that he couldn't help but think that she was shrouded in mystery. Yet, Freya just sat there silently waiting for him.

Freya gazed at the flowers which were now stained with blood. Those beautiful white flowers were colored in blood red now. She started humming the familiar tune which was deeply engraved in her heart. 

Once a happy tune had turned into a lonely one like stars losing its ability to shine in the night sky.

Usui listened to her humming and looked around the place which had bloodstains all over the place, damages to nature. He could feel the silent cry to nature apologizing for the destruction of this magical place.

Usui retrieved his hand quickly, swiftly turning his head away, and coughed. Freya chuckled when she shifted past the initial surprise, "Aren't you too quiet when you finally met the person you wanted to meet?"

Usui gazed at her and smiled helplessly. 

"Are you disappointed that the person you rejected turned out to be the same person you fell in love with?"

Usui widened his eyes in shock as if it was only now he remembered that incident. His shock made Freya laugh as she said, "Liz should be celebrating now, she wanted to discern your countenance when you realize the truth."

Usui blinked at her foolishly. He murmured, "So the woman I love already perceived my confession."

That wiped off Freya's smile. She looked away from his face as if she didn't want him to question further. He saw her reaction and smiled grimly.

"You didn't want to meet me."

It wasn't a question. He stated a fact.

Freya pursed her lips and looked up before slowly nodding her head.

"Can I ask why?"

She tilted her head and looked at him, "Why I avoided you? or why I am rejecting you?"

Usui smiled bitterly as he mumbled, "So it's a definite no huh."

Freya sighed deeply glancing at his side profile. She didn't know what she should do to make it better but she knew hiding it is definitely not the way.

'Love, huh? Why would someone fall in love, when you know it would just make you feel lost? like she does now.'

Love... Love is something which can carry you to heights of happiness, at the same time, it only requires a second to make us sink. Something which cannot be forced no matter how good the other party is. It is something that only our heart can identify which is the very reason why it is hard. 

People say, "Listen to your heart, you will get the answer."

But, how do you even listen to your heart? No one answers that question.

No one can force one to fall in love or to move on from one nightmare. It takes time, will, and effort. 

Freya wondered whether she will ever put some effort into this thing called love. Would anyone make her want to fall in love?

They watched the sky darkening as they immersed themselves in their thoughts.

Usui asked softly after a long time of silence, "Is it a No forever?"

Not expecting that question, Freya instinctively answered, "Huh?"

He stood up and turned to her, smiling at her gently, "Are you going to keep rejecting me forever?"

Her eyes widened as she asked absurdly, " Wh-hat!! You don't necessarily mean...'

Freya didn't complete her sentence when Usui inserted a flower on her ear and cupped her face interrupting her words, "I will wait for you, Freya. I will be there for you when you want someone by your side. Wherever you go, I will be here waiting for you patiently."