Chapter 40 Women's Friendship (Part Two)

She didn't want to face him and wanted to go away. Yet he turned to face her, as if sensing her presence and smiled.

"Hello, Fiona!" Ryan jovially greeted as he rushed towards her.

Fiona was about to pivot and run to the opposite direction when Ryan halted her plans to escape.

"Please don't avoid me or hide your presence from me!" He stretched arms wide to stop her. "I'm so glad you're finally here, Fiona!"

"Ryan," Fiona greeted She tightened her grip on her purse, forcing a smile on her lips. "What business brought you here?"

"I was expecting your arrival," Ryan admitted.

She was caught off guard by his remark. "Why were you expecting me?" she asked.

"I was worried I made you upset. I tried to call you, but my calls remained unanswered these past two days." Guilt crossed his handsome face as he said, "I am so sorry. I was too impulsive with my actions back then. I wasn't thinking right when I kissed you, but my feelings were and still are sincere. I love you. I'm not..."

The expression on Fiona's face was hard and cold. "I can always deny what happened that night. We will still be good friends," she casually said.

"Good friends?" Disbelief was written across Ryan's face. "I want to be more than just your friend! What transpired during the party? Why do you act like you've changed completely?"

Fiona wet her lips as she replied, "After what happened, I believe that it's best for us to just remain as friends."

"I won't accept that excuse!" Ryan affirmed.

"I fell in love with someone else," Fiona said.

"I don't believe you!" Ryan said, emphasizing every word of the sentence.

"Why won't you accept the facts I've given you?" A crowd had gathered while they exchanged words. Fiona felt flustered by the attention from the onlookers. She turned her attention to Ryan and said, "Are you aware that you are wasting my time? Two months. We only knew each other for two months and yet you act as if your world revolves around me. Is it so very hard to believe that I love someone else? Why do you continue to deny the truth?"

Then she turned and fled, leaving Ryan speechless.

"Fiona..." As her figure slowly slipped from his sight, he closed his eyes and clenched his fists in anger. 'This wasn't how it supposed to end! Who cares if we've known each other for only two month? I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you!'

Sophia expressed her surprise and joy as Fiona entered the room.

"Where have you disappeared to these past two days, Fiona?" Leona spoke first.

"I've seen Ryan waiting for you downstairs. Did you manage to talk to him?" Sophia rushed towards Fiona and clasped her hands with hers. "You've made me so worried about you. You never contacted us for two days, we thought something bad happened to you."

"You shouldn't have worried. I am well," Fiona reassured her, deliberately forcing a smile on her lips.

"You are acting a little strange. Did something happen these past two days?" Sophia blurted before she could stop herself. She noticed that something bad had befallen her friend, she just need to find out what it was.

"Nothing happened," Fiona grumbled. She set down her purse on the side of her bed. "Ryan and I are just friends from now on. You should stop subjecting us with your teasing."

"Are you kidding me?" Ella said as she jerked her head to look at Fiona. "I was there when you two were embracing each other that night. That was too intimate even for friends."

"I thou

fine man. How could he endure such a past?' Fiona frowned.

"Ryan has grown up struggling to prove his worth to others, that he is worthy to be part of the Wen family." Sophia's eyes reflected sadness and pity for Ryan. "No matter how difficult it is, he must endure."

'Aren't I the same as him?' Fiona's heart ached for him. Both of them endured so much that it almost shattered them both individually.

"I have no idea why I unraveled his past to you like this. I just had this wishful thinking that maybe, just maybe I would be able to change your mind," Sophia said as she stifled a yawn.

"Did you like him?" asked Fiona, curious.

"Ryan and I never looked at each other that way. You should toss whatever reasons that gave you that idea," Sophia said with a slight smile touching her lips.

Fiona chose to remain silent as she settled her gaze to the window.

"Fiona, do you consider me as your friend?" Sophia asked timidly, breaking Fiona's daze.

"I consider you my friend, yes." Fiona tore her gaze from the window and turned to face her friend.

"Do you consider me as a good friend?" Sophia asked again.

Stunned at her question, Fiona smiled sadly and replied, "I haven't got any friends that could be considered as good."

"Would you let me be your first good friend, then? Either way, you're already stuck with me." Sophia grinned as she raised her head boldly at her notion.

Fiona's eyes widened slightly as she tried to form a response. "Okay," she softly responded. "It's been so long since I have wept in the presence of another." 'Spencer is an exception though,' she mentally added. Sophia gave her a breathtaking smile as she stuck out her little finger.

"I want to be your friend as long as you'll have me."

Fiona just studied the finger held out towards her, hesitating her next actions. Sophia beat her to it as she looped their little fingers together.

"Don't be shy, come on!" They shook their fingers together as Sophia continued, "Best friends forever." "Best friends forever," Fiona agreed.

They brought their thumbs together as they sealed the deal. Sophia grinned at her and said, "That concludes our friendship ceremony."

Fiona smile wistfully at their joined hands, wondering if she was worthy to be blessed of such friendship when she had just suffered a lost love.