Chapter 270 - § NEGLIGENCE §

CHAPTER 017

The afternoon class was over, Kraig stood up and was about to approach Yanarym but Tiana blocked his way. He had been attempting to have a conversation with Yanarym all day and she'd been avoiding him the entire time. Tiana had been lingering and clinging to him, which made it even more impossible for him to accomplish his goal. 

He needed to clarify his intention to Yanarym. That was the only thing running through his mind. The two of them had to settle everything in a single talk about what happened last night. Although it was clear that Yanarym had set the line for them. Kraig was not yet over her. As long as he did not want it, nothing would be done between them.

"Tiana, I have something important to do." He shifted his attention to Tiana. His priority was to discuss things about Yanarym and have an elucidation with her. Not to hear Tiana's yapping and ranting about her life.

"I've got something important to tell you too," Tiana said desperately. She was determined to tell him what Lyndon told her yesterday. If another lie would make him stay, she would do it. She was not willing to give him up, especially to Yanarym… not to her. 

She was beautiful and intellectual. An orphan that was blessed with having a loving mother. A successful professor who had the money to provide and pampered her with anything she could wish for. She did not appreciate any of that. She was acting as if the world was weighing on her shoulders, always gloomy and depressive— she was not grateful for what she got. Tiana envied her since childhood and seeing her neglect those things she had made Tiana despise her. Tiana did not have any of those, she had all of those things and she won't cherish it? 

Kraig… was different. Tiana saw how Yanarym cared for Kraig. When Kraig sought for her, Tiana felt special—much more special than becoming an azkin. Then, he abandoned Yanarym for her… how happy she was back then. However, today she felt like Kraig was coming back to Yanarym, he would abandon her for Yanarym. It was like a nightmare. Again, in the end, Yanarym was taking everything for herself. Tiana won't allow it, never. 

Kraig looked at Tiana and sighed in exasperation. Frankly, Tiana was supposed to be the woman he should be more worried about. She was the woman he used to like, and yesterday's event might have caused her havoc. Nonetheless, that did not seem to be the case. His eyes couldn't vacate Yanarym, constantly, he wanted to see her and converse with her—even hold her to his embrace. The lingering sentiments on how she fitted perfectly in his arms were too comfortable that he was desperate to experience it once more. Unfortunately, though, the more attention he was giving Yanarym, the more she avoided him, and the more infuriated he was receiving that apparent veto. 

It was funny, Yanarym was the woman who admired him. Why was he the one that was chasing after her? He was not the desperate one, it was her. She was the one crazy in love with him. He gave her what she wanted and she ended things between them. He should be happy but he felt that something was not right. It was like that time on the field—where it felt like he lost something that belonged to him. He didn't like the emptiness and restiveness consuming his entirety. Everything felt wrong. 

The tables had turned–was what the current situation–the one who was chasing was being chased. 

Kraig did not like anything that was transpiring, his ego was being crushed. He was seriously trying to keep his composure, but he was on the verge of exploding. He had to direct his anger to someone, to relieve himself and Tiana was gladly demanding herself as one. 

"Can we talk somewhere private?" Tiana asked him to wake him up from zoning out. Kraig inhaled sharply and forced a smile on her. "I don't want anyone to hear what I am gonna tell you."

"Alright." They decided to go to the rooftop of the academy. Kraig sat up on the railings and watched the students pass through the gate. He was struggling to pay attention to Tiana but his eyes were searching for someone else. "What do you want to say? We're all alone now." Kraig said to her and she took a deep breath. 

"About yesterday," she uttered in a low tone, Kraig waited for her to tell him the truth that he was very well aware of. 

She was lying, being an azkin, he was aware of it, he was not a fool. But still, he liked Tiana as she was. So, that matter regarding her pretending to be an azkin, he had a perception of it and he did not care. Yet, he was surprised that Yanarym knew it as well. 

Yanarym was the smartest kid in their academy…despite that, he had the impression that she was only a book-smart nerd, not a life-smart girl. For him, Yanarym was the epitome of foolishness. She could be easily swayed, easily played —a perfect prey. However, because of that, he thought she was the type of girl where he would get bored easily. 

"Yanarym might be right about the symptoms about me, not being an azkin. But she was not entirely telling the truth for the rest of it." Tiana had a deep breath and directed her eyes in his direction. "Believe me, Kraig, I'm an azkin. I wouldn't lie to you about this matter." Kraig didn't say a word, Tiana bit her lips seeing his nonchalant reaction, "I…" 

"Wait," Kraig's eyes dilated, he jumped off to the railing, without paying attention to Tiana he creased his brows looking down from the rooftop. This palpable negligence of Kraig caused Tiana to tear up, he was dismissing her, he never snubbed her. 

"You don't believe me, do you?" She hovered, yet Kraig kept his attention down the building as if something was happening there a lot more interesting than her. 

Didn't he hear her? She said she was an azkin! Why didn't he comfort her? He should comfort her by now! He should show those worrying eyes, hold her with care and compassion and say those flattering words to relieve her forlorn heart!

"Kraig!" 

"Tiana, I said wait, can you do that?" He said without glancing in her direction at all! 

Wait? Wait for what? She veered her head to see where he was glaring. Tiana felt her eyes become hot as soon as she saw what—who he was staring so intently. 

"Fine! You were not paying attention to me all day! Everyone was ignoring me but–but you… at least you–! I was expecting so much from you!" Shs dramatically ran away but Kraig was more agitated on the scene he was witnessing at the gate of the academy.

His eyebrows creased and his lips formed into a thin angry line. Despite not using any enhancement in his vision, he could see how Yanarym was laughing with an unknown man he never had seen from the academy. Even the man was carrying her things! She surely did say that she would find someone else but he couldn't believe he was being replaced in a day!

Did this mean that they were totally over each other? Those lies she told him yesterday were the truth? She would not interfere between him and Tiana? No more jealousy from her? She would ignore him for the rest of the year or until their graduation? She would love someone else other than him? Then, what about them? Was that sex all about saying goodbye? The finale of their closure? 

No, he could still remember her whispers of 'I love yous' in his head. She could not move on that fast! That was ridiculous! Who in the world could be in love so deep and get over that love too quickly? That kind of person did not exist! If there was, Yanarym cannot be one of those types. 

Instead of rampaging the thoughts in his head, Kraig decided to confront her before she could go somewhere with that stranger. He rushed out from the rooftop, he must catch up with her. Reaching the ground floor, he ran as fast as he could outside and looked for her but found she was nowhere in sight. He hurried out of the gate and saw her walking with the man in the alley. He flashed in their direction and with no hesitation, he held her arm and pulled her towards him. 

"WHAT THE–!" She yelled in bewilderment. "Kraig!" 

"So, you still know my name, after you ignored me the entire day." He huffed, she made him run out of breath yesterday and today as well.. He was exerting too much effort for her and she was forgetting him? "Rym, " uttered her name in a glum and looked at the man who was glaring at his hand that was holding Yanarym's arm.