Chapter 43: My heart is somewhere else

At that moment, Arnold choked on the water he was drinking. Frozen, he looked at Lila with widened eyes, quickly withdrawing his gaze right after an eying clash.Arnold's heart trembled for a second.

'What the f**k?! Is she insane?!' He screamed inwardly, staring blankly at the dish.

"I have loved you right from the first day I set my eyes on you... But it only turned out that you seemed carried away with someone, somewhere," Lila mumbled.

This statement added another wave of shock and confusion through Arnold's brain. Of course, who wouldn't feel a chill upon hearing this from her?

She had been so observant that she knew Arnold was being carried away by someone else. If he hadn't, at least, he might have shown some interest in her.

Mark had a Canadian girlfriend who lived in Chicago, there was never an expectation that they could be dating. Three hadn't been a time when she told them of any relationship affairs...

Although Arnold thought she just wanted to keep it private, she was single, and falling crazily for him.

Well, now the truth wasn't that Mark really needed to visit the restroom, they got it all planned!

"UHH... Are you going to say anything?" Lila asked, seeing Arnold unable to recover from confusion.

Immediately, Arnold was jolted awake, but the looks and acts of perplexity remained all over.

"UHM... Err... I"

"You are confused, I get it. But I love you... You should consider it," Lila cut in, "Please..."

Arnold stared at her genuine face and gulped repeatedly. Never in his life had he been this confused and helpless.

'Speak no more, Lila. Speak no more!'

'If you say any other thing, I will go crazy!'

Arnold was already losing it, cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

Soon, Lila stood up from her seat and approached Arnold slowly... Just suddenly, this fighter who he knew was always serious and focused was now producing a seductive look on her pale face.

Yet again, Arnold gulped.

A soft palm already came giving a touch before he could know. It unfortunately turned out that they were the only ones in the dining space of the cafeteria at that moment, favoring Lila's intentions.

At a point, it became two soft hands, both moving towards Arnold's chest.

At twenty-three, it wasn't as if Arnold hadn't romanced before, well, it was only a few times. It all turned out to have happened accidentally, or maybe let's just say it was through seduction.

When he came to Rising Impact University, due to being pretty handsome and charming, the senior ladies developed an interest in him.

Arnold would often be called to train with them, then he would end up being seduced and f**ked. Although it wasn't rape, he chose to do it.

Back then he had regretted those actions, turning down their invite most times until they accepted his loss of interest. Now, he wouldn't just let happen again.

If she truly loves him, then not this way to prove it at first when she knows he doesn't seem to be feeling the same way.

In a rush, he stood up, letting Lila's hand slide.

"I'm sorry," Arnold sighed and shook his head. Right after, he had no choice but to walk out of the cafeteria.

"Gosh..."

Lila clenched her fist in frustration, feeling rejected and embarrassed. Her face turned grim in a second, and her eyes seemed to have begun to well up.

But with Mark's entrance, she held herself together and sniffed in relief.

"Where is he? What did he say?" Mark asked, approaching her.

"He left," Lila turned to Mark. "I don't think he likes me... Yeah, it is clear. He loves someone else," her voice broke repeatedly as she spoke.

"Uhh, Common! I'm gonna tell you this," Mark placed both of his hands on her shoulder. "I know deep down that he loves you. You just need to believe it and watch. After all, you have done a great job letting out your feelings..."

"We'll see," Mark smiled at his friend.

"I..."

"You love him, I know. And that's why you should be closer to him these days. Or that lady could take what's yours," Mark interrupted and advised.

"That's aside... Let's finish up our meal," Mark made Lila go back to eating and they both ate up their meal before leaving the cafeteria.

They approached the gym house because they knew Arnold would definitely be there. After all, they were to workout in the first place.

It was only clear that things would become awkward from this day on... seaʀᴄh thё NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Maybe only until Arnold accepts Lila.

'But that isn't possible! I can't forget Mia. She saved my life. My heart goes right to her, not Lila.'

Arnold began a session of thoughtful conversations with himself in the gym house.

'Her beauty, her calmness and light-heartedness... I love it.'

'I love her.'

Arnold made sure he didn't go crazy as he pondered and pondered. His head was always getting heated without even a hot entity anywhere near.

If he were to say something in summary to all these at this moment, he would speak of regretting the day he met Lila at first.

Perhaps if he hadn't known her, this might not have been happening.

Mark and Lila walked into the gym after a few moments. They weren't the only ones in the house today so everything they should do shouldn't be quite suspicious or seemingly attractive to the others working out.

Lila couldn't maintain eye contact with Arnold anymore, and even he, himself, couldn't either.

But Mark who was seemingly finding this interesting walked toward Arnold at one corner of the gym with a smile.

Lila followed slowly behind. Although she was feeling bad, it wasn't as if it was going to ruin her training effectiveness.

"You were hungry, yet you didn't eat half of your meal, why?" Mark asked.

Arnold stayed silent for a while, hesitating.

Then he decided to reply.

"I suddenly lost appetite. It happens to me most times," Arnold forced a slight smile.

"You don't need to lie, bro. I understand your feelings," Mark patted his shoulders.

Arnold glared at him for a second.

Seeing his reaction, Mark hesitated a bit and spoke.

"You are confused... But here is the truth..." Mark moved closer to Arnold and whispered in his left ear.

"You need a girlfriend, bro!"