Chapter 90 - Chapter 89

@International_Pen

((( CLAIRE )))

"I apologize for taking you here," he exhaled.

"Despite knowing you even won't enjoy these kind of things."

"No. It's your father's birthday. I wanted to celebrate with you."

"That makes me love you even more."

He tightened his hug.

"You're so kind and understanding."

"Not really. I'm just kind to people who are kind to me."

"So you'd also love back a person who loves you?" he asked in turn.

"Yes."

"Would you hurt back a person who hurt you?"  

"Yes."

"Liar," he cupped my face and suddenly kissed me in the lips.

It has been the first time our lips touched. I had been careful enough for it not to happen but today I had let my guard down.

"I had hurt you a lot but you still stayed. I know your heart doesn't belong to me but you kept pretending for my sake."

I felt lonely once more at his words.

So he knew?

"Do I have a chance for your love," he smiled sadly, "your genuine love?"

"I tried but I can't promise you. I don't want you to wait until I learn to…"

"I can wait," he pressed my head to his chest. "I can't lose you."

Another dialogue replay of our one-sided love story. And although I've heard that a lot, why couldn't I break free from him? Haven't I repaid everything yet?

"They need you there," my voice broke.

"Please, I'm just alright here."

"Okay," he answered lowly and released me.

He took one final sad gaze at me before going back inside the hotel.  

Everything was eerily at peace when he left. My heartbeat has calmed but a mild headache was budding.  

I looked at the night sky.

It reminded me of my life…

Although I still glimmer like the stars, behind me was nothing but an extremely dark and pitiful space.

I was lost at the sight of the night sky.  

Although I gleam like the stars, there was nothing behind me but a dark void.

But there was Zhio. Like the big moon that shone above us all. Calm and mysterious; its far side still unknown to everybody.

Then there was Derick. Like the sun which, in its brightness, made me completely disappear. Scorching but otherwise important.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" a voice came from behind me.

"Oh why, aren't you alone?"

It was Deo.

I nodded.

"Want some juice?" he offered a glass of fruit drink as he sat by the fountain railing.  

@International_Pen