Chapter 369 - 365 False Hope

((( LEY POV's )))

I didn't want to say anything anymore, not about that first gossip I heard in the morning.

Was fate messing up with me? Damn.

Rhio's my childhood friend. We weren't blood related or anything but I grew up with him… And I should have the right to begrudge his family for being the reason why my parents died.

My father and mother worked as their loyal employees but they lost their lives after they were suspected to be stealing the lost funds of the Zel Cantheliz Corps; something which I know my parents wouldn't ever do. Because extortion was a trend during those days, it led to their deaths.

A few days later, the truth went to light. My parents were innocent.

But because Rhio's dad was powerful, the truth was buried along.

The late Zel Cantheliz must've felt guilt so he took me in his home as some sort of an atonement for his sin. I didn't know what I will be in his house. I was just some ghost that wasn't supposed to be there. At first I tried to cause trouble to get his attention but he never noticed me. What I didn't know was…there was another boy living in that house. It was Rhio.

I thought he would be my friend or at least someone I could talk to. But just like his father, Rhio ignored me. Although he was unfriendly, I watched him in every stolen chance I had.

Until suddenly I was a big girl, a grownup lady that started to feel something else for Rhio.

I secretly admired him until my admiration grew immeasurable. It was funny because something like that made me set my grudges aside. I learned not to hate his family.

When his father got ill, he succeeded the companies. Surprisingly, he was just below his twenties. Seventeen I guess. But with his wits and charm, he pushed through. I respected him even more.

It made me happy that he refused to date and disliked most women. With all confidence, I studied abroad. At least there'd be something I can boast to him.

But I was a fool.

What's the point of trying to impress when he's just ignoring me all along?

I didn't even know if he knows me. And the greater fool I was, I continued loving him blindly. I got my degree the same day when his father passed away. That gave me the chance to go back and see him.

I returned to see that the palace I lived in for so long has grown so lonesome along with the new handsome king in it. He was quieter. But I missed him. It has been five whole years.

Amidst all desire to approach him, I stayed in my safe distance. I'm still that coward who just stole glimpses at him.

The days passed by and everything was still the way it was before I left. Nothing changed...especially how I was treated.

When Rhio fell sick for two weeks, I stayed daily by his doorstep...secretly hurting whenever he was hurting. When I heard that he has to find someone to marry, my hopes returned. I had been waiting for so long for that chance. But... I just stayed by the sidelines without enough confidence to volunteer.

Until that old doctor grew impatient and acted on his own. He religiously prepared blind dates for Rhio, all of whom Rhio rejected with satisfaction. Although it made me happy, I came to question why he didn't give a damn care about those women?

Did he knew all along that I like him?

Was he just waiting for me to say my feelings?

But why wasn't he closing the distance between us?