Scars of Time

Chapter 46: "Make him regret"

Hope's POV

I felt embarrassed as I realised he really wasn't interested in me. Now I'm really sure he only sees me as a friend, because any guy who is slightly interested would not refuse a naked woman in front of them.

I get it, he likes Josephine. But she is with Time now. Can't he try to have a little fun at least? I was not asking him to love me. And this is not something we haven't done before, so why did he have to act all innocent and make me feel like the bad one here?

And then that kiss on the cheek. That condescending, almost brotherly kiss. It was a clear, deliberate signal—a cruel one. He might as well have whispered, You don’t matter to me that way.

I gritted my teeth, fury simmering beneath my embarrassment. Fine. If that’s how he wanted it, I’d make him regret every second of his rejection. He’d beg me to be with him. Beg.

Just wait and see.

In an attempt to find peace, I closed my eyes, hoping for a good night's sleep. However, the memory of him rejecting me played on an endless loop in my mind, leaving me utterly annoyed. My name is Hope Astor, and until now, no one has ever turned me down.

Ummm...At least not in bed.

I have this incredible ability to make any man fall for me, once I manage to convince them to spend a night with me. So that's exactly what I need to do now. Even though we've already been intimate, I must remind him once more of what he truly craves.

How could he stay in front of me, emotionless?! Ughgh it's so frustrating.

I could barely sleep and I heard him roam around the house all night too. Finally, it was bright enough for me to get out of bed. If I’d known I’d be staying at his house, I would’ve packed something to keep him on edge. But no matter. I had a backup plan.

I rummaged through his closet until I found one of his shirts. It was perfect—casual enough to look like I didn’t care, short enough to tease. The lack of a bra was intentional, of course. Let’s see him ignore me now.

Exiting the room, I discovered him seated at the kitchen counter, leisurely sipping his coffee. The sight of me caught him off guard, causing his hand to freeze in mid-air, coffee still clinging to his fingers.

Ah, just the reaction I had anticipated.

But then, I heard a choking sound, and it dawned on me that if he was frozen, then... Nial stood there in shock, mirroring my own astonishment.

"I...why didn't you tell me you brought someone over?" he stammered, shifting uncomfortably, "I wouldn't have bothered you."

"Why are you here this early?!" I scolded him and moved to sit beside Alex, folding my arms in irritation

"Why am I—this is my house,” Nial shot back, his voice rising slightly in exasperation.

“Whatever. Just give me some bread,” I muttered, refusing to address his rightful claim"

Nial sighed, the frustration evident in his posture, but begrudgingly got up to retrieve it. He crossed the room in a few strides, opened a cabinet, then stopped midway. His shoulders slumped, and he turned back to the counter.

“You know what? I’m not your servant. Get it yourself,” he grumbled, sitting back down with a huff.

“Fine,” I muttered, leaning forward to reach for the bread myself. But before my hand could close the distance, Alex intercepted.

He moved so swiftly I barely registered what was happening until he placed a hand lightly on my wrist. He didn’t even look at me as he spoke, his voice calm but firm.

“I’ll get it. Stay where you are. Don’t move."

Something in his tone sent a shiver through me, and I complied without argument. He reached across the counter, methodically gathering everything I needed, and placed it in front of me with an air of quiet efficiency. Then, as if nothing had happened, he sat back down and resumed sipping his coffee.

Nial watched the interaction unfold, his mouth opening slightly as if to say something, but then he closed it again. A sardonic smirk tugged at his lips as he got to his feet.

“Fine. Even though this is my house, I’ll just leave you two alone,” he said, emphasizing the words with mock indignation.

Neither Alex nor I responded, and Nial disappeared into his room to change. Moments later, he emerged in fresh clothes, threw one last glance in our direction, and walked out the front door without another word.

The sound of the door clicking shut left a palpable silence in its wake.

Finally.

I glanced at Alex, who seemed unfazed, his eyes fixed on his coffee as if the world beyond it didn’t exist. A small, satisfied smile curled at my lips. Now that we were alone, I could proceed with my plan.

...................

Alex's POV

She got out of the room with only my shirt and nothing else on. I get that it looks like a dress on her but a really really short one and her figure was drawn under it too.

I guess she doesn't care if Nial is here or not. She just sat there beside me and I was thinking about whether I was the only one bothered by this situation! Was it really that normal for her to eat with two boys, half naked?

I glanced at Nial. He was trying—and failing—to focus on his sandwich. I could see the irritation building in his posture before he finally gave up, abandoning his plate entirely. At last he got the message. I don't understand why they were taking the situation so normally. Nial is a straight guy too, after all. And a player beside everything.

Time told me I should protect her, so I cant let Nial catch an eye on her. Even though he is a nice guy, he can't have serious relationships. His longest one is the most recent one, and he's been with her for three months already, which is surprising.

Anyway, he left, so I could take a breath of relief.

"Aren't you cold?" I asked, trying to break the awkward silence.

"No. It's actually really hot in here."

"Oh Okay." I hesitated, then asked "When is Time going to pick you up?"

"It's still early. But if I'm bothering you, I can...."

"“No, no, you’re not bothering me,” I interrupted quickly, my words rushing out before I could stop them. “I just wanted to know your schedule.”

The truth was far less innocent. I couldn’t shake the memory of last night—seeing her completely exposed for the second time. That mole on the left side of her chest, right on the edge...I shook my head, trying to banish the thought. Friends aren’t supposed to know things like that about each other.

But the memory lingered, and before I realized it, I was stealing a glance at her, searching for the spot where the mole was hidden beneath the shirt. The heat rose to my cheeks when I caught myself.

“Get yourself together, Alex,” I muttered under my breath, gripping my coffee cup like a lifeline.

Something has been off with me since last night, and I can't seem to shake this feeling. I know I made the right choice by not sleeping with her, so why am I torturing myself over it?

Do I want to sleep with her again? No, that can't be it. I'm sure I'm still in love with Jo. But it has been a while since I...and that last time was with Hope, so maybe....I don't know. Our entire encounter is just awkward overall.

But I'm sure this is all Jo's fault. If we had gone all the way together, the mistake with Hope that night wouldn't have happened at all. Of course, I have needs.

Aaanndd...I'm starting to sound like a jerk again.

But I can't help it but feel a surge of anger towards her, because deep down, I know she has already been together with Time. Despite my attempts to ignore it and convince myself otherwise, her gaze towards him is undeniably different from the way she used to look at me. I'm not suggesting that she never loved me, but our love was innocent and childlike. It was the kind of love that is destined to come to an end, leaving behind only beautiful memories. I'm not sure about theirs, but as much as I can tell, it's passionate. Jo's eyes transform when she gazes upon him, brimming with emotions that I have never witnessed when she looked at me.

But what can I do? No one ever warned me that relationships were not supposed to be built upon only one emotion.

Because when that emotion is gone, there is nothing else left for redemption.