34. WELL, I GUESS I CAN’T ESCAPE ANY LONGER
1392 Words
We just stood there for a couple of minutes, staring blankly at the busy cars driving below us. Although I know I should be hearing the loud noises of this city, everything seemed like a background to me, and his sigh was the loudest noise I could hear. He almost finished the whole pack of cigarette, meaning, tonight was too heavy for him. It's not a story you can just tell to anyone. He must have set aside all the doubts for him to tell me those stuff.
"Thank you, for telling me. Honestly, I didn't know it was that serious. But, on the other hand, I know Andrea hates me and might do something, not as dangerous as what you just told me, but I know she's capable. Like, just capable of making a fool out of me, or making fun of me in front of the whole university." I stretched my arms and lightly put my hands on his back. "However, don't worry about me, believe me, I can handle myself."
He chuckled lightly in response. "I know that. I know you're not the type that someone should baby sit. It's just that... I want to -- you know, take care of you."
Now, this is the type of conversation I still haven't figured out how to respond.
I just stood there, faked a yawn and faked admiring the city lights.
"Now you know me better. Better than anyone else, actually. Can we talk about the other 'thing' now?" He moved closer to me, not the kind of close that he occupied my personal bubble, just enough for him to hear my answer.
"Well, I guess I cannot escape any longer." I turned my back at the bustling city below me. "So, where were we again?"
"So I kissed you because I like you. Not because I wanted to give them a good show."
Well, that was direct. "I wanted to be honest with you, that's why I decided to tell you everything tonight. It's not just because Grey warned you, I really wanted to tell you, I was just waiting for the right time."
"Well, everything went fast, if I might say. I only saw what you wrote on the book, then the next thing I know, you already kissed me." I responded, a bit more direct than him.
"That-- Uh, I really wanted t apologize. It's just that you were so-- beautiful. I wasn't able to contain myself. Sorry." He was looking down. His eyes were glued on the ground.
"It's alright."
A couple of minutes passed by again without anyone talking. We were just hinting who will talk first, or should we just drop the topic. We are not good at this.
"Alyanna, I know this is too straight, but I don't want to move in circles. Do you like me too?" His eyes finally met mine. "Or if you don't, can you at least tell me if I have a chance?"
The fact that I just stared at him made him uncomfortable. I'm sure he's regretting now that he told me those stuff. Maybe he's thinking I don't like him, or maybe he realized he was being too fast. I don't know.
I'm not a pro at this kind of things. No one has ever confessed to me before, it's not allowed in the organization. It's never occurred in my brain, too. I was focus at the training I forgot other stuff like this exist.
I look so passive right now and I know he's feeling it. Maybe it's because I am trying to act as if he's confession was just nothing, he thinks that he doesn't stand a chance.
I like him. I even told Andrea I like him. I know Andrea's teeth would like to bite me right now.
But I won't tell him.
Not now.
As much as I would like to tell him, because he would be the greatest escape from this tiresome life, he made me feel something, something that is not the word "hatred" and "revenge". He thought me how to feel other emotions.
I can't.
I can't let this feeling be on the loose unless I finished what I came here to do.
"I understand how you feel." Finally, my mouth opened. The moment I talked, I saw him staring, like he was waiting for every word I will say. "But It's not on my list of priorities to be involved with any man." I tried to make my face as stern as possible. It's actually killing me, that I am letting this chance of a new life to get away.
"I see." His face was blank for a second before he gave me a faint smile. "Well, at least you didn't tell me you don't like me. That's hope."
This is suffocating. Keeping the words you want to blurt out. "I am sure that feeling is just temporary, and I don't want someone to wait on me. I am not that worthy. You don't deserve it either."
"I know when to stop, don't worry. But for now, you can't force me to. I like you, I didn't asked you to like me now." He pointed at the car. "Come, let's go to the university, you have classes tomorrow."
"Okay. It's getting late."
We took the whole ride in complete silence. That moment at the parking lot, he was so different, a whole lot different from what I usually see inside the halls. He talked a lot, by talking, I mean - confessing.
"Don't worry, I am not afraid of Andrea, she can't hurt me." I blurted out, if this might comfort him a little.
"I know you can take care of yourself. I just can't do anything if I know I am the reason why her eyes are on you."
We took a turn on the right, signaling that we are close to Addilyn.
Right now, I don't deserve him.
Tonight he was all honest, he told me everything.
As for me? all I did was lie.
He doesn't know the real me.
He doesn't know that I only exist here in Grant because of a single purpose.
To find who killed my dad.
Little did he know I was a spy on this mainstream world. I am living a life that he only witness in television dramas.
I heard the university gates opened, he drove inside and stopped in front of my dorm.
Alright Cinderella, your time is up.
He hopped out of the room and opened the door for me.
When I stood out of the car, he closed the door and stared into my orbs. "Do you want to come with me when I pick up the Phantom?"
"The car that you bought at the auction just to tease Grey?"
He smiled a little. "Yeah, that car."
"Sure, if there's no exam and assignments to work on." I replied.
He walked me to the front of the building. "I don't know but I hope somehow, it's a good night." His eyes looked lost again.
This is the 'another version' of Daniel that I just witnessed tonight.
"It is." I opened the dorm building and before I closed it, I gave him my last words for tonight. "Thank you for being honest tonight.
His eyes instantly beamed in happiness.
As I opened the door to my room, I immediately found my back meeting the bed. "Oh my God, I miss your comfort."
I just stared at the ceiling, trying to process everything when I heard my phone rang.
I jumped out of the bed and quickly searched for my phone inside my bag.
It was Grey.
"Hello? Alyanna?" His voice were deep on the other line.
"I just got home, hi Grey."
I heard him sigh on the other line. "basing the circumstance that you just arrived at your dorm, I bet he already told you, correct?"
"Yeah, he did. I actually pushed him a little."
"And I'll put all my card on the line, he already old you he liked you?" I heard him chuckled nervously.
I didn't respond.
An awkward air filled up the phone.
"I was actually hoping he haven't yet but silence means yes. Good night Alyanna."
He didn't wait for me to respond. He hung up the phone.
What a night.
- Writer
