Chapter 24
1059 Words
Their afternoon meeting ended in silence. Neither of them spoke until they went their separate ways. Lucy felt the weight of every glance, every pause, every unspoken word. She decided to take a jeep since no taxi passed by, slumping into the seat with a sigh.
As if fate were teasing her, a song suddenly began playing on the radio.
Why can’t we be us?
You only want me as a friend
I feel it deep inside, everything you said
Is there no hope for me in your heart?
“Seriously? Turn that off, man! Are you trying to t*****e me?” she shouted, half-laughing, half-frustrated. Her fingers twisted in her bag strap as the lyrics dug into her chest. The song felt like an echo of her own rejection, confirming it with every note.
The driver, apparently deaf, ignored her complaints. The song rolled on, relentless.
When I see you, I feel scared
You always look away whenever I approach
Why won’t you accept my love?
My heart is true for you
Just give me a chance
“Ugh, don’t get involved in my emo moment!” she muttered, pressing her fingers over her ears. Still, she couldn’t block it completely. Every line mirrored her thoughts, her feelings, cutting deep, leaving her raw and exposed.
Why won’t you accept my love?
I’ll do anything for you
I’m begging for a chance
Please love me…
The driver grinned. “Alright, Miss. At least you’ve got some background music for your feels.”
Lucy groaned, resting her forehead against the glass. Fate really had a sense of humor. Her day had gone from awkward to disastrous in record time. She had been rejected by Drake, and the universe seemed determined to mock her. With too many passengers around to cry openly, she promised herself she’d let it out at home.
She exhaled slowly, letting the heartfelt lyrics echo alongside her unspoken pain.
I hope your feelings will change
And hear my plea
Even a moment with you, I will accept
I will prove my love is true
But when you’re near
I can do nothing
You always avoid me whenever I come close
The song ended just as the jeep slowed. A teenager climbed aboard, and Lucy’s eyes flicked to the words printed across his T-shirt:
In love? With someone who doesn’t love you back? Congrats! You’re a fool.
“Ouch, Lord… is this a sign? Are all the hints coming at me today?” she whispered, burying her face in her hands. Her day had descended into madness. Their love story hadn’t even begun, and it already felt like a tragedy.
She got off near the village entrance, choosing to walk the remaining distance to Kelseay’s house. Each step felt heavy, her mind replaying every smile, every rejection, every moment that had left her heart aching.
Meanwhile, Drake collapsed onto his bed, letting out deep, shuddering sighs. His mind was a battlefield, torn between the desire to feel again and the fear of repeating the past. He stared at the ceiling, lost in memories, until his gaze fell on a photo frame resting on the drawer.
He picked it up with trembling hands, eyes scanning the familiar face. Bitter humor twisted his lips.
“I feel like I’m betraying you. I know I couldn’t be happy. I know I couldn’t love anyone. I don’t deserve happiness, I know…”
A single tear escaped. He had returned to this place again—the old, broken self he tried so hard to bury. Memories of the girl he had loved and failed to save haunted him relentlessly. Four years had passed, yet the pain was still raw. He was the reason for her death. Love again? Impossible. No woman could ever be allowed into his life again, not when the weight of the past could destroy everything.
The past ruled him. And he wouldn’t let it repeat.
Lucy arrived home, her thoughts still tangled and her heart heavy. Kelseay was sprawled on the sofa, flipping through his phone, but he looked up as she entered.
“Why the long face, Lucresia?” she asked, raising a brow.
“Being rejected hurts. It cuts right through me,” Lucy admitted, dropping her bag and collapsing beside him.
“By Drake?”
“He said I shouldn’t love him. I have no right. He doesn’t want me… it hurt more than a knife could,” she confessed. “I can’t even understand him sometimes. One moment he’s sweet, the next he’s cold. It’s confusing.”
“So, you’re giving up?” Kelseay asked quietly.
“Giving up isn’t in my vocabulary. But maybe… a timeout. Chasing him is exhausting!” Lucy huffed, lightly hitting his shoulder.
“How do you expect him to fall for you if you give up? People fall when you give them attention. Tell me, Lucy. Are you tired? Tired of trying to win him over? You’ve noticed the little things, haven’t you? That means he’s already starting to feel something for you. If you love him, then fight for him. True love never gives up.”
Her cousin’s words struck a chord deep in her chest. She wasn’t tired, not really. She had no intention of surrendering. Drake’s words weren’t everything. His actions said a different story.
“You’re right, Kels. I’m not tired. Our love story hasn’t even begun. If I need to give my all, I will. If I give up, I lose,” she said, chin lifted, eyes blazing with determination.
“That’s the spirit, Lucy! Prove him wrong. Don’t let him doubt what love can do,” Kelseay said with a grin, high-fiving her.
“But, Kelseay, my charm and flirting won’t work on him,” Lucy protested.
Her cousin smirked knowingly. “Then change yourself. Dress the way you want him to notice. Don’t give away how crazy you already are about him. Stand your ground and let him see your magic.”
Lucy nodded slowly, a small, determined smile curving her lips. She liked the idea. She would transform herself and make sure Drake could never ignore her again. She would fight for her feelings, boldly and without hesitation. After all, she was Lucresia Marie Cordova, the kind of woman who could shake the world and leave a mark impossible to forget.
- Writer
