My System Harem

Chapter 13: Responsibility

I stood frozen in place when met with the very man I so refused to see. Seeing him from a distance was a different story, but now that he is in front me, I feel like all of the emotions I have been holding back are slowly making its way to my face. I don't know what I look like right now, and I couldn't care less. The sight of this man brought back all of those memories I engraved in my head. The indifferent look on his face when he looked at me—sprawled out on my feet. While looking at Lyra with a warm gaze.

He is the false salvation I believed in for 10 whole years.

I bit my lips as I held back the urge to curse at him. I couldn't feel any pain, but something liquid seems to be flowing out of it. How could I possibly stay calm when the man who gave me false hope is standing right in front of me? No matter how much I tell myself I'll be okay, I just can't. I barely managed to hold back my rage towards Lyra, who had caused me more suffering, both physically and mentally. But the pain Darius had inflicted me was a completely different kind of pain. It was a pain where breathing becomes difficult, where my heart tightens at his cold behavior. It is a pain where no one would notice unless otherwise stated.

Lyra had always been a jerk to me, so everything she did was something I would expect. But Darius? I thought he would be the only person in my side. But to think, that even the last bit of hope I had, would turn its back from me like our 10 years of relationship didn't matter at all.

I couldn't answer Darius. I stayed frozen on my seat like my body refused to move. It was Darius who forced me out of my thoughts.

"Let's go." He repeated as he forcibly pulled my arms to stand up. However, due to the sudden force, and with my head feeling unwell—I almost lost my balance and fell on my feet. It was Darius who supported me as he held me in his arms.

But, like a reflex, I immediately pushed him away and released myself from his embrace. I couldn't help it. He never once did any of this in my past life. Even when I constantly get sick, he would always tell me to go to the clinic myself. So naturally, his embrace was a stranger to me. It was something even my body refused to acknowledge after all the years he pushed me away. All those years where 'I love you's' always come out of his mouth but he never once kissed me nor show me that he truly meant his words.

Startled, Darius reached out his hand with a frown.

"What are you doing, Caelia?" he asked with a questioning look as if he had seen someone he couldn't comprehend.

But I stayed silent. Not because I want to, but because if I say even a single word, I might end up spilling all of these emotions—emotions his past self wouldn't understand.

My body continued to tremble, either from the rage I am feeling or the trauma my body remembered. Darius, for the third time, attempted to get hold of me when someone suddenly gripped his wrist—causing him to pause.

It was the guy with an affection meter above his head. He looked really stunning despite his sweaty face. But what really surprised me was his towering height. Are all basketball players supposed to be this tall? Or is he especially tall? However, what caught me off guard was his expression. I mean, who would be smiling at a time like this? Or is it just his nature?

"Let me take her to the clinic. I was the one who hit her, so allow me to take responsibility." With a soft voice, he smiled. It was like hearing an angel speak for the first time. However, his voice, despite sounding joyful, had a commanding tone. I thought it was just me, but everyone in the court, even Darius—grew tense.

Although he looked reluctant, he still snatched his hands back and walked away. It was indeed a sight to see. He has always been dominant around others, but now, it was like he was being warned by a far stronger beast than him. I continued to stare at his departing back, well, not until a certain someone placed a tissue on my nose. I looked at the source of the hand. It was the beast that chased Darius away.

"Just make do of this for now. The clinic is still a distance from us." After a genuine statement, he continued.

"Now, hold tight."

I was so startled when I felt myself floating in the air. It was because the man abruptly carried me without much thought. He then said his goodbye to his teammates before we left the court.

"Th-Thank you. But you really don't need to do this." I stuttered. I mean, I have never been carried before by anyone, so I felt embarrassed that a total stranger carried my like a princess. What's more, all the people we passed by kept looking at our direction and whispering. I felt like hiding my face as I buried it in his chest.

Is this how heartthrobs are? They always get attention everywhere they go? What if someone spreads a rumor about this? Am I doomed?

"Are you embarrassed?" A chuckle escaped his mouth. It was so comforting to the ears especially when I'm so close to him.

"I'm not used to getting carried." I answered, but it was more like a whisper because I don't want anyone to hear me. But then the man suddenly bursts into laughter.

"Then you will have to get used to it." His response was vague, but I felt my heart beating with no particular reason. I hope it's not too loud for him to hear.

A few minutes later, he opened the door to the clinic and placed me on the bed. Unfortunately, the nurse were nowhere to be seen, even in her desk.

"Don't worry, I'll call the nurse. I'm not very good at treating nosebleed, so I will need to seek a professional."

Despite having done more than enough, he continued to show his worry. It's rare to find someone as kind as him. Maybe all of these heartthrobs are actually kind and easy to get along with? Because as far as I remember, even that guy from earlier was friendly to me. It was me who accidentally bumped on him, yet he still offered his hand to me. Then this mission should be a piece of cake. All I have to do is gain their favor, no need to go as far as seducing them.

Wait. Come to think if it, I don't even know their names yet.

With that in thought, I pulled the leaving hands of the guy in front of me.

"You..."

He looked back. "Hmm?"

Gosh, this is so embarrassing. But no, I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm simply asking his name to return the favor? I'm not flirting.

"Wh-What's your name?" I asked, but lowered my head because I can't look him in the eye.

"You don't know my name?" He asked, but what's so weird about not knowing a stranger's name? With so many students here, how am I supposed to remember all of their names?

"Am I supposed to?" That was the only thing I could ask. But I really hope it did not sound rude.

The man was silent. But why? Is it rude not to know one's name? But I really don't! I slowly lifted my head to see what face he was making, but to my surprise, he bursted out into a chuckle.

"HA HA HA HA, seriously. You really don't know? You are probably the first person who doesn't." Was it sarcastic? I can't tell. He looks too joyful for that. Moreover, the only people I probably know in this campus are Lyra and Darius. My world only revolved around them.

"I'm sorry." I responded with a self-deprecating laugh. But then a hand, probably 2 inches bigger than mine, reached out. I stared at the man.

"Cole Grant. It's nice to meet you." He smiled as I took his hands. Unlike its appearance, his palm felt unusually rough. Is it because he plays basketball?

Suddenly, the door towards the clinic creaked open as a woman in a lab gown entered.

"I apologize for taking long, I had a meeting somewhere." It was the nurse. Although my bleeding had already stopped, my head was still feeling dizzy from the impact. Good thing she arrived.

"Alright. I'll get going now." Cole waved his hand as he reached the doorknob.

"See you around, Caelia!" With that, he left the clinic and closed the door. But wait...

"How did he know my name!?"