Love at the Nth Time

Unresolved Band-Aid

Chapter 17

"Where are we going?" The car beeped as I clicked the lock on the key. I gazed at Celine over my shoulder as she followed me.

"You feel cold? You're wearing a hoodie." Her everyday outfit did not bother me anymore as I got used to seeing it on her. It was merely a shirt and jeans with sneakers, a tomboy look which signified even more because of how she behaved. Even so, there were times I caught her in lady wear which would recognize her body shape more and the clothing styles which any woman would be conscious of, their looks as they behaved more feminine and vulnerable.

"Your car's just too cold."

"Ah, we can lower the AC." She's all quiet in the car. She stared out the window the entire time. We're outside the car now, yet she brought the hoodie.

"Wanna drop by somewhere to eat? Where do you like to eat?" I watched her eat shrimps, crabs, and oysters. She's silent. I missed how she hummed on her favourite food, how her cheeks got bigger after eating wholeheartedly. Now, her face all down, sulky and conscious. It's so unsettling.

"Celine. Wanna try going out with me?" She looked up at me, at last. I gave the shrimps to her after I took out their shells. I faintly smiled as she evaded my stare. My heart clenched.

"Ah no, I'm sorry I didn't-"

"I can't..."

I looked away and smiled a bit. I know. After what happened to you, you would never give someone like me a chance.

But even a substitute, to make her feel how much I care for her, was enough hope for me.

"Where are we going? Where's this place?" I grabbed her hand to walk. It's her choice at which restaurant we're going to eat. However, the place was my reason for our destination. I checked the time on my wristwatch, it was still midafternoon, yet I already knew the event was starting.

"Hey, don't stop walking." My hand felt her warmth. Although she's not holding me enough not to break our connection, I was still ecstatic she didn't refuse me.

"Whoaa!!!" She laughed and giggled as she saw the people cosplaying. She had not expected this event since all the people clustered inside the anime convention. The place was an open space without a roof.

"You have a lot of funny interests, so it's easy to make you smile..." She held my arm.

"Look at that, it's Kurapika. Kurapika omg!!"

I chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I can see the guy." Although, I did not know whom she specifically pointed to.

"But it's not suited to him. Psh." She looked around. I grabbed her hand as she released her hand around me.

"Don't go too far. It's too crowded."

"I won't. Whoa, it's Seirin High. Cool."

"What's her name?" I asked, staring at the girl wearing a Lolita maid uniform.

"Oh, so cute!" I liked the costume. It's eye-catching. It's mixed with pastel purple, pink and gold with flowers covered at the hem of the dress.

"I'll make something similar, and you wear it, alright?"

"Ha? No way." I chuckled—the wind's quite strong around us, windy, still hot.

"Here, wear a cap." I took the white cap she offered me. Her smile widened when I wore it.

"What is it?" I questioned, staring at her smiling face.

"You look so beautiful."

I always had these feelings of calmness, longing, and contentment when it came to her. It was oddly new to me, so confusing that I couldn't help but focus solely on her world. It's interesting to meddle in it.

After watching the cosplay competition, we walked around the venue to look for merch she could bring home. Her smile never vanished, although it was temporary.

*On call... Rose

"No, we didn't know she was bi or something. I was so surprised you told me about it."

"Uhm, is it bad? D-did I, did I make the wrong impression?" Rose laughed. I couldn't get a hold of Celine, which was why I had to contact Rose to find out her condition. Celine became distant as she no longer conversed with me via text. It made me sad to the point of restlessness how she treats me now. Rose was pushy towards knowing what was in it for me, the reason I kept being bothered by her sister, and I no longer denied the truth of interest ever since she once rejected me without knowing me first.

"I don't know. Celine was still, you know, because of her effing ex-boyfriend."

Celine became less talkative and a lot more conscious than before. She had these kinds of walls that not all people could enter. It's getting harder and harder.

"What's up today? You come here frequently these days," reminded Dad over the strange visits his daughter built up to sound like I had unexpected intention. I came here to show my work, that's all, and this dark reddish ball gown I'd soon finish on the sketchbook. It's dull and straightforward. I would never think people would bid into this.

I smiled while staring at the lack of attention it received. "I won't sell this to anyone, dad."

Two weeks had passed, Celine didn't come along with her sister to our office. She didn't want to anymore. Dad also noticed the topic he had started; thus, the deliberate information felt the weight on my shoulder.

*Dialing... Celine

And every time I tried to call her, she rejected it or did not answer it.

I VERY MUCH DESPISE HER EX-BOYFRIEND. IF I COULD KILL PEOPLE WHO HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME, I'D ALREADY KILL HIM MULTIPLE TIMES.

Message

To Celine: I'm not in the position to intrude on your stuff, but please, let me be your shoulder if you need a hand. I'd be willing to listen.

Three days after I messaged her, I couldn't reach her contact number. She blocked me.

From Rose: We'll be coming to your dad's party. Your dad personally invited her so that she couldn't say no. She's kinda depressed these days. Help me with her.

Her sister already knew I liked Celine. I told her about it personally. She wasn't surprised. Since she could see right through me, I was only interested in her sister, not in business. She was conscious I was a party-goer and a womanizer, the things a particular person couldn't handle. However, I still had this bit of hope Celine might accept me for who I was and what I was.

"It's just a post-celebration with some business partners who are clients of your dad and the company's continual success. So don't worry. Rest assured, none of your fans will fight at the event," Win explained.

"Ah." I went on sketching my new samples of a new project in Italy. I always rejected any offer in the country. If there were possibilities, they would ask me to come and visit. But no, I have always had these sweet thoughts about the place ever since I was a kid.

"Seth?" I looked at Win standing in front of me.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" I gazed at the other way, nodded, and continued what I was doing.

"Yeah, just busy." Eyes at the small white envelope he put on the table.

"It's an invitation. It's my ticket. That's an incentive from the business if you hit a certain goal. It's a resort in Laguna. The sisters will be there." I resumed my work.

"Why are you telling me…?"

"I'm not gonna be available. I'm with your dad since I'm your assistant, and you never come along with your dad's busin-"

"I'll go with dad. You go there."

"Ha? Wait, y-you always ask me about Cel-"

"No. I'll go with dad."

"You wanna hang out with your dad now?" he whispered.

My relationship with dad was okay. Although not the happenings of my life and so did he have the same interest, I often lied to stop Win from questioning me sometimes.

*Calling... Rose

I answered it.

"Hey." I closed my auto door and heard the loud noise more and more clearly as I came near the pub.

"Where are you??" she sounded irritated.

"Ah, I'll be hanging out tonight with friends." A couple of people glanced at me as I passed through the hall towards the entryway.

"What?? I already told you, right? What's wrong with-"

"Hey, I can't talk to you right now. It's getting louder here!" I saw Deo and Fritz waving at me from one of the tables.

"Wait! Wait, Seth-!" I dropped the call.

I didn't want to meddle with them anymore. I must forget these feelings for Celine. I needed to take back the real Seth, the Seth back from before I met them, before I met her.