4/5
Regardless of how much Ren tried to be productive, he couldnât get anything done, so he gave up and logged out. Not to mention Leonelâs teasing that did nothing but aggravate his nerves.
He decided to take a cold bath â maybe that would cool the heat off his body, and he could finally think of what move was best for him to do at this current time.
Ren knew that his feelings would come to light one of these days, but he never expected it to happen so soon â and Evie initiated it, to boot!
The confession took place too soon, the location wasnât ideal, the atmosphere wasnât romantic, and they had an obnoxious audience.
This was the worst setting for a confession.
Yet it happened, and now he had to deal with it.
As every second that Evie didnât reply passed, Renâs nerves were tearing him apart from the very tip of his toes to the ends of his hair.
He didnât want to pressure her into giving an answer right away, but he probably wouldnât be able to eat and sleep properly until he knew her response.
The cold shower did little to quench the heat of his body. At that moment, Ren was desperately fighting the hope that was rising in his chest. He didnât want to hope, but he couldnât stop it.
Evie showed no signs of liking him. Perhaps she admired him, but that was it. There was no romantic feelings whatsoever. That was why even if she rejected him, he could understand. But if she ever started distancing herself from him, he wouldnât be able to accept it.
âIâm sorry,â Ren said aloud, practicing what to say just in case. âI meant I like you . . . as a friend. You logged out too fast, so you didnât hear the rest . . .â
He pressed his hand against his temple and sighed. âI shouldnât have said anything.â
His hands shook at the thought of the trouble he got himself into.
He skidded his palm across his face and attempted another dialogue, âIt was just a joke. Iâm only teasing you.â
Hearing how fake he sounded, Ren sighed in frustration. No matter what excuse he used, it wouldnât work. Even a passerby wouldnât believe him.
The damage was already done.
Why did he even say those things? How could he tell her about his feelings when they werenât ready yet?
But then again, why didnât she reject him right away? Why did she say nothing?
Maybe he was just overthinking. Maybe he just wanted to hear her answer.
He took a deep breath and tried to calm down.
The truth was, he loved her.
And there was no going back from this.
Ren was in deep thought, trying to come up with ways to rectify the situation, but he was disrupted by his motherâs voice from the intercom in his bathroom.
âRen, someone is here to see you,â Helen announced.
Ren could feel the unease in his motherâs tone, so he inquired, âWho?â
pAnD a(-)n0ve1.com He wondered who it could be for his mother to let him inside the house at this hour.
Could it be their relatives again?
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Helen didnât reply immediately, weighing her words carefully before finally saying, âItâs your friend. You know . . . the girl from your high school? . . . Saya.â
â. . .â Renâs forehead crumpled upon hearing Sayaâs name come out of his motherâs mouth.
âWhat is she doing here?â
Helen was surprised at the harshness in Renâs tone. Did her son and Saya have a falling out? But werenât they close before? She even knew that her son liked her â until she got a boyfriend, that is.
âSheâs been waiting for hours now,â Helen said.
When Ren didnât reply, she added, âShould I tell her to come back another day?â
â. . .â Ren took a deep breath. Her mother didnât know what had happened, and she was already old, so he shouldnât trouble her with things like this.
It was best to confront Saya and see what she wanted. Else, she would just keep bothering his parents.
âTell her Iâll be right there.â
At least the thought of Saya being out there temporarily shifted his attention away from Evie. A short respite from thinking about the girl was all he needed.
Even if his visitor was a pain in the ass, Ren welcomed it nevertheless.
He casually picked up his usual black V-neck shirt and pants from his wardrobe and headed directly to the living room.
Ren immediately spotted Saya sitting by the fire, talking to his parents. She stood out from the monochrome furniture with her floral lace dress and a perfect commercial smile that showed her dimples.
When Ren entered the room, all Saya could see was him.
No matter how many times she had seen him in the past, Renâs presence never failed to take her breath away. His face seemed to mature perfectly, and he exuded allure as he walked with confidence and indifference. Success was woven nicely into his face, and he couldnât be more appealing in her eyes.
âOh! Ren!â Helenâs voice was so cheerful that it made Ren wince. âHere you are. Saya had been waiting for you since this afternoon.â
Saya smiled at them both. âItâs fine, auntie. I know that Ren is very busy, and I donât want to spoil his fun in COVENANT. Besides, I enjoyed talking to the both of you.â
Troy nodded. âGood to hear.â He then stood from the sofa and patted Ren on his shoulder. âWell then . . . we will leave you two to talk.â
âThank you,â Saya said, bowing politely.
Helen was reluctant to leave since she wanted to know what Saya and Ren would talk about. Unfortunately, Troyâs piercing gaze left her with no choice but to postpone her curiosâmotherly concern for her child.
The moment his parents left, Ren sat on the sofa just across from Saya and asked, âWhat is it?â
Face with Renâs cold attitude, Saya wasnât discouraged. âWe havenât seen each other for almost two weeks. Arenât you going to ask how Iâm doing?â
âFunny hearing you say that. After the Alvarez family posted that Red Notice, I havenât even seen your shadow.â
Saya slightly lowered her head, unable to meet Renâs straight gaze. It was true that she got scared after one of the most powerful families posted a notice blocklisting Ren and World Conqueror. She was not scared for Ren but scared of their future, if ever.
She was ashamed to admit that she feared the possibility of Ren going back to the way he was before. Mike even said that Ren was a goner since the Alvarez Family used their cards. His future was lost, was all she heard.
But Ren defied all odds and came out on top once again, solidifying his position and his group that not even the Alvarez family could do anything to him.
( . . . continuation on NOTES)
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