Chapter 41 YOU MUST BE FIRM, BRIAN!

Chapter 41 YOU MUST BE FIRM, BRIAN!
“Don’t hurt her, Xavier. Give her time.”

“I won’t do that, Brian. I just want to meet her, talk to her. I want to hear her confession.”

The twilight sky was shining, Brian sighed, his eyes lowered watching the bustling city that felt quiet. Brian turned around, then sat on the living room sofa, his body straight but his back felt tired. His fingers clenched, holding back his restlessness over his own thoughts.

His cellphone lay on the table, silent. There was no news from Athena, and for some reason... a regret arose for letting Xavier meet her.

“I let you meet her… because I thought it was for the best. But why does it feel like I’m giving you up?” Brian thought, staring at his own reflection in the window. His face looked strong, but his feelings weren’t.

He leaned back on the sofa, putting his hands on his face. Remembering the kiss he had with Athena last night... it was soft and intoxicating, but he knew Athena didn’t enjoy it.

Even though the girl finally smiled a little, the way she spoke softly, and her laughter when she helped him tidy up the apartment.

"I know, you love Xavier. You haven't replaced him in your heart even though you said you would learn to love me."

Brian took a deep breath. He chuckled, it must have hurt so much to be seen as someone else. Athena felt that, and now ... he himself was holding back the strange turmoil that arose. Between wanting to take Athena, or let the girl choose what she wanted.

Brian's cell phone rang, but it wasn't Athena's name that appeared on the screen.

Zara: Are you sure Athena is okay? Why did you let her meet Xavier?

Brian didn't reply immediately. He just stared at the phone screen, before finally typing a reply.

Brian: Because they need time to talk and understand each other.

What a reply that was far from what was in his heart and mind right now.

He sat for a long time, letting time end in vain. Thoughts about Athena and Xavier spun like the hands of a clock that never stopped, but he chose to let it be. He turned his head outside, looked at the sky that was starting to darken, then stood up and stepped onto the balcony.

This time he would wait for Athena to come home... waiting for her to appear down there.

"Am I too late? If I had met Athena one day earlier than Xavier, she would have had no choice but to love me?" Brian muttered softly.

He knew that love could not be forced to stay. Even if we give her everything—time, space, even our hearts—if she wants to leave, then we should not force her to stay, but open the door for her to come home.

His phone rang again. Still not Athena, but this time it was from his office assistant.

Evelyn: Brian, I put the merger documents in my inbox. But it seems like you've been busy lately. Should we cancel tomorrow's meeting? Or do you want to move the meeting online?

Brian: No need, I'll come home tomorrow. Keep it on schedule.

He put his phone back down, then moved to stare at the night view—still hoping Athena would come home soon.

But the figure he was waiting for never appeared, he turned around and closed the balcony terrace door. After turning off the room lights, Brian decided to go out. He needed air, and also to find something for breakfast tomorrow morning.

He walked along the city sidewalk that was starting to get quiet. Many of the shop lights had gone out, leaving dim light from the 24-hour shops on the side of the road.

Then not far from where he was standing, he saw someone just getting out of a car. The person seemed to be tidying up his appearance in the car window, then turned around. Long hair flowing, a knee-length black coat, and the way he walked…

"Athena?" he called, unconsciously walking faster.

The person stopped and turned around. Her face was clearly visible under the streetlight, making Brian speechless.

No. Not Athena.

"S-Sorry...." Brian stared closely.

"Wow!" The girl greeted Brian, her eyes sparkling. "So it's true, huh? You came here. I didn't expect us to meet here."

Brian sighed, then smiled slightly. "How are you, Auree? Sorry for mistaking... I thought you were—"

"Athena? It's okay, I'm also confused as to why she looks so much like me," Auree replied.

Brian nodded slowly. "What are you doing here?"

“Just walking around, I was looking for hangover medicine at the pharmacy, but unfortunately the pharmacy was closed, so I drove, and ended up here,” Auree replied.

“Are you drunk?”

“A little. I had fun with Julian and Adrian last night, but the hangover is still there.” Auree blinked. “What are you doing?”

It was an answer Brian didn't want to know. “I live in the same apartment as Athena, just a different unit.”

Auree nodded slightly. “So... the matchmaking gossip is true, huh? Ah, but where is Athena?”

“She hasn’t come home yet.” Brian couldn’t possibly say that Athena hadn’t come home because she was with Xavier.

Auree hissed, her eyes narrowed. “How pathetic. Why did she leave you alone?”

Brian just smiled thinly. “Want me to accompany you to buy hangover medicine? I’ll buy you a coffee.”

"Wow, what kind of luck is this. Honestly, I also went to Xavier's dorm, but he wasn't there. I was bored, and wanted to spend time with him, but he's been annoying me lately," Auree complained.

"Xavier hasn't come home either?" Brian confirmed.

"Yes, and coincidentally Athena hasn't either, right? They must be making out right now!" Auree snickered, her sullen face entering the minimarket, her footsteps stomping in annoyance were clearly audible

"You have to be firm, Brian! She's your future wife. You should take good care of her. Because Xavier is also my future husband!"

Brian held himself back, only smiling and nodding slightly. "I think Athena has freedom, and so does Xavier. She's good friends, even with Julian, Asher, and Adrian too, right. Let her enjoy her single life before getting married."

Auree chuckled, but there was a bitter tone. "As for me... I'd be very angry if Xavier got close to another woman. That means... he doesn't respect Johan's and my decisions."

Auree took her hangover medicine, while Brian grabbed two cans of coffee. The man paid for everything, and invited Auree to chat on the terrace of the minimarket.

However, without them realizing, a car passed from a distance, a pair of eyes accidentally saw their intimacy there.

Athena... her forehead frowned, her body tensed. "Brian and Auree? Why are they together?" she asked herself.

Beside her, Xavier drove the car without saying anything, his eyes focused on the road so that he was unaware of Brian and Auree's presence.

"Xavier...," Athena called.

"Yes, Baby," Xavier replied, his eyes turning calm.

"Don't go to the apartment. I don't want to go back there," Athena said.

Xavier slowed down the car, then asked. "What's wrong?

"I. . . " Athena thought for a moment. There were various questions in her head, but seeing Brian and Auree made her doubt her future husband's feelings.

"Athena—"

"I want to sleep with you, Xavier... in the dorm."