Chapter 21: Past

Rose Hastington 2 weeks later…

I sighed deeply as I walked out from my house. Again and again, roses. Max never stopped sending roses, getting me lunch, sending me texts, and even trying to call me, but of course, I never answered any of them.

Today I'm going back to New York because my dad's birthday today and he's throwing a big party. I don't understand that old man, he’s hitting 60 but still throwing a party.

I took a taxi to go to the train station to London and then go to the airport. Suddenly I felt nervous to think about the idea getting back to New York.

I don't know why?

I plugged my earphones in and listened to music. I got to the airport in no time. My eyes caught someone after I checked in my luggage, and I walked faster towards him. I poked the guy and he turned to me.

"Well, nice to see you here besides New York." He chuckled and I hugged him briefly.

"How's Angel?" I asked.

"She's great, she got a shoot in Miami now." Alex said as we both sat on the waiting room.

"So now you're going to?" I asked.

"Miami of course" He smiled, and I nodded.

"How's everything with Max?" Oh great! He touched the subject.

"Not going to forgive him again, just ended things with him.” I said and he nodded.

"Luke teach him a really good lesson." My eyes widen.

"What? How come no one tell me this?"

"Quite awful, though he deserves it. He broke your heart again and again. It’s just…"

"Alexander North has a heart everybody." I announced sarcastically and he chuckled.

"We've seen everything, Rose. There're so many things that you don't know about him.”

"Well, you're his, buddy." Max and Alex were close. They had the same background, and they would always understand each other.

"Do you know why he always sleeps around, Rose? But he never touches you often. I mean lik—"

"I know what you mean, Alex. Continue.”

"Max comes from a family that doesn't even want him. His dad was a businessman. and his mom a waitress. Max's mom was his dad's mistress. His dad didn’t want to admit him as his son and his mom just regret having him around. Since he was a kid, he never got any love from people around him." I just knew this and why is Alex telling me this?

"He thinks love doesn’t exist Rose. It’s difficult for him to open his heart because of the pain that he experienced.” I just waited for Alex to continue.

"He grew up and met us, he healed little by little as the time goes by and I still remembered when he opened up to me talking about you." My eyes widen.

"At school he was known as the heartbreaker, he dated and left them hanging every time and never care about them. Max didn’t even remember their names." Alex shook his head remembering things in the past.

"The 7 Gold Lifes has a time where we opened up to each other, but Max wasn't able to open up because he was insecure about himself, and I talked to him. We both have the same background. Not the same but his case was worse but we kinda understand each other more.”

"The first thing that Max talked about was his family…his background. Imagine growing up without any love from his family Rose, he was so broken. He grew up alone and his mom just sent him to school but never care about Max and his dad didn’t want to admit him as his son. Growing up with a painful isn’t easy Rose.”

"When he saw you for the first time, he talked to me about it. He said that you're beautiful but because you’re Luke’s sister and the fact that you're four years younger than us made him a little bit insecure, but he never stops talking about you in front of me.”

"Stop.” I said and he looked at me.

"Don't make me forgive him again." I shook my head.

"I'm not asking you to. It's your decision but hear me out first.” Alex said and I nodded.

"He likes you, Rose. I know he's stupid that he still playing with other girls while he left you hanging. He needs love and he felt it by the girls that praising and even kiss the path that he walks. For him, they were meaningless, but when it comes to you, he's just…really happy.”

"I remember one time—I think it was his birthday. You baked him a chocolate cake at that time." I nodded remembering that moment.

"I saw him taking a picture of it and everything you gave him. He cherished it and even took a photo of it. I thought that this guy was crazy because why is he still taking a photo when he can keep the things that you gave?”

"He loves you, Rose. 11 years is a long period of time and I know you already sick of it. He didn’t know what love is and he still need to learn. I'm not asking you to forgive him or anything. It's your decision but for the pass months he changed. He slowly changed…he regretted everything.

"Regret? Regret—and I forgave him, and he did it again. You say that he regrets it? So funny." I scoffed.

"Teach him a lesson. Don't forgive him easily. He still needs to learn what he's missing.” Alex patted my shoulder and I nodded.

"I don't think I can.” I said and he turned to me.

"Just follow your heart, Rose." He smiled and suddenly there's an announcement that he has to board on his plane.

"I have to go." He said.

"Thanks, Alex. I don't know why you told me this, but…thanks.”

"I just want you to know because Max will never tell you. He won't tell you about that because for him it's really embarrassing." I sighed and nodded.

"Bye. Say hi to Angel.”

"I will. Bye." I hugged him briefly and he walked away What are you hiding Max? 11 years…I still don't know who you are, why are you hiding so many secrets?