Chapter 73 73
It was the evening. Brooke too got some sleep next to Liam and when she woke up, she checked on him and was glad that his fever went down. So she left the room to go to the kitchen. When she got to the living room, she was shocked to find Ryan sitting on the couch.
"The maiden let me in. I have been trying to reach you but you were not picking, Bee." Ryan got up from the couch as he spoke.
"Of course they did." Brooke said.
"Please, let's talk." Ryan pleaded.
Brooke nodded before asking him to wait. She went to the kitchen and instructed the maid to prepare some chicken soup for Liam. She then asked the maids to keep an eye on Liam, even though he was still sleeping.
She guided Ryan to the outside of the house for them to have their talk out there.
"What was your reason for your action, Ryan? Why did you do that? I thought I was clear with you that I was not on board with your plan? Why then did you still go ahead to do as you pleased?" Brooke began to talk when they were alone at the patio.
"I am very grateful for all you have done for me and Liam over the years. You are a true friend I have. But I can't have you going against my wish like that. You really upset me with what you did."
Ryan massaged his head taking in everything Brooke was saying. "Please forgive me Bee." He began. "To some extent, I believe you will understand how I feel. To love someone and not to be loved back in return. I am sorry I have to use that as an example but I have to."
Brooke felt his words dig deep. Of course she knows how that feels. But she never led Ryan on. She has always been sincere about her feelings.
"When you moved here at first, part of me just developed a little hope that one day, there will be an us. Even though it might be strange for me to chase after you. because Nathan is my best friend."
"As time went on and I kept in contact with you, I couldn't help it. My feelings for you were getting the best of me. I only grew to like you more."
"When you texted me about Nathan finding you and you are going to be operating on Mr Leo, I got scared. I felt like this is it. I am finally losing you once again. Plus, I am like the father figure that Liam knows and has. That was why I came up with the plan -"
"Ryan, but Liam knows you are not his father. So why do that?" Brooke interrupted.
"I know. I know." Ryan waved off. He then went on to make the point he was trying to make. "It is all up to you to make it that way, Bee. Just say the words and I am there. This will help in sending Nathan the right message. He should know his limits and where he belongs."
"And what message could that be?" Brooke asked.
"That you no longer love him. That you have moved on and are not looking back." Ryan said. "You no longer love him, right? Please tell me you no longer love Nathan." He probed further.
Brooke sighed and robbed her temples. It is very clear that Ryan panicked and he might still be panicking.
"Ryan, we have been there enough times. I have already told you how I feel. Besides, I am now married to my career and I will only love Lucas. I don't need to do any of what you are suggesting to send a message to Nathan. I am capable of doing that myself." Brooke explained with sincerity.
Brooke looked away from Ryan. She continued. " I am sorry Ryan. You know I value your friendship. I do as much as I can not to lead you on. I appreciate you a lot but that doesn't mean I can ever bring myself to love you."
Brooke looked into the distance and continued. "Since the first time I set my eyes on Liam, I promised not to love any man ever again but him. Maybe my heart has turned to stone after that."
"Don't get me wrong, I love my family and friends. But that is a different kind of love. I am sure you understand. Ryan, you deserve better. There must be a woman out there that is worthy of your love. Don't waste it where the feeling is not reciprocated."
"This might be hard on you as things have turned out now. If you choose to avoid me from now on, I will understand." Brooke added.
"Bee, don't. Don't talk about avoiding you. I can't do that. I value our friendship so much. Besides, what would you tell Liam when he stopped seeing me?" Ryan reasoned. "I am sorry for bringing that up. I won't do that again." He added.
However, deep down the promise did not reach his heart. He doesn't intend to end it all there. He once tried to give up on her. But she ended up getting hurt by him. He wasn't planning to let a similar thing happen again.
This time around, if Nathan is going to pursue her for the second time, he is not going to back off either. He is going to fight for Brooke's love this time around. No matter how difficult it is going to be.
"Ryan, I owe you too much. I don't want such a mistake to be repeated again. Please don't speak on behalf of me again. And most importantly, I don't want to hate you." Brooke advised.
"Okay Bee. I am sorry I wasn't thinking straight. I was selfish. But it won't happen again. I won't overstep again and besides, the truth is already out." Ryan reasoned.
The two sat there for a while in silence. Everyone with his own thoughts running in their mind. Soon, Brooke spoke again.
Suddenly, Brooke broke the silence. "What Nathan said, is it true? Did he look for me? Did he ask for your help to look for me?"