Chapter 40: I'm sorry

"You have to do something else you'll lose her forever" Karen whispered. She was standing before Jack and their head was almost touching.

"I know, but what?" Jack said, turning back and running his hand over his head frustratedly.

"You can see the way they looked at each other, they are clearly in love" he fired, his voice holding the agony of what his heart felt.

"I know, I've seen them. But you can't tell if you don't tell her how you feel. This is your only chance, you'll lose her forever" Karen said, trying desperately to get into David's head. She saw what Elizabeth had failed to see. She knew about David's long time love for Elizabeth and now she is using it to her advantage.

David was quiet and still had his back turned back as if in a deep thought. He didn't know what to do. He doesn't want to come in between his friends. When she saw how silent, Karen continued.

"She had known Jack for just a few months. You know her better than Jack. She cares for you but wouldn't show it. It's time you make her know your true intentions towards her" she said.

David finally turned his back and met Karen's gaze. He saw that she was right. He needs to take action else she will lose Elizabeth forever.

"I knew you like her for a long time but couldn't muster courage to tell her"

"What if she rejects me? What if she doesn't want me? I can't bear to be rejected by Karen and that's why I haven't told her about how I felt" He said, his voice low.

"You can't conclude without trying right? In life you risk everything if you don't take risks. If you do nothing now, she will never be yours and that's what is killing you" Karen pointed out.

She had structured out a plan to push David to Elizabeth so as to come in between her relationship with Jack. If David can manage to get Elizabeth, then Jack becomes hers. She invites David and starts questioning his love for Elizabeth.

"What about Jack? I don't want to be the reason for ruining his relationship with Elizabeth. I've never seen him so happy since he has been with Liz and I don't want to ruin that for him. He is my best friend and I like to see him happy."

"At the expense of your own pain ugh? Is that it? David, you need to take action now. You are in no position to sacrifice yourself for everyone around you. " Karen yelled.

David closed his eyes, letting Karen's voice settle in him. He reasoned that she was right, Elizabeth was his from the start. He needs to secure what is his else he will lose everything all together. After that discussion with Karen he had been looking for every opportunity to confess his feelings for Liz.

He was alone with Elizabeth one Sunday evening. They were both sitting in the study in her parents mansion. Elizabeth could feel David had something to tell her and since he wasn't ready to talk about it, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

"Do you know how long we have been friends?" she asked jokingly, dropping the question without giving him any idea where their conversation is leading to.

"Um.. let's see" David hesitated. "I remember seeing you in fifth grade, you wore this little pink dress and had your hair in two ponytails" he said and they both laughed at the memory.

"You have something to tell me, David '' Elizabeth finally talked, maintaining a straight face.

David hesitated for the second time that evening before he started speaking again.

"I don't know how this might sound to you but, Liz I've been in love with you for so long"

Surprised was evident in her face as she stared at David in bewilderment.

"Wait… I don't.." she couldn't even utter a perfect sentence.

"Yes, I know I'm a jerk for saying this now especially when things are good between you and Jack but I can't help it any longer. Everyone else could see it, except you, I've been in love with you since the first time I set my eyes on you, Liz" David said with all sincerity.

Elizabeth couldn't believe her eyes and what she had just heard. David was her friend and that is all. She never thought of him in any romantic way and she had counted all of his kind gestures as part of his gentleman theory. But this… she couldn't take any of this in.

She stood up moving back a little and distancing herself from David. "I don't know what to say.. David.. you were my friend and…" She paused. Her voice was low, barely a little more audible than a whisper.

"I just think we were friends…" she start to say before David interrupted her

"You know damn well that it was more than just Friends, Liz. I run coming everytime you need me and even went to NYU just because I could be with you. All for you, Liz. It was more than friendship" David raised his voice.

"But I don't love you… you know I'm in a relationship with your best friend. Why do you have to do this now? '' She asked, her voice breaking. She is almost close to breaking down and crying.

"Why, David … Why does it have to be now? I'm in love with Jack and you know it" she said, her tears now rolling down her face.

"Because I just will lose you. You have to give me a chance, Liz. I will do anything you want me to. I can better for you Liz" David pleaded, standing up to reach her hands but Elizabeth pulled away. She is in tears and can't take it anymore.

She shook her head negatively. "No.. no, I'm sorry David…I can't… I love"

"Fuck love Liz, what about me?" He raised his voice again. "I love you also"

"You don't have to do this David, please" Elizabeth pleaded, her tears choking her up.

"Just give me a chance to prove myself, Liz"

"Leave!" She raised her voice for the first time. She can't take it anymore.

"Please Liz …" David had started to say when he got interrupted by Sarah, Elizabeth's sister. He hadn't noticed when she had come inside or how long she had been standing there listening to their conversation.

"Go, Dave, she isn't in a good mood now" she motioned to where Elizabeth was standing. She is filled with tears.

"You know how much I love your sister Sarah. You know…"

"You have to leave now. I'll try to calm her down and you can come back when she is calm but right now, you're not what she needs" Sarah suggested. She is also aware of David's crush on her sister but decided to let it lie since it was basically one sided.

"I'm sorry, Liz" David said before going out, he paused at the door to stare at the crying figure of Elizabeth. Sarah saw him and ushered him out.

"It's okay Liz… you'll be fine" Sarah pulled her sister in a hug and patted her back.

"It hurts Sarah… it… hurts" she hiccups, trying to talk amidst her tears.

"I know. You don't have to say anything. I heard your conversation"

"I don't know what to do Sarah, I'm in love with Jack and not David. I don't know what to do" Elizabeth cried harder.

After Elizabeth had calmed down and wiped her tears, she told Sarah all about that night, how troubled David had been and his recent attitude lately.

"Everyone knows David is into you, Liz. We all can see that" Sarah said, confirming that she is also aware of David's Love for Elizabeth.

"I thought he was just my friend," Elizabeth denied.

"I don't know what to do Sarah, I'm in love with Jack but I don't want to lose David. " She let out her fears to her sister who is like her best friend. She is worried David might start to avoid her as she turned him down. She is also worried about his relationship with Jack, she didn't want to come in between them.

"You won't lose him, Liz. I'm sure he'll understand. He always does and he'll come round too" Sarah tried to calm her down.

"Not this time, I turned him down, Sarah. You should see the look on his face when he walks away."

"Yes, I saw it. I was here also. He is just hurt, I'm sure he'll get over it soon. But why Jack Liz?"

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth was surprised about her sister's inquiry about her boyfriend.

"I don't mean to get offensive but you're heels over In love with a guy you met less than two months ago" she explained.

"I know you Liz, better than anyone. You don't date anyone randomly unless you are in love. This jack guy is so different. I don't understand why it has to be him and not someone else"

"There is this connection I felt when we first met, like we had known each other for a long time. I can't explain it but the spark was just there. He is the only one who understands me and the only person meant for me. I love him, Sarah, more than you know" Elizabeth explained. She is not sure her sister would understand how she feels towards Jack, only she can tell.

"That's a bit Liz, you love him but does he feel the same way towards you? He just showed up in town recently. Do you have an idea of who he is? His secrets?" Sarah questioned her sister.

"I know …."

"No, you don't." Sarah said, interrupting her sister once again.

"You may love him and he might not feel the same way towards you. I don't want to see you hurt Liz. Rejecting David is enough but if this guy hurts you, I'm going to kick his balls" She joked and they both laughed.

"See, you're smiling now. I hope Jack can make you do the same"

"He is a great guy Sarah. Give me time to prove to you who he really is." Elizabeth explained. She understands her sister's fears for her. She is certain Jack can never hurt her and what she feels for him is mutual. She remembered the promises he had made to her over the past weeks and smiled.

A part of her wants to doubt who he is but she couldn't and about David she didn't know what to do with him.

She planned on telling Karen and seeking her advice on what to do. She isn't ready to lose a friendship at the expense of her relationship with Jack. She also didn't want to come in between Jack and David so she planned on keeping the details to herself. She knew if it comes to a point where she had to choose between Jack and David, her heart knows whom she will pick already.

"You'll be fine." Sarah reassured her and she smiled. She wasn't sure if she would be fine after what just happened. It's either she loses a friend or she breaks up with jack. Even the thought of that happening breaks her heart. She couldn't bring herself to do that.

"You should invite him to dinner soon. I'm sure mom and dad would love a formal meeting" Sarah said and Elizabeth nodded. She knew it would come to that soon. But is she ready?

"I was avoiding that actually"

"You can't at least not for long. Especially with what happened this evening. They'll ask questions." Sarah concluded.

She is right, her argument with David was quite loud and she is sure either if her parents must have overheard what happened.

"I'll invite him this weekend. They're going to meet anyway" she sighed. Mentally she isn't ready for this. Would her parents approve of him? What if they didn't like him?

What if they asked her to break up with him? That's a possibility and could happen. She knows she is getting ahead of herself yet she couldn't ignore the topic. She is approaching the marriageable age, if she doesn't fina a befitting suitor very soon, her pr

esents would be ready to find one. And after the argument with David in the study this afternoon, marriage becomes an unavoidable topic.