Chapter 35~WATCHING FROM AFAR

Chapter 35~WATCHING FROM AFAR
~Cherry’s POV

I watched Nathan’s interview with the reporters alongside Belinda as we waited for our next class.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly.

“Yeah… It’s for the better. It’s good if Nathan managed to move on this quickly that’s what I wanted,” I said, forcing a weak smile.

“You have to be okay, honey. Focus on Jason from now on,” she said, taking my hand.

“Are you crazy? Why would I focus on Jason?” I asked, chuckling awkwardly.

“Man, he loves you! Why aren’t you looking at him? He even confessed in the media!”

“That was to protect me… why would Jason—”

“Stop playing dumb! Isn’t it obvious he likes you?” Belinda said, smirking.

“Shut up,” I said, laughing softly.

“You’re so damn lucky, girl! How can you catch the hearts of two of the most handsome men at the same time? Ugh!” she exclaimed.

“Stop it,” I said, rolling my eyes.

When I returned home, Tasha was sitting on the couch, looking like she’d been waiting for me.

“I didn’t mean to bother you, but can you tell me… why did you hesitate that day? Why didn’t you resist when Nathan held your hand? Don’t tell me you still have feelings for him! Don’t make me laugh!” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Why are you always so anxious? Nathan is all yours now, so why are you bothering me?” I said sharply, clearly upset.

“Drop the act—”

I didn’t let her finish. I stormed to my room, where Mom was waiting.

“It’s okay, sweetie,” she said, taking my hands.

“Yes… It’s okay, Mom,” I replied, forcing a smile.

“Do you have any feelings left for Nathan? Just be honest!” she asked, staring at me curiously.

“What are you talking about, Mom? Of course not,” I said, chuckling awkwardly.

“Good, sweetie. You know tomorrow is the day Nathan is proposing to Tasha. Everything is settled, so it’s okay now,” Mom said, sighing with relief.

So it was tomorrow. Nathan and Tasha were becoming engaged. Well… that was good. Good for them.

“I want to rest, Mom,” I said, my voice cracking.

“Alright, sweetie,” she said, leaving my room.

Rest? My whole body was burning. My brain refused to function. I had thought I could let Nathan go easily but it wasn’t easy at all. No matter how hard I tried, the image of him staring at me wouldn’t leave. Every moment I spent with him flashed through my mind every second. I craved his touch, his teasing, his smile. I was surely going insane.

Now he wasn’t mine anymore. No he hadn’t truly been mine to begin with. I should have held him back when he said he couldn’t live without me. Why did I let him go? Why?

And now… he was going to put a ring on another woman’s finger in front of me. The thought made me laugh bitterly.

I grabbed my phone and stared at his name for what felt like forever. I wanted to call him so badly. I tried to control myself, but before I knew it, I had dialed.

The phone rang three times. I had no idea what I would even say if he picked up. I just wanted to hear his voice. I bit my lips nervously… but he didn’t answer.

I was shameless. Why was I calling the man I had told I was completely done with? He had moved on—so why couldn’t I?

During dinner, everyone talked about tomorrow. I had no appetite, no energy to eat. Tasha giggled and enjoyed the conversation. The party was at Mr. Jones’ house Nathan’s home.

Can you believe I decided to go to the proposal party just to see Nathan? So naive. I just wanted to see him from afar, I missed him so much.

Tasha looked like a princess. She deserved it—all of it. A goddess like her deserved a man like Nathan. And I… I looked like a bug. Thankfully, Jason kept me company at the party. Few people were invited, and everything looked perfect. The garden was beautifully decorated, and the weather was ideal.

“You’re dashing, Cherry,” Jason said, taking a photo of me.

“Stop it,” I said, smiling softly.

“Should we take a selfie together?” he asked, draping an arm over my shoulder.

Before he could continue, I saw Nathan staring at us. He was so stunning in his suit that I couldn’t help but stare back. He walked toward us, his eyes fixed on me for a long, unbearable moment.

“Hey, dude, you look good!” Jason said awkwardly.

“It’s a special day, dude, so I have to look good,” Nathan replied, chuckling softly.

I continued to admire him silently, but he didn’t acknowledge me.

Tasha joined us, slipping her hand into Nathan’s.

“The party’s starting, babe. Let’s go,” she said, and he held her waist.

“Alright, my wife-to-be, let’s go!” he added, smiling. Can you imagine? He didn’t even speak to me.

“Are you okay, Cherry?” I heard Jason’s voice, but my brain wasn’t listening. It felt like it had left my head entirely.