Chapter 55 UNCONVINCING APOLOGY
Godiva POV
“How did Jerald even get the courage to approach me?” I thought to myself.
“Jerald, I’m still here,” Lis called out to him, but he ignored her. He wanted to confront me, and I was obviously not ready for that conversation.
“I have nothing to say to you,” I stated nonchalantly before walking away from the toxic circle, heaving a sigh of relief the moment I stepped out of the classroom.
“Bitch,” Lis muttered inaudibly as she walked past me while I leaned on the classroom wall.
“How did the struggle end?” I asked Dina, whom I had left in the midst of the chaos.
“You’re a bad friend, fam. Why did you leave in the heat of the moment?” Dina thundered playfully.
“If it was in the movies, you were supposed to drag Jerald out of the classroom, pin him to the wall and, you know…” she added, demonstrating a kiss.
“You’re delusional, bro,” I replied, shaking my head from left to right.
For the first time ever, I was skeptical about going for tutorials. I wasn’t exactly ready to see either Jerald or Ben. Ever since the ruckus earlier on in school, I hadn’t met with any of them. I was left feeling confused.
.............
“Why did they have to argue over me?” I thought aloud as I swung the gate of the young mansion open.
Thankfully, none of them was in sight. I quickly rushed to the study, taking a deep breath as I shut the door behind me.
“Why does it look like you snuck in?” Jenny’s voice came from behind, making me jump.
“Jeez!” I exclaimed, startled. “Don’t sneak up on me again,” I added, still trying to catch my breath.
“Technically, you snuck up on me,” she replied nonchalantly.
All through the teaching, I was jumpy at the slightest sound. I silently prayed none of them would come into the study, and God answered my prayers. None of them came in all through the tutorial.
“What the—!” I exclaimed, holding my chest the second I bumped into Jerald, who was standing in the lobby not far from the study.
“Sorry,” I muttered under my breath, attempting to walk away.
“I’m sure you know I’ve been waiting for you all the while,” he returned, fixing me with a cold stare.
“How was I supposed to know?” I fired back with the same energy.
“Whatever, dude. I need to speak with you,” he insisted, dragging me by my hand. He only let go when we arrived at the garden just opposite their house.
“That’s arrogant, you know,” I complained, wrinkling my hand.
“My apologies,” he murmured. “Have a seat.”
We sat in silence for a minute.
“You need to be snappy. I need to arrive home in time,” I finally broke the silence, watching him turn restlessly from side to side, stroking his thighs.
“I am really sorry about all that has been going on since we returned from the school trip,” he began.
“It’s no problem. Can I go now?” I replied carefreely, almost bursting into laughter at his reaction.
Ignoring me, he continued, “I really am sorry for telling the world your scars and secrets. I have no excuse for that. I know I got pissed hearing you talk about still having lingering feelings for Leo even after all we went through to make sure you forgot all about him. I thought I needed to bruise you, which was why I did something so immature. I didn’t want to accept defeat, which was the reason I kept retaliating, coupled with the fact that I got a little jealous seeing you with other guys.”
“Why did you whisper the ‘jealous’?” I cut in sarcastically.
“I’m not done, hold on,” he said, his tone firm, before continuing. “I felt most guilty when Dad said those words to you. If I heard anyone speak like that to you, I’d probably have ended up in a battle with the person, but it was my father. I was melting with fear. I wanted to apologize the day you saw me here, but seeing you in tears only made me feel worse. We tried reaching out at the skatepark, but Dina didn’t let us. I came to the church, you saw me and left in a haste. What got me triggered was when I saw you playing around and laughing with Ben while ignoring me. And I really didn’t know you saw me with Lis.”
“Don’t bother saying anything about Lis. It was foolish of me to get worked up seeing you with your betrothed. I apologize,” I said, bowing my head in the traditional Chinese manner.
“I’ve heard you, and I forgive you. But may I ask, what’s this about getting jealous and wanting to hurt me because I was laughing around with Ben?” I questioned.
He went quiet.
I really wanted to ask if he had feelings for me, which was why he got worked up, but I wasn’t ready for a disappointing, or should I say heartbreaking, response.
“But what could be worse than all he has said and done to me?” I thought to myself.
“Do you have feelings or something like that?” I finally asked, summoning the courage.
He turned to look at me, completely relaxed, not a bit tensed like I had imagined.
“No,” he answered in a low tone.
His words made my ears tingle.
“I really need you by my side as my friend forever. I was the best version of myself around you,” he added, almost tearing up.
“If you want to be friends, we can be. So stop with the shitty jealousy talk or attitude when you see me with any guy,” I shot back arrogantly before walking away, anxiously waiting to cross the bridge.
“How could he say ‘no’ in such a cold manner?” I screamed as I threw myself on Dina’s bed.
“Is it a habit of yours to always cause a nuisance here after work?” Dina asked, brushing it off.
“I feel hurt again. I guess it was one-sided after all,” I said soberly.