Chapter 124

Chapter 124
Tricia took a slow, hesitant step forward, her hands nervously rubbing the back of her neck as if trying to ease the weight of guilt pressing down on her. Her eyes, wide and unsure, followed Donald's every movement as he turned away and made for the kitchen exit.
But before he could disappear, she reached out, almost desperately, and clasped his hand, stopping him in his tracks.
"I want to say something, please hear me out," she said softly, her voice almost cracking.
Donald pulled his hand away, his jaw tight with irritation.
"I'm not in the mood to listen to your talks. I'm exhausted. It's been a long day. I need to go to bed," he muttered, not even looking at her.
Tricia's heart clenched at his cold tone. Panic bubbled up in her chest as she rushed ahead of him and blocked the doorway with her body, spreading her arms slightly like a barricade. Her voice trembled, but she stood firm.
"I'm not going to let you leave until you listen to me."
"I'm not going to listen, and you can't force me to listen."
"I'm sorry!" she blurted out, her chest rising and falling heavily. She didn't care how foolish she looked right now. All she wanted was for him to hear her, to understand.
Donald paused. His eyes narrowed with confusion. "What?"
"Yes! I'm really, really sorry. I'm sorry..." Her voice broke as she repeated herself. "I was wrong about you, and I can't keep this guilt anymore."
Donald folded his arms, staring at her with unreadable eyes. "You're sorry? Why are you apologizing?"
"I'm sorry for misunderstanding you," she confessed, her eyes shimmering with the tears she was trying to hold back.
Donald scoffed. His voice was colder now. "Ah, I see. So what made you realize you were wrong? Let me guess... Monalisa told you, right?" He stepped sideways, trying to move past her. "Out of my way."
"No!" Tricia said, blocking him again. "I apologize for it all. Actually, I was really pissed off when you asked me to stay away from you and not help you win Monalisa over. I felt hurt."
Donald looked her straight in the eye. "Why? We aren't close after all."
"Yes, we are," she whispered, not backing down. "We're friends, and we share a common best friend. Maybe not close enough in your eyes, but I always considered you a friend. And that's why it hurt so much."
Donald looked away, his expression unreadable.
Tricia's voice grew softer, but her words carried more weight now. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I shouldn't have doubted you or accused you without knowing the truth."
"But you did," he replied quietly, his words sharp enough to make her flinch. "May I leave now?"
"No," she said again, more firmly this time. "I'm not letting you leave until you forgive me."
Donald raised a brow, half amused, half annoyed. "What? Isn't it up to the one being apologized to, to determine whether he will forgive and when he would forgive the transgressor?"
Tricia nodded slowly. "It is. Sorry."
There was a long pause between them. Silence filled the kitchen, but in that silence, something shifted.
Donald sighed, his shoulders loosening just a little. "It's okay. I think it's one of those days."
"And also... for screaming your full name that day. I apologize."
That caught Donald's attention. He turned to her, confused. "Who told you my full name?"
Tricia bit her lip. "I found it on your document. I wasn't snooping. I swear. It had fallen to the floor. I picked it up and that's when I saw it. That's also why I asked if you had saved a girl years ago."
Donald blinked. "Why? Do you know her?"
She nodded slowly. Her lips quivered as she spoke. "I am she. I'm the girl you saved years ago from being hit by a car. You helped me, cleaned my wound, and ran back to your mum who had called out for you."
Donald stared at her, stunned.
"So... that's why you were hellbent on helping me and Monalisa get back together?" he asked, his voice lower now.
"Yes," she admitted. "Because I promised myself that day that I would help you too, whenever you needed it. That was my silent promise to the boy who didn't hesitate to help me even when he didn't know me."
Donald took a long breath, his features softening. "Wow... it's indeed a small world."
"Yes," Tricia smiled faintly. "So... you've forgiven me, right?"
Donald didn't reply immediately, but then a small smile touched his lips. "Yes. I can't hold grudges against you."
Tricia let out a deep breath, one she didn't even know she'd been holding. Relief washed over her like a wave.
"Thank goodness... and thank you," she said with a shy smile. "So... can we have a fresh start? Not as Monalisa's best friend and her friend, but as... you and me?"
Donald tilted his head. "Uhm... okay."
Tricia grinned. "Nice! Hi, I'm Tricia, the little girl you saved many years ago from being hit by a car. You also treated my wound before running off to your mum who had called you."
Donald chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Wow... quite an introduction. Well, hi, I'm Donald-your accidental savior."
"Nice to meet you, Mister Donald. So... from now on, we'll be good friends, okay?"
"Yes," he said with a small nod.
Tricia smiled warmly, her heart finally feeling lighter. "One minute," she said suddenly.
"What is it?" Donald asked curiously.
"I'll be right back."
She rushed to the wine rack, picked out a bottle and two glasses, and came back, holding them up with a grin.
Donald raised an eyebrow. "What's the wine for?"
"For new beginnings," she said, her eyes twinkling.
Donald chuckled and took a glass from her. "Ah... nice."