Chapter 49: What's The Right Thing To Do?

Ram's POV

In a matter of hours, all hope of getting back the woman I loved the most was shattered. I thought I would have a chance to win Atilla back, but I was wrong because someone else already owned her heart. I felt like I was going to die from the pain I experienced.

To be honest, I didn't know how I managed to get home properly because my mind was in complete turmoil after what I found out.

"Good to see you home, Ram," my dad greeted me with a smile when I arrived home, but I didn't notice him due to my deep thoughts. I was surprised when he tapped my shoulder.

"Oh hi Dad," I replied with a forced smile, but I could tell from his eyes that he saw through my disguise.

"What's wrong, Ram?" He asked, concerned.

I took a deep breath before answering his question.

"Atilla is back," I replied lifelessly.

I felt physically and emotionally drained from everything that happened, and knowing that Atilla already belonged to someone else drained me even more.

"Well, that's good news then. I know that your feelings for Atilla haven't changed," he immediately brightened up upon hearing my words.

"If only everything were that simple, Dad," I explained, and I saw his eyebrows furrow.

He invited me to the study room to talk and instructed one of the household staff to get us some glasses and alcohol. As soon as they were delivered, he poured me a glass of alcohol, which I downed in one gulp.

"I'm listening," he said seriously, so I recounted our recent encounter with Atilla.

He was quiet while I continued speaking. I told him that the woman I had been waiting for a long time was now owned by someone else, and there was no one to blame but myself.

"To make matters worse, we will be running Henry's company because he needs to go to the US for an operation," I concluded.

To be honest, I didn't know if I could control my feelings for Atilla, especially since we would be together every day. I was afraid of doing something wrong that would drive her further away from me.

"You are in a really big mess, boy," Dad said, shaking his head.

"Tell me something that I don't already know," I replied, unable to hide my frustration.

"In that case, you should refuse them, especially since you have your own business to manage. Remember that our businesses are just starting to recover, and we still need to pay close attention to our management," he advised.

"You know I can't do that, Dad. After all, they were the reason we recovered, so I owe Henry a lot," I replied.

It was true that Henry Cervantes helped us recover our businesses, but deep down, I knew that I wanted to see and be with Atilla again, even though I knew she could never be mine.

"Or maybe..." I was surprised when my dad suddenly spoke up. I thought he had finished talking.

I looked at him when he didn't continue speaking and saw the suspicion in his eyes.

"Or maybe what?" I asked, knowing that whatever he was about to say could solve the problem I was facing.

"Or maybe this is your chance to win Atilla's heart again, maybe this is a chance for you to make your move," he optimistically said.

"I just told you earlier, Dad, that she already has a boyfriend," I said, feeling frustrated because it seemed like he wasn't listening earlier when I was telling him.

"Well, it didn't stop me from getting your mom, my son. Always remember this: all is fair in love and war. If you really love her, then you will do everything to win her back," he said seriously.

"I hope it's that easy, but she's not the same Atilla that we knew before when I saw her," I said, and when I saw the confusion on Dad's face, I continued talking.

"She's not the same shy, conservative, and timid girl I used to know. She's confident and independent, and I know it's because of her boyfriend. I don't know if I should disturb her life, especially if she's happy with what she has. What right do I have to ruin what she's built just because I love her? I don't think I can let my selfishness ruin whatever she has right now," I said sadly.

My heart is telling me to follow my dad's advice, but my mind is telling me not to mess up Atilla's life anymore. I did it once, and I don't think I have the heart to do it again.

For some reason, Dad didn't comment on that, and I was shocked when I heard his next words.

"I'm sorry, Ram, because of me..." he apologized, but I immediately cut him off because I knew he was going to blame himself again for what happened.

For the past two years, I kept reminding him that what happened between me and Atilla was not his mistake but my own, and there was no one to blame but myself.

"Stop it, Dad. It's my fault that this happened, me and my selfish pride," I said sadly.

He looked at me like he still blamed himself, but I assured him that everything was going to be alright, that maybe it was a good thing that I learned about Atilla's new boyfriend, so I could finally move on.

After our conversation, I decided to go straight to my room to be alone, and to do a lot of thinking.

I lay down on my bed, but I still couldn't sleep. I just stared at the ceiling of my room as if I could find the answer to my problem.

One thing that I'm quite sure of is that I cannot refuse the Cervantes' request for help, just like what I told my dad earlier. I owe Henry a lot, and I can't refuse to help them when they ask for it.

I can't help but try to suppress and hide my feelings for Atilla while remaining as professional as possible. Even if it's difficult for me to pretend that she means nothing to me when we see each other, the fact is that I want to take her in my arms and tell her that I love her again, that she should give me another chance to love her, and that I would never hurt her again.

"When did I become so pathetic?" I asked myself sarcastically with a bitter smile.

"The time when you decided that your pride was more important to you," my other self answered.