Chapter 56 Fight for It
I knew he wouldn't answer. In love, everyone becomes insecure without being able to control it. Afraid they're not good enough, not attractive enough to their beloved.
"Nicholas, thanks for driving me home."
"Don't worry—even if Samuel and I get together, we can still be friends."
I smiled as I closed the door. The lock clicked into place and I immediately went limp, my back pressed against the door.
I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself down.
I knew how heartless I was being. I knew saying that might push Nicholas away completely, but I said it anyway.
I didn't know if it was my avoidant personality acting up or if I just couldn't get past my own mental block. It took me forever to fall for someone—I had to keep testing them, keep pushing them away.
Until one day, they could finally prove that no matter what, they'd choose me with absolute certainty.
Something was wrong with me. A lingering sickness the Rosewood family had left behind. I was terrified of giving my heart away only to be abandoned again, so I protected myself in this stupid, cruel way.
I'm sorry, Nicholas.
The next day, I woke up early to revise my design. After getting my response, Samuel called me. I thought he had something important to discuss, but he said we'd been out of touch too long and needed to rebuild our connection.
I laughed dryly and asked what connection we even had. Samuel fell silent for a while before carefully answering: classmate friendship.
I called him a coward.
"Catherine, I want to get an A this time too."
I understood what he meant. Samuel wanted to wait until I had feelings for him before confessing. He didn't dare make the first move again.
I told him to try his best.
Samuel pushed his luck. "Can we stay on the call? Like when we used to do homework together on weekends?"
Silent companionship.
I agreed. He was thrilled. I focused on my work while the sound of pages turning and pens scratching occasionally drifted from his end.
When I finished the design, Samuel heard the change in activity. "All done?"
I hummed in confirmation.
"Catherine, whether it's work or studying, you need balance."
"Oh? Got any brilliant ideas?"
Samuel finally got to make the invitation he'd been denied yesterday. "I just got back to the country. I'm still unfamiliar with everything here. Since you're finished, could you maybe show me around campus this afternoon? Be my tour guide?"
I readily agreed. I hadn't been out in a while anyway. Maybe I'd even find some new inspiration.
"Sure. Three o'clock, I'll meet you at the east gate."
——
Two-thirty in the afternoon.
I got ready to head out. The rental wasn't far from the campus where Samuel taught.
Knock knock—
I looked up at the door in confusion. Who'd be looking for me at this hour?
I slipped on my shoes and opened the door. Nicholas stood there, his handsome face unable to hide his exhaustion. Still, he forced himself to perk up and smiled at me.
"Catherine, are you heading out?"
I nodded, telling him I'd agreed to Samuel's invitation and was going back to campus. Then I asked, "Did you need something?"
"Yeah."
I gestured for him to continue.
"New intel on Sabrina. She's auctioning off a bunch of the Rosewood family antiques—at the same auction house where Michael's painting sold last time."
"When?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Today. Starts in about half an hour."
His words made me freeze mid-step. I couldn't help hesitating.
On one hand, I'd made plans with Samuel. On the other, this was a golden opportunity to catch Sabrina red-handed. How should I choose?
Standing someone up wasn't right. But...
I pressed my lips together, torn.
Nicholas saw my struggle and urged, "You can go back to campus anytime—the school's not going anywhere. But the auction's different. Miss this one and who knows what Sabrina will pull next? Catherine, don't you want revenge?"
Of course I wanted revenge. Nicholas had a point.
I glanced at the time on my phone screen. Ten minutes had already passed.
"Okay. Let's go to the auction."
Nicholas and I quickly headed downstairs. His car was parked right outside—he'd clearly been waiting a while. Seeing me, the driver stepped forward to greet me. "Good afternoon, Ms. Rosewood."
I nodded slightly and looked at Nicholas. He explained, "I'm not in great shape today, so I had Miles drive us."
"Thanks, Miles."
"No trouble at all, Ms. Rosewood. You're too kind."
Miles drove smoothly. I pulled out my phone to tell Samuel about my change of plans.
"Sorry, something came up. I've got an emergency I can't get out of. We'll have to reschedule."
Samuel liked to think he understood me. He knew that unless something truly urgent came up, I wasn't the type to bail.
"No worries. Need any help with whatever it is?"
Seeing him take it well, I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
I was busy replying to Samuel's messages. After declining Samuel's offer to help, he sent a new message. [Are you free next week? I'll familiarize myself with the main routes this week.]
I pressed my lips together, mentally running through next week's schedule. I flipped through my calendar and double-checked work documents before reluctantly replying.
[Sorry, bad timing. We have competition evaluations next week. I might not be able to make it.]
He went quiet for a while.
Finally, Samuel replied, [Alright then. I'll wait until you're free.]
I quickly promised to definitely meet up once I had time.
Just as I closed my phone, I felt a weight on my shoulder. I tilted my head slightly and caught Nicholas's head resting there. His breathing was even—he'd clearly fallen asleep.
I felt a bit helpless. Thinking it over, it was probably my fault for what I'd said yesterday. Had he stayed up all night?
A wave of guilt washed over me. I'd treated him like that, yet Nicholas still kept my concerns in mind and contacted me the moment he heard about Sabrina.
I should talk to him. But not now.