The Man of My Dreams (Fitzmael 2) - SOON TO BE PUBLISHED

17: Guilty as sin

"HEY, WHERE'S YOUR restroom? I need to go," I asked Ren after we ate. The catering staff was starting to clean up because it would be turned into a dance floor for the adults. Meanwhile, we at the same table decided to continue the celebration at Imil's club.

"Alright. Let's head to Imil's club together after," Ren replied. He shifted his attention to Archer. "Archer, stay here. I'll just go with Jarzaiah for a bit."

Archer simply nodded, staring off into the distance. He led me through their mansion, and we walked quite a distance since it was massive. "I'm fine here, Ren. Just wait for me outside," I said when we got to the restroom.

He nodded, and I entered the restroom. After that, I fixed myself up. I spent a few minutes inside, contemplating my life and whether coming home to San Tiago was the right decision. I was surprised when I came out of the restroom and saw Franco. I ignored him and just walked past. Who knows, maybe he just needed to use the restroom too. I hadn't gotten far when I heard him call out my name.

"Jarzaiah..."

I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face him.

"I know I've put you through so much pain..." he started, his eyes filled with regret. He looked genuinely miserable, and it was clear how deeply he felt the weight of his actions. "And I'm truly sorry for hurting you. It was never my intention to cause you this kind of hurt, and I deeply regret my mistakes. I'm asking for your forgiveness, and I'm willing to wait as long as it takes for you to feel ready to talk," he continued, his voice shaky.

I just nodded and stayed silent. I thought I was okay, but returning to San Tiago and seeing them proved otherwise. I believed I had healed from the past and needed to focus on the present, but none of that was possible without addressing what had happened. I wasn't ready to talk to him yet, but I knew I would forgive him—just not right now.

"And I'm also sorry for making things worse..."

I turned to see where that voice was coming from.

It was Serene's. "My pain didn't justify the way I hurt you."

I nodded slowly. "Thank you for apologizing, Serene. I forgive you..." I wiped the tears from my cheek. "You're just a child caught in the middle of your two siblings' issues. It must have been really hard for you."

"ZAIAH, LET'S GO?" It was Archer's voice as he walked toward me, with Ren following behind him.

I quickly walked over to Archer and gently pulled them both outside the mansion. I didn't want them to see Franco and Serene in that vulnerable moment—it was something meant only for me to witness, not for anyone else.

"I'm okay..." I said to reassure my two friends. "Let's go, I want to drink!"

"Ren, I think it's time for me to buy a house. I've saved so much because you never made me spend anything while we were in Switzerland," I said with a grin.

"Not right now. Archer and I will miss Vandre."

"Tsk! Is Vandre the only one you'll miss?"

"Vandre is cute. You, not so much!" he teased.

I pinched him in the arm. "You're annoying!" We had arrived outside the gate where the car we used earlier was parked.

WE REACHED AXI'S club. A bittersweet smile crossed my face as I remembered my first encounter with Marcus. If he had loved me back then... would we still be together? If Franco never liked me, would we have found happiness together? I shook my head and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push the thoughts away. We settled onto a big, long couch.