The Moon Is Beautiful

Chapter 44

"What are you doing here?"

Those are the first words that leave my mouth as I stare at him. I don't bother in hiding my surprise from seeing him here. He's the last person I ever expected to be ringing my doorbell.

I haven't spoken to him since that day at the park, having seen him around campus at odd times, but never bothering to speak to or acknowledge him. He did the same to me.

What is he doing here? What does he want? My life has been so peaceful and simple since my rejection, however, him showing up here so suddenly has anxiety creeping into my body, unsure of what he may want from me.

"I want to talk." he simply says, running his hand through his hair. It's an action I notice, and I curse under my breath. I take a glance to the back, into my apartment where Kaden sits in my kitchen. If he knew that Raine is here, who knows how he would react.

I can't take the chance.

"Let's talk outside." I say to Raine, stepping out of my home and pushing the door closed behind me.

His eyebrows furrow. "Is someone in there?"

"What did you want to talk about?" I question instead of answering his question, folding my arms across my chest.

"Let's date." he says, his tone nonchalant, however, his words sends a shudder through my entire body.

"What?" I question, my brain trying to come up with reasons as to why he's suddenly saying this, but I come up with none.

"I said, let's date." he simply says.

"Why?"

"Because spending time away from you and being with all those other girls made me realise that I like you." he says, as if it's the simplest thing in the world.

He likes me? I have no idea what to say.

"Belle," he says, grabbing my hand. His nickname for me, admittedly, makes my heart flutter for a brief second, before it's gone, leaving a cold and empty feeling behind. "I like you. I know that for sure now. So, let's date."

I'm speechless. This is all so sudden, and all I can think about is Kaden inside my apartment, oblivious to what's happening right now. I know for sure that I don't have any true feelings for Raine, but his sudden confession has me thinking back to the times that I desired him so badly, and when he was all that I could think about.

Admittedly, this is all I wanted at that time, and now that he's suddenly giving it to me, I have no idea what to do with it.

"Raine..." I trail off.

"You don't have to give me an answer right now," he says, staring down at me with a softness in his eyes that I never thought I'd ever see. "Just promise me you'll think about it."

I should say no. I should reject him, but as I stare up at him, the words get stuck in my throat.

"I'll think about it." I find myself saying against my better judgement. He smiles, squeezing my hand.

"Alright. Call me when you've made your decision." he says, sending me one last smile before letting go of my hand and walking away.

I just remain standing there, unsure of what to do. I curse under my breath. I became so weak at that moment that I hate myself.

Sighing, I turn around and pull my apartment door open, only for a horror-filled gasp to escape me. Kaden stands at the door, his eyes glistening with unspoken tears.

He heard everything.