When the Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7) - COMPLETED

23: We Are Strangers

NOT EVEN FIVE MINUTES HAD passed since Rain left when the door suddenly opened. I froze when I saw Elimae. When she stepped in, I stared at the door, expecting my cousins to follow her, but I didn't see even their shadow.

I stayed seated, silent, staring into nothing. My mind went completely blank. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I prayed my cousins would arrive soon.

"Ren..." she said, breaking the tension and silence between us. "You kept your promise," she added.

It took me a while to gather my thoughts. "Oh," I muttered. From what I remember, I had promised I'd attend her beauty pageants back then. "Yeah."

She chuckled a little. Then she grabbed a bottle of alcohol, pour it into a glass, and hand it to me. "Let's drink!"

I pressed my lips together and looked at her. "I don't drink anymore."

Her lips parted. "W-Why? We're celebrating tonight! I just won!" she said happily as she squeezed herself against me.

I was shocked by her actions. I shifted away because I wasn't used to it anymore.

She didn't seem to notice my discomfort because she only pushed herself closer. She took the drink she was about to give me, finished it in one go, then poured herself another.

I looked down and held my bracelet to calm myself.

The room was huge, but being alone with Elimae—it made me feel suffocated. Like I was stuck and couldn't get out.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to be fine, even when I wasn't. I wanted to leave. I wanted to not care about what she or my cousins would think. I just wanted to be held by Rain.

I didn't like it here but I couldn't say no. I couldn't refuse them, especially my cousins...

"Ren..." she whispered.

I glanced at her, cleared my throat, and answered, "Yeah?"

She suddenly hugged me and let out a small laugh. "I missed this," she said. "Your parents missed you too."

It sounded cringe—the way she tried to make amends with my family without them knowing.

I didn't say anything.

"Can I sleep at your place?" she asked.

"You have a house," I replied.

"But I want to spend time with you."

"And we're basically neighbors."

She pulled away from the hug. Confusion was clear on her face. "But we haven't seen each other for a long time."

I clicked my tongue, irritated. "You broke up with me, Elimae."

"I know but—"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" My forehead creased.

Her eyes widened. She didn't expect that. She cleared her throat but couldn't look away from me. "I just want to sleep beside you."

"My bed is already warm," I said seriously.

"But mine isn't!"

"And it's my fault now, huh?"

"Yes! You didn't come back to me! I just said a few things and then boom—I suddenly lost everything!" she shouted. "You should've known I was just stressed! You should've known I never meant breaking up with you! You should've fought for me!"

I immediately stood and stared at her. "What the fuck did you expect me to do?!" I hissed. "I'm not a saint! You expected me to dodge the bullet without getting hurt?! I did everything for you! I was ready to marry you! I took your father's wrath. I took all the blame! Your family accused me of something I'm not. No one cleared my name—not even you! I did my best to fight for you because I loved you, but you didn't do anything for me." I was breathing heavily. "You didn't even tell me why you suddenly doubted my intentions!"