Forbidden

Ch 33

KIERA

I sat in my room thinking about all of my wrong doings. I hurt a man when I promised myself I would never hurt anyone like Caleb did to me. Ian was too good for me. He never spoke a word on it. His efforts were too much for me. I could not live with myself knowing what pain I caused him. He didn't deserve any of this. He just needs a girl to love him as much as he does. And I can't offer him that with a broken heart of my own. I called Ian and it was just ringing. He probably didn't want to talk to me. He answered almost at the last ring.

Ian: Hello.

Kiera: Can we meet tomorrow? I have something to tell you.

Ian: Alright.

I needed to breakup with him. It was the best choice for both of us.

MAEVE

Maeve was on her way to buy a ring. After a lot of thought she decided to propose Theo. She had got a promotion. And with that, four flight tickets to New York for a week trip in the next month. She had an epic proposal planned. She made a book entirely of Theo and her photos. Their milestones since high school. On their trip to New York she'd propose to him at some romantic place. She had a feeling Theo would cry. He had already proposed her quite a few times but she rejected him. This was his present for being sane all those times.

Sandra on the other hand, was suffering. The pain she was facing on her abdomen was stomach cancer in it's worst form. She sat at her balcony looking to the stars, wondering how she will break the news to Maeve and Hugo. She was all they had. It was an unavoidable misfortune.

KIERA

(the next day)

I was waiting for Ian to come. Or probably not waiting. I didn't want his smile to fade away again because of me. But us being together would harm him more. He entered around twenty mins late. He had a beige shirt and a brown blazer on. I always wondered how these CEOs would wear suits everyday to work no matter what the temperature is.

Ian: I thought I was going to pick you up. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Kiera: Oh no, it's okay. I have ordered the coffees for us.

He looked at the coffee on the table and took a sip of it.

Ian: So you had something to say?

Kiera: Yeah.. there are lot of reasons to like you, Ian. But even with all those numerous reasons, I can't bring myself to love you.

Ian: Is it because you can't love, or because you can't love me?

I didn't have any answer for him. Either way it would hurt him.

Ian: Your consideration is painful.

Kiera: I am extremely sorry.

Ian: Those words hurt more.

Kiera: Does holding it back not hurt? Why do you never say anything? Why do you always hold it in? If you heard me talking about a different guy, you should've gotten angry. You should've hated me. You should have pointed fingers at me.

Ian: How could I say that? If I did, you'd leave me. I knew you didn't love me. I also knew you hadn't forgotten him yet. That's why I tried. I thought it will be okay if I hold it in, one day, you will come to fall in love with me. Shouldn't you think this through again?

His voice was breaking.

Ian: Tell me what I need to do to make this work. I will try my best at it.

Kiera: Why torment yourself thinking about something that's obvious? Despite your efforts, you're still insecure, so you hold it in. You are losing yourself in this relationship. You're losing yourself because of me. This is toxic for you.