WHEN YOU'RE CLOSER

CHAPTER 15

"Will you be mad if I fall out of love one day?" I asked out of nowhere when we were sitting on the blanket in the sand.

We were passing our time by mesmerizing the sound of the waves and calm wind. It is perfect, especially if there is a bonfire before you complete the night. 

"What do you mean?" he asked and looked at me while I smiled bitterly at the sea.

"You know, it's possible. Whether you like it or not, it's possible."

"Is that your way of telling me you have fallen out of love with me?" he calmly asked, still looking at me. 

"It's a question out of curiosity." 

"Hmm," he hummed. "If ever you'll fall out of love one day... tell me. It's better to tell it to me so that I would be aware of your feelings. Because if that happens, I'll do my best for you to love me again. And again. Up until you'll have no choice but to love me again." 

I chuckle. "You love me that much?" I teased, then he nodded. "I love you more. I am praying that when I need you one day, you'll hug me and assure me that everything will be fine." 

He nods. "Promise." He seriously stated. "You have a problem, don't you? I won't force you to open up, love. I believe in you. But I'm just saying that whatever it is, I'll be here, beside you, waiting for you to call me whenever you need me."

"I'll take note of that, love. Don't worry too much about me, okay? It's just a problem I don't want to pass on to you. I can't let you have this burden, too. I could get through it. And if one day, I can't handle it anymore, then I'll ask for your help. By that time, I hope your help is still available." 

"It will always be available when it comes to you. It's reserved, then." 

I chuckled at him and stood up. I get the chance to sprint away from him, and later on, he follows me. We cherished that night together — laughing and smiling to ourselves while we did all the stupid things together.

I was so happy those days. Yet here I am today, facing all of these. Facing life I ran away before. Facing a life I ended years ago. 

"Mom..." I whispered as I saw Mom enter. Seconds later, I saw my Dad follow. 

"And finally, after years, I found you," Mom said, smiling and proud as she looked. "Oh, not that we cannot find you, darling. It's just we gave you time to yourself, and that's enough. It's time to go back to us." 

I shook my head in disbelief. "No way I'll do that." I firmly said. 

"Yeah? Living independent now?" she scoffed. 

"As I should. I have no family after all." I casually said. 

"That stings," said Mom. 

"I don't believe you. And never will." I smiled casually. 

"You think so? Are you saying I'm not genuine?" 

I shrug. "You're the one who said that." 

"You are being rude to your Mom, Aster." Dad interrupted. 

I chuckle. "Am I? So, stealing my cafe is not rude? I don't think so. If you want me back, that will never happen. And so this cafe will not be yours." 

"It's a good spot, you know. Business is business, after all." She simply said. 

I smiled bitterly. "Oh. I forgot. Business will always be your top priority. I guess that never changes." 

"Told you, if you only listen before, you have not been experiencing this. Is this what you want? Low life and simply living by your pity shop. Seriously, you are the last person I imagine doing this." Mom said disappointment was evident in her voice. 

"I thought so, too. And I also thought you'd be the last person who'd betray me." I replied. "Anyway, we are here now. Maybe this is inevitable, after all. But I need you out of my place now."

"I'll make an offer, Aster." Mom said. "I won't take this shop from you. I promise." 

"But?" 

"But I want you to come back to us." 

I laugh at what she said. "Nice try. Although, I need you to know that you'll never take me back." 

"We are your parents, Aster." Dad pointed out, strictness in his voice. 

"You were."

"Aster!" he exclaimed. 

"What? My parents were dead." My eyes suddenly fell on Landon. He was at my side, slightly holding me. 

"Stop it, Aster. Whatever you say, we will always be your parents." Dad said with finality. 

"Stay delusional. This place is mine and mine alone. Stop pestering my life." I said darkly. 

"Love, calm down," Landon whispered beside me. I looked at him and slightly smiled at him. 

"Sorry for bringing you into this mess." I slowly said.

"You're Aster, love. Of course, I'll be with you anywhere." 

"So, Landon," Dad muttered, stopping the both of us. "You're doing a great job, huh? I don't know that you'll be effective, after all." 

I furrowed. "What do you mean by that?" 

"You still don't know?" 

"Mr. Jake," Landon stopped him.

"Well, it's almost a year now. Maybe this is the right time you'll know about this?" 

"Mr. Jake, stop whatever you're saying," Landon warned. 

"You still don't want to stop?" Dad smirked. 

"Stop what? What the fuck are you all talking about?" confused at what they are talking about. 

"The act, Aster. Landon's good,  I can't deny that now. But I am disappointed in you, Aster. How could you not notice? You're all guard down again." He commented, sounding disappointed. "You never learn your lesson." 

When I glanced at Landon, he looked ashamed. "Love, listen to me." 

"What do I need to hear then?" he became quiet. "Come on, Landon. Tell me." 

"It was at first. It's all an act at first, Aster." He started. "But it stopped when..." 

"When?" I asked. "When you finally had a conscience on you?" 

He shook his head. "No..." 

"Oh, don't bullshit me now, Landon. Tell me the truth." I warned as I was getting mad. 

"It was all a... plan. The night we first met was all a plan." He confessed. "I planned to be with you. To get close to you." 

"And to fall for you," I added. I laughed bitterly. "How much does it cost you? Million? Billion? Answer me!" I angrily screamed at his face. 

"No..." he shook his head. He's almost crying. 

"Don't you cry in front of me? You have no right to." I said. "Answer me, Landon!" 

"I'm sorry..." 

I laughed sarcastically. "It made sense now. Finally, you have admitted it to me." 

He looks confused. "What do you mean?" 

"I knew your feelings were not genuine from the beginning. I'm just waiting for you to admit it. Now, tell me the reason why you need to do all this. For money? For what?"

"For his revenge, Aster," Mom said casually as if it were nothing. 

"Revenge?" I scoffed. "Did I do wrong? Huh, Landon? What did I do?" 

"You killed his cousin, Aster. Remember your late husband? They are cousins, Aster. The husband that you killed." 

It made my whole body shiver from the cold. It all came back to me. The man I loved. The man that I killed. 

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered under my breath.