Deceived Me

Chapter 20:

Stella actually didn't contact her or have dinner with her like before for a reason. She could see Alice struggling and fighting herself everytime they are together. So she decided to give her some time. She wanted Alice to think about them thoroughly.

Tomorrow would be her last a night shift. Then the next day is a weekend day. She had already decided to go out with her mother.

Until Alice has made a decision, she didn't want to approach her. She was beginning to feel like things would never change if this goes on. That's why she avoided Alice even though she really missed her. Her heart yearns to see her face and hear her voice.

Alice had dinner at 18:00 and she was just down with dinner when she heard the doorbell. She opened the door and smiled when she saw Alice. She didn't hide her feelings or pretend like she has given up on her. She just decided to avoid spending much time with Alice.

" Your here? I just had dinner. I thought you'd be back around 19:00.or something."

Alice looked at her deeply. Her heart felt a little hurt knowing she had dinner alone. She actually rushed back after office thinking they could have dinner together. She thought for a moment that Stella really stopped loving her. Her heart skipped a few beats at that thought but then she saw the way Stella smiled and looked at her. They weren't so lifeless like they were when she stopped loving her.

" I came right away."

" I see. Do you want to come with me now or after a while?"

" Where?"

" To show you how I commute."

" Let's go now. You'll be going to hospital soon."

" Okay. Wait for a moment. I'll grab my coat."

Alice looked at her back with a desolate eyes. She wondered what Stella wanted to show her. She has been feeling really bad these days. She couldn't figure out Stella. Everything seems to have changed and that makes it harder.

Stella come back soon wearing a beige coat and she wore her shoes. Then they went into the elevator. Alice asked her.

" Where are we going?"

" Not far. Just follow me. I want to show you what I use to commute through nowadays."

" Okay."

Seeing as Stella pressed the underground floor which is a garage, she wondered if Stella is using a bike or car to commute. She remembered Stella liked bikes but why would she so suddenly brought one.

When they reached garage, Stella walked forward. She looked back and smiled brightly at Alice as she said.

" Come here."

They soon reached her black Hyundai Verna. She took out the keys and smiled as she told her.

" Look. I bought a car. It's Hyundai Verna. I went with my mother. I originally planned to buy it on installments but my mother insisted on paying the amount I lacked. How is it?"

Alice was surprised. Stella suddenly bought a car. She didn't mention it once that she planned to buy a new car.

" ...Its a good car. Congratulations on getting a new car."

" Thank you. I am still getting used to having a car. It's been a while since I used car on daily basis but it's definitely a comfort."

" Yeah."

" What's wrong? What are you thinking?" Stella asked her as she seems to be lost in thoughts. She had a vague guess of what it could be.

" Nothing. It's just, why did you suddenly decide to buy a car? You said you were used to metro."

" Oh it's because I felt bad troubling you everyday. And since I had some saving, I decided to just go ahead with it."

" But I wasn't troubled... " Alice said in a low voice in low spirits. Stella heard her and said.

" You always looked serious and you were acting strange. Alice, you haven't smiled happily even once since we met again. Now I am beginning to wonder of it was right of me to pester you. Therefore, I've decided to stop approaching you. It doesn't mean that I'll stop loving you. I am just going to try my best and love you from afar. It's hard but if I try my best, maybe I can pull through this. It's just, no matter what I do, I can't stop loving you till the end of my life. It's not like I didn't try. In the past, a time come that I was so tired of waiting and feeling lonely, that I wished I could move on. I tried everything that I could. I focused on studies day and night for year's. I tried to meet new people and make new friends. I got myself in a new type of friend group. I played sports till I couldn't. I tried to do everything I could to move on. But to no use... Whenever I took a breathe, I would be reminded of you. When I met new people with the intention of forgetting you, instead of forgetting you, I kept remembering you. It hurt me more to be with them than to be alone. So then I realised something. No matter what I do, I'll never be able to stop loving you. I decided to just love you in my heart even if I don't meet you again. Then you suddenly appeared in front of me. For a moment I forgot again how to live without you. Then I remembered that I did for so.many years. So I can do it again. If not for myself, then for you. I can't see you looking so depressed. I would rather stop seeing you then having you become sad day by day."

Stella signed. Alice didn't say anything. After a moment of silence, Stella walked towards the elevator and said.

" I am leaving. Don't think about what I said. Just be happy. I mean it."