Ocean Eyes

CHAPTER 13

They sat there in silence for a few more minutes, enjoying the comfortable atmosphere of the cafe and taking sips from their drinks. Rachel could tell by now by the gentle smiles that form on Arthur's lips when he looks outside through the window, he must be thinking about his soon to be wife, Roselyn due to there being a small rose garden planted outside the cafe. His gentle smile and shining eyes really speak volume of how much he really loves and appreciates her existence in his life. Rachel was really glad that even after everything, things still worked out for him at the end. She felt some sort of proudness swelling in her at the thought that younger Arthur was brave enough to take the first step and moved on from his past life. It was a really difficult thing to do but the payoff seems more than worth the pain that he endured during those tough times. Rachel also felt some sort of guilt for not being there for him but also, she knows that she shouldn't blame herself. She should instead blame the person who planned all of this.

Speaking of which, shouldn't they like.. investigate who was the person behind all of this? Especially now that they've established that the person Arthur talked to long ago was a person neither of them were familiar with. Who is he? Why did he put so much effort in trying to make them both grew apart from each other? Was he the mastermind or perhaps, was he just a henchman to someone- no. Rachel is getting ahead of herself again with her wild imaginations. She shouldn't accuse Arthur's father and speculate that he was involved in this. The chances are low but also, it isn't impossible, especially considering the fact that he was also the one who made them both part ways during high school. However, that doesn't give Rachel the right to make such horrible assumptions. Maybe he's a changed man now? Pfft, even the thought of it sounds ridiculous in Rachel's mind.

Arthur didn't seem like he wanted to bring that topic up, so maybe Rachel should practice self-restraint and hinder herself from being the one to bring the question up herself. Lost in her own thought, she didn't notice that Arthur had stopped staring at the roses outside and was instead looking at her now. A small smirk could be seen curving on his lips, "Don't think too hard, you look like you're about to explode". Arthur's comment on her situation quickly made Rachel snap back to reality and looked back to face Arthur. Arthur chuckled and rested his elbow on the table, a malicious expression now forming on his face. Rachel would be lying if she said that the expression didn't made her nervous. She has never seen such an expression on Arthur's sharp face before. Something deep inside her is telling her that Arthur's expression would definitely mean that he is up to no good.

"I know that you're too afraid to say but I think I can confidently say that we're thinking the same thing here." Arthur stated. Rachel made a surprised expression. Was she that predictable? Or is it really true that his father is still a horrible person? "This obviously has my father written all over it. He is the only one who could come up with such a plan and is determined enough to tear us apart to the point of hiring someone to act as the troublemaker making us go against each other. He's the only one who could add fire to gasoline. Even towards his own son" Arthur continued. Hearing such harsh words come out of Arthur's mouth really reminded me how much of a horrible person this supposed father of his is. It also really says a lot about what kind of dynamic Arthur has with his father. Years of his life being controlled by someone, enduring harsh treatment and punishment even when he doesn't deserve it, of course Arthur would despise his father after everything he had went through. His father really lives up to his gangster name even when he's around his own son, his flesh and blood.

Arthur lets out a sigh before talking again. "My father must really not want us to be together. He thought that causing such a misunderstanding and drama between us would make us hate each other's guts or something. Making us unable to contact each other is also such a wonderful cherry on top. He orchestrated his plan incredibly if I say so. I can't believe that even after knowing him so well for so many years, I still fell victim to his plan. I could be so clumsy and clueless sometimes. But I find it amazing how the both of us must've not gave him the ending he wanted". Rachel furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean by not giving him the ending he wanted?". Arthur chuckled, "Think about it Ray, my dad must have done that so that one, we would go against each other and hate or want revenge towards the other or two, I would feel betrayed and never trust anyone nor fall in love with anyone ever again. But did any of those two happened? No. In fact it's a great thing that we gave him an unexpected ending. What happened was neither of the two he expected and instead we gave him a surprising third ending, showing him that his plan wasn't all that well thought out after all".