Love Operation: Don't Become The Villainess

CHAPTER 40: THEN WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE A BURDEN?

CATHERINE'S POV

"Catherine..." iyak ni Ivan pagkasagot niya ng tawag.

I smiled apologetically at him as I sat down on the side of my bed, "Ivan, hello. How have you been?"

Pinanood ko itong malungkot na umupo sa isang sofa, "Sad, and lonely, and brokenhearted."

Kunot-noo akong napatawa, "It's only been less than forty-eight hours."

"It felt like it has been a few days already since we last spoke to each other."

I couldn't help but laugh once again at his exaggeration but it did make me feel great knowing I had such an effect on him. I knew he had this side to him in the story, towards Jade. Never thought I'd experience it myself.

At the thought of Jade, natahimik ako't medyo bumigat ang pakiramdam ko.

I wonder what would happen...? Would he stay with me once we meet her, or will he choose her over me? Will the wheels of fate tune in with the original storyline? Will he fall in love with her just like in the original story, even if he loves me right now?

"Catherine?"

I snapped out of my invasive raging thoughts when he called my name.

I blinked a few times, my throat feeling parched, "A-ah, yes?"

When I looked back at him, he was looking at me with a worried expression, "Are you alright? Did something happen?"

My eyes softened at him before I smiled, "I'm just sorry."

His brows furrowed, "Sorry?"

"Sorry for what happened--"

"You did nothing wrong though?" kaagad na putol niya sa akin, "You were right. I'm the one who's wrong. I shouldn't have tried to control who you should be friends with and trusted you more. It's just really them I don't trust."

I let out a sigh, "I just honestly can't easily cut her off, you know? Because right before you called, a lot of things happened with her--"

"What happened?"

"Calm down," I told him when he seemed so alarmed, "I falsely accused her, I was mean to her and I made her cry. She did confess to me, but I did 'reject' her. I was drained out of energy when you called yesterday and I couldn't fathom why you suddenly said I should be wary of her after all that has happened. Not to mention, I kind of don't like it when you simply tell me you did a background check on the people around me."

Mas lalong lumungkot ang ekspresyon niya, "I'm sorry."

"But I understand where you're coming from, Ivan," I said calmly, "If you were friends with someone who confessed to you that they like you, I'd be wary too but I'd trust you more since I know who you are."

Because I know that if you love someone, you would do anything for them unconditionally. You would risk everything, even your own life for them. I know you would never betray them.

I am just so lucky to be confident enough to trust you with all my being.

But I can't help but wonder...

He looked away from the screen and I stared at him because he was silent for a while. That's when I noticed his cheeks turning red, and he's blushing.

"You're blushing," I pointed out unconsciously. As if embarrassed, the color of the skin of his face heated up more.

I laughed a little, then he pursed his lips.

"Ang cute mo," tuluyan na akong natawa nang malakas.

His eyes diverted back to me, "Bati na tayo?"

"Hmm," I nodded happily, my heart and mind feeling content.

"I'll do my best to be more mindful next time," he followed, "I promise."

The atmosphere inside my room became a lot more brighter and lighter due to the sunrays shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows since I opened the layered curtains.

"Okay."

"And I also have some good news for you."

My eyebrows raised in anticipation, "What is it?"

He beamed, "My mom allowed me to visit you there in California from Friday to Wednesday."

"Woah, really!?" natutuwa kong sambit, "I can't wait! Maybe you can sleep here."

I really do miss him.

"S-sleep there?"

I nodded enthusiastically, "We have plenty of guest rooms. We'll prepare one for you if you'd like. Or do you have hotels here too? Are you going to stay there?"

"I-I..." once again, he blushed.

I tilted my head to the side in curiousity. Nahihiya ba siya rito matulog? Why? Our families are practically close friends. I'm almost 100% certain my mother won't mind. Though I still need to ask for permission first, of course.

"O-okay," he nodded, "I'll s-sleep there."

"Magtanong ka muna pala kay Tita Mira kung papayagan ka niya. I'll ask for my mother's permission too."

"S-she'll agree, I'm sure."

"Magtanong ka nga muna."

"I will..."

In the end, for some reason, Tita Mira didn't agree and they ended up deciding he'd stay in one of their hotels.