Love Of My Life

Chapter 34

Moon walked into work, greeted by Mira's voice announcing a flurry of incoming orders. About to rush off to change, she was stopped in her tracks by Mira's heartfelt words.

"Moon, no matter what happens to my family in the future, don't disappear on your own again. I'm happy you two are together," Mira expressed, her voice tinged with emotion.

Tears welled up in both their eyes as they struggled to contain their emotions. Despite their efforts, they couldn't resist the urge to embrace each other tightly, finding solace and strength in their bond of friendship.

Mira stood outside Fredrick's house, waiting patiently for him to appear. When he finally emerged, she wasted no time in getting to the point.

"What are you doing here, Mira?" Fredrick asked, clearly surprised by her presence.

"I was waiting for you. I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I thought I already had caught your attention," Mira explained, her tone earnest.

Fredrick listened attentively before responding, "Mira, do you know why I don't date girls from school?"

"Because they are too close to you. It'll be irritating for you," Mira stated bluntly.

Fredrick understood her point but remained undeterred. "Yeah, that's right. You're Moon's friend and she's my best friend's girlfriend. That means you're more irritating than the rest of the girls. Sorry to be blunt but I think we're good as friends. It's getting late, you should go home," Fredrick added gently.

But Mira wasn't ready to give up just yet. "I want it all. A date, hold hands, kiss," she declared boldly.

Fredrick couldn't help but be taken aback by her directness. "Mira, when did you become so bold?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"If I didn't, how could I like someone like you? Arrange your schedule and let me know. Bye," Mira replied confidently before turning on her heels and walking away, leaving Fredrick to ponder her words.

The next day, Brandon, Fredrick, and Francisco found themselves eagerly waiting for Juan, who arrived with his luggage in tow. "Don't you have anything better to do?" Juan quipped, clearly aware that they had been peeping around the corner.

Ignoring Juan's playful jab, they grabbed some wine and settled in, ready to catch up. Francisco, unable to contain his excitement, eagerly began to share the news about Moon.

The next day, Moon made her way to the rooftop, her heart fluttering with excitement as she spotted Juan standing there. "Juan! When did you come back? How's everything with your family? And how are you doing?" she exclaimed, genuinely glad to see him.

Juan turned to face her, his expression calm yet guarded. "I got back yesterday. Everything's fine. I'm doing good," he replied simply, his eyes holding a hint of melancholy. "I hope things go well with you and Francisco. But at the same time, I don't want either of you to get hurt. You're with my best friend, and that means we can be friends forever. I'm going to go practice now."

"Juan," Moon called out, stopping him in his tracks. As he paused to listen, she gathered her courage and continued, "You know, I used to have feelings for you before."

"Goodbye, Moon," Juan said softly, his tone carrying a mixture of finality and sadness, before walking away.

I was able to easily blurt out someone I had a hard time saying before. I'm happy I heard Juan say 'friends forever.' My first love has ended. This is the moment when love becomes friendship.

Later that day, Brandon and Fredrick found themselves seated at the familiar comfort of the bar. Brandon, ever the observant one, couldn't help but prod Fredrick about his recent endeavors. "You've been taking on all those tea ceremonies solo ever since your dad retired. But what about Mira? Taking quite the leap there, aren't you?"

Fredrick let out a small sigh, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before replying, "What choice do I have? I'm not as bold as Francisco. I'd rather not receive one of Moon's flying kicks. And honestly, I'm not particularly interested in Mira."

"Really? You've turned quite the softie, avoiding the ladies," Brandon teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Brandon, don't you have a date to attend?" Fredrick deflected, knowing his friend's penchant for changing subjects when things got too personal.

"Yeah, I do," Brandon confirmed with a nod. Then, his tone turned serious as he continued, "Fredrick, true love requires responsibility. Sometimes, you have to make sacrifices for that person's future."

Fredrick raised an eyebrow, surprised by Brandon's sudden seriousness. "In the twenty years I've known you, that's the first time you've mentioned 'sacrifice.' Can't believe Violet taught you about that," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

With that, Brandon rose from his seat, signaling the end of their conversation. "I'm going now," he declared, leaving Fredrick to ponder his words alone at the bar.

Moon stood outside her apartment door, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched Francisco move into the apartment next to hers. She knew she should be happy to have him so close, but there was a nagging feeling of unease lingering at the back of her mind.

Meanwhile, Mira found herself at dinner with Fredrick, her heart racing with anticipation and nerves. As they sat in the dimly lit restaurant, the atmosphere heavy with tension, Mira couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over her. She had hoped this dinner would bring them closer together, but now she wasn't so sure.

Fredrick offered her a drink, but Mira declined, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to steady herself. Sensing her discomfort, Fredrick gently encouraged her not to force herself, reminding her that she didn't need to pretend to be someone she wasn't. His words struck a chord with Mira, prompting her to speak up about her true feelings.

"I treasure my feelings for you, that's why I'm here," Mira confessed, her voice wavering slightly. "As long as you're happy, I'm willing to do anything. It's normal to be nervous."

Fredrick listened quietly, his expression unreadable as he weighed her words. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his tone firm but gentle. "It'll be easy for me to go through with it, but what about you, what then?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Mira hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I'll regret it if I don't," she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Fredrick's gaze softened, a hint of sadness flickering in his eyes. "There's always regret in love," he said cryptically, his words carrying a weight of experience.

Feeling a pang of curiosity, Mira dared to ask, "You had regrets in love?"

But Fredrick's response was curt, his tone suddenly icy. "That's none of your business," he replied sharply. "Asking about other people's privacy is impolite. I already paid for the room, you can stay or leave, I don't care. But I won't stay."

With that, Fredrick stood up abruptly and left, leaving Mira sitting alone in the room.