Tangled Hearts

Chapter 21

Rhea sighed, rubbing her temples. She couldn't believe Ryan was still pursuing her. It had been a week since the hospital incident, and she thought she'd made it clear she wasn't interested. But Ryan seemed to think that if he just wore her down enough, she'd eventually give in.

She walked into the coffee shop, hoping to grab a quick coffee before work. But as she waited in line, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Ryan standing behind her, a charming smile on his face.

"Hey, Rhea. Fancy running into you here," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Rhea rolled her eyes. "Ryan, I've told you to leave me alone."

Ryan held up his hands. "I just wanted to talk to you. I promise I won't take up much of your time."

Rhea hesitated, unsure of what to do. But before she could respond, the barista called her name. She grabbed her coffee and tried to brush past Ryan.

"Rhea, please," Ryan said, his voice low and urgent. "Just hear me out."

Rhea felt a surge of frustration. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? She turned to face him, her eyes flashing.

"Ryan, I've told you no. Multiple times. Why can't you just accept it?"

Ryan's smile faltered, but he didn't back down. "Because I know you still have feelings for me. I can see it in your eyes."

Rhea laughed, a bitter sound. "You're delusional, Ryan. I don't have feelings for you. I'm just tired of your games."

Ryan's face fell, but he quickly recovered. "I'll prove it to you, Rhea. I'll show you that I'm changed. Just give me a chance."

Rhea shook her head, feeling a sense of unease. Why couldn't he just leave her alone?

As she walked out of the coffee shop, Ryan followed her. "Rhea, please. Just listen to me."

Rhea quickened her pace, but Ryan kept just saw her walking away from him. She could feel his eyes on her, boring into her skin.

Why couldn't he just leave her alone?

As she reached uni Rhea couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped. She felt like she was being held hostage by Ryan's obsession.

When she reached her desk, Aiden was waiting for her. "Hey, Rhea. How's it going?"

Rhea sighed, feeling a sense of frustration. "Ryan's still pursuing me. I don't know what to do."

Aiden's expression turned dark. "I'll take care of it. Don't worry."

But Rhea wasn't so sure. She had a feeling that Ryan wasn't going to give up easily.

Sophia who sat on the couch, flipping through a magazine, her mind preoccupied with the upcoming birthday party she had been planning for weeks. Katherine sat beside her, watching her with a curious expression.

"Hey, Sophia? What's going on?" Katherine asked, noticing Sophia's distant gaze.

Sophia sighed, putting down the magazine. "My birthday is coming up. And I don't want you to be here."

Katherine's eyebrows shot up. "What? Why not?"

Sophia fidgeted, looking uncomfortable. "I'm having a party. And I've invited my university friends. I don't want them to see you here."

Katherine's expression turned neutral. "Okay. I understand."

Sophia looked at her, relieved. "Thanks, Katherine. I just don't want anyone to know about us. Yet."

Katherine nodded. "I get it. I'll make sure to be gone that day."

Sophia smiled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Thanks. I really appreciate it."

As they sat there, Katherine couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt. She knew Sophia was still in the closet, but it stung to be hidden away like a secret.

But she pushed aside her feelings, knowing that Sophia's comfort was important. "Hey, Sophia? Can I ask you something?"

Sophia looked at her, curious. "What is it?"

Katherine hesitated. "Are you ever going to tell your friends about us?"

Sophia's expression turned uncertain. "I don't know. Maybe someday."

Katherine nodded, trying to understand. "Okay. I just want to be with you, openly. Without hiding."

Sophia's face softened. "I know, Katherine. And I want that too. But please, just be patient with me."

Katherine smiled, feeling a surge of love for Sophia. "I'll be patient. For you, I'll wait."

As they sat there, Sophia's eyes locked onto Katherine's, her gaze intense. "I know I'm asking a lot from you, Katherine. But I need you to understand where I'm coming from. My parents, my friends...they're all so traditional. They wouldn't understand us."

Katherine nodded, her heart aching with empathy. "I get it, Sophia. I really do. Feeling like I'm a secret. Like I'm something to be ashamed of."

Sophia's face twisted in anguish. "Oh, Katherine, no no. That's not how I feel at all. I'm scared of losing everything I've worked for."

Katherine reached out, taking Sophia's hand in hers. "I understand. But I need you to promise me something."

Sophia looked at her, curious. "What is it?"

Katherine's eyes locked onto hers. "Promise me that someday, we'll be able to be together, openly. Without hiding."

Sophia's with a little smile said "I promise, Katherine. I promise that someday, we'll be."

As they sat there, Katherine felt a sense of hope. Maybe someday, Sophia would find the courage.