FATE UNWRAPS

Chapter 12

Neil's pov

Laying down, I was thinking how to confront Ryder to finally handle Jacey's matter and to prove his innocence. The way he's going on, most probably he doesn't want to face this issue. Huh!! As if it will die down. I shook my head in frustration. 

I'll just think of the best way to approach Ryder and make him understand that we need to address this once and for all. This needs to end soon.

I knocked on Ryder's door, and when he opened it, I said, "We need to talk." His lack of enthusiasm was visible, but when I mentioned Jacey's name, his expression transformed. His eyes narrowed, face hardened and his hand instinctively clenched into a fist. I gently but firmly guided him to a seat, despite his initial resistance. "Neil, I don't want to discuss this, let me go," he protested, but I held his gaze steady, my voice calm and resolute. "Just hear me out, Ryder. Once." 

I pressed on, "Ryder, we can't just leave this matter hanging. We need to prove your innocence." But he interrupted me, his voice laced with frustration. "Why bother proving it, Neil? People out there have already condemned me as guilty. What's the point?" His anger was palpable, but I stood firm. "Ryder, it doesn't matter what others think. We can't let your reputation be tarnished like this. What are you even thinking? We need to clear your name, for your own sake." I emphasized, trying to reason with him.

"It doesn't matter," Ryder said, his voice rising in anger. "I know I haven't wronged her, you know it, my parents know it, and that's enough." But I countered, my tone firm but unhappy, "No, Ryder, it's not enough. There are people out there who trust you, who are waiting for your explanation. Can't you see that?" Ryder scoffed, his words dripping with sarcasm, "Oh really? Where are they? I don't see them." I replied, my voice filled with emotion, "If you would open the eyes of your soul, you would see them. They're the ones who believe in you, who deserve the truth."

Ryder was silent, so I continued, my words laced with urgency. "Neil, this isn't just about you and your innocence; it's about Jacey and her malicious intentions. Today, she targeted you; tomorrow, it'll be someone else. Do you want them to suffer the same as you?" I asked. "Don't her fans deserve to know the truth about the kind of person she really is?" I continued, my voice rising. "And even if you choose to do nothing, do you think people will simply forget about this? They'll hound you, Ryder. They'll keep questioning your character until you clear your name." I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in.

"Neil, you don't understand what she has done and what she's capable of!" Ryder exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration and desperation. "Just stop pestering me, okay? It's a path of destruction" He shouted, his eyes flashing with a mix of fear and anger, as if the mere thought of confronting Jacey again was unbearable.

I stood up, my eyes locked on Ryder's, a mix of disappointment and frustration etched on my face. The silence between us was heavy. Without a word, I turned and walked away, leaving him to his stubbornness and the darkness of his own thoughts. 

Ita's pov

I was wrapping up my call with my mom, "Yeah, mom, I know, okay, okay, I promise... hmm, hmm, alright." I hung up and headed to the door as I heard a knock. When I opened it, Neil was standing there, his face flushed and eyes clouded with sadness. He was breathing heavily, as if he'd been running.

"Neil, are you okay? What's wrong?" I asked, concern etched on my face, as I invited him in. I offered him a glass of water, and after a few minutes of silence, he began to calm down. 

"Is everything alright?" I asked gently. Neil shook his head, exasperation written all over his face.

"Ryder, that fool... I don't know what's wrong with him. He refuses to take any action against Jacey." He threw up his hands in frustration. "I can't deal with him, he's getting on my nerves."