Unrequited Love

Chapter 9 : Snacks

Kyra's voice trembled with a mix of anger and hurt, her words lashing out like sharp daggers aimed at Alex's heart. Each question pierced through the air, echoing the turmoil swirling within her.

"Why did you kiss me in front of Hayden?" she demanded, her eyes flashing with betrayal. "What was that all about? Do you enjoy playing with my feelings, Alex?"

Alex's shoulders slumped under the weight of her accusations, his own heartache mirrored in the depths of his eyes. He struggled to find the right words, his throat tightening with emotion.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, Kyra," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I had moved on, but seeing you with Hayden... it brought back all these unresolved feelings."

He reached out tentatively, as if afraid she might pull away. "I'm sorry for kissing you like that. I know it was wrong. I just... I couldn't stand the thought of you being with someone else."

Tears welled up in Kyra's eyes as she listened to his confession, her anger waning in the face of his vulnerability. She could see the pain etched in his features, a reflection of her own inner turmoil.

"Alex..." she started, her voice softening with empathy. "I understand that you're hurting too. But you can't keep stringing me along like this. If you don't want me, then let me go."

Alex's heart clenched at her words, the reality of his actions hitting him like a ton of bricks. He knew he had to make a choice, no matter how much it pained him.

"I'm sorry, Kyra," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I never wanted to hurt you. But I can't let you go. Not yet."

He took another deep breath, his words weighed down by the burden of his conflicting emotions.

"I don't know, babe. I don't understand why I still care for you, why I feel this surge of jealousy and anger whenever someone else even comes close to you," he confessed, his voice tinged with frustration. "It hurts, Kyra. It hurts so damn much."

His gaze dropped to the ground, unable to meet hers as he revealed his inner turmoil. "When Hayden proposed to you, I felt like my world was collapsing. The thought of you saying yes to him... I couldn't bear it. I don't know how I'd go on living if you were with someone else."

A tear slipped down his cheek, his vulnerability laid bare before her. "I've tried to move on, to convince myself that I could live without you. But it's all a lie. I still love you, Kyra. Deep down, it's always been you."

He paused, his voice thick with emotion. "But I can't pretend that I want to get back together with you. I'm trying to move forward, to find happiness with someone else. But every time I see you, every time I think about you... I'm reminded of how much I still love you."

He ran a hand through his hair, a mixture of anguish and longing etched on his face. "I'm sorry, Kyra. I'm so sorry for everything. But I don't know what to do anymore."

Kyra's gaze flickered between Alex's eyes, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. His words had stirred a whirlwind of feelings within her—relief that he still harbored love for her, yet despair at the realization that his heart belonged to another.

As she processed the truth, a surge of defiance bubbled within her. Part of her wanted to fight for their relationship, to reclaim the love they once shared. But another part, fueled by hurt and resentment, considered stepping back and watching from afar, almost relishing the thought of witnessing Alex's potential downfall.

A mischievous glint danced in her eyes as a wicked thought crossed her mind, a fleeting temptation to revel in the irony of it all. A small smirk tugged at the corners of her lips—a silent acknowledgment of the bittersweet satisfaction she might find in seeing Alex face the consequences of his choices.

But beneath the facade of amusement lay a tumultuous sea of emotions, a whirlpool of love, hurt, and uncertainty. Kyra knew she couldn't simply stand by and watch, nor could she ignore the ache in her heart that longed for Alex's affection.

With a heavy sigh, she turned away from Alex, her mind buzzing with conflicting thoughts. The road ahead seemed fraught with uncertainty, and Kyra was unsure which path to tread. All she knew was that the journey ahead would be a tumultuous one, filled with twists and turns she couldn't yet foresee.

Kyra's steps were heavy with the weight of her emotions as she made her way toward Alex's car, her heart aching with unresolved feelings. She could sense Alex's gaze on her back, his silent confusion palpable in the air.

"Where are you going, baby?" Alex's voice rang out, laced with confusion and concern, as he watched Kyra walk away.

Kyra hesitated, her steps faltering for a moment before she turned to face him. She forced a weak smile, attempting to mask the turmoil brewing within her. "I... I'm just going to grab something to eat," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alex's brows furrowed, his gaze searching her face for any sign of what she was truly feeling. "Hungry?" he asked, his tone softening with understanding.

Kyra nodded, unable to meet his eyes. "Yeah, hungry," she murmured, her words tinged with a hint of sadness.

Alex's brows furrowed with concern as he watched her. "Why didn't you say something earlier? Let's get you something to eat," he said, his tone gentle yet urgent.

Kyra shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "It's okay, I can manage," she murmured, a hint of stubbornness in her voice.

But Alex wasn't having any of it. He knew better than to let Kyra go hungry, especially after everything that had transpired between them. Without another word, he hurried to his car and rummaged through the backseat, searching for something.

Kyra watched him with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. What was he up to now?

Seconds later, Alex emerged with a handful of snacks, a small smile playing on his lips. "Here, take these. I always keep them stocked for emergencies like this," he said, offering her the assortment of treats.

Kyra's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the array of snacks, each one a familiar favorite. She couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia at the sight.

"Why do you have all this food in your car?" she asked, her voice betraying her confusion.

Alex chuckled, a warm expression softening his features. "You always used to remind me to keep snacks on hand, remember? I guess some habits die hard," he replied, his tone laced with a hint of self-deprecation.

Kyra's heart fluttered at his words, a rush of conflicting emotions washing over her. Despite everything that had happened between them, Alex's thoughtfulness hadn't wavered. It was both comforting and disconcerting, a reminder of the bond they once shared.

As they made their way to the nearest food spot, Kyra couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty gnawing at her. What did Alex's actions mean for their relationship now? And more importantly, what did she want it to mean?

Alex's hurried movements mirrored the urgency of his emotions as he rummaged through the back of the car, his apologies tumbling out in a rush of words. Kyra's lips twitched into a small smile at his antics, but beneath the surface, a whirlwind of questions churned in her mind. Why was he suddenly so attentive? Was it genuine concern or guilt driving his actions?

Accepting the snacks with a soft thank you, Kyra allowed herself to be ushered into the car by Alex, her confusion mingling with a sense of familiarity.