A Man in White Collar (Completed)

[Finale] Chapter 33 - The Start of the Ending

When I saw you I fell in love,
and you smiled,
because you knew

-          Opera Falstaff by Verdi, Arrigo Boito

_________

He stared at her in the eye after Lou took the mask off of him. His blue eyes crossed her mind like glasses whirling inside her memories.

"Why are you never coming back to Paris since that day?" Paul asked.

Lou shook her head, taking a step back.

"Look, I don't want to hurt you. I just wanted to patch things up with you," his brows furrowed. "I know I should have not left you in the airport but I couldn't stand it, Lou. If you allow me, I just wanted to say sorry for everything,"

Lou didn't say a word. She tried to process every single word he said, he seemed sorry about everything but still, she was afraid that he would do something bad to her. Lou's eyes looked around the room searching for the figure of Alex. As she looked around, the music eventually stopped and shifted to the loud one.

"Now, let's get the party started!" cheered the host, holding up a champagne.

The lights turned to red, blue, and green as the DJ dropped the beat of Calvin Harris's song. Lou looked back to Paul and eventually replied,

"Let's talk outside,"

Paul nodded and they got out of the hall. Lou took a few steps of the stairs and she stopped, facing Paul. His face was full of regret, his brows furrowed, his blue eyes dimmed.

"I'm sorry, Lou," Paul looked down to the floor. "I know you are with him and he knows how to make you happy. I'm grateful with that, I'm fine as long as you are happy but I can't be fine when I know that we have not finished what we have done properly,"

Lou took a deep breath as she tried to find courage to reply him, "You know, Paul. I- " She got stuttered, "I know it was my fault too. I should have told you from the start. I was really indecisive and I am so sorry for playing your feelings. I forgive you,"

Paul gave a weak smile. His eyes started to look watery. Suddenly a loud voice came behind calling out his name, "PAUL! Leave her!"

He quickly looked back and saw Alex running towards them. Alex looked like he wanted to punch him in the face but he tried to neglect it by immediately pulling Lou aside, Alex faced Paul.

"Just. leave her. alone," Alex eyed him sharply. Lou grabbed his tense arms, trying to soothe him. She reached his cheek and pulled it toward her face, "Alex, he just wanted to make things clear,"

Paul then continued, "Alex, look. I don't want to make a fight here and I never had an intention to take her away from you. She has her own choice and she chose you," Paul glanced at Lou, "And you should know that you are the luckiest man alive because once she loves someone, she will devote all of herself to that man,"

Alex sighed, trying to manage the heated blood inside of him, "So, what are you trying to say?"

Paul gave a weak smile, pleading, "Look, I am really sorry for what I have done to you. I had no idea who I was that time. I know my mistake can't be forgiven but please forgive me, you have always been my childhood friend. I just want to patch things up with you two, and I don't want to end up my friendship because of this drama,"

Alex quickly replied, "You've made this drama, now you better leave because I don't want another drama,"

Lou squeezed his hand, glancing at him. Alex pulled out a sigh and looked at her, "I know what I am doing,"