Loveless♣

Chapter 37

"Nina?"
He blinked twice and shook his head.Was he dreaming or was she really standing in front of him looking as startled as a rabbit caught in the beam of a car's headlights?
Nina was holding her breath,and her hand was gripping the handle of the bathroom door tighter.How on earth had they ended up in the same place at the same time?And why was his shirt wet?She could see through it.
Shit.
"Nina?"he said again.
Goodness,why did she have to look so good?Her blue dress clung to her every curve like a second skin and stopped mid thigh.
She moistened her lips,then frowned.
"Are you following me,Emiko?"she accused.
"What?As you can clearly see,I am as shocked you are.What are you doing here anyway?"
"None of your damn business," she retorted.
He paused."Nina.."
She raised both hands when he reached for hers.
"I really don't wanna hear what you have to say," she said.
Emiko sighed."We have to talk,okay?Why haven't you been returning my calls?"
"It's my phone,isn't it?I can answer and reject calls whenever I please."
"Really?Just like that?Without even considering how that'd make me feel?"
She glared at him."I've long stopped caring about your feelings since the day you disrespected mine,Emiko."
"You know what's disrespectful?You not giving me a chance to explain myself.A chance to clear things up."
"Did you sleep with her?" she asked pointedly,folding her arms.
Emiko froze,then swallowed."Yes,but it's not because of whatever you're thinking right now.I have about as much feelings for Aaliya as I do for a bird flying by.Heck,I detest her annoying ass."
"It doesn't alter the fact that your dick was in the vicinity of her vagina."
Emiko recoiled."Did you have to place it that way, Nina?Does that even matter? I feel nothing for her. "
"Then why'd you do it?"
"Because of you.I did it because of you."He sighed.
She scoffed and shook her head at him."So it's my fault now?How?"
"I..um..It doesn't matter,Nina.Look,what matters is I care about you and-"
"What do you mean,it doesn't matter?You ask for a chance to redeem yourself and I'm giving you one yet you say the reasons don't matter?"
"Nina,I can't... I can't tell you why I did it.Okay,fine,it wasn't your fault.It was mine,totally and completely mine.I fucked Aaliya without regarding your feelings. Now,can you forgive me so I can at least have some peace of mind?Cos you don't know half the turmoil I've been through knowing that I hurt someone who did not deserve it.Someone as sweet and innocent as you,Nina.I'm sorry.OK?"
Nina's arms were still folded and her stance still showed she was upset,but deep down she was glad.Glad she'd caused him pain.
"I'm not asking for us to be friends again,or to have any form of relationship," Emiko said."All I want is for you to forgive me."
Her heart broke a little then.He didn't want them to be friends?Or to have any form of relationship anymore?What?
For the love of God,she couldn't go to bed without thinking of the man.
How could he say that?
Did he not feel the same way as she did?
Her eyes widened a little.
That was it.He didn't have feelings for her.He only felt guilty because he'd hurt her sensitive heart.
Great.
Another man that felt pity for her.
Well,she didn't need him too then.She wasn't going to show him how weak she was by begging for them to be friends again.
Nina straightened and her hands fell to her sides.She clasped them together.
"All you want is forgiveness,right?Well,you're forgiven,Emiko White. Goodbye."
She turned and began to walk away.
Emiko opened his mouth to speak,then closed it and sighed as he watched her leave.
I can't call her back.I've hurt her enough.It's clear that she doesn't want to have anything to do with me.
She deserves someone better.

  †††††††††††††††††††††

"I'll be leaving now,Pey," Nina said as she walked up to her sister.
Peyton looked surprised. "What?"
"I have to get home.I haven't heard from Bella in two days,and I'm sure she must be worried.These past few days have been great with you,sister," Nina said,and hugged Peyton.
Peyton's expression softened at once."Oh,Nina,it's been great with you,too.And you're right,you should be getting home now.I have to get to work."
She arose,and they stood face to face.
"Are you okay,Nini?"Peyton asked,assessing her sister's face.
Nina gave a small smile."I'm fine."
"Aww,are you leaving,girls?" Lilo said,walking up to their side of the bar.
Nina's smile faded.
"Oh,come on,beautiful, you're not still mad at me,are ya?Is it cos I called you Mocha Girl? Fine,I'm sorry."
Nina rolled her eyes.
"You know she owns a company,right?" Peyton told him."Ever heard of Bellina Tigresses?"
He gasped."No..You own Bellina Tigresses?"
Peyton smirked."Yes,so show some respect, Liselotte."
Nina was shocked."You know this guy?"she asked,pointing at Lilo.
Lilo frowned deeply. "I told you not to call me by my full name, Peyton.You know how much I hate that name."
Peyton laughed."Yes,Nina,I know him.I drink coffee here everyday,and Lilo is extremely flirtatious. How could I not know him?"
"I suppose so," Nina said,sighing.
"Are you sure you're okay,Nini?"
"Yeah,Pey.Goodbye." She air kissed both her cheeks."Bye,Lilo."
Peyton and Lilo watched her exit the bar.
"Poor chic.She's obviously lovelorn,"Lilo commented.
"Yeah," Peyton agreed."I hope she'll get over it soon.Hey,you know my wedding's coming up,right?"
Lilo gasped in excitement. "No way!Congrats,Pey!Who's the lucky-"
"Where is she?Where is she?"Emiko asked frantically as he rushed out to meet Lilo.
Lilo frowned." Who?"
"The girl..the girl who was just here.Did you see her?Dark skinned,beautiful and wearing a blue dress?Where is she?"
"You mean Mocha Girl?" Lilo asked.
"Nina?" Peyton corrected,looking at Emiko carefully. Who could he be?And why was finding Nina so important to him?
"Yes,Nina," Emiko answered."Have you seen her?"
"Um.. She just left.I think-"
"Shit," he snapped and banged a palm on the counter.
Lilo's eyes widened."Well,I'll be damned,"he breathed softly."She's the one,isn't she?The one that's got you all hung over and mooning day and night?"
Peyton gasped."You must be the reason why she's been the same way for days."
She and Lilo shared a look.
"Small world," they muttered.
Emiko was lost in thought. He had to find Nina.
He had to tell her something important.