It Was Supposed to Blossom

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Lilly POV

I had volunteered to check on Ryan and Arden when Derrick commented on how long they were taking. So I got up and went down the corridor to his office, thinking about the two of them as a couple. They looked good together, undeniably, they've been friends for way longer than I've known Ryan, and whoever forgot the face of Arden Cho would be incredibly dumb.

Could Ryan's feelings for me be swayed by her?

I got my answer seconds later as I pulled the door open. And my jaw dropped.

A couple stood there, kissing. It was Ryan. With Arden. 

Together. Kissing.

Shocked into silence, I watched her drape an arm around his neck, rake the other hand through his hair, hold his body close to hers. When Ryan put his hands on the small of her back, I thought I was going to be sick.

My mouth dropped open and I could no longer feel my legs. 

Tears sprang to my eyes, but I blinked them away quickly. How could someone seemingly so genuine and sincere just crush my heart like that? How? How? I felt incredibly foolish. How could I've let my heart be so easily swayed? How could I not have seen this coming?

There was another reason as to why all my past boyfriends did not work out: there was always a new girl, prettier, younger, more attractive, ready to take my spot at any time. And once I lost that special glow that got me boys in the first place, they moved on.

Just then, Ryan pulled away from Arden, and when he turned and caught sight of me, his body turned to stone. Arden, however, wore a smug look on her face instead.

Her eyes, now more venomous black than night sky, communicated to me I've got Ryan. I won. And you lost.

Sometimes, I was really a sore loser.

I didn't even register anything until Ryan's trembling lips shaped into words. "Lilly. Lilly, Lilly. I'm so, so sorry. It's not what it looks like, I swear!" He reached out and tugged at my wrist, and his eyes were so pleading that I wanted to agree, calm down, let him provide an explanation. But...

"I know what I saw." I respond coldly, shaking off Ryan's grip on me. "I have to go. Sorry I can't stay for the whole shoot, but maybe Arden can take my place." A sarcastic grin stretched tightly across my face. "Seven minutes in heaven with her sure sounds like fun, doesn't it?" 

I walked down the corridor quickly, hoping no one could see the tears that clung to my lashes. I entered the living room to grab my bag. I thanked God I had come in my car and could make a quick getaway. I had promised to bring Liza home after shooting, but unfortunately, she had to get her own ride today.

"Lilly?" Liza asked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I shot her a brief smile. "Something...came up. I have to leave. You can get an Uber, right?" Without waiting for her answer, and ignoring the others' concerned voices, I slammed out of the door and headed down the driveway, as fast as I could with a plaster cast. 

"Lilly!" In spite of myself, I turned around. But it wasn't Ryan but Liza rushing down the driveway. When she reached me, she placed a hand on my arm and asked me, "Lilly. I know there is no emergency. What happened?"

She asked this question so sweetly, with so much genuine concern and worry for me, that I felt the tears rise up again. I turned to her, my face bleak. "I saw them, Liza. Ryan and Arden. Kissing." By Liza's expression, I could tell she knew I didn't want to regard Ryan as just a friend. 

"Lilly..." Liza began. "I think Ryan really likes you. I'm sure there was some kind of misunderstanding. Sure, Arden was being kind of flirty earlier, but-"

"I know he'd rather be with her than me." I interject bitterly. "She's the perfect package, and they've known each other for so long. I saw them kissing, for crying out loud. If Ryan chooses to be with Arden, it can't be any of my business." 

"But you like him too! I can see it. Really, I can." She pulled at my arm. "Please. Come back inside. We can talk this out. Please, Lilly?"

I almost gave in, but I had to stand firm to what I chose to do.

"I'm sorry, Liza." I gently tugged her hand off. "I'll call you later, OK?"

"Lilly, wait!" She cried, but I was already getting into my car and starting up the engine. 

Suddenly, a new face in the rearview mirror caught my attention. I shifted slightly in the driver's seat and saw Ryan emerging, with Arden almost catching up to him. I saw his mouth move into muted screams and calls for me to come back, but I turned away. I couldn't bear to look at him. He had so brazenly, convincingly lied about having feelings for me, used his sweet words to twist me around his finger, when he clearly had a thing for Arden Cho.

And on top of all that, I had genuinely fallen for his act. I had fallen for him, when it was all a big lie. 

Fighting down my humiliation and hurt and anger, I pushed down hard on the pedal and drove off in a spray of gravel.