Destined ||EDITING||

16. Conclusions

{Flashback}

My cellphone rang and I picked up the call. Despite not wanting to talk to him, I decided to answer.

-"What is it now, Antwan York?"- I asked as serious as I could.

He chuckled at the other side of the line.

How I wish he could see my furious and disgusted face right now...If looks could , he'd be killed twice by now.

I hear him clear his throat.

-"So, I bet you're still hanging around with that guy, huh?"- he says disgustedly.

I roll my eyes.

-" Yes. What about it?"- I reply seriously.

Why are you meddling in my life, Antwan?

-"He's no good for you , Riki. You're just going to end harmed, you know"- he continued.

-"By whom? By you? Are you threatening me, Antwan?"- I confront him.

-"Me? By that guy"-

-"Since when do you even care about me? Stop meddling in my life!"-

-"Tsk...What's with that attitude Rikilda? Since when do you raise your voice against ME? It's that guy, isn't it?!"-

My eyes widened as I realized that I was fighting back. I just want Antwan to stop talking to me, but if I hanged up abruptly, he would simply come by and who knows what could happen...I sigh and avert my gaze.

-"That man is going to harm you, Riki. He's going to harm you so much. I'm sure of it."- he continued.

-"Stop getting involved in my life, Antwan. If that's all you have to say to me, I will hang up."- I'm extremely irritated.

-"Do as you please. Just know that when you are crying again, I will be the one next to you, not him"-

-"You have a girlfriend, Antwan! Pay attention to her NOT me! Don't you get it? I don't want to be with you anymore! I DON'T LOVE YOU!"-

I hand up at throw the phone aside. My arms are now wrapped around my legs and angry tears start pouring down my face. Suddenly, a small smile crosses my face. I was slowly starting to feel relieved. Even though I was extremely furious with Antwan, I felt happy with myself. I was starting to free myself from Antwan York's grasp.

{Present}

Ash and I were at the second story of the house, right at the balcony watching the snowflakes slowly fall from the sky. Once again, Ash wrapped his scarf around me. I stood there in silence unable to speak. Deep inside I was wished I could turn back time and save my parents...

-"You are kind of like snowflakes...You hide your tears with smiles, don't you?"-Ash is the one to break the silence between us as he catches one snowflake on the palm of his left hand and shows it to me.

I want this to stop...Everything in my life is fake....

-"Ash...I know about your mother"-I say as I look down trying to avoid eye contact with him.

He tilts his head to one side a little confused.

-"What are you talking about?"- he asks.

-"I saw her back in my mother's trial. She told me earlier that she's a detective working on the Archer Case."-

Ash's shoulders stiffen. He then scratches his chin and sighs deeply.

-"I found about that recently...I'm sorry for hiding that from you. I thought that it would be very weird if I told you that my mother was working on that case. Of course, I do not know anything she's doing because that's confidential."- Ash explained apologetically.

My hands become fists as I bite my lower lip. Not knowing what else to do, I spoke out without even thinking.

-"Liar"- the words slip from my lips.

No! That's not what I want to say!

-"You were just following me in order to obtain information for your mother."- my words keep coming out coldly.

I wasn't even sure if he was truly following me with that purpose or not, but I was too conflicted...

I wish this was just a joke.

-"What are you talking about, Riki?! Why would I do that?"-said Ash with a stern expression.

Don't look at me like that, Ash.

-"You're just a sweet guy who'd help anyone who is in need. Ash...I think you've done more than enough for me. Shouldn't you stop getting involved with me?"- I finally look at him.

His expression made my heart ache. Those beautiful green-hazel eyes were filled with frustration. Ash looked at me genuinely confused.

-"Riki...what has gotten into you? Do you even know what you're saying?"- Ash places his hands over my shoulders.

His grip on my shoulders are tight.

No Ash, I don't know why I am even saying this to you, so please let me go so I can run away and hide somewhere in order to drown my embarrassment, my anger and my sadness.

Suddenly, I found myself wrapped around his strong arms. The scarf slowly left my neck and began falling along with the snowflakes until it finally reached the ground. I didn't know why he was hugging me.

-"Let me go..."-I speak.

Ash holds me even tighter.

-"Do you hate me that much?"-said Ash with a pained and deep voice.

What? Why would I ever hate you, Ash?

-"Am I that annoying to you? I'm sorry if I have bothered you so much, but I--- Please do not run away from me..."- he continued.

Why do you want me so close to you?

-"I just want to make you happy...Can you at least let me stay by your side until I can grant you that one and only selfish wish?"- he said as he finally looked at me with saddened eyes.

-"Just...what am I to you?"- I immediately cover my mouth with both hands.

The question had skipped from my mouth. His eyes widened and his grip on my shoulders loosened up giving me the chance to free myself from his arms and run inside. I lock myself in the room they had offered me. Slowly, I fall on my knees with my back against the door while still covering my mouth with both hands.

What have I just said out loud? Why did I say that?!

My heart was beating loudly inside of my chest and my ears were burning. A wry smile crosses my face. I knew exactly why I was acting so foolishly, but I am too stubborn to admit what the feeling is.
...

3rd POV

Time passed and Riki never went back to the balcony or showed up down stairs. Riki Archer had fallen asleep on the floor right in front of the bed. There's a light knock on the door followed by a male voice calling out her name softly.

-"I'm coming in"- he says.

The door opens slowly, he enters the room and spots her asleep on the floor. Letting out a heavy sigh, he crouches down and studies her sleeping face. Realizing that she was completely asleep, he picked her up between his arms and placed her gently over the bed. He then placed the covers over her to keep her warm through the night and then brushed away some hair strands that had fallen over her eyes. He seems to say something almost to himself, but it's quite inaudible. The only thing that is audible is: "...you". He walks towards the door and looks over his shoulder. He quietly leaves the room while Riki laid fastly asleep on the bed with a very relaxed expression on her face.