Better Paradise

Chapter 55

JESSWELIE

Reika and I found solace in each other's company after the intense argument between Lily and Ryle. It was baffling to discover that Lily and Ryle had been childhood friends all along, and yet Ryle had remained oblivious to this fact, recognizing Lily only by her nickname.

As we sat in the park, Reika's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. "Hey, why are you spacing out again? Are you still thinking about what happened earlier?" she asked, her eyes searching for my attention.

"I just can't wrap my head around it. How could Lily have known about their shared past while Ryle was completely clueless?" I replied, my voice tinged with surprise. Reika mirrored my thoughts, her expression pensive.

"It's possible that Lily never found the right moment to reveal the truth to Ryle," she mused, munching on popcorn. The sound of her chewing filled the air as we lounged on a picnic blanket in the park, attempting to ease the tension left behind by the heated confrontation.

In the aftermath of the argument, none of us could believe the events that unfolded. Fortunately, Megan wasn't present during the ordeal, being preoccupied with her own matters lately. It was hard not to notice that she seemed busier than usual, and as a result, we seldom had the chance to spend quality time with her.

"And then there's Kian's involvement. We stumbled upon the truth accidentally when we overheard Megan and Ate Mitch conversing on the rooftop," I explained, pausing to observe Reika's reaction as she turned her head toward me, popcorn still occupying her mouth.

She really does have an insatiable appetite.

Curiosity gleaming in her eyes, Reika questioned, "Do you know anything about what happened? And when did this conversation take place?"

"It happened when Miracle was still in the hospital. Niccolo and I bumped into Ate Mitch, who was providing support to Miracle. Inquiring about Megan's whereabouts, Niccolo asked Ate Mitch, who then pointed us toward the rooftop, mentioning that Megan was speaking with Kian. When we arrived, Kian was speaking, so we confronted him. That's when we were taken aback to learn about his past relationship with Lily. Kian had retreated to his hometown, heartbroken and without anyone to turn to since we were unaware of his involvement with Lily," I recounted, causing Reika to fall silent.

"You know, bro, I can't help but feel frustrated with Lily. She toyed with Kian's emotions, even though he deeply loved her. It's unfair how she treated him," Reika sighed, her disappointment palpable.

"I share your sentiment, Reika. When I first found out, anger surged within me. Yes, we used to tease Kian and play tricks on him, but he remained loyal to the person he cared for," I replied, a bittersweet smile crossing my lips.

It's difficult to accept why Kian had to endure such heartache. He doesn't deserve this pain.

Reika, leaning against my shoulder as she continued to munch on popcorn, chimed in with empathy. "The only mistake Kian made was loving the wrong person. It seems they were caught up in the wrong timing and circumstances," she stated, her words laced with understanding.

Observing her indulgence in yet another bag of popcorn, I couldn't help but remark, "That's already your second bag, and you haven't even offered me a single piece. You're quite the greedy one, aren't you?"

A mischievous smile danced across Reika's face as she savored her snack. "Well, you know how it goes. Finders keepers," she teased, her tone lightening the somber atmosphere.

Shifting the conversation away from the events of the day, we engaged in other topics. However, after some time, Reika abruptly stood up, causing the surroundings to morph into a vibrant shade of orange. A smile graced her lips, capturing my attention.