The Curse Of A Certain Star

CHAPTER 22✨FARTHER APART

Living in this lovely changing canvass of weather, crowd's murmurs, street noise, and playful wind, even the subtle shifts in light patterns bring interest for the eye. Everything seems perfect in this late afternoon, seeing how slowly the sun sets majestically on its own.

Today is almost perfect but pretty sure not for Clarisse. She used to go to Dream Delight Cafe to savour her favourite coffee but this time, it's different. The bitter-sweet vibrant aroma was just around the coffee shop. Before, she used to be jolly while waiting for Orion but now she just couldn't manage to show her genuine smile.

After what happened to them yesterday in the basement, they haven't talked to each other yet, not even a single word. Clarisse hasn't gathered up all of her courage to talk to Orion, but she doesn't have a choice. She was just sitting still on her favourite spot with her coffee as usual. But she couldn't even enjoy it because her nervousness is slowly eating her up. Waiting for him was her plan, she doesn't want to interrupt him from working.

Clarisse doesn't know how will she start conversing with Orion, by just looking at him she knows he's not in the mood. She knew that Orion saw her already but he just laid his eyes on her for just a second, for a conversation. Now, she completely felt invisible to him.

Right after Orion's shift, Clarisse stands up making her way out the door. She wished the numbness of her bottom from waiting will become worth it when she finally talked to Orion. She took a deep breathe when she saw him walking towards the door, getting near her. She was kinda shocked when Orion just passed through her without even spilling a stare at her. She chaste him, every big step that he makes was a double effort for her.

"Hey, Orion..." She called him, almost chasing her breath.

"Talk to me." She continued, pulling his arm which made Orion stopped. 'Finally he stopped although he's glazing at me like he doesn't even care,' she said inside her.

"Spill it, I don't have much time." He coldly stated as he moved his arm away from her.

'Since when did he became so busy? He always makes time for me, but now...' Clarisse thought while staring at his sharp looks.

The sidewalk's breeze was soothing as newly chilled air moves the clouds, streaks of brilliance breakthrough from a setting sun. But it doesn't suit the awkward aura that has been building up between them.

"I just wanted to talk to you, Orion. Let's clear all the misunderstandings--" He cut her and replied a bit louder than she assumpted.

"Talk? Tell me what should we talk about, we knew the awful truth already, right?" He scoffs, "No worries, I don't need your further unworthy explanations." He sarcastically chuckled but deep inside he doesn't want to face Clarisse any moment now.

Behind those fake smiles, and sarcastic chuckles, she can see how the pain from his past was revived and they didn't expect that it will ignite badly. That was the pain he was trying to bury into a void for a long time, she was certain about it.

"Look, these aren't my choices, Orion. I never wanted to end up in a situation like this. But I don't really know what happened." She looked down, anxious about what she should feel.

Orion smirked, "You know what, I never thought I'd fall in love with the reincarnation of the woman who ruined my whole life." He sighed before holding Clarisse's hands, "To be honest, loving you was young, wild, and free. Loving you was like a bright star, safe, and sound. a steady place to let down my defenses." He paused, giving himself time to stare at every detail of her lovely face. He didn't know that truth really hurts, badly.

"But loving you had consequences, Clarisse." Orion continued and with that, he slowly let go of her hands with his bare cold emotions. He knows very well how to manipulate his fake feelings in front of others but he doesn't know how long he could do it in front of Clarisse.