The Nine and a Love (ON HIATUS)

23.

Evelyn made her way towards Adrian and came beside him. Adrian regarded her and smiled widely at her. 

"What did the Chairman say to you?" Evelyn asked casually.

"She was asking about my parents," Adrian answered in a shrug, "They couldn't attend the function as they're out of the station." He added. 

Evelyn regarded his words and looked towards her mother only to find her mother looking intently towards her way. Evelyn threw her mother a bitter look before snapping away from her. But then her eyes landed on Carla who was talking elegantly to a middle-aged gentleman.

"Carla seems very feminine," Evelyn said as she observed her silently from a distance. Adrian expression turned cold at the mention of her name and threw a glare towards her way. "Is she in our class?" She asked casually and looked at Adrian.

"Yes, she is," Adrian answered coldly.

"You don't have a good term with her?" Evelyn pointed out from his expression and asked with her raised eyebrows. Adrian looked at her and his expression turned soft.

"It was in the past and I still hate her," Adrian said under his gritted teeth but his eyes were soft on Evelyn. Evelyn creased her brows and gave him a confused look. "We were kind of more than friends and things got complicated," He said quietly.

"Wait, what!" Evelyn explained in complete shocked. "Don't tell me she dated you and Nathan at the same time," She uttered. Adrian creased his brows slightly before letting out a soft chuckle.

"Let's go for a walk, shall we?" Adrian said and extended his arm towards her. Evelyn stared at him for a moment before nodding at him and tugging her arm into his.

They walked out of the hall and leisurely strolled towards the garden. "Nathan and I got in some ill terms last year. It was my fault though," Adrian said under his dry laugh. "I thought what Carla and I had was more than friends. Nathan had a thing for her too and she chose him. I acted too immature at that moment and end up fighting with him." He explained in a remorseful tone and sheepishly did a light scratch at the back of his head.

"We avoided each other for more than a month, or it was only me avoiding both of them. But everything is fine now, except that I still hate Carla." Adrian said and spat at the last few words.

"C'mon," Evelyn stopped at her track and turned him to face her. "Why do you still hate her? It was just the feelings that got carried away." She said thoughtfully.

"I just hate her," Adrian said in a shrug.

"You're still immature," Evelyn said, shaking her head.

"Can you at least let me hate her peacefully?" Adrian said amusedly. Evelyn chuckled softly before continuing to walk. But then Adrian gently grabbed on her arm and turn her around to face him. He simply stared down at her with a soft smile and didn't say anything. Evelyn stared at him for a moment before slowly turning her gaze down on the grass below. She could have been playful and retort at him but she didn't do so. She now knows how much pain has he been through when she rejected him because she went through the same recently. 

"Evelyn," Adrian called out softly.

"What?" She said quietly as she tilted her head up to see him.

"Is there any chance for you to feel the same for me?" He asked softly with a smile. But she could feel the pain coming from his voice which he couldn't hide it. 

"I'm sorry, I can't." She answered quietly. "I love someone." She said directly. She knows that she will be hurting him more but it's better this way so that he will get over her soon and he won't be hurting anymore. And moreover, she doesn't want to give him any false hope and make things complicated. She has always been direct and will always be.