Chapter 148 - 53 (2/2)

”I refuse.”

Calvin's head span from her answer. Pain registered in his eyes, and his legs wobbled for a fraction of second before he was back to his domineering self. ”I wasn't asking for your opinion. It's what I decided, and that is what it should be.”

Evangeline crossed her arms and leaned back, tongue pressing her inner cheeks while she shook her head a little. ”I have heard numerous proposals before, but yours is really one of a kind. You still haven't changed, have you, Calvin Devondale?”

Neck tipping back in an arrogant stance, Calvin didn't answer.

”Tell you what. If you can honestly answer a simple question of mine, I will consider your proposal. How about that?”

Calvin pressed his lips tight, repressing his victory grin before he spoke in a bored tone, ”Very well. I will indulge you. What is it that you want to ask me?”

Tilting her head, Evangeline smiled.

”Do you love me?”

”Of course.”

Calvin answered straight away with confidence. He walked closer to Evangeline and cupped her face, looking directly in her eyes.

”Since we're on these topics, I'll be honest with you. In our time in elementary I already like you. I just have a weird and imm.a.t.u.r.e way of showing it. And for that, I will make it up to you. For a lifetime.”

”. . .”

Staring into those purple eyes, so beautiful like sparkling amethyst, Calvin lowered his head, wanting to fulfill his dream of kissing her pouty lips.

But before his mouth could come close, Evangeline turned and back away, creating distance between them once more.

Calvin had a delayed reaction, couldn't comprehend her vacant eyes and smirking lips. And when he did realize, his heart thuds dully in his c.h.e.s.t.

”No,” Evangeline said, expression colder than before. ”No. You don't love me.”

Lips pulling back, bearing his teeth, Calvin growled, ”What do you mean by that? Are you questioning my feelings for you?”

Here he was, swallowing his pride to tell his honest feelings only for her to question it.

Evangeline sauntered past him, tucking a hair that was blown by the chilly air as she spoke in a soft tone.

”I said, you don't love me. Because if you did . . . you and I should have been together a long time ago,”

”. . .”

. . .

. . .

Calvin's head was spinning once more, and the numbness in his c.h.e.s.t left him stunned. What did she mean by that? The answer was painfully obvious, and he was aware of it. Only, he didn't acknowledge it. Didn't want to face the reason he had loved his pride more than her.

He grabbed her hand. ”It's not too late. Become mine, and I'll make it up to you.”

Evangeline stared at him with dead eyes, which caused his limbs to feel heavy and weak. Still, he didn't let her go.

”Not too late?” Evangeline questioned thick with sarcasm before she pulled her hand. ”You are already ten years too late.”

”That's not important. What's important is the feeling is mutual.”

. . .

. . .

”. . . Mutual?”

Evangeline bent double and laughed. Not minding her image, she laughed so hard.

”Mutual? Mutual? You believe I like you?!”

She then straightened and wiped the tears from her eyes while Calvin remained tight lip, expression tensed.

After some time, she raised her head high and sneered. ”Let me tell you what I honestly feel about you since you seem to have a wrong idea.”

Crossing her arms, she tilted her body to the side, eyes cold.

”When I was down, what were you doing? You ganged up on me and hid my shoes. Whenever I was alone, you pulled my hair that my mother spent hours styling. When I was betrayed by my so-called friends, instead of comfort, you made fun of me. And when my mother died, you just didn't insult me saying, 'I'm an unwanted child,' but you broke the bracelet my mother made for me.”

Jutting her chin, Evangeline's eyes blaze with fury. ”I just don't dislike you. I hate you.”

Flipping her hair, she turned and walked away.

Calvin could only stare at her. Sorrow overwhelmed his heart –– sorrow at the realization that no matter what he did, he could no longer repair their relationship.

Evangeline was right . . . he was ten years too late.

Heat coiled behind his eyes, and he bolted to her. If she let her go now, everything would really be too late.

As he was nearing Evangeline, intending to grab her in a tight hug, someone appeared in front of them.