Chapter 206 - BestFriends (1/2)
”Tiana, we've been waiting for you. Everyone, Tiana is here!” Claire exclaimed as she led her in to greet the rest of the crew.
Tiana forced a smile to her face as she greeted everyone. It was just Leo, Claire, Larissa, the director, and three staff members. After talking for a while, they all walked out to the jet.
She felt her heart fall into her stomach when she glanced at the spot Nicklaus was standing a few minutes ago and he was gone.
Tiana twirled the ring on her finger, her mind lost in thought. They just got up in the air but she already felt as though she had stayed a whole day away from him. Everything around her felt stuffy and Tiana wondered if she could even go the whole week without him.
Claire's laughter made her look up from her hand, she was talking to the director and they were both laughing; Tiana's brows creased when she turned to Leo and saw that he was sitting alone. She supported her head with her elbow as she watched him; once in a while, he would stare at Claire then after a moment, he would look away. Tiana's brows creased when she saw an emotion in his eyes, were they fighting? She wondered. After a moment, she stood up from her seat and walked to where Leo was sitting down beside him.
Leo turned to her with a smile; ''Tiana? Came to keep me company? '' Tiana laughed and nodded;
''Mm; feeling bored, since you were alone, thought maybe we should chat''
Leo chuckled as he watched her stretch her limbs before putting on her seatbelt.
They were quiet for a second before Tiana spoke; ''are the two of you fighting? ''
Leo turned to her with creased brows; ''why should we be fighting? ''
He asked, looking surprised that she had noticed; was it that obvious?
''Well, '' Tiana said, turning to look at Claire who was smiling now; ''the Claire I know would have been sitting here, and laughing with you and not the director. Since I arrived, she has barely spoken with you, so I noticed, but don't worry, it is okay if you don't want to talk about it. ''
Leo was quiet for a moment, ''we're not fighting; she's just, she's just avoiding me. ''
''why? '' Tiana asked, her eyes staring at him keenly.
Leo swallowed unable to think of a reply; ''because you like her? ''
Leo's eyes widened and he turned quickly to look at Tiana; with the question 'how did you know' inscribed on his face.
Tiana laughed; ''Ha-ha, it's obvious that you like her; I think everyone sees it, but since you guys are best friends, they don't see a need to talk about it. ''
Leo brushed his hand through his hair;
''Did you tell her? '' Tiana asked and he shook his head;
''No, not yet; I think she's avoiding me because I've been a little more caring recently and she's suspecting that I would tell her, she's avoiding me so she doesn't give me the chance to.''
His gaze darkened as he took a peek at Claire;
Tiana thought for a moment; ''if she's avoiding you, then she's afraid of what you would say. She doesn't want to be put to a corner, where she would be forced to choose. In other words, she doesn't want to destroy the friendship you both have if she doesn't give the reply you want to hear. ''
Leo felt a hitch in his throat and he looked out the window briefly;
''how long have you loved her? ''
Tiana asked and a light chuckle escaped his lips; ''from the first day I set my eyes on her, seven years ago.''
Tiana's eyes widened in shock and she turned to look at Claire;
How in the hell did he love her for so long and she couldn't see it?
''When we became close, I wanted to tell her on several occasions, but I couldn't bring myself to, and one day, she invited me over for dinner, and I planned I would tell her that day, but when I came to her home, she was with another man, and she introduced me to him as her best friend.'' He paused, chuckling lightly;
''From that day onwards, I bottled up my feelings for her and became the best friend she wanted. I thought after all these years, she would love me but it seems it was all in my head; after so long, she still doesn't feel the same way. ''
Leo laughed painfully.