Chapter 242 The Confession (1/2)

Sophia was just sitting there, all confused at where this was all heading.

”Why did he reject them, you ask?” Kyle said and looked straight at Ali, ”Should I tell her, or will you?”

”Don't you dare, Kyle,” Ali said through gritted teeth.

Kyle wasn't affected at all, and tilted his head towards Sophia, ”Do you want to know?”

Sophia looked at Kyle then at Ali, who appeared quite angry at Kyle and she shook her head, ”No. This is Ali's private matter. He'll tell me if he wants to, but I wouldn't force him to.”

Ali was relieved. Until Kyle opened his mouth again, catching him completely unawares.

”I would,” Kyle said, ”He rejected them because of you.”

”KYLE!!” Ali roared, running over to him and pouncing on him.

Kyle merely avoided the arm grab, taking it into his hands and in a split second, now had Ali's face smashed on the desk, one arm twisted around his back while Kyle had another arm across the back of Ali's neck.

Bringing down his head to Ali's ears, but never breaking eye contact with Sophia who was now just frozen on her chair, Kyle said, ”Now listen closely, you stupid fool. I gave you one week. One WEEK and what have you done?!”

Ali struggled but Kyle didn't break his hold on Ali.

”How the hell is Sophia ever going to know if you keep being so wishy-washy?! She has absolutely no idea what is in your mind and the way you keep tiptoeing around is seriously pissing me off,” Kyle said in a huff.

”Look, Sophia. Ali is so in love with you that he's driving me crazy,” Kyle said, making Ali that he held below him just freeze.

”So all I want to know now is, do you love him?”

Sophia's face was ashen white, her mouth gaping open, her brain slow in processing what was happening.

It was just too insane to describe.

Kyle let go of his hold on Ali then, who now didn't know what to do. Should he remain frozen on the table? Should he get up? Why did Kyle let him go then?! He couldn't even pretend to be held down now.

Kyle brushed his two hands together, getting rid of some imaginary dust in his hands.

”There. Done,” Kyle announced, ”The rest is up to you, Ali.”

Kyle then walked towards the door, intending to go out. As he put his hand on the doorknob, he turned to look behind him.

Sophia was still sitting like a statute on the chair and Ali was still stuck on the table. Kyle sighed and shook his head.

”Ali, this was the easiest part to get through but it had to be done, before you take the next step,” Kyle said to the two unmoving figures, ”Sophia, Ali is deathly afraid of what you're going to say. If you feel nothing for him, then just make a clean break. If you do feel the same, then both of you need to talk this out.”

Kyle left then, closing the door firmly.

When the click of the door sounded, signaling that Kyle had gone out, Ali finally lifted his head. He didn't know where to look - ok, he did but he didn't have the courage to look yet. He closed his eyes, adjusted himself and sat on the chair that Kyle had vacated.

Finally opening his eyes, he saw Sophia just staring at him.

He banged his head on the table and mumbled, ”Sorry about that.”

”Is it true?” he heard her ask.

”Is what true?” he asked back, confused for a second.

She kept quiet, unable to ask. It sounded ridiculous to ask. Do you love me? How can anyone ask that?!

And why was Ali really so stupid not to be able to figure out what she was asking him?

Like, really?

So she just stared at him and he finally had the sense to look sheepish.

Rubbing the back of his neck that was actually slightly painful from Kyle's headlock, he sighed. Kyle was right. He needs to get this over and done with. Make it like when you take out a plaster. Rip it off in one shot.

”Yes, I rejected all 10 bride candidates the moment I realised I am in love with you,” Ali said clearly, ”I kept comparing them to you.”

He looked down, clasping his hands together and started fidgeting in the chair, ”I'm not telling you this to make you uncomfortable, or to blame you in any way.”

Sophia's mind was reeling.

Ali was in love with her? He felt the same way? He did? Really?

Tears formed in her eyes then, as the feeling overwhelmed her completely. To find out that the person you love, loves you back was indescribable - especially when you were convinced he had no such feelings. When you had accepted it and pocketed it away.