57

[ARTEMY]
She sat at the piano, lost in her thoughts, awaiting my arrival. Her gaze fixed on the wall ahead, she seemed distant, wrapped up in her own world. As I entered the room, her face brightened with a smile, and I settled myself on the sofa directly facing the piano, my focus solely on her.
Since morning, I hadn’t had a chance to speak to her. It seemed like she was intentionally avoiding me. Whenever our paths crossed, she would hurriedly change direction or pretend not to notice me. If our eyes happened to meet, her expression turned cold, her lips forming a tight line.
I continued to observe her, separated only by the piano between us. There was a strange look in her eyes when they briefly met mine, but then her expression turned blank again as she looked down at the keys.
Listening to the hauntingly beautiful music she played, I found myself captivated by her beauty and the serene look on her face. Merely sitting there silently, she commanded my complete attention.
After playing three songs, she ceased and opened her eyes, locking direct eye contact with me. I offered a gentle smile, hoping to convey my affection, but she disregarded it and walked over to the bookshelf. Each passing second as she deliberated over her choice of book, my nerves grew more restless.
Finally selecting a book, she returned to the sofa and sat beside me. Throughout, she remained silent and deliberately averted her eyes from mine. I waited anxiously for her to break the silence with some words.
I couldn’t gauge how much time had passed in our silent companionship. I attempted to focus on my work, but Rebecca’s presence occupied my mind entirely. Occasionally, I caught her stealing glances at me, swiftly turning away when our eyes met. I even witnessed her scowl at the book, her lips contorting in frustration.
Unable to endure the prolonged and frustrating silence any longer, I cleared my throat and shifted uncomfortably in my seat, attempting to draw Rebecca’s attention. However, she remained stubborn. Clearing my throat once more, I opened my mouth to speak but swiftly closed it, realizing that I had no words.
Frustration mounting, I turned my gaze to the wall, and a particular painting caught my eye. It depicted a breathtaking landscape, filled with vibrant, colorful flowers in a vast field.
That’s the key, I thought.
“Did you enjoy the flowers?” I asked, breaking the heavy silence that had settled between us.
“They were alright,” she replied in a rigid tone, her gaze fixated on the book in her hands.
What kind of response was that?
“So you did like them?” I inquired.
Rebecca shrugged nonchalantly. “They weren’t terrible.”
“Oh,” I murmured, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me as my shoulders drooped.
She didn’t actually appreciate them.
I swallowed hard, leaning back against the sofa. I had thought Rebecca would adore the flowers that Lyndahad given her, but clearly, I had misjudged the situation.
Running a tired hand over my face, I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of my mistake. My intention had been to uplift her spirits, but instead, I seemed to have made things worse.
After a few moments, I sensed Rebecca’s gaze upon me. She tensed up, quickly averting her eyes. I caught a glimpse of a defiant scowl etched on her face.
Suddenly, she rose from her seat, ready to leave.
“Where are you going?” I asked, standing up as well. Her steps faltered, and she turned around, facing me once again. Her shoulders squared with determination as she looked directly at me, her vibrant green eyes brimming with inscrutable emotions.
“I’m going to bed,” she stated firmly. “It’s late.”
That was it? I cleared my throat and nodded. “Alright then. Goodnight.”
We stood in silence, locked in a wordless exchange for a few seconds. She gave me a mute nod, then spun around and exited the room.
I watched her retreating figure, completely dumbfounded. What on earth had just happened?
I took a step back until I bumped into the sofa, my mind unable to process the sudden turn of events.
Rebecca hadn’t even bid me goodnight.
***
Three days had passed since everything changed between Rebecca and me. I sat in my office, frustration boiling inside me, as I pushed aside the papers in front of me. Three days of strained silence, with Rebecca barely uttering a word to me.
Leaning back in my chair, I let out a deep growl, my patience wearing thin. I couldn’t comprehend what I had done wrong. I had tried everything to bridge the gap between us, but she remained closed off, distant. I knew she wasn’t like that with others. I had seen her engaged in lively conversations with Lynda, a perpetual smile adorning her face, her eyes radiating joy.
Yet, when it came to me, her demeanor transformed. She either scowled or cast a disapproving frown in my direction. Sometimes, her expression was completely blank, devoid of any emotion. The situation had grown desperate. I longed for a genuine smile from her, to witness her eyes sparkle with happiness when they met mine, just as they did by the creek or when she first played the piano.
Feeling the weight of the situation, I closed my eyes tightly, massaging my forehead in an attempt to alleviate the mounting tension. Suddenly, the sound of the door opening snapped me back to reality. I straightened up and leaned forward, catching a glimpse of Lynda entering my office. She closed the door behind her, leaning against it in silence.
“What is it?” I inquired, resting both elbows on my desk, awaiting her response.
“What does Rebecca mean to you?” Lynda questioned, stepping closer, her tone laced with curiosity.
Taken aback by her unexpected inquiry, I pushed my chair back and stood up, circling the desk. “What kind of question is that?”
“It’s an important one,” she replied firmly, unyielding in her stance.
I wasn’t in the mood for a discussion, and I shot her a cold glare. “Listen-”
“Rebecca is not someone to be toyed with. So, if you’re only interested in using her, don’t. Don’t hurt her, Artemy. She doesn’t deserve it, and she’s not like those women you casually involve yourself with,” Lynda spat out with intensity.
Confusion and anger coursed through me. “What are you talking about? I would never treat Rebecca that way!” Taking a step toward her, I tried to convey my sincerity, but she stood her ground, defiant.
“How do you truly feel about her?” Lynda’s relentless questioning threatened to push me over the edge.
“It’s none of your business,” I hissed, my patience wearing thin.
“Yes, it is! Because if you hurt her-”
“I’m not going to hurt her!” I interjected, my voice laden with frustration, interrupting her before she could finish her warning.
Her shoulders slumped, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. “Rebecca was really hurt when she saw you with Bernadette,” she said, her voice filled with concern.
“I know,” I whispered, my heart sinking.
“She has strong feelings for you, Artemy. She’s already emotionally invested in you.”
My heart raced, and a strange sensation twisted in my stomach. Emotions welled up inside me, forming a tight knot in my chest. The mere thought of Rebecca experiencing even a fraction of what I felt for her sent my heart into a frenzy.
Fear gripped me as it always did. I didn’t want to ruin this, but I struggled to navigate my own emotions. When things became overwhelming, I tended to shut down. I didn’t want Rebecca to bear the brunt of my emotional struggles-I wanted to shield her from any pain.
“If you don’t feel the same way, let her go. Don’t hurt her,” Lynda urged.
I swallowed hard and averted my gaze. “I don’t fully comprehend what I feel for Rebecca. But I can’t bear to see her hurt or unhappy. When I’m with her, she consumes my thoughts entirely. She’s everything to me,” I confessed, feeling the weight of my words.
Lynda’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I won’t hurt her, Lynda. Hurting her is the last thing I want to do.”
A smile lit up her face. Shaking my head at her, I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Is that why you came here? To find out how I feel about Rebecca?” I asked.
Lynda nodded, her expression filled with concern. “I’m just worried. Rebecca is not someone you can toy with. She’s innocent and fragile. You have to woo her gently and be patient.”
“I understand,” I replied, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
Lynda clapped her hands together and bounced on her toes. “Okay,” she said.
“Is that all?” I inquired.
“Yup. You can get back to work now.”
Lynda gave me another smile and turned to leave. “Wait,” I called out.
She turned back, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. “Yeah?”
How the hell was I supposed to ask this without sounding like a complete idiot?
I swallowed hard, mustering my courage. “What kind of flowers do women like?”
The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to kick myself.
Lynda stared at me in silence for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.
I shot her a fierce glare, and she quickly stifled her laughter with a cough. “Sorry!” she apologized.
Crossing my arms defensively, I impatiently awaited her response.
Lynda shook her head, still grinning. “You’re so silly,” she remarked.
“I don’t think Rebecca liked the flowers I gave her,” I retorted, trying to defend myself.
Instead of answering, Lynda turned around and opened the door.
“She loved the flowers, Artemy,” she stated with a wink, before exiting and closing the door behind her.
I stood there, speechless and astonished.
Rebecca loved the flowers?
As realization washed over me, I leaned against the desk and let out a chuckle.
Ah, so the game is afoot, I thought with a smirk.