Aileen
“Thanks for dropping me at home. And also for getting along with my whining. I know I trouble you a lot,” I said to Marshall who stood in front of me.
He smiled complimentarily and patted on my shoulder. “It’s okay, I don’t mind doing these things for you. Call me if you need help. I’ll be there.”
I nodded in response.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come inside?”
“Hm, yup. Your parents aren’t at home. And if I see the Alpha right now, I will be dead. I want to get some good night’s sleep if possible. So, I’m leaving. Goodnight.”
“Uh….” He’s facing problems because of me. I feel bad using him like that.
Suddenly, he patted on my head. I looked up to see him smiling.
“You don’t have to feel guilty. I’m not blaming you for anything. So, go inside and sleep. I know you don’t want to talk to him yet.”
He knows me so well.
“Thanks for worrying about me so much. Sorry about the trouble, goodnight.”
“No trouble, goodnight.” He added with a wink then walked over to his car and got inside.
He waved at me while driving past the pack premises. I headed inside and went up to my room.
When I closed the door behind me, I remembered Dave’s words when he told us to leave the two of them alone.
He really…. picked Mom over me. That’s why he doesn’t understand why I’m hurt, why I’m angry, why I feel heartbroken.
He has changed now. The previous Dave wouldn’t act like this towards me. But, what brought this sudden change in him?
Yes, since the day they went on a date. Did something happen there that made him realize his feelings towards her? This…. can’t be true right?
If he has grown fond of her, then what’s going to happen to me now? Does he no longer need me?
I changed my clothes and searched for something in my drawer and found the amusement theme tickets that Dave gave me.
I took it out and checked the last date to use it which was in one week. These look expensive. It would be a waste to not use it.
But, I’m not in the mood to go out and have fun. I tucked them aside and closed the drawer.
A few minutes later, I heard voices downstairs. Dave and Mom must be back home.
I turned off the lights and dived onto the bed, pretending to sleep.
A few moments later, I heard footsteps approaching my room. Who’s this? Dave? Or Mom?
Did I lock the door?
A knock on the door followed. “Aileen, are you asleep? Would you please open the door?”
I was about to respond but stayed silent.
“Aileen!” she called several times but as she didn’t get any response she went away.
I kept lying down while staring up at the ceiling.
What the heck am I doing with my life? I’m just running away from everything! And here I wanted to help out Becky.
I’m no different than her, am I?
Afterward, I tried to sleep, but didn’t feel sleepy so I went through my phone. Out of nowhere, Rosalia texted me.
“Hey, are you up?”
I texted her up. “Yeah, what’s up?”
We were chatting for a few minutes but the sound of footsteps approaching my room drew my attention.
Is Mom here again?
The light was still off, I just pretended to be asleep while hiding my phone under the covers.
Even if she comes inside she’ll leave anyway.
A few seconds later, the door opens slowly. I tried to peek and noticed the silhouette of a man’s shoulder stepping inside.
I realized right away it was Dave. My heart started beating like crazy seeing him. W-why on earth is he inside my room? And he didn’t even knock.
What is he planning? Is this his way of confronting me because I ignored him in the day?
Still, that’s too extreme!
Closing the door shut, he slowly approached the bed. Yup, he’s here for me.
Does he think just because he entered my room when I was asleep, I would talk to him and forgive him? No way.
I’m not that kind at all!
When he stood close to the bed, I could smell his scent very clearly. He still hasn’t changed out of his outside clothes it seems. The lingering cologne was the proof of it.
I don’t understand his intentions.
After a few seconds, he sat down on the bed next to me. Then observed my face in great detail.
I was trying my best to keep my eyes closed. I feel awkward if anyone stares at me like that while I’m sleeping.
“I’m sorry for entering your room without your permission,” he murmured softly. “Forgive me. I know you must be mad.”
Why’s he talking to a sleeping person? Or does he know I’m awake?
And if you knew I was mad then why did you come anyway? Can’t you read the room?
“You are hurting yourself by pushing him away. Don’t you realize that?” My wolf added.
He’s the one to be blamed for that.
“Stubborn and petty.”
“I know you can’t hear me right now,” Dave spoke. “Otherwise, you would’ve kicked me out of your room right away. I don’t mind that though, But….”
But what?
“I don’t feel good about us being on bad terms with each other. When you push me away, I feel something is breaking inside of me. And that’s definitely my heart.”
Is he….. being honest? Or just making up words? But, Dave was never good at lying. Why would he be lying here then?
“You can beat me, be as much violent as you want with me. But, the cold silence that’s been going on between us for days, I don’t like that. I wish we could be like how we were previously again. And,” he paused between talking, heaving a deep sigh. “It’s only possible if you want to. So, unless you want me to, I’ll not approach you again without your will. Nor force you to reconcile with me. You have the freedom to decide.”
My freedom? You are leaving it up to me to decide? Why? Don’t you know why I’m angry at you? Or are you pretending to ignore it just to blame me? by proving me wrong for being angry?
That’s not how it works! If you really love me, say it with your own words. Prove it to me!
Why are you being a coward? Aren’t you an adult and also older than me?
You should be more assertive. But, you are backing out of the game?
“I’m done talking. Thanks for listening to me,” he said, about to get up. But stopped in place and leaned closer to my face. He was so close, I could feel his warm breath on my skin.
“Goodnight, sleep well,” he whispered into my ears before stealing a quick kiss on my cheeks. He got up and proceeded to walk out of the room.
When the sound of footsteps became faint, I threw aside the covers and sat up on the bed.
Is he really gone like that? He didn’t even try hard for one last time? Is this the least effort he can put in for me? What is my value to him?
“If you play with a man’s feelings like that, that’s what you are going to end up with,” my wolf added. “Cold shoulder it is.”
I never played with his feelings shut up!
“You did, I mean you are. After all the rejections he faced by you, he still tried to convince you for one last time. But, you are stubborn to notice it. Or should I say arrogant?” she teased.
You are my wolf, aren’t you supposed to say things in my favor? I look arrogant to you? Since when?
“Forever! And I only stand with the truth. Nothing else.”
Truth? The only truth here is, that Dave doesn’t care at all for me! And yet, he expects me to forgive him and everything to turn back to normal.
Yeah, like that is so freaking easy! We call it quits and everything is good again? That’s what he wants!
“How come you came to that conclusion when you didn’t even ask him about how he feels?”
I know what he feels! I don’t need to ask him.
“You are being blind to everything. Why don’t you see”
I’m going to bed. Stop talking! I yelled aloud before throwing the covers over my head.
The next morning, I went downstairs a bit later and noticed that Mom wasn’t there and Dave was eating by himself.
Did she leave for the hospital already? If I go now, I’ll have to talk to him. Or it’ll be quite awkward.
I’ll come back later after he’s done. Yeah.
I turned away to leave but the maid called behind me, “Princess, won’t you have breakfast? Where are you going?”
Eek! The worst timing ever!
I slowly turned around to reply, “Uh…I forgot something in my room. I was going to get it and come back to eat.”
“I see. But won’t you be late for college? Master is almost done eating. You should go and start eating as well.”
She has a point, but I don’t want to go to college with him.
“Please come and take a seat. I’ll serve your food right away!” the maid stated before heading towards the kitchen.
Come on, Aileen. You can do it. It’s not even that hard. Just go sit down and eat, nothing else.
I strode over to the side of the breakfast table and sat quite far from him. He noticed me but didn’t pay any attention.
Ignoring me huh? I’ll do the same for you.