Chapter 539 - Still In Denial
In the end, Andrew was still brought to the resort clinic to treat his wound. He got several bruises all over his body. Brandon and Alveena stayed with him.
The event organizer for the conference felt alarmed when they heard that one of the finance directors was injured on the first day. Because of this, they gathered everyone for a safety and security briefing.
Andrew's colleagues also got worried upon hearing the news that he got injured. They were just walking around the beach moments ago when suddenly Andrew disappeared. It turned out he went surfing.
Alveena was very silent as they waited for Andrew who was being treated inside the clinic. Brandon was sitting next to Alveena. He was dying to ask her what was the real score between them but he hesitated.
He could see that Alveena was also shocked and overwhelmed by the turn of events. Andrew got injured, making her worry so much. Then, later on, she just found herself being kissed by him.
She was confused by Andrew's actions. She couldn't understand why Andrew kissed her. He was not supposed to do that. He was committed to someone. He had a fiancee. Alveena didn't know what to think anymore.
'Gosh, I have to set things straight with Andrew. I couldn't afford to have false hope or else, I will end up disappointed and being hurt once again. I have to stop this madness as soon as possible or else, I will be the one to suffer,' Alveena mumbled to herself.
"Brandon, thanks for today. Go ahead first. No need to stay here. I just want to talk to Andrew, alone," Alveena softly said to him with her pleading look.
Brandon didn't want to leave her alone with Andrew but seeing her pleading look, he could only sigh and nod in agreement.
"See you tonight. I will fetch you to your room. Let's go together and attend the social night."
Alveena didn't oppose his suggestion. She just gave him a faint smile.
When Brandon left, Alveena entered the clinic. The nurse just finished treating Andrew's wounds. They were just small bruises and nothing serious.
Alveena sat down on the vacant chair near Andrew's sickbed.
"How do you feel?" Alveena asked him worriedly.
"I'm just fine. Are you mad at me?" Andrew asked her back.
Alveena shook her head. "I'm not mad! You just made me worried so much that I even blamed myself for what happened."
He sat up, facing Alveena. There was a guilty look on his face.
"I'm sorry," Andrew mumbled, holding her hands, gently squeezing them.
"Why, Andrew? Why did you…" Alveena couldn't finish her words. She looked down avoiding his gaze.
"Why did I kiss you?" Andrew completed her question.
"Honestly, I don't have a concrete answer. I just felt like doing it… I~" Andrew stopped.
He knew he was not supposed to say the words 'I miss you.'
This time Alveena gazed up with her teary eyes. Andrew cursed himself inwardly. He could feel that he was the cause of Alveena's unhappiness.
"Andrew, stop doing this. If you keep on acting like this, it will just be hard for me to forget you," Alveena said, her voice filled with helplessness.
"I already accepted the fact that we could never be together. That you can never be mine… so please stop confusing me and my heart again."
Andrew just fell silent. He had never realized that he was making things hard for Alveena.
"I'm sorry…" he apologized once more.
'I can't understand myself. Alveena… I can't help it. My resolve is wavering whenever you are around me.'
"No need to apologize. Just stop doing this to me, Andrew."
Andrew didn't respond to her since he couldn't promise nor guarantee it. But he will try.
Alveena was done expressing her feelings so she wanted to go back and rest. She already felt relieved knowing that Andrew was just fine.
"Don't be reckless again next time. Don't surf anymore. You clumsy guy," Alveena reminded him with her teasing voice.
She didn't want to leave Andrew with a gloomy expression so she decided to lighten the mood.
Andrew just looked at her helplessly. He wanted to do it again, with her.
"Alright, I have to go now. Good luck to us at the conference," Alveena said, bidding goodbye to Andrew.
He wanted to stop her from leaving but Alveena already begged him to stop making things difficult for her.
Alveena stood up, turning to leave. She had just taken three steps when Andrew threw her one last question.
"Alveena… did you already accept the arranged marriage with Brandon?"
Alveena stopped on her track, caught off guard by that question. She didn't answer him right away.
She tried to assess her feelings and thought of the things that would be beneficial to her.
Without looking in Andrew's direction, she answered him.
"Y-Yes… I did accept it," Alveena lied.
After saying that, Alveena hurriedly went out of the clinic. She needed to be far away from Andrew before she burst out.
She didn't know why she was still feeling horrible after lying to Andrew. She thought it would be best that Andrew would think that she would also marry someone.
But her heart… she was still in pain. She felt that those words she said to Andrew moments ago ended everything between them.
She walked back to her room, her eyes burned with tears. She had roller coaster emotions in just one day. It was all because of Andrew.
Meanwhile, Andrew was still looking at the door where Alveena disappeared from his sight. Her answer still lingered in his mind.
{ "Y-Yes… I did accept it," }
'She did accept it. She will marry Brandon.'
Andrew brought his hand on his chest, clenching his shirt. He felt like his heart was being torn apart right now.
'Is this how she felt when she learned that I have a fiancee? Damn! It's so painful that I feel like I am being suffocated.'
'Why am I feeling this way? I should let her go since I can't be with her. I can't break my promise to Hannah.'