The four of them gathered on the couch with Jun's two future in-laws emitting cold and purple aura as if they would get right at each other's throats if they got a chance.
Jun cleared his throat. "Coffee is ready," he said to break the tension in the air.
But Xie Nuying and Zhou Yichen reached out for the coffee pot at the same time. Their brows twitched.
"As always, you have to interfere," Zhou Yichen glared and grimaced.
"My fingers touched the pot first."
"I saw the pot first!"
"That way I met Jun first, I got to Sky first, so technically, I should remain here and you should leave this place."
"..." Fresh chapters posted on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Ai gave them a scolding stare. "If you fight , then I will make you both leave."
That's not a bad idea actually.
Since Jun and Ai were at odds with each other now, it was important for them to talk and sort it out.
Zhou Yichen coughed. "Aish, I just remembered. Jun-cute, I met a very beautiful receptionist on the way here, and I think that I should have a cup of coffee with her instead."
Xie Nuying retorted. "Not if she doesn't report you to the police first. You just look younger doesn't mean your age is getting lesser."
"You're just jealous because you are getting gray hair," he snorted.
"That's far more pleasing than you acting in your twenties at your age," she narrowed her eyes.
The fire to win the catfight burned furiously in their eyes, which they finally took outside.
But before that, Xie Nuying whispered into Jun's ears. "Remember what I said before? Confront the real reason."
Zhou Yichen winked at Ai and gave her a thumbs up. He mouthed. 'You will do just fine.'
The silence was quite deafening as they were left alone. Jun felt extremely guilty not only because of the fight but he simply went off in the morning without talking to Ai. He went on and off in his mind and finally decided what to say.
It was at the moment when both said in unison. They faced each other, dumbfounded.
"Why are you apologizing?"
Ai asked back, "I should ask that to you. Why are you saying sorry?"
Jun was taken aback. "Clearly, it was my fault. I acted stupidly."
"No, you didn't. It was my fault that I made you uncomfortable."
"No, you didn't. I over reacted."
"It's not over reacting. I took it for granted how Yating and my friendship could affect you," she pursed her lips. "I forgot such simple things. I was the idiot one."
"No!" He glared at her. "How can you call yourself an idiot? I was an idiot for thinking that you…" he shut his eyes and finally confessed the root cause of everything that bugged him and made him lashed out at her last night, "you might develop feelings for Gu Yating again!"
He breathed out hard, feeling utterly embarrassed and ashamed. He clasped his hands together, pressing his lips together.
"I…wasn't really mad that you helped Gu Yating or danced with him," he coughed after a pause, "Fine. I was a little jealous. But, it wasn't just that."
'The underlying reason is something else but you are fighting for something else.'
Xie Nuying's words echoed in his mind.
Jun scratched his head. "It's just that…ugh! I wanted to keep us hating Gu Yating. It made me at ease because that way, the thought of going back to him wouldn't cross your mind. I just wanted to feel safe. But then we learned about his surprise and his trauma…it was hard to hate him anymore.
He was supposed to be the bad guy. But then he wasn't. I…"
Jun felt the frustration of his own feelings and thoughts making him angrier. "Its stupid but I wanted to be the only one good enough and perfect for you!"
Ai said nothing. She recalled his words he had said to her one day.
'So that I could be the best in your eyes.'
"I don't want the possibility of some other man also good enough for you who can love you, protect you and give you everything that I can. I…" he mumbled, "it's childish, but I don't want you to have a choice between two men."
Jun wanted to punch his own face. "But even though I know you wouldn't leave me for Gu Yating, I still doubted you. I doubted your sincerity and loyalty," by then his eyes brimmed with tears, "I am really an idiot. Our relationship would go nowhere if we don't trust each other. It will be over before we realize it. I will lose you forever.
Not trusting you is the cruelest thing I did to you. Even my apology isn't enough for that. You have every right to be disappointed in me."
He pursed his lips. "That's why I will…" he swallowed hard with his hands shivering and heart thudding. "I will accept whatever punishment you have to give me. E-even if you say you want to break up with me! B-But that won't be for longer because I will win over you again!" He wiped his forehead.
Jun braced himself for her response. Even a slap or two on his face.
It's better if she hits me rather than breaking up with me though, he prayed hard.
He glanced up at Ai, gathering great courage in his heart but was stunned to see the tears escaping her eyes.
"I-I…know I was pathetic but please don't cry…" anxiety then gripped him even harder. "How about you hang me upside down the ceiling and use my face as a punching bag?"
She sniffled and stared at him. "Do you think I will be so cruel?"
"Well…you should be considering how I treated you…"
"No. I have no right. You shouldn't be even feel afraid of me thinking of a break up. I won't."
Somewhere, Jun felt relieved in his heart.
Tears flowed out more. "I should be the one afraid instead if you ask for a breakup."
W-wait how did things take this turn? Why the hell would I break up with you!?