Chapter 25: Chapter 25

BELLA

Lucy was surprised to see me. She ran to me and hugged me. "Where have you been?. I searched everywhere I thought you could be. I went to the hospital, the beach. I even filed a missing person's report, all to no vail"

I sighed. "I am so sorry, Lucy. I never wanted to get you worried"

She sighed. "You did not get just me worried. You got Ethan and Jayden worried"

I batted my lashes. Jayden?. I thought he doesn't care about me?. I thought he said he doesn't love me?. Why is he worried about me. "You should come in," Lucy said. "I will help you with your bag". I followed her in and sat down on the couch. I missed this place so much. I missed chatting with Lucy. I missed going to class too. I sighed. It's good to be back here. Lucy cleared her throat, jolting me out of my thought. I blinked. "Are you ok?". I nodded and she sighed. "I will get you something to drink"

I smiled. "Orange juice, please"

She nodded. "Sure". She walked a bit and then stopped. "You should call Jayden. He was worried sick about you"

I sighed. "I will call Ethan instead"

She walked back to me and sat down. "Jayden told me what happened that night"

"He did?"

She nodded. "I am so sorry it ended up that way"

I rolled my eyes. "It isn't your fault he rejected me"

"I told you to tell him. I feel guilty"

I held her hand. "You don't have to. You only did what you thought was right. Like you said even if he doesn't love me back it will help me move on and it did"

"Y-you've moved on?"

I nodded. "Jayden is right. He's my student. I should not have an affair with him. It's against the school rules and regulations"

"Does that mean you don't love him anymore?"

I shook my head. "I still do. And it hurts badly that I can't have him, but I have to let go. That's another way to show him that I love him and I want the best for him"

She smiled. "I do admire your courage". She hugged me. "I am so proud of you. I wished could be as strong as you are"

I batted her back. "You're strong, Lucy. I know you are"

"Thanks, Bella. Thank you so much for believing in me". I smiled. She stood up. "I will get you your orange juice"

"Ok"

**

There was a knock on the door but I was too lazy to stand up and open the door for whosoever was knocking. So I called Lucy instead. Lucy, there is someone at the door"

She popped her head out of the kitchen. "Are you expecting someone?"

I shook my head. "Nah. Maybe Ethan. I told him I was back though but he never said he was coming"

She walked out of the kitchen with a towel. "I will check who is there. By the way, food will be ready soon"

"It should. I'm starving" I whined

She chuckled. "Don't be a cry baby"

I rolled my eyes. "I am not"

She smiled. "You are. Let me go open the door. We won't want to keep whosoever is there waiting". I nodded. She went to open the door while I watch my movie. "Bell, Jayden, and Ethan are here to see you"

I rolled my eyes. Why did she put Jayden's name first instead of Ethan? It should have been Ethan and Jayden, not Jayden and Ethan. I smiled at the absurdity of such a thought. I raised my head. "Ethan"

Ethan smiled. "It's good to see you again, Miss Bella. We thought we lost you. I mean we search everywhere. I thought we won't see you again"

I smiled. "Good thing I am back, hale and healthy"

He nodded. "I am so happy you're back"

I smiled. "You should seat"

Ethan sat down while Jayden remained standing. I sighed. In as much as I wanted to pretend he wasn't visible to me. I couldn't bear myself to do that. "Jayden, sit down"

He shook his head. "I will just stand"

I rolled my eyes. "Cab you just seat down and don't act stubborn here"

"Come on, Jayden. Sit" Ethan said. He sat down, eyes down. I sighed.

"Ethan, do you mind joining me in the kitchen?" Lucy asked. I knew she was trying to leave Jayden and me so we could talk but I had nothing I wanted to say to him. I prayed and hope Ethan would say no but he didn't.

Instead, he stood up. "I love that"

Lucy smiled. "This way please". She winked at me. "Bella, Ethan, and I will be in the kitchen". I rolled my eyes as I care. They left and I sighed. There was silence. I had nothing to say but I don't know if Jayden wanted to say something because he kept staring at me and only take his eyes off when I look at him. I haven't seen him this confused before. I groaned. "Jayden, if you have something to say, just say it. You don't have to keep staring at me that way"

He batted his lashes. "I-i wasn't..."

"I saw you, Jay. You don't have to deny it. I will listen to you if have something to say"

He sighed. "I-i am sorry"

I blinked. "You said?"

"I-i am so sorry. For those words, I said to you that night. I was met by surprise. I was confused and did not think before saying those words. I regret saying them. And when you got missing from home. I felt more guilty. Words can't express how much pain I felt when we couldn't find you. I..."

I stood up from the couch and walked closer to him. I placed my index finger on his lips. Shh. You don't have to feel bad". He stared at me and I nodded. I sat on the table and removed my finger from his lips. "You don't have to feel bad for saying those words to me. Yes, those words were harsh. I cried so hard. But it made me understand that you are right. You're my student and such a thing shouldn't happen between us. I get it. I understand so well and I have forgiven you. You don't have to feel bad or guilty. You did what was right. I appreciate the fact that you stand on your ground to make me know the truth"

He furrowed his brows. "Y-you've forgiven me?"

I nodded. "I have forgiven you. From my heart"

He sighed. "D-does that mean you don't love me anymore?". I blinked. I never expected him to ask me such a question. "No, I don't mean it that way. No strings attacked. I just..."

I smiled. "I still love you. And I will not stop loving you. But I know we can't be together. I..."

He moved closer to me and hugged me. I froze. That was the least I expect from him. "Thank you so much for understanding the kind of person that I am. Thank you for being there for me. Thank..."

"That's enough, Jayden. You don't have to thank me". I pecked his forehead. "I know you will find someone better who will love you more than I do. And will appreciate you. She will love you for who you are"

He smiled. "Thanks"

I stood up. "Are you happy now?". He nodded. "Happy to join us for dinner?"

He smiled. "I will love too"

"Lucy, Jayden. Sorry, Ethan. I am sure the food is ready. You can both come out now and serve the food. We are starving"

Lucy popped her head out and chuckled. "We will serve you soon enough. Just atop yelling"

I rolled my eyes. "You haven't told me where you were all these while"

I sighed. "Someone things better left unsaid"

He furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"

I smiled. "I can't tell you where I was. It's complicated right now, Jay. But when the time is right you will know"

He sighed. "If you say so"

I sighed. Jayden can not know where I was for the past few days. If he knows, he will find out who took me there. When he does, he will find out who I am. I can't risk him knowing my real identity. I can't let him know I came from a very rich family. I sighed. I should keep it not only from Jayden but from Lucy, Ethan, and any other person that cares to know. "Food is served" Lucy announced

I gestured to Jayden to go join them. "Go and join them, I need to do something first. I will be right back"

He nodded. Ok". I went to my room and sat down on my bed. I sighed. I don't know if letting go of Jayden is the right choice but I don't want him to feel bad for what he did. I just want him to be happy. I hope I am not making a great mistake because I don't think I can stop loving him. I sighed and lay on the bed. I just needed a little time to myself. I will go join them before they are done eating.