Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Amy was staring intensely at Bryan. She didn’t know what to think anymore. At first, she was worried that Bryan was sick or maybe having some issues with his company, but seeing him in his office looking not as busy as he claimed, she became filled with anger. Why would Bryan do this to her? He didn’t bother to call her in almost a week and he’s okay with it? Did she upset him? Was she being too clingy? She could feel tears well up in her eyes, but she fought back the tears. She wasn’t going to cry over something as little as this and prove that she was a clingy girlfriend, neither was she going to draw any conclusions. She was going to remain calm and hear him out.

“I missed you” Amy was the first one to break the silence.

“I missed you too, Amy, but you didn’t have to come to my office” Bryan replied.

For the first time since they began dating, Amy felt like Bryan didn’t mean the words he just said. She didn’t want to believe that so she tried again.

“I was worried about you. You promised to call when you get back from your trip, but you never did”

“I told you, I was busy”

“You never said you’d be busy when you returned”

“As you can see now, I am busy”

“I don’t see that, Bryan. All I see is you pretending to be busy”

Bryan hated to admit it, but Amy was right. He hasn’t been able to get any work done since he got back from his trip.

“How can you say that when you have no idea what I’m doing?”

Amy felt like her heart had been stabbed. This is the first time Bryan has expressed any form of anger towards her. She tried to conceal her hurt, telling herself that he was probably stressed from work.

Bryan could see the hurt in Amy’s eyes. He could tell she was on the verge of tears, making him feel like a real bastard for being the reason why she was that way. He felt like kissing away the pain he was causing her, but he had to keep up the act. It was for the best.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way… You could’ve called or texted to tell me that you’re busy, that way I wouldn’t have been worried”

Bryan sighed deeply. Amy’s sincere words isn’t making this easy for him.

When Bryan didn’t reply, she continued.

“What is going on, Bryan?... Why do I get the feeling that you’ve been avoiding me?” She took gentle steps towards Bryan, who was still sitting on his office chair. She couldn’t help but feel like the person before her was a totally different Bryan.

“Is there something you wanna tell me?” She pressed, wondering if she had done anything to upset him or if any action of hers has given away that they were dating.

“Don’t you think I should be the one asking you that?” Bryan angrily questioned back. Amy has succeeded in pushing him.

He has been trying to push back this thought for the sake of both of them, but her question has done nothing but remind him.

Amy halted in her steps at Bryan’s question. What is he talking about? She wondered, as a frown creased her forehead. This conversation is getting confusing. He is the one who didn’t keep to his promise, so why is he acting like the victim?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Bryan” she replied when she couldn’t think of anything.

“Really?... Then let me refresh your memory… How about the kiss you shared with Kyle” Bryan said through gritted teeth. He was angry at Amy, not because she kissed another man, but because she kept it from him.

The day he was to leave for Italy, Henry had offered to drop him off at the airport after they had talked for a couple of minutes. While he was searching for a decent shirt and his car keys, Bryan decided to go downstairs and say goodbye to Amy, when he overheard her talking with her best friend about a kiss she shared with Kyle. It took every fiber in him to stop him from revealing his anger that day. He had thought she wanted to tell him everything when she called him outside because he could sense her fear, that was why he tried his best to stay poker, so she would open up but she didn’t. Even though she didn’t get the chance to tell him then, she didn’t make an effort to tell him later.

All through his stay in Italy, he hoped she would call to tell him about the kiss and maybe explain herself, but she did nothing. He didn’t want to believe what Paula said and tried to give her the benefit of doubt when he returned from his business trip, but she still didn’t make an attempt to tell him. Now, she walks into his office without a sign of guilt or remorse, acting like what he heard never happened.

Amy was glued to the spot. She stared at Bryan with wide eyes as he glared at her. She was shocked and lost for words. Her palms suddenly began to sweat.

“Y-you heard?” She managed to stutter, rubbing her sweaty hands on her dress.

“Yes, Amy. I heard… You didn’t want me to?”

A tear rolled down her face, as she never intended to be found out this way.

“I-I can-“

“You can explain?... If you wanted to do that, it should’ve been like a week ago”

“Please, let me explain” she pleaded in tears.

“Explain what, Amy!” Bryan yelled, banging his office desk with his hands, finally letting out his anger. Amy flinched back in fear.

“You cheated on me with another man. What more is there to explain?!”

Bryan hated that he was yelling at Amy. He hated that she was crying because of him, but he couldn’t help it. She cheated on him and kept it from him.

“I-I-I would never cheat on you” Amy replied shakily, trembling before an enraged Bryan.

“Then I guess the definition of cheating changed over the last few years” he snapped with heavy sarcasm.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen”

“But it did… Tell me, Amy. Did you ever plan on telling me this?”

“I-I did, but..”

“But, what?!” Bryan was fuming with rage. He hated lies and Amy has been doing that for a while now.

“I remember asking you who this guy was to you. You kept telling me he was just a friend, yet you failed to mention that he was supposed to take you out on Valentine’s day… You kissed him, Amy, and that wasn’t the first time!”

Amy was full-on sobbing. Bryan heard everything. He heard her entire conversation with Mandy. Amy was deeply ashamed of herself. She should’ve told him about the kiss when she had the chance. None of this would’ve happened if she had trusted him enough to tell him the truth.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry” she kept repeating, unable to find any words to defend herself.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it” he drily said in barely a whisper.

Bryan watched as Amy knelt on the floor, crying her eyes out. He felt the urge to go to her, wrap his arms around her and comfort her, but he couldn’t. He was a coward. He wasn’t brave enough to end their relationship just like that, so he had to use this as the perfect excuse.

“I knew this relationship wasn’t going to work. Hell! What was I thinking”

Amy’s sobs immediately turned to sniffles the moment she heard those words. What was he implying? It shouldn’t be what she was thinking?

Bryan was staring at the view outside his company. He had his back to her, so she couldn’t tell what he was actually thinking. He gradually turned around and they exchanged glances. Amy was pleading with her eyes for Bryan to forgive her. She made a terrible mistake and she was sincerely sorry.

“Amy, I don’t think-“

“No, no, no, Bryan. Please, don’t say anything… I wanted to tell you about the kiss, I swear” Amy interrupted. She didn’t want to hear those dreadful words. She’d die if he ever decides to break up with her.

“What stopped you?” Bryan asked.

“I was scared. I was scared you’d get mad at me and end our relationship… I couldn’t bear the thought of you breaking up with me” she explained, breaking down at the last part.

Bryan walked towards a sobbing Amy and gently helped her up on her feet, wiping her tears.

“I didn’t mean to kiss him. I was-“

“Shh” Bryan exclaimed, cutting her off.

He wasn’t mad at her anymore. In fact, he was upset with himself for putting her through all these. He loves her so much and only wanted her happiness, that’s why he wants to know the truth, to help free them both from this much pain.

Amy on the other hand became a bit calmer, as Bryan stroked her cheek with his thumb. She gazed at him with expectant eyes, praying that he’ll forgive her for her mistake.

“Do you love him?” Bryan suddenly asked, leaving Amy even more speechless than how she was when he asked her about the kiss. She tore her eyes away from Bryan’s gaze, staring into space.

Why would he ask her such a question? Kissing someone doesn’t mean you love them. She already made it clear to him, that he was the only man she loved. So, why is he testing her this way?

“I’m not in love with Kyle” she quietly replied.

Bryan took Amy’s hesitation as a sign that she wasn’t certain of her answer. He removed his hand from her face, taking two steps backwards before turning his back to her. He felt like a complete idiot for ever believing that Amy was in love with him. They should never have started this relationship in the first place.

“Paula was right. This can never be” he blurted out without even realizing it.

Amy, who was hurt by Bryan’s sudden withdrawal and was already feeling a knot of fear in her stomach, jolted her head up at the mention of her mom’s name.

What has her mom got to do with this? Bryan doesn’t know that her mom is aware of their relationship, so why did he mention her name?

“Bryan, what about my mom?... Did she talk to you?” Amy raised her voice slightly because she could feel herself getting angry.

Bryan didn’t realize that he said that out loud, until he heard Amy’s question. What does he say to her now? How does he convince her that Paula has nothing to do with this?

“Bryan, say something” Amy pressed, to clear her suspicions.

“Paula has nothing to do with our conversation” Bryan eventually said as casual as possible, but Amy wasn’t buying it.

Without further speaking, Amy stormed out of Bryan’s office.

‘What have I done?’ Bryan thought to himself, blaming himself for making a total mess of everything.