Chapter 105: Chapter 105
Winter's POV
"Do you think I did great with the interview?" I asked Matthew as soon as we left the studio where I was interviewed.
He wiped the sweat on my forehead with his handkerchief before handing me bottled water. "You did great. For sure, the audience missed you so much."
"Do you think so?"
"Didn't you hear how loud they cheered for you a while ago? They were so happy to see you."
"I know it's so awkward for me to say this, but I think I somehow miss being in front of the camera."
Matthew looked at me and smiled. "It's normal for you to feel that way, anyway."
"I wonder what Ian is doing right now. He was so sure that he would come to that talk show to accompany me, but then he cancelled it last minute and told me he had something important to do. Also, I haven't seen him for so many days now. The last time I saw him was when they went to our house."
"Maybe he's having a new movie project? Or he's busy with his restaurant?"
"Perhaps that is the reason."
"Why, do you miss him?" he suddenly asked.
"Why, are you jealous?"
He flicked my forehead. "Not really."
***
"I'll go back to the company after this." Matthew said while we were having lunch.
He brought me to a restaurant for a treat since I got interviewed a while ago. He said we should celebrate it.
"I see. I think I'll also go to my office before going home."
"I'll drive you there then."
"Okay."
As I was about to take a sip of my lemon tea, my phone vibrated. When I checked who it came from, I saw Ian's name.
'Can we meet today? I'll wait for you at the central park.'
That was the only message he sent me. I don't even know why. He sounded so serious, as if he was going to tell me something really important.
"Who is it?" Matthew asked me.
"It's Ian. He told me to meet him at the central park."
"Did he say the reason why you have to meet him?"
I shook my head. "No, he didn't. I think it's important, though."
"Then I'll drive you there."
"No need to. You can just go to thee company and I'll ride a bus."
In the end, Matthew didn't have any choice but to agree with me. He just walked me to the bus station and waited for me to get in before getting to his car.
Upon seeing Ian sitting on a bench, I sneakily walked over to him and tapped his shoulders. He flinched and immediately stood up. "W-Who—Winter."
"Why do you look so serious, huh? By the way, my interview's already done. It was so fun."
"Really? That's good to hear." he simply said.
I looked at him suspiciously. "Hey, are you sick? Why do you look so gloomy today? Also, you haven't showed yourself to me for a few days now. Is there a problem?"
"Let's go somewhere."
"Huh? O-Okay."
Ian proceeded to his car, so I just followed him. No one was speaking inside his car. I also wanted to ask him so many things, but I just kept my mouth shut. I guess it's not the right time to joke around with him. Now, I can't help feeling nervous about what he is going to tell me.
Ian stopped the car and stepped out, so I followed him. That was when I found out we were in the abandoned park Matthew brought me before, too. He sat down on the bench and tapped the space beside him, asking me to sit down.
"It's still so beautiful here, isn't it? Even though it's abandoned and so many years have passed, its beauty never changed." he said while looking at the view.
"Why are you so serious right now? If you're going to say something, then say it now."
I heard him heaved a sigh before speaking. "I'm flying to Japan next week."
"Why?"
"For business."
I nodded my head as I looked at him. "Then why do you have to sound so gloomy when you're just going there for business?"
"And to move on from you." he said while directly looking into my eyes.
"I-Ian..."
"I will stay there maybe for a year or more. Or maybe until I can finally look at you in the eyes and not feel my heart beating so fast."
I averted my gazed from him and lowered my head.
"You know, I also thought I would be able to move on from you one day. I thought I could accept the fact that you will never see as someone you love, but only as a best friend. But then every time I see you happy with Matthew, I still catch myself wishing I was him." he took a deep breath. "I know. It sounds so stupid to me. But don't worry, I'll try my best to move on from you."
Tears filled my eyes. Knowing how much hurt I'm giving him makes me so sad.
Suddenly, Ian grabbed me by the hand and pulled me close to him for a hug. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself while I'm not around. And when that bastard makes you cry, just call me and I'll fly back here just to kill him. I love you so much, Winter. I love you so much...."
That's when I burst into tears. I hugged him even tighter as I cried and cried in his arms. "I will miss you so much, Ian..."
When I stopped crying, Ian moved away from me and wiped the tears from my eyes. "How can I even leave when you're still as crybaby as this?"
"Promise me you'll come back."
"I already told you, I will."
"I'll wait for you."
"You should. I will surely come back and bring my girlfriend here."
"I should be the first one to meet her!"
We both laughed and after thirty minutes, we decided to leave that park. I also asked Ian to just drop me to Matthew's company.
"So, I guess this is our final goodbye now?"
"Uhm. Have a safe flight tomorrow." I said with a smile on my face.
I got surprised when he suddenly put his arm around me and gave me a headlock. "Why are you so serious, huh?"
"O-Ouch! You moron! Let go of me!"
"No, I won't! You witch!"
Later on, we just caught ourselves laughing again. We hugged one more time before Ian finally stepped inside his car again. I then proceeded inside the company building and went straight to Matthew's office. As soon as his secretary opened the door of his office, I saw Matthew sitting on his swivel chair while signing on some papers on his desk.
He stood up upon seeing me.
"You're here. I thought you're---
"Pumpkin..." I mumbled while tears filling my eyes.
Without asking me about what happened, Matthew walked over to me and pulled me into his arms.