Chapter 95: Chapter 95

Themis' POV

"Are you feeling okay now?" Belle asked me as soon as Winter and Elisse left the hospital room.

I looked at her and smiled. "I think I'm doing better now. The doctor told me to take some rest for at least a week, though."

"Then you should obey that."

"You know I can't stand doing nothing even for a day."

Belle laughed. "Yes, I know that. Even before, you're always used to doing so many things even when you're supposed to rest. That is the reason why Timothy looks up to you. He said he wants to be like you, too."

"Well, he has grown into a man who is better than me, anyway."

"Both of you excelled and grown into a man your parents could be proud of."

"By the way, Belle. Can you not tell him about this? I mean, about what happened and about me getting hospitalized? I don't want him to worry about me. You know Tim, he gets too emotional so easily."

"I understand. Don't worry, I won't tell Timothy about this."

"Thank you, Belle."

She smiled at me, then the room was filled with silenced once again. Actually, I still don't know if she can still remember what happened that night while we were on the cruise ship. Although I don't think she does.

"Belle--

"Matthew—O-Oh."

"Y-You can say it first." I said.

Belle smiled as she took a deep breath. "I-I actually want to ask you something. I hope you won't mind it."

"Sure. What is it?"

"D-Do you like Winter?" she asked that while looking straight into my eyes. That direct question from her immediately made me feel nervous. I never expected her to ask me that question offhandedly.

"B-Belle..."

"Anyway, I think I already know the answer."

I heaved a deep sigh. "Belle, look, I don't want to—

"Can you still remember what I told while we were on that cruise ship?"

"Belle, you know how important you are to me."

"But you are so much more than that to me, Themis. I know it's an appropriate timing for me to say these things to you, but I really love you. And now that I'm not drunk anymore, I guess you'll believe everything that I'll say."

I lowered my head while listening to her. I guess I couldn't say anything that would make her feel better. Maybe a listener is what she truly needs.

"Ever since we were just kids, I already loved you. Tim knows about that too. He knows how much I loved you ever since. So right now, it feels kind of unfair for you to fall in love with someone you just met while I was here all your life." she sobbed while trying to wipe the tears from her eyes. "But I'm not saying these things for you to feel bad. I-I just wanted to say this, because I don't think I can still keep them for another year. I just want you to know that even if you don't love me back, I will always be here for you, Themis..."

I pulled her close to me and hugged her tightly while patting her back with my right hand.

"You are one of the most important people in my life, Belle. You are the one who knows me really well ever since until now. I know there isn't a right word that I could say to heal all your wounds and make you feel better, but thank you for saying all of these, Belle... Just know that I will always stay beside you, too. No matter what happens."

Belle hugged me even tighter, as if she didn't want to let me go. She cried in my arms and told me everything she wanted to say to me. Seeing Belle cry is something that I don't ever want to see. But now that I am the one who hurt her, I don't even know what to do.

Ian's POV

"The doctor said he could already go home today and take some rest there. Also, Matthew even said he doesn't want to stay here any longer." Winter said as we were walking back to Matthew's room after we brought Elisse home.

I nodded my head. "That's good for him, then. If I were him, I wouldn't want to stay here any longer either."

"Me too."

Just as we thought Belle and Matthew were already done talking to each other, we got surprised when we saw them hugging each other through the glass window.

I glanced at Winter, and I already knew she got hurt by that, so she lowered her head. "I-I'll just buy some medicine. W-Wait for me here."

She said as she started running away.

I was about to follow her, but then the door of Matthew's room went open. Belle stepped out with puffy eyes. She just glanced at me before walking away again.

Wait, did she cry?

I took a dep breath before finally entering Matthew's room and I immediately saw him cleaning up.

"Did you make her cry?"

He got surprised upon hearing my voice, but then he turned around and looked at me. "Ian. Where's Winter?"

"She already ran away after seeing you hugging Belle."

"W-What? But I—

"You know what? Matthew? I don't even know what Winter liked about you. Fine, you're just as handsome as me, but I'm so much better than you in all other aspects."

He didn't speak. I badly wanted to punch him, but I controlled myself. For sure Winter will get mad at me if I do that.

"If you love Winter, then tell her. She's too precious to waste her time crying over you. Be a man and choose one between the two of them." I said as I turned my back from him.

Before I could even touch the door knob, Matthew spoke.

"Thank you for staying beside her all the time, Ian."

"Don't thank me. I am not doing that for you. And if she ever cries over you again, I swear I'm going to take her away from you and marry her right away."