Chapter 55: Chapter 55

The next day, I woke up with a headache as a result of me thinking about the entire situation and whom to give a chance. Alex or David? How did I land on this situation? Especially with two guys. I didn't like it one bit. I didn't want to hurt either of them.

I cared about them both and I don't want to hurt them. But that sounds pathetic . So, I decided to go with the alternate solution. I was brought out of my thoughts by constant banging on the door. Who is that ? I walked towards the door and the knocking didn't stop until I opened it.

Alex. He was shirtless and his toned abs are a sight to see. " You didn't respond when I knocked so I continued to knock, can we talk?" I practically had to rip my eyes from his body and meet his intense gaze.

"Talk about what?"

"About last night." He said when he appeared next to me, holding my wrist in a gentle but firm grip. "Please." He added softly as I could only nod my head. After all I had to tell him what I needed to. The sooner the better.

"Can you sit?" He asked quietly and I sat back down on the bed and watched him nervously pace around the room, opening his mouth every now and then, but shutting it right back. This was the first time I've seen his like this.

"So, what I said last night, I-"

"It's alright, I know you didn't mean it. I didn't take it to heart either." His eyebrows furrowed as he shake his head slightly.

"What, no. I meant those words, Rina. I love you. "

"But I've already made up my mind. I decided to not get involved with you or any other vampire for that matter. What I want, is what I have always wanted since coming here which is to return back home and continue my studies at Harvard." I fought back the lump in my throat. I hated lying to him, but this was the only way.

"So We're back to the beginning, huh." His eyebrows tightened and I bit my bottom lip hesitantly.

"It's the least you can do to me after everything you put me through. If you want me to believe your words, then let me go. If you really loved me and meant it, you would do what's best for me and what I want." I wanted to know whether Alex was telling the truth. I can't believe him. An unreadable expression grew on his face and I noticed his eyebrows shooting up for a second before he scoffed in disbelief, clenching his jawline.

"You think this is joke, Rina? Do you see me someone who fucks around?" He raised his voice but before I could defend myself, he spoke again. "Is it because of David?" He questioned as I got up.

"Don't talk about him. He is way better than you in every way! He is a vampire, yet he actually has a heart and doesn't go lashing out at everything and anything that's got two legs. He has treated me with so much kindness, respect and has always been gentle with me since day one.

Unlike you, he fought for me to this day. Also he is just like you, Alex, a vampire, but he didnt turn into a monster, now did he?!" I let it all out in one go and froze when I saw Alex's expression. He looked hurt. Very hurt, and it caused a pang of guilt pierce through my heart. I shouldn't be feeling this way. I don't even know why I got all defensive when Alex didn't even say anything about him, but it just came out. I couldn't help it.

"Better than me?," He started, his eyes slightly wavering and I gulped softly as he took a step forward towards me. "Yeah, I'll admit, he is better than me. Not a monster for sure," His voice slightly shook and I noticed the hurt behind those words. "But he wouldn't be half the guy he was today, if he went through the shit I did in the past," I flinched at his harsh tone.

" I tried to change for you, I am trying to change for you, but you can't see that, can you? No, your thick headed skull can't accept the fact that I can change for you. And I don't fight for you? To this day, I am fighting to keep you alive and happy. I was willing to start a fucking war for you, Rina. I was willing to give up everything for you, just to see you happy. I even sent off Joey and Danny to protect your parents and to watch over them until I take care of Terry," He raised his voice, the walls he's been trying so hard to build, breaking down as he kept going. "I stopped drinking human blood for days, to the point where I was starving to death, just so you would not look at me the way you did. I stopped hurting, abusing and using my powers against humans in hopes of you finally seeing the effort I was trying to put into making this work. Into making us work. I stopped everything I was doing, went to seek help from all the people I knew, and practically begged on my feet to change their opinions about the rules, so that I can officially change it with their approvals.

I made deals with people I wanted to have nothing to do with and risked my brothers life to protect you and keep you safe-"

"Alex, I-" I started to grab his arm but he jerked them away roughly.

"No. You said what you have to. Now listen," He finally swallowed down a harsh gulp and I noticed his eyes slightly glistening in tears. His jawline clenched once again and I could see the anger and hurt growing on his face again.

"Not fighting for you? I rejected Rihana, the one person who loved me despite my flaws and stood by my side since day one. She meant the world to me at some point, but seeing you hurting because of her? I couldn't take it. So I made it clear to her that I wasn't interested. That I wanted you. Only you. That I wanted this to work out and for you to be happy,"

"I - you never told me so how-"

"No," He shook his head, his hands balling into a fist in an attempt to stop his body from shaking. "You knew I cared about you. You knew that I was trying to work this out. You saw how worked up I got when you were in trouble or when you're sick or when you're with someone else besides me," he spat out and I froze at his words, my mind going completely blank.

"You ignored me, you shut me out whenever you get the chance to and never gave me a chance to change. You never stopped to see my efforts and how far I was willing to go for you. Anyone who's ever stepped inside this mansion even once saw the way I looked at you. They all knew what you meant to me, except you. I loved you Rina," He breathed one last time, taking a step back as I took one forward. "I really love you and you didn't even have the heart to look at me, even once. So who's the real heartless monster here, huh? Me or you?"

"I-I didn't know. I-I don't know what to say..." I bit my bottom lip, tears slightly welling in my eyes as my gaze landed on the floor.

"At the end of the day, you still want nothing to do with us," I heard him finally exhale deeply. "So I'll let you return back to your parents," his words sent my eyes widening in surprise and I snapped my head up to look at him.

"What do you mean...ar-are you saying that-"

"You said that I would let you go free if I really meant those words," He said softly, turning around and I noticed his balled fists slipping inside his pockets again as he straightened his posture. "So I'm letting you go. If going back home is what will make you happy again, then I'll let you go."

"Do you - do you really mean that?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Alex didn't just say what I think he said right?

"Yes. You are free to leave. You're no longer needed here. " his voice was low and hoarse. My heart raced at his words. "You are no longer my keeper, Katy. I reject you. You're free to go. Free to do as you please."