Vincent’s POV
I didn’t mean to act that way, but I just can’t help myself from doing so. I know that it’s too risky, but I believe that Kyle can handle what happened back there, and he will understand.
I thought it would be just another normal day for me. But the moment I saw her face again, I knew too well that starting this day everything would change, and I wouldn’t be able to have that normal day again. Kira didn’t even tell me that she was the new student.
“Vincent.”
I stopped walking when I heard her familiar voice. I was walking so fast that I didn’t realize I was already here in the woods.
I closed my eyes, trying to calm my nerves. Because honestly, I didn’t know what I would do when I faced her now.
“What are you doing here?”
I’ve wanted to ask her that question for a while now. I knew it was possible for us to meet again, especially since we were living in the same world.
But not this soon because I’m not ready yet.
It has been years since we last saw each other. She has been abroad for a long time while her father stayed here as Kyle’s personal protector.
I thought I had already moved on and forgotten what happened. I thought I was already okay.
But I’m wrong. In a snap of a finger, all the pain that she caused me suddenly came back as if it all just happened yesterday.
Because of this, the anger I feel towards her slowly builds up once again. Because of a painful incident she did to me in the past.
“The king appointed me to become Nicole’s protector. And no matter how much I wanted to decline it, we both know that I couldn’t say no to an order. That’s why I came back suddenly,” she answered formally.
I clenched my fist. There are so many others they could have sent. But why her?
I took a deep breath. “I know. So, you’re actually here for Nicole. Well, at least that’s clear.”
But even though she’s here now because of the order of the king, I still can’t accept it.
“Yes. And—”
“If that’s the case, then just do your job properly. Don’t you dare come near or talk to me again. Just pretend like you didn’t know me at all. Most especially, I don’t want to talk to a human like you,” I cut her off. I have had enough of her reasons as well.
I was about to walk again when suddenly, I felt her hug me from behind. It made me freeze on my spot.
I used to be happy whenever she hugged me like this. It felt so relieving.
But the situation is different now.
“Vince, please don’t be like this! I’ve waited so long for this opportunity. I’m sorry. I really am! I will never get tired of asking for your forgiveness until you forgive me. You know that I only did that back then for your own good. I only thought about you because—”
I felt anger rise within me because of what she said. I forcefully removed her hands wrapped around me and glared at her as I faced her.
“For my own good? Why? Who are you to say what’s good for me? Don’t you know that because of what you did, it’s as if you killed me too? You took my happiness and my life away from me! The main reason why I became like this!”
I couldn’t help but shout loudly. I saw pain cross her eyes, but I didn’t care anymore. It was nothing compared to the pain she made me endure.
But I was taken aback when I saw tears streaming down her face one after another. I quickly regained myself because I didn’t want to be affected by her anymore. I had long forgotten that there was a Stephanie who was once a part of my life.
She was looking at me in disbelief. It was as if she heard something stupid. But still, determination was still present.
But I was more determined to just ignore her.
“Your happiness and life? Vince, we were young back then! But you took everything too seriously. Maybe you were just too confused about your feelings back then!”
I didn’t expect her sudden raise in voice towards me. Her sad face was now replaced with anger for reasons I couldn’t fathom.
I let out a sarcastic laugh and glared at her. “Confused? Well, I’m sorry to say this, but I’m not. Because I’m sure of what I felt back then. And can you please not speak as if you know everything about that kind of thing? Because you’ve never experienced love! You probably don’t even know how to love since you only think about yourself. You’re selfish!”
Her face bears the expression of surprise and pain due to the words I uttered. As much as I would like to take back those words, it’s no longer possible. Moreover, anger and pain are prevailing emotions I feel right now.
She was about to reach for my hand, but I took a step back. I can feel my hands trembling. I’ve wanted to hit her for a while now, but I’m doing my best to restrain myself.
Her eyes are red and swollen from continuous crying. However, I seem to have become numb, devoid of even a trace of pity for her.
“You know what? I regret that day when I became friends with you. I wish I never approached you and became friends with you on that day, knowing that you would eventually betray me and hurt me. So, you better stay away from me now because I don’t need someone like you in my life,” I said firmly, looking straight into her eyes.
I didn’t wait for her to respond, and I turned my back on her, walking away.
I am angry. I am still angry. She is the reason why I have become like this. She is the reason for who I am now. She is the one responsible for me losing someone I loved and getting hurt.
And I don’t know if I can ever forgive her.
***
Stephanie’s POV
Several minutes have passed since Vince left. But I remain lost in thought. It felt like a broken record, playing over and over again the words he uttered to me.
I expected this confrontation to happen. I have long prepared myself for the things he might do and the hurtful words he might say when we meet again.
But it still hurts when you’re actually in that situation. It’s so painful to hear and see from him how much he regrets being friends with me.
He’s really angry at me. But I know that he’s also angry at himself. He just can’t accept and admit until now that he also made a mistake.
Because she fell in love with someone. Wrong person.
I wiped away my tears, then took a deep breath. I cannot let my emotions and feelings dictate me right now.
Because apart from being angry with me, I was one of the protectors of their clan, where he is considered a prince. I also know that it is against their laws to have a relationship with a hunter or a protector.
I am here for Princess Nicole, though he is also one of the reasons why I came back. Because I want to see him and be with him again.
I composed myself before deciding to return. I’ll go along with what he wants for now. But it doesn’t mean that I’m giving up on the hope that we will return to how things were.
It’s the least I could hope for.
I was walking slowly when I suddenly heard what seemed like an argument. In the distance, I saw Reiri and Hiro. I took a deep breath before changing my path so as not to disturb them anymore. It seemed like they were discussing something important, and I shouldn’t listen or interfere.
“Steph! There you are. Nics is looking for you.”
I was surprised when I turned and saw Miley. I forced a smile at her.
“Is that so? Okay, I’ll go to her.”
She smiled at me and nodded, but sadness was evident on her eyes. She was about to leave, but I quickly grabbed her arm.
“Is there a problem?” I asked, concerned.
They’re not strangers to me anymore because I grew up alongside the royalties, and I also consider them my friends. I know that they see me the same way.
She blinked before avoiding eye contact. “No, there’s nothing. I’m leaving.”
I didn’t say anything else and just let her go. It seems like the royalties are also troubled right now.
That’s quite a wonderful welcome to me.
I just shook my head. I should find Nicole, and not leave her alone. In order to make sure that nothing bad happens to her.
Especially now that the enemies already know who she is. And whenever she’s with Mikan, I don’t know why I feel this way. But...
I don’t trust her.