Leanna-Chapter 238: [Give Up] [His Reason]

[Emery’s POV]

[Give Up]

*sigh . . .

*sigh . . .

I watched as droplets of rainwater dripped from my window bedroom on the second floor of my mansion in New Heaven.

My tears have long gone dried without a trace. What left was the aftermath of swelling, red eyes, and nose.

I sniffed and sighed once more.

I was getting more depressed as my feelings attuned to the rainy weather. My thoughts were drifting at that time in the music department’s rooftop.

After school, like my daily routine, I went to Lance’s department to wait for him so we could go home together. However, someone tipped me, and that someone was a friend of Jennifer, saying Lance was in the music department’s rooftop.

Without a second thought, not minding if it was a trap, I went to the rooftop of the music department.

I heard their conversation. Jennifer was trying to get back with Lance –– yet again.

I held myself together as I watched the scene unfold despite the pounding pain and dizziness until the unfaithful bitch hugged Lance, and the latter lets her without retaliating.

I did not saw Lance’s expression since his back was facing me, but judging from his no reaction as he let her hugged him, it was enough proof that they got back together –– yet again.

I zoomed down the stairs and out of the building without looking back. Could not take another second of that sight.

Since then, I was avoiding him like the plague.

Too afraid and hurt to confirm from his very own mouth that they were together.

Also, I filed a resignation letter.

There is nothing more to it.

I got too tired and too hurt to chase after a man who did not even have an ounce of love for me.

Though I wanted to continue supporting and loving him, the pain was becoming more unbearable by the second at the thought that he was together with another woman.

*sigh . . .

Bzt!

My eyebrows met in one line when Adnan’s number flashed on my screen.

"Hello me’ love! Me’ shining star! Me’ morning su––!"

"What do you want?"

". . ."

"Me’ love seems to be in a bad mood," Adnan said and added as a side comment, "as always."

He then laughed. "I thought you’d be happy now that I’ve gotten rid of your number one rival in love?" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The corner of my eyes twitched. "I did not ask you to do it. Why did you even help me?"

". . ."

". . ."

"Emery, I thought you know by now that I love you?" he whispered in a tone full of seriousness much to my annoyance.

I rolled my eyes.

"What has it got to do with anything? In fact, if you love me, why help me be together with another man?"

He stifled a laugh before he answered with his usual playful voice, "If it’s Clyde or any other man, I’m certainly going to persist my love for you. But since it’s someone you love . . . then . . . rather than be the antagonist and make it hard for you . . . I’d rather make you happy."

I blinked, and all of a sudden, I did not feel so alone.

"Well, have you regretted it yet?! Have you learned how kind and manly I am? Have you regretted your decision not to become me’ Queen?"

I rolled my eyes as I huffed a laugh.

"Thank you, Adnan."

"Anything for you me’ Queen. Remember, you always have me behind your back whenever you need anything at all," he proclaimed in a dramatic voice.

I giggled.

"Is that the reason why you called?" I asked, instead.

I heard something like a palm hitting a skin.

"Right! Actually, I called to inform you that the twin’s birthday is at Izu island at Casa Montaña, which is today, by the way, encased you haven’t been informed. We are enjoying the cloudy sky on the beach at the moment."

My eyes close. "Adnan. I did not forget. It is just . . . I’m not attending . . .," I choked, and tears welled in my eyes once more.

"You’re not? Lance seems to be expecting you, though."

". . ."

What! Why would he be expecting me?

"He is glancing left and right looking for someone as we speak," he continued to tease when I did not answer.

I did not give it much thought as to why he was in the twins’ birthday. I knew the twins invested in Adnan’s newly built casino in Vegas, but after what happened with Jennifer, I thought Adnan was banned.

"He must be looking for Jennifer," I said, my throat so dry it hurts.

"Hmmm . . . That girl is already here, though. And frankly, he didn’t even as much as greeted her," he said and laughed at his own words.

I paused.

That got me thinking.

I did not actually confirm if they did get together.

What if they did not?!

I rose to my feet.

"Call you later!"

I turned off my phone and went to my closet and ransacked some clothes.

After I changed, I called Violet to ready my jet.

----

[His Reason]

Lance glanced left and right, hoping to see the girl who was consistently on his mind for days now.

He ignored the countless of people who greeted him and continued walking around, checking if she came.

It didn’t escape his notice that these past few days, Emery was avoiding him for unknown reasons. He tried to call and messaged her, but his pride won’t let him.

"Hello! Happy birthday!"

Girls in flimsy bikinis greeted him, exhibiting their almost slipping breasts, peeking nipples, and the dangerous sight below, not minding the cold air.

Lance smiled and nodded and continued walking, but the girls barged his way, determined to get his attention. But even so, he smiled in all politeness.

He was wearing a simple Hawaiian flowery red shirt and shorts, but it felt like he was naked in the eyes of the girls from the way they gawked at him.

"So, are you Lance or Lawrence?" one of the girls said, giggling as she batted her eyelids. "Sorry, we can’t differentiate you two at all."

Lance restrained a frown. He didn’t have time to deal with girls who couldn’t even distinguish him and his brother.

"Lance! There you are! Come on, the shows about to start!"

Luckily, Lawrence came to the rescue.

Placing an arm around his shoulder, Lawrence grinned at the girls, much to their giggling.

"Sorry, ladies. I have to borrow Lance for a moment."

Lawrence made their escape from the twittering girls and went straight into the backstage.

"Come on. The emcee’s about to start the program."

Lance sighed and went with his brother. He didn’t like that their birthday had to be grand, but it was good publicity for their hotels and restaurants.

Their parents were roaming around, greeting each visitor. He even spotted Zoe together with her boyfriend much to his annoyance.

Who invited them?

He bet it was his ever so martyr brother.

He didn’t like Zoe, for she was selfish. Wanting his brother and her boyfriend at the same time.

Why can’t she just choose one?

His parents also started to dislike the girl, but since Lawrence made it clear that it was his own free will to continue befriending her –– no one said a word.

Even his sister didn’t intervene.

Eventually, after so much of introduction, performing and games and eating and playing and swimming at the beach until sunset –– the party finally ended, letting the people do whatever they wanted to do.

The birthday was a two-day affair. All accommodation and food paid in full. The first day was to celebrate their seventeenth birthday while the second day was the free day.

He knew the party hadn’t ended. There still much dancing and drinking later when the sun set and the moon rose in its wake.

Lance breathed a big sigh.

He was about to turn back to his room to rest, but that was when he caught sight of her.

His eyes widened as his pupils dilated –– zooming on her mesmerizing face.

The setting sun did wonders on her.

Declaring her arrival was the stillness of time as everyone stared at her in pure admiration.

Her white-blonde hair was fluttering along with the gentle breeze. Her flushed face glistened and glowed under the golden sun. Her white porcelain skin glittered –– she was indeed a sight to behold.

Without knowing why, Lance quickened his steps, excited to welcome her. But before he could even step forward, a firm hand grabbed his.

"Lance, come on! Don’t forget, we have to perform one last time to end the party."

Lawrence gripped Lance’s hand when he didn’t budge as the latter’s full attention never wavered on the otherworldly creature.

Lawrence rolled his eyes before shaking his head, a smile on his lips.

"Let’s go. Your Goddess can wait."

Still, Lance didn’t budge. He didn’t care about anything anymore. He just wanted to go to her.

I miss her.

"Lance, come on!" Lawrence urged and dragged Lance into the backstage.

The two of them were now off stage. Their accompaniments were already on the platform, waiting for them.

Lawrence snapped his fingers in front of Lance’s face. "Hey! Get your head in the game."

Lance frowned and shoved his brother’s fingers away.

"I know."

"Really?" Lawrence teased.

Lance didn’t argue and went ahead on the stage, but before he could step behind the curtains –– Lawrence grabbed his hand again.

"What?!" Lance snapped. "Let’s get this done and over with!" he hissed and pulled his hand from Lawrence’s grasp.

"What will you do after this is done?" Lawrence asked in a condescending tone.

Lance paused.

Thinking, what would he do after the shows ended?

Go to Emery’s side, of course.

And then what?

What?

". . ."

". . ."

Lawrence shook his head, a knowing smile on his face as he shoved a microphone on Lance’s hand.

"Go and confess your feelings for her."

"What are you talking ab––!"

"Lance . . ."

Lawrence placed his hands on Lance’s shoulders and stared at him with a serious face.

"Your pride will forever stay with you . . . but she won’t."