Chapter 13

Alina's POV
I can't imagine if anyone knows about what happened to me with Ryan at the bar at that time. Because I would be so embarrassed to have done that with Ryan. Even though the incident was accidental because we were under the influence of alcohol. So after that we realized. That is my deepest regret that I will never forget for the rest of my life.
After trying to explain to Mark about me and Ryan, who he caught going out in the same car. I saw that Mark's face looked a little different. Even though Mark said it was okay and there was no problem. But I really felt there was something different about him. He seemed to be burning with jealousy that he tried not to show to me. I don't know how to react to it. Apart from repeating to apologize to Mark for the incident he had seen. Perhaps I had blatantly hurt his feelings. But he tried to make it seem like it was a normal thing and had no impact on him. Even though I saw the look in his eyes radiating a different feeling, the attitude he showed was completely opposite.
Finally I decided to call Mark again after I also apologized to him directly. Maybe this is more private and he will be more open and honest about his feelings. Because yesterday we talked in a public place. Now it's only on the cellphone and he won't feel like anyone will hear him other than me. I will make a video call with him. Like it or not, I have to do it.
Even though I actually saw that Mark didn't mind that. This is proven by me having interacted with him at other times after the incident and I apologized to him. I also saw Mark close to Ryan after that incident. So does Mark still feel uncomfortable and awkward towards me and Ryan? However, Mark did not show an attitude as if he felt that he was not okay. I will keep in touch with him to discuss this matter further. While fishing for Mark, maybe he will tell me many things about their friendship that I don't know. Including about Ryan telling me about a past incident with me when we did a hot scene at the bar without realizing it. I want to know more clearly and continue whether Ryan is that open to his friends or can Ryan be trusted by me to keep a big secret his whole life? Yes, I'll make sure of all that.
The sound of the phone being connected, Mark finally picked up my call after he hadn't picked it up several times. But I kept trying to contact him. As well as trying to think positively about Mark. Maybe he is busy and has activities. This is my last attempt to call him. If only this one wasn't picked up too. So I will end my efforts. Then I will call him at another time, maybe he will immediately answer my call. Or maybe he was going to make a call back when he looked at his cellphone screen and saw my contact calling him several times. Usually he will be very responsive to anyone, especially me as his current girlfriend.
My phone was picked up and we started chatting. Starting with a sentence full of pleasantries so as not to give the impression of attacking and shooting without warning. I gave us time to enter each other's worlds for a moment so that the atmosphere would become more fluid and lighter.
"Hi, Mark"
"Hi Alina, what's wrong with calling me so many times? Apparently it's very important, right? Sorry I didn't have time to answer your call earlier. Because I was on my way home and focused on driving the car."
"Oh yeah, no problem, I don't mind that.”
"What's wrong? It just shocked me."
"Um, no, I just wanted to make a video call with my girlfriend. Isn't that allowed?"
"Um, of course you can, you miss me, right?"
"Reasonable."
"How come it's not bad?"
"That's enough, you're just teasing me. Oh yeah, by the way, where did you come home from, Mark? Have you met your friends and met up with them, huh?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"I'm just guessing."
There was silence and there was no conversation. We seemed more stiff and I felt like I was starting to lose my style in trying to enter into the next discussion regarding the incident when Mark caught me being taken home by Ryan.
"Mark?" Feeling hesitant, I started to say his name to start the purpose of my next conversation.
"Yes, Alina, what's wrong?"
He was so curious to know what I would say next. It can be seen from the look and expression on his face. With a frown showing that he was wondering what I was going to say to him. Makes him seem very curious and wants to hear it immediately.
"I'm sorry, Mark."
"Sorry for what?" Mark looked confused by my behavior and suddenly apologized to him.
"Mark, listen to me, everything is not as you see Mark."
"What do you mean Alina? I don't understand what you're talking about at all. Speak the truth and explain to me what you mean!"
"About what happened at that time."
"Which incident?"
"What happened when you saw me being taken home by Ryan."
"Oh, never mind, Alina. Don't talk about that anymore. Isn't that just a past issue that doesn't need to be brought up again?"
"But Mark, I don't feel like it's finished yet."
"What's not finished? What else? Besides, Ryan has told me everything, including about you and him."
Hah? It means? Hearing Mark's last sentence, I felt trembling and my chest vibrated with a feeling of turmoil that was very difficult for me to explain. I'm afraid that maybe Ryan has actually told Mark everything. Including what we did at the bar last time. Ryan, you are really a snotty and rotten man. I will never forgive you about this. You have made my life a mess and filled my head even more after I experienced a bad incident with the girls at my school during an incident in the field which made me very embarrassed by being the object of their ridicule. Now you are spreading fire all over my body. Waving the war flag at me. Just watch out, Ryan, you have to pay for everything you have done to me with his life becoming even more chaotic.
"Alina? Why are you silent?"
Without realizing it, I drifted into my daydream.
Together with the fire burning in my chest, I floated to Ryan's figure far away. Instantly Mark broke my thoughts by talking again about what Ryan had told him. I think everything has been revealed.