Chapter 59

Aiden had difficulty closing his eyes, the feeling of disappointment had not subsided. Strange, he felt very hurt. He didn't think he would be rejected, considering all they had done. How could Nina think that every touch they shared meant nothing? 

"Tsk...damn it, I can't sleep!" He muttered. His thoughts and feelings were very chaotic because he realized that his love was not a joke. 

"How could she reject me? What's wrong?" He thought. Question after question entered his brain and left him absolutely no rest. 

"I'll get back at her, I'll make her regret it-',

Drrrrgg...drrrgg...

Aiden's cell phone rang. At a time of chaos like this, it's annoying to have to pick up the phone. Except, if that person was an idiot who had rejected him for no apparent reason. 

"Samantha." Apparently, he had to hold back his disappointment because it wasn't that idiot who contacted him, but another woman who had caught his attention some time ago. 

"Hi, Samantha? What's wrong?" Aiden asked halfheartedly. The melodious voice of Samantha may not be enough to heal his wounded heart. 

"You sound annoyed, am I disturbing you?" 

"Ah...no, that's not it. I was thinking-"

"Is that so? Looks like I called at the wrong time. Alright, I'm sorry, okay? Bye-"

"No! It's not like that, Samantha. I'm just a little disappointed with someone, but I'm fine. Sorry for my attitude!" 

"It's fine, I understand. If you come to this, it means that the person you're referring to is really important. Don't you think?" 

"I don't know, it's just that he broke my heart," he said who subconsciously told someone he was having problems with that he didn't expect to know. Aiden felt stupid, of course because he knew that he didn't like to tell other people about his problems. 

"Sorry Samantha, forget it, I-"

"You were rejected?" 

"W-what? I-" the more he tried to answer, the more he felt like a pathetic coward. 

"You got rejected by a woman?" 

"Yes, that is so." The answer was resigned, in the end, Aiden realized that he had already opened a card that was impossible to turn back. 

The atmosphere was silent for 15 seconds, Aiden who felt embarrassed, really wanted to end this conversation so as not to continue further. But Samantha, of course, didn't think so. Hearing Aiden's confession that he was rejected by a woman alone made him very angry, which means, right now Aiden is in love with someone who rejected his love. 

"How could anyone turn down a man like you?" 

"Of course there is, I'm not a great man who will always be loved. I'm just too confident." 

"No, you're wrong. That woman who rejected you must not know how lucky she is. That woman is really stupid!" Samantha said, trying hard to hold back her frustration. 

"Never mind, I just want to forget about it. Sorry for making you have to hear such stupid things. Then see you later-"

"Wait! I still want to talk to you. Is that okay? Or are you trying to calm down?" 

"It's okay, you can talk if you want. I'll listen!" 

"If I may ask, who is the woman who rejected you?" 

"Does it matter?" He asked. He was really in a situation that wanted to be angry and take it out, but did not know at whom. 

"You sound really messed up. Alright, we'll talk again some other time." 

"I'm sorry, Samantha. I'm such a pain, aren't I?" 

"No, I understand. I can understand how you feel. You know? Not everyone has good taste, but I'm sure that woman will regret it when you really don't want her anymore." 

Is that true? That question popped into his mind. Was there a time when he really didn't want Nina anymore? What if they still meet? Is erasing that feeling so easy? Aiden didn't know the answer. 

"I hope so-"

"Can we meet tomorrow?" 

"Meet?" 

"Yeah, I thought we could talk and you could share your problems. I'd be a good listener!" 

"I don't know, I'm not sure-"

"You don't believe me?" 

"Okay, I believe!" 

"Okay, tomorrow at four o'clock at Jean's Cafe. How's that?" 

"Okay!" 

"See you, Aiden. Good evening?" 

"Good evening!" 

Meanwhile, in her room, Nina feels the same chaos. She couldn't think straight and all that was in her head right now was what happened between her and Aiden. 

That face, that voice, that smile, that touch, how could Nina forget it? Some time ago, she was lulled by a strange feeling that filled her soul. She didn't even intend to refuse Aiden's touch. 

She realized that she had missed something. But she also realizes that she is not a good woman who constantly wants to take advantage of Aiden's kindness for her selfishness. For her, Aiden deserves the best, a great woman equal to him. Not your average miser and con woman. 

"Aiden, I'm sorry-" Nina felt very uneasy. Aiden's words of love sounded so sincere. There is a little regret that Nina feels at this time. How could she refuse such a good man that she might never find again in this world.


*** 

The watch on her hand showed 3.00 pm, in an hour Aiden had to meet Samantha at the cafe. Even though he already had a hunch that Samantha's goal was to ask him to meet to discuss the love problems he was facing, if he refused to meet, then the relationship between them could be damaged. 

Aiden opened the door of his apartment, when it opened, immediately showed a face that he really didn't expect to see at this moment. 

Awkward, nervous, uneasy, that's how Aiden and Nina feel. I don't know how to say hello in a situation like this. For him, none of that will change the feeling of disappointment in his heart. 

"I came to work," Nina said with a downcast face. It was clear that she was reluctant to meet Aiden's eyes directly. 

"Up to you!" Aiden said as he stepped out. 

"You want to go?" 

"Yes." 

"Are you mad at me?" 

"Are my feelings important to you?" 

"You've misunderstood, Aiden." 

"Misunderstood? Then, tell me something that you think is true? Is it by just walking away without feelings?" He asked. His emotions started to rise, anger and disappointment evident in his eyes. He really wanted her, don't know since when did he feel that way and the rejection he received made him feel lost. 

"We're better off as friends." 

"What?" 

"You know? I love you." 

"You love me? Really?" 

"Yes, as you feel, I also feel the same way." 

"So, why did you turn me down? We can live with it and-"

"No, I can't do that. I feel good when I'm around you, I feel calm and happy. Really happy. But, if our relationship goes further, I'm afraid we won't be able to be friends anymore if one day we part. I don't want to lose you like that." 

"You really are stupid, aren't you? How could you even think of breaking up when we haven't even tried to start? I don't understand you at all!" 

"I'm sorry, but I prefer us to stay friends like this!" 

"Are you sure? What bothers you so much if I become your girlfriend?" 

"You can try to have a relationship with another woman. Maybe you are happy, I don't want to be with me, you think about doing that." 

"You are so complicated. The more I get to know you, the more I don't know what's on your mind. You know? All night I couldn't sleep because I had to endure the pain because of what you did and I was determined to repay you. I will repay you and just like you ask, I will find a new love and I want you to witness it for yourself. That's what you want, right?" 

"Yes."

"Fine, I'll do whatever you want. I'll do it!"


***