Chapter 55

Natalie POV

I was frozen in shock, speechless, as Felix 's words lingered in the air like a thick mist. For years, we have been close friends, sharing jokes, secrets, and even playful flirting. However, his unexpected question left me speechless and confused. Is it impossible for him to ever have me? His question's consequences made me shudder.

I felt a swirl of confusion in my head while attempting to understand his abrupt question. Before I had a chance to clear my throat and reply, Felix appeared to dismiss it, as though he hadn't just posed such a deep question to me. He proposed finishing the day by having ice cream at his house, trying to shift the conversation to a more cheerful subject.

Declining his offer politely, I managed to force a faint smile and replied, "Thank you, Felix , but I believe I should leave."

He nodded, a brief flicker of disappointment appearing on his face. Noticing the discomfort between us, he proposed to accompany me to the entrance of the amusement park we had been at all day. The sunset sky displayed shades of purple and orange, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

While we walked quietly, my thoughts continued to whirl with uncertainty and a touch of remorse. I couldn't stop comparing Felix to Tristan, his eyes filled with pain stayed with me. Felix has consistently been a supportive presence in my life, whereas Tristan frequently appeared distant and preoccupied.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the amusement park, Felix came to a halt and directed his attention towards me. He looked at her with a blend of desire and acceptance, acknowledging that their relationship could never progress beyond its current state.

"Goodbye," he softly whispered, his voice filled with unsaid feelings.

I paused briefly, time seeming to freeze as I looked into his eyes. I felt the heaviness of my choice and was overcome with a surge of understanding. I couldn't stand seeing him suffer, especially if it was my fault.

"Keep in mind that I'm available if you need to clear your thoughts once more." He spoke while making a small gesture. I felt my heart touched by his words, causing a wave of guilt to come over me. There was a man who had only been kind to me, and I couldn't stand the idea of causing him to feel rejected or hurt by leaving. At that instant, a surge of understanding came over me, eliminating all uncertainties I had.

"Stop," I interjected abruptly. "Let's actually go to your house for some ice cream." I have reconsidered.

In Felix 's eyes, a glimmer of hope appeared, brightening his face with a joy I had never witnessed. His face lit up with a blend of thankfulness and relief as he smiled.

"Are you certain?" he inquired, his voice showing a hint of concern.

I gave a nod, feeling my heart rate increase with a blend of doubt and excitement. With a fresh determination, we changed direction and retraced our path back to his location. The night had veered in a surprising direction, and I found myself pondering what the future held for us.

Upon arriving at Felix 's mansion, I was amazed and my mouth fell open in surprise. The splendour of the house left me speechless. It was a grand building, radiating an aura of grace and refinement. The vast gardens, the detailed architecture, and the careful attention to detail made for an impressive sight.

Upon entering, my eyes expanded even more. The inside was equally as impressive as the outside. The walls were decorated with lovely paintings, thoughtfully selected and stylishly arranged. I was surprised to see some of my favourite artworks, pieces that had always been close to my heart.

"I can't look away from the paintings," I whispered in awe. "How were you able to figure out that these are the ones I like the most?"

Felix gave a friendly smile. "I have been observing my love. I desired to design a place that would provide a sense of comfort and homeliness for you.”

The kindness of his actions deeply moved me, and I could sense a stronger bond forming between us.

While Felix went to get the ice cream, I used the opportunity to compose myself. My phone started ringing, showing Tristan 's name on the screen. His continuous phone calls brought back all memories to my mind. Feeling both frustrated and determined, I chose to disregard the phone calls. I turned off and muted the phone, removing the constant reminders of the troubled relationship from my life.

Felix came back holding a tray of ice cream, his eyes twinkling mischievously. He had put together a variety of tastes that were tailored to my likes. Sitting in the comfortable living room, our conversation easily continued. The undeniable romantic chemistry between us was tangible, igniting with each furtive look and mutual laughter.

Time passed without being noticed, with the outside world becoming less important. At that instant, I gave myself permission to disregard the problems involving Tristan, the expectations, and pressures that burdened me. Instead of focusing on the past or future, I fully appreciated the bond developing between Felix and myself.

At the end of the evening, as the sky grew dark outside, Felix and I stood by a window, looking at the starry night sky. The gentle contact of his hand on mine filled me with a jolt of electricity. The unspoken words weighed heavily on the atmosphere, pleading to be recognized.

I mustered up both bravery and openness as I leaned in to Felix and quietly said, "I appreciate tonight." I required this to a greater extent than you can comprehend.

He responded with a gentle smile, saying, "I'm happy I could support you."

"I need to leave now."

"Sure, let me accompany you as you leave."

During that instance, in the midst of romantic tensions and unspoken possibilities, I experienced a spark of optimism.