Chapter 54 Marco's Sudden Appearance

Elena Garcia POV:

"Not really," Albert shrugged.

I didn't agree with Albert. What could be so bad about William that I would stay away from him?

To me, William had no flaws, at least not now. Our disagreements were just differences in opinion. Even though I was unhappy, it didn't make my impression of him any worse.

When William came over, I took the initiative to invite him to move to another spot.

We went to the balcony, where there was no one around, making it a good place to chat.

"Elena, how have you been lately? I'm really sorry our last phone conversation wasn't pleasant," William said.

"Honestly, not very well," I answered truthfully.

The recent events had left me overwhelmed, and some troubles caused by Sofia had made it hard for me to breathe freely.

"You don't need to apologize. Although the outcome of that call wasn't pleasant, I don't think it was your fault, but Sofia's. She's deceived too many people. I'll finally expose her true nature," I gritted my teeth, huffed.

"But I still feel the need to apologize to you. Your sadness at that time was real. Sofia... I hope you understand that my comments were just my way of holding onto some hope for your relationship with her, just like I always hope for happy endings," William said sincerely.

William's words touched me.

Indeed, William thought it was a misunderstanding, but it was also a kind of blessing for me. People always hoped things weren't that bad.

My sadness in front of William eased a bit.

The night wind was a bit chilly, and I sneezed. William immediately took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders.

Then he grabbed my hand, looking at me gently with his blue eyes.

"I'm really sorry. It was too late when I found Sofia and the others were targeting you. They were about to leave. I thought you wouldn't want me to see you in a vulnerable state, so I didn't step forward. But now, I regret not being able to comfort you at that moment," William said sincerely.

William kissed the back of my hand. I couldn't blame him; he looked genuinely sad. His palm was so warm it almost burned me.

My heart softened. I couldn't doubt his words because he had helped me. When we were still strangers, he saved me. I couldn't question his kindness and thoughtfulness.

"Don't say that, William. Just standing here with me is enough for me. I'm very grateful that you believe in me and even thought of helping me," I replied.

I supposed my face must have turned red; it felt a bit hot.

William's belief in me gave me more courage to face Sofia's targeting.

We stood on the balcony, quietly talking about everything. I confided in him all the matters that had made me sad, which I hadn't been able to tell him that night, and William comforted me.

I also shared some of my worries about future campus life. I didn't want William to solve them for me; I just needed someone to listen.

William was a great listener. When he heard that Laura and I were both medical students at Boston University, he started to tell me about this girl.

Laura's family, the Sterlings, came from England. The Sterling family was powerful, primarily involved in shipping, and reportedly had dealings with smuggling and some mafia connections.

"Laura has a bad temper. Although she's surrounded by many people, she doesn't have many friends at school. But if you don't appear in the same places, she shouldn't bother you without any reason, right?" William suggseted.

But just now, even without any conflict, Laura had troubled me, and that was because of Sofia.

We were in the same major, so it was impossible for us not to appear in the same places.

William probably intended to comfort me by saying this.

He told me that despite Laura's status making her someone upper-class people wanted to befriend, Sofia was Laura's only friend.

"Maybe it's because Sofia's kindness moved her. Sorry, I mean Laura used to have other friends, but since she was betrayed by a friend, few people have been able to get close to her," William explained.

"It's okay. I get it. You're just trying to show me how close they are and how much Laura values Sofia," I smiled.

William's anxious expression relaxed a bit. He held my hand again and kissed it.

"Let's not talk about those unpleasant things, Elena. I haven't seen you in a long time. I'd rather talk about something happy and see your smile," William suggested.

"Then what should we talk about?" I looked at William.

The balcony was super quiet, and I could feel my heart beating faster.

When he looked at me seriously, I felt a tingling sensation all over.

"Actually, Elena, during the times I couldn't see you, I've been thinking for a long time," William spoke slowly, so much so that I could hear every syllable in his pronunciation.

When I heard him say he had seriously thought about our relationship, I couldn't help but clench my hand.

I keenly sensed what William was about to say next, something I might have been hoping for.

When he said he thought he had fallen in love with me, I was even afraid I had misheard or that he would suddenly change his mind and take back his confession, just like what he did on the beach.

After he finished speaking, he stopped and looked at me. "Elena, what's your answer?"

"What?" My mind went blank for a moment.

I quickly came to my senses and looked at William's expectant eyes, which were so intense.

I wanted to agree with him immediately, but what came out of my mouth was, "I need to think about it, William."

I wasn't as excited as I was on the beach when he confessed, but it wasn't because my love for him had diminished; it was because of other things.

William was a great person, but right now, Sofia and her friends disliked me.

I had been told before that Sofia had an unusual influence in high society, and many people liked her.

If I agreed to be with William, would it implicate him and make his reputation in social circles worse because of me?

"I can't let them mock you the way they mock me," I said worriedly.

My concerns made William laugh. "No, Elena, no one will mock me."

William's head slowly lowered, and I realized what he wanted to do.

I felt my whole body heat up.

William didn't hesitate at all, which moved me.

I couldn't find any other reason to convince myself to refuse him.

When the person you liked chose you without hesitation, all your hesitant refusals seemed insignificant. Your mind would be filled with only him.

I kissed his lips before he could.

His lips were soft and warm, and I cupped his face with my hands.

That kiss was like a jar of honey, sweet and wonderful.

We kissed for only a few seconds, but it felt like each second was as long as a century, leaving a deep impression on me.

"I accept your confession. I love you, William. I'm so glad you love me as much as I do," I answered in the end.

I stroked his face, feeling joyful at our mutual understanding at that moment.

After I said this, I saw William's expression change to one of surprise.

He wasn't looking at me but behind me.

At the same time, I heard something fall to the ground behind me.

I turned around and noticed Marco appeared in front of me.

He picked up the beautifully wrapped gift box that had fallen onto the ground.

He looked at me, his expression fragile and sad.

There were some fresh wounds on his face, and his coat was dusty.

He hadn't even taken off his gloves, as if he had been in a hurry.

"Elena," he called my name. "As promised, I brought the gift I prepared for your enrollment. But it seems, am I too late?"