"Why would we be friends?" Nora scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness. "We have nothing in common. You’re rich, you have a high status, and your friends are just like you. anwhile, I..." She hesitated, clenching her fists. "I’m just soone struggling to make ends et. You and I...we don’t belong in the sa world."
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to et Demitri’s gaze. "So, please, tell your grandmother to stop bothering . I don’t want her charity, her concern. And I am not ready for any kind of relationship, especially with you."
Demitri remained silent for a mont, taking in her words. He could tell—this wasn’t just frustration talking. This was what she truly felt. She had been holding it in, and now, it all ca spilling out.
"Alright," he said at last. "I’ll tell my grandmother."
"Good." Without another word, Nora turned to leave, but before she could take a step, Demitri reached out and gently grasped her arm.
"At least let drop you ho," he offered like a gentleman.
She wrenched her arm free, stepping back as if his touch burned her. "Why?" Her voice wavered. "I told you—we are not friends. I don’t like it when you help . It makes feel like a burden."
Demitri barely had ti to process her words before her shoulders trembled, and tears spilled from her eyes. Within seconds, she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
His chest tightened. He hadn’t expected this. He hadn’t realized how much pain she had been carrying.
"Hey, hey..." He stepped closer, hesitant but concerned. He gently placed his hands on her arms, his touch light, careful. "Don’t cry." His voice was low, soothing, but his eyes darted around, noticing the curious glances from passersby. He didn’t want anyone to misunderstand the situation.
Nora, however, didn’t care about the stares. Through her tears, she looked at him as her voice trembled.
"I just... I want to live a normal life. I want to be happy." A sob wracked her body. "But no one around even likes my presence. It feels like no matter what I do, I’ll never belong anywhere."
Demitri exhaled slowly, his grip tightening just a little as if grounding her.
"Shhh... it’s okay," he murmured.
"Nothing is okay in my life. Mom abandoned . Dad left with huge debts. I thought I entered a wonderful company, but my colleagues also hate for knowing you. They think I took your help in getting hired," she murmured and rested her head against his chest.
"You are the only person who doesn’t judge . Thank you for being such a good man," Nora said and again pulled back. She patted his shoulders this ti while pursuing her lips together. Her cheek and eyes red. "Demitri, if you are lonely too, then call , okay? I understand what it feels like to be alone. I will comfort you."
Demitri couldn’t help but smile at her words. Earlier, she was yelling at him to stay away and now she wanted him to call her.
"Let’s go ho. The car is this way," Demitri said and took her toward his car, parked in the opposite direction of them.
~~~~~
Roderick left for ho after work. However, from the receptionist he found out Ivy was waiting for him in the private lobby. So, he went to see her.
He pushed open the door and t her gaze. "Why didn’t you co to my office?"
Ivy turned her head at the sound of his voice and slowly stood from the chair.
"I didn’t want to disturb you while you were working," she said softly. "And... I’m sorry for not contacting you after what happened that night."
Roderick studied her for a mont, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slight nod, he replied, "It’s fine. I know you must be wanting so alone ti."
Without another word, he stepped inside, letting the door shut behind him.
"I read the articles about us. Because of ..." Ivy trailed off, her voice faltering as she struggled to put her thoughts into words.
"Ignore them," Roderick said without hesitation.
Ivy let out a quiet sigh. "I thought about what you said to ."
"Ah." He tilted his head slightly. "So, what’s your response? Do you want us to get to know each other better?"
She hesitated for a mont before whispering, "I don’t want to seem selfish in your eyes. My parents want us to get married in the future... because of the financial burden we’re facing. I hope you understand what I an."
Roderick studied her carefully, his gaze steady. "I’m more interested in knowing what you think," he clarified, stepping closer to her this ti. There was only a few inches distance between them.
"Let’s do it," Ivy said. She took a deep breath before finally admitting, "I would... I would like to date you." The words ca out with a slight stutter, and she passed him a small, hesitant smile. "I want to trust my instincts about you," she added, as if convincing herself as much as him.
Roderick’s lips curled into a warm smile. "Then, let’s have our first dinner date outside."
Ivy t his gaze and nodded. "Okay."
Roderick went to the door and pulled the door open for her. Ivy stepped out first, followed by him. Together they headed to the parking and drove to a fancy restaurant.
In the car, Ivy suddenly said, "I heard Orabela is in Italy. I heard from soone who’s also friends with her. Orabela was whining about you ditching her. I want to know why did you do it?"
"Do what? Asking her for a breakup? Because it didn’t sit right with he. She drugged and cleverly took the ring from . I know I was playing with Layla’s heart, but... Gosh. It’s so tough to explain. Even I don’t know what I saw in Orabela. But later when she declared herself pregnant, I was quite shocked. She lied about it just to marry . A lot happened and I just don’t like her," Roderick pronounced, clenching his hands on the steering wheel.
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