CHAPTER 13 : AS A FRIEND

"You look so stunning as ever."

"I miss you."

They both shot wide eyed as they uttered those words in chorus.

Ruoye said the first sentence in order to open a friendly conversation since they haven't met each other for years and also they spent moments together so it's not that bad to use that sentence for an opening to a talk but he felt himself eaten by awkwardness as he clearly heard Xuan Xi's words chorusing his.

That was unexpected.

Xuan Xi however, had swirling emotions, confusion and shame overcoming him. His beautiful face flushed red as he stare at Ruoye's face.

"Um..." he muttered and shyly reached for Ruoye's hand. He took it gently and covered it with his other hand as he sincerely spoke, "I...I mean it."

He hanged his head low again.

Ruoye was dumbstruck, stupefied and.... dumbstruck! This... Xuan Xi really misses him?? He can't help to frown in a confused look.

Way back then during their second year as Seniors, Ruoye confessed to the most beautiful omega on the school since he had been crushing him for years.

And unexpectedly, this beautiful, stunning and exceptional omega accepted him without hesitation like a complete dream come true to Ruoye.

His smile didn't took off on his face for a day which made Mierin to tease him in terrible manner but so what? Among his handsome competitors, he won Xuan Xi with his ugly and nerdy look. That's something to be proud of!

He was so happy during this time of his life and even made a diary. Whenever they take lunch and go home together, they would talk about what happened during the day, their struggles and likes that enables them to grew closer together.

Young Ruoye even thought of purchasing the most expensive diamond ring on a jewelry shop in preparation for his marriage proposal to Xuan Xi in the near future but luckily Mierin accidentally saw him and scolded him face on. The money costs his 2 years allowance!

But that didn't bothered the young Ruoye even though he didn't brought the diamond ring he still brought a silver necklace to Xuan Xi. He gave it on their fourth day of dating.

And the next day, he saw Xuan Xi not wearing it, he reasoned out that he was allergic to it. The next day when he was tasked to take the garbage trash, he saw the silver necklace glittering in that pool of trashes. He was frozen.

And cleaned it up thoroughly thinking that Xuan Xi must have set it aside accidentally or lost it. So he approached him and tried to give that necklace again to him but Xuan Xi was suddenly enraged.

He threw the necklace off the ground and blurted his true feelings flatly to the young Ruoye.

He said that it was a dare and he's already feeling ashamed from the ridiculing stares of everyone at school.

So he vented out.

It was only a dare to humiliate Ruoye who tried to confess on a person he isn't capable on reaching.

He said that everything he said was a lie. And he was disgusted when Ruoye is with him.

Ruoye forgot to breathe the entire time he confessed those words. He was completely frozen and dumbstruck.

Ruoye then tried to buried those memories as he grew up to avoid any hard feelings and grudges.

It isn't healthy to plant a seed of hatred after all.

But hearing those words made Ruoye frown in confusion, he asked honestly and low, "Is...is this a dare?" he didn't mean anything from it, he just wanted to ask honestly.

But that made Xuan Xi lift his head abruptly, eyes reddening as if he'll cry, "No, No, it's isn't! No!" he took hold of Ruoye's hand tightly

"I...I honestly want to say those words to you. I-I know I've made a lot of mistake in the past but I've changed. I wouldn't do it anymore Ruoye, believe me."

He nervously asked, "Will you listen to me?"

Ruoye was stunned, "O-Okay."

Xuan Xi took a breath and started, "When we were dating, I know it started as a dare but...when we broke up, I couldn't think of anything but to feel empty back then, I felt really hopeless." his head hanged low again.

"I was taking glimpse on you and tried to make an approach but fear overcomes me everytime, fear of being insulted and ridiculed was on my mind so I stopped and entered different relationships to ease my mind but all of them weren't comparable on our good days..." he said

"The way you take care of me was different, it was full of love and care and until now, I couldn't manage to take you away from my mind hoping that someday..."

He stopped but his hold was still tight on Ruoye's hand.

Ruoye gulped. He didn't expect this sudden confession but he couldn't respond since he had forgotten this matter long ago. He had no love or hatred anymore.

"Ruoye..." slowly, Xuan Xi lifted his head to stare at his eyes.

"...I truly miss you Ruoye and, I know I shouldn't feel like this since you're married but I, I want you..."

Ruoye's red alarm on his mind rung on his head.

Xuan Xi continued, "And if you feel the same way...." he leaned closer to Ruoye, his expression alluring, "...I don't mind entering an affair with you." he whispered

"!!!!!!!!!!"

Ruoye was so shock that he forcefully pulled away his hand and stood, almost tripping just to get away from the man.

He nervously laughed, "Ha Ha Ha, that's so funny Xuan Xi."

But Xuan Xi isn't laughing, his face serious as he stood to walk towards Ruoye.

Ruoye was stepping backwards trying to avoid him at all cost but he ended up in the wall.

Xuan Xi finally faced him head on.

He lifted his hand to caress Ruoye's chest but Ruoye flinched and immediately took his hand away, "It's really nice meeting you Xuan Xi." he said nervously

But Xuan Xi didn't gave up and leaned closer to him, "Ruoye... Everyone knows what kind of status your marriage currently has and, Liu Jiangli was a playful man, when I was studying overseas I met him, we once dated there and had lots of fun so you think he's serious about you?"

Ruoye was trying to avoid any 'skinship'.

He thought, 'No worries I thought the same too! And I'm also not serious to him, not a bit at all!'

Ruoye flinched again when Xuan Xi touched his shoulder, "But I promise you won't feel neglected to me Ruoye. Let's bring back those old times, hm? Think about it."

Xuan Xi was about to caress his cheeks but Ruoye avoided it and immediately freed himself from him as he walk away hurriedly.

He didn't dare to cheat! To Lin of course. And he had no feelings or any affection left for Xuan Xi so what's there to think of?

But staying any longer on this room alone with him is a bad idea. So he hurriedly walked towards the door but before he can take five steps forward to reach it, he felt hands wrapped around him from behind.

Xuan Xi buried his head on Ruoye's back, "Ruoye!!" Xuan Xi called so loudly that he didn't heard the opening of the door.

"How many time should I beg you to take me? That scum Jiangli is no good so why are so loyal?" he said in a ridiculing tone

"Having an affair with me would be so good, I promise. I'll fulfill you in every way, just take me and I'll love you sincerely."

Xuan Xi continued to mumble, "But if you really don't want it then...I could accept a one night stand with you."

!!!!!!!

Ruoye was utterly speechless not only because of his words but the person infront who just walked in.

'Could this day get any worse?'

Jiangli had a bright face when he entered carrying a box of soft desserts he bought downstairs, expecting Ruoye to love it but what welcomed him was this.