Truth Hurts

ALANA

"Tell me now," I wiped the remaining grease from around my mouth and threw the tissue into the now-empty plate. "What kind of a girl are you looking for?"

"I'm not looking for anyone," his voice sounded far-off, since he was extremely busy typing into his laptop. "Let's talk about this sometime later, Alana. I don't exactly come to the office for fun."

I gasped. "Are you telling me to leave?" I shook my head. Truth was, I was kinda hurt and was covering it up with jokes.

But when Knight's eyes bore into mine, it was as if my soul was bared and he saw deep within. I bit back my stupid emotions and plastered a smile. His expression didn't change. Indeed, he'd stopped typing for a moment.

He finally sighed, shoulders hunching. "Why are you really here, Alana?"

I swallowed. "What do you mean? I already told you. I came for some peace of mind after the hell your date has been giving me."

"What's our relationship?" His gaze was unflinching and I had to beg myself not to look away.

I wasn't sure how to respond to that so I shrugged.

"What's our relationship, Alana?" He repeated.

"I—I don't know," My voice was quiet, so different in contrast from the bubbly atmosphere before.

"Don't think I don't see the way you look at me, Alana," There was no judgement in his voice. He was just stating facts. I uncrossed my legs, my feet landing on the floor. It felt weird to be bare-shoed now. There was a different kind of crackle in the air, some sizzle of energy that seemed to draw the two of us into suffocated space. "This would lead to nothing good."

"I didn't say or do anything," That's all my dumb self could muster.

His jaw ticked. "Alana," My name was a sigh on his lips and it crushed my heart to hear the slight tremble in his voice. "What are you doing to me?"

"Huh?"

"You don't get it, do you?" he asked, throwing his head between his hands before lifting his face again. "God, it's so frustrating. I don't get where this is coming from."

Okay. Now, I was crazy confused. Frustrated? Over me? Whaaaaat.

"What are you talking about?"

"Never mind," His expression shuttered, eyes cold all over again. "Send me the address and time and I'll be there."

Hurt slammed into me. After all that he'd admitted, he'd still go through with the date? Shame coated my cheeks crimson. He'd basically made me sound like a desperate puppy who was running after him.

Wow.

"Sure," I said in an equally nonchalant voice, slipping my toes into the dusty Timberlands and grabbing my bag.

I was at the door when he called out. I didn't turn. I only stopped, hand on the door knob. I was afraid he'd see the tears lining my eyes. Wiping angrily, I waited for him to say whatever it was that was going to shatter my heart even more.

"I'm sorry,"

That didn't help in the least. It only made me quiver more and a tear escaped my eye, followed by several others.

I only nodded and took my leave.