Rejection

Yes, there was no reason why they were not allowed to fall for each other, and yet, Violet fought against the feelings inside her. The fear of getting hurt and being betrayed again was stopping her from giving in to him.

"You don't have to like me right now." Lucas released her hand and reached out to gently touch her cheek. "But I'm going to make you fall for me."

Her heart was so restless. If he kept on saying such words, it wouldn't be good to her heart! Doesn't he know how to hold back?!

"D-do you..." She stammered. Violet cleared her throat to compose herself before she continued, "Do you really..." She paused and averted her eyes from his intense look. She could feel her face getting hotter the longer he stared at her. "...really... Like me?"

"Yes." He replied with no hesitation.

"W-why?"

How could he like someone like her? She was not beautiful. She wasn't attractive at all. She was plain and simple. It was better if their marriage could go on without feelings in that way, things could end neatly.

This time, Lucas wasn't able to give her a quick answer. Instead, he paused for a moment to give it a thought.

Why did he like her?

Violet turned her gaze back to him and when she saw how quiet he looked, a bitter smile escaped her lips. "I think you're just confused with the feelings you have for me. How can you like me? I'm not even appealing to the ey-"

"Do I need a reason to like you?" He cut her off. "Is my feelings not enough? Can't it be just you as a whole?"

Once again, she was caught off guard by his words.

A sigh escaped his lips as he let go of her hand. Lucas didn't even know what was going on inside him, the reason why this woman made him feel that way but he liked her as a person. He liked her face, he liked everything about her.

"Don't tell me that you haven't been feeling the same for me?" He looked at her with the same seriousness he has earlier. "I don't believe in love at first sight but maybe that was what happened when I first saw you. Maybe it's the reason why I'm this smitten for you."

"..." T-this man... He doesn't really know how to hold back doesn't he?

"Violet, I-"

She instantly covered his mouth just to make him stop. She couldn't handle the impact of the words he shoots at her. She was so flustered that just to make him stop. "E-enough! Enough! I get it, okay? You l-like me!"

Violet didn't have a choice but to give in. He was too much for her. Any moment now, she would definitely have a heart attack.

He held her wrist, lowering her hand from his mouth. He chuckled, "Does that mean I can court you now?"

Court...?

"E-eh?"

"I told you, didn't I? I want to make you fall for me." The smile on his lips grew as he entwined their fingers. "So don't push me away. I will never hurt you."

His words were so tempting, making her want to take the risk of falling for him but those words were not enough to make her jump into the cliff he was offering her.

"That's impossible. One way or the other, you'll end up hurting me."

Lucas ended up blinking a few times at her reply. "Then I'll try my best not to."

Now, this was different.

She ended up staring at him for a while as if she was considering his words. She was already growing feelings for him and now that he has confessed, it made it harder for her to control them.

Violet opened her mouth, "I'm grateful for the feelings you have for me..." She paused as she pulled her hand away from his hold, "but I'm afraid I have to reject you."

It was not like she was trying to play hard to get. She wanted to be careful. She was still not willing to take the risk yet. Her feelings for him weren't enough for her to trust him completely.

What if he has another motive in his mind? What if he was just playing around with her? But as she looked into his beautiful eyes, she ended up taking back those questions. He genuinely meant those words.

"It's okay if you reject me now," He chuckled. "I can make you say yes next time."

The sound of the school bell chimed and just like that, they realized that they wasted their lunch break by talking instead of eating.