It's A Date II

"Do you think I can just shut up, Aaron? I love you, I don't want to lose you. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, just imagining it scares me. But what you did after that disappointed me." Said, Cynthia

"You said yourself, even if everyone is against us, you will stay by my side, you won't let me go. Did you forget?" Cynthia said again.

Cynthia's words echoed again.

"I'm sorry." Said Aaron at that time.

After their meeting at the mall, at the restaurant, their brief conversation that implied how much Cynthia still loved him and was hurt because of him, Aaron realized that he could never forget Cynthia, but to return to the way it was before was impossible.

He admits he regrets his decision earlier. He thought letting Cynthia go was the best decision but now it looked ridiculous and cowardly. He even broke his promise. What can a sixteen-year-old do? He was very young, stupid, and unstable.

Ah... Again he took refuge in age to justify his actions. Was it because he was young that it was only natural for him to make mistakes? Even if his mistakes are detrimental to others though.

By the way, this wasn't the only mistake he made. Long before he owed someone even worse than he did to Cynthia.

He might hurt Cynthia but he did it for the good of her, at least he used to think but that one he did for his selfishness. Saving himself and the aftermath was far more terrifying than heartache.

His memory flashing back to the restaurant, Aaron sighed. Why is it that every time Mai looks at him, there is a tightness in his heart, a bad feeling that can't go away as if he is a very bad person and the image of a little girl crying in fear and hope for him is clear in her eyes?

The three times they met accidentally in three different places, the meeting intentionally because Aaron visited the economics faculty didn't count or their meeting at the karate club because Mai accompanied Ivani to practice, as well as for the chats they often had recently.

In the first accidental meeting, the girl had a panic attack in front of him again just because she saw Rara's face. Mai may recognize Rara even though she still doesn't remember who Rara is.

The second was at a family dinner at a favorite restaurant of his father and sister. Aaron ignored her because at that time Mai was with her family. He didn't want the two families who had had problems in the past to meet. A third world war could break out if that happened.

Third, it just happened an hour ago. Mai with her best friend Thomas. Aaron didn't want to bother her. He smiled slightly as he remembered that the girl had feelings for her best friend. Maybe they're dating.

All these coincidences made him shudder. Too many coincidences between him and Mai. It seemed that God had deliberately wanted him to be responsible.

The man sighed, what should I do to you, Mai... - thought Aaron

Aaron grabbed the doorknob of his apartment but before he opened it, it was already open. Karyn came out with puffy eyes and a listless face, looking like she had been crying.

"Are you okay?" Aaron asked in surprise.

Karyn didn't answer, only gave a faint smile, and then walked away from him. Behind Karyn, his cousin was standing with a strange look, like when you make a mistake and then you get caught.

Aaron closed the door behind him and folded his arms in front.

"What's going on? What did you do, Riven?" said Aaron.

Whatever made Karyn cry had something to do with Riven.

"It's nothing. You've been having a good time, you've lost track of time." Said Riven, he seemed to divert the conversation.

"Why she's crying?" Said Aaron, who remained focused on Karyn.

It's a bit strange that Karyn can be friends with Riven, considering that all the girls who are close to his cousin must be dating, only Karyn doesn't.

"Her parents decided to divorce. Their relationship has not been good since Karyn was a kid but still this is hard for her. Her father was caught cheating," said Riven, he told him about what happened.

"That's bad." Said Aaron, he felt sorry.

"Is she okay?" Aaron asked, it's a silly question Karyn isn't doing well, she's crying.

"You think? You saw it, didn't you." Said Riven

"Well... I wish there was something we could do for her," said Aaron.

"I told her I would always be there for her and she could call me anytime she needed someone," Riven said.

"That's good. You're her best friend. That would mean a lot to her." said Aaron.

"What about you?" Said Riven, who changed the subject.

"You met her right? So how's it going?" Said Riven again.

Riven knew Aaron had gone to see Cynthia and it seemed his cousin couldn't wait to hear the rest of the story.

"We've talked," Aaron said curtly.

"So it has been cleared between you both." Said Riven, he guessed and stared at Aaron waiting for him to speak again. The two of them sat casually on the sofa, ignoring the sound of the TV playing in front of them.

Aaron smiled.

"I think it gets worst," said Aaron.

"Wow... What happened?" Riven said.

"I think my decision at that time was wrong and now she hates me. I did hurt her," said Aaron.

"So you're sorry?" Riven said.

"Yeah but there's nothing I can do to fix it," said Aaron.

"Says who? Apologize to her and say that you're still in love. After all, you guys broke up not because you weren't in love, right?" Riven said.

"It's not that simple," said Aaron.

"You said Cynthia's dad was nice at dinner," Riven said.

"Maybe he's being nice because my dad is there," said Aaron.

"Maybe he sees you've changed and potential to be a son-in-law." Said Riven.

Aaron threw one of the sofa cushions in Riven's face when he heard his cousin's original comment.

"Oh come on... It won't be like a wedding just for business, you two love each other," Riven argued.

"Where did you get that idea from?" said Aaron.

Between the Porter Group and Price Group, there is indeed a business agreement that is said to strengthen their business, so there is no need to talk about marriage at all. Just like inter-kingdom politics. After all, they were too young to get married.

"Rara said. It seems like Rara wants to help you reunite with your ex." Riven said.

"What?" said Aaron.

"Well, how about it, Rara is sad to see her brother who is not enthusiastic about life because of a breakup," Riven said.

Another sofa cushion landed on Riven's face and Riven threw the pillow back.

"My life is fine. It's reckless to say!" said Aaron.

Riven chuckled. Fine but chose to be single for two years, ignoring every girl around him. Life is monotonous and boring according to Riven's eyes.

"But you're still in love, right? With Cynthia?" asked Riven.

Aaron didn't answer but his face turned red and Riven laughed.

"That's not my priority right now," said Aaron.

"Your priority is to graduate from college to become a doctor, make The Whale Gray a famous band, become a karate athlete? Is that so? Yes, you're so busy," said Riven half mockingly.

How long will his cousin live this boring life? Every human being has made mistakes in his life. Riven admits that their behavior when they were unstable teenagers could not be called good, but it felt like at that time they could let go, be free, do whatever they wanted, be themselves. Now they have to take the words of others, listen and consider their wishes.

Aaron says it's called responsibility. They can no longer live as they please without thinking about the consequences of their actions. Riven knew Aaron wasn't a delinquent, unlike himself and Boban, who had entered the world first. Aaron joined in because he was worried about Riven and Boban. Although in reality, Aaron could be crazier than the two of them. His cousin was fearless and determined and at the same time cared too much for the people he loved.

"Have you ever felt bored with your life?" asked Riven.

"Bored? how?" said Aaron.

"You used to like freedom, doing whatever you liked, now you're... A bit of a pushover. You've become a good boy." Riven said.

Aaron laughed.

"Really? I'm not that good. You'll see... Maybe later I'll cause more trouble and give dad a headache." said Aaron.

No matter how hard Aaron tries to improve his life, to be the good boy his father always wanted, his father never believed in him. For his father, Aaron only took a short break before finally making trouble again.

"Oh No... Don't drag me into it." Said Riven, he pretended to be afraid.

"We're not kids anymore, Riv," Aaron said with a serious look that made Riven feel like laughing out loud. Of course, he didn't dare to laugh, he could have been slapped by Aaron. They're only 19 years old, they're not even adults yet, they're not even children. Aaron was indeed much more mature than he was, one of the reasons his father asked Aaron to live with him so he could watch over him.

"Hmm...." Riven only replied with a mumble. Riven had also stopped causing trouble except for problems with the girls who were part of his fun life.

"I have things to do, Riv and this looks like it's going to be tough," Aaron said, his face turning sad.

Riven also frowned and stared intently at his cousin, waiting for the continuation of Aaron's statement just now but Aaron didn't say anything else and instead watched an obscure program on TV.

Aaron glanced at Riven who got up from the sofa they were sitting on and went to his room. A few moments ago he had wanted to tell Riven his problem.

Does Riven still remember the accident that happened 12 years ago? But Aaron was confused about where to start and he decided to keep it to himself for the time being.