Chapter 25

I was angry with him because of what he did to me and Liam. But at the same time, I felt sorry for him, he had been hurting a lot while we all were enjoying and happy.

Whatever he did was wrong, but his feelings weren't. Whatever happened was not only his fault, it was ours too. We could have understood him, we could have been with him as a friend whenever he was in need.

"I don't know what to say," I said. He looked at me with a sad smile.

"You don't have to say anything, Ava. I know you can't forgive me for whatever I did to both you and Liam. I am sorry, Ava, and believe me or not I am. I feel terrible for doing that and I will not forgive myself." He said and stared at me for a few seconds before he asked me, "Do you still love him?"

"I do," I said nodding my head. His smile didn't fade but I saw hurt in his eyes.

"Then, I think I should just tell you whatever I feel for you. You don't have to say it back or react to it, I just want to tell you what I couldn't years ago and feel weightless in my heart so I could move on happily." He nodded to himself.

"Yeah," I said, he took my hands in his, and looking in my eyes he said.

"You are an amazing, beautiful, and talented woman. When I saw you on my fifth birthday, I fell in love with you. You were wearing a beautiful pink and white dress with a pearl design on it. And you cried because you got a small piece of cake compared to Grace's piece of cake. You cried a lot that your nose was running." He said and we both laughed.

"Seeing you cry was the last thing I ever wanted to see, you were my best friend till then but after that, I saw you as someone more than just a friend. I am sorry for whatever I did, please forgive me if you ever can. I just want you to know that I love you, I have always loved you and you will always be my first love. Yeah, we can't be what I want us to be but we will always be friends." He said and without wasting a second, I hugged him as tears streamed down our eyes.

We shed a few tears on each other's shoulders. I was just happy that he, at least knows whatever he did back then was wrong and he apologized for it. I can't give what he wants, I can't love him how he wants me to. But I can do one thing, so I did.

"I forgive you, Ian, for whatever you did or for whatever happened. I can't love you how you want me to but I loved you as my friend and I always will. And I am sorry." I said pulling back from our hug.

"Thank you and I am just happy that I have you in my life even if it is to be just friends. After opening up to you, I feel relieved and … happy." He said and that brought a smile on my face as I thought, 'I am relieved too'.

***

In the evening, after dinner when I was in my room alone checking my emails and working on my laptop, someone knocked on my door.

Opening the door, I saw Liam. Letting him in, we sat on my bed.

"So, Grace told me whatever happened between you and Ian this morning." He said, looking at me.

"Yeah, I too got to know about your friendship patch-up with Aiden," I said with a smile which he returned. After staring at each other for a few seconds he said, "I love you Ava, and I want you back in my life."

"I love you too Liam and I want you back too. And this time I won't leave you, I promise." I said and he smiled. Without wasting a minute, he kissed me and I kissed him back, just like how we kissed on the cliff last night. But this time we don't just stop on a kiss.

You know …