Confession
"One million would be reasonable." Adeline slammed the table. "What did you do to the rest of the money?"
"You're father gambled and thought that he'd win." Carol held her hand. "I'm sorry, honey."
"Is this the one you wanted to tell me yesterday?"
"No, it's not that—"
"You told me that you didn't want to let me worry, but have you ever thought that all this money will have to be payed back by me? I never knew that you and dad would be the one shattering my dreams."
"We're sorry, Adele." Dave came out from the living room.
"I'm not working for Nicholas nor his parents."
"We just didn't know how to tell you about it..."
"I can't believe you both still have the courage to face them!"
Dave took a few steps closer. "We didn't mean to—"
"I need some time alone, dad," Adeline cried, walking towards her bedroom.
As Adeline laid on her bed, eyes swollen from the tears shed just moments ago, she lets out a shaky breath. She then swung her legs up towards her chest, gripping onto the pillow beside her.
Her eyes begun to shut, feeling at ease again. She tried taking deep breaths before taking a nap until she heard a knock from the door.
"I don't want to talk to anyone! Leave me alone!" Adeline covered her ears.
"It's me, Nicholas."
Adeline slowly sat up and wiped her tears. "Come in."
When Nicholas opened the door, he noticed Adeline's red puffy eyes. He then sat down beside her, hoping that he'd be able to make her feel better.
"Your mother told me everything." Nicholas patted her back.
"What are you talking about?" Adeline bursted into laughter. "Happy birthday, idiot."
"You don't need to show me that fake smile of yours. I didn't come to hear you say that."
"How about that—"
"Stop crying." Nicholas used his thumb to wipe her tears. "It hurts me to see you this way."
"I'll pay it all back." Adeline hugged her knees. "I won't let your parents look down on me..."
"Stupid! They never did. We're family remember?"
Adeline stood up, trying to hold her tears back. "Don't let me ruin your day. Leave me alone."
"You know I'm not doing that."
"Then what will make you—"
Turning her head to look back, Nicholas covered her eyes and turned her around. "Stop pushing me away." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a hug.
"Why are you doing this?" Adeline rested her head on his chest.
"Isn't this our way of comforting each other...?"
"We aren't children anymore. Let go."
"Do you not like—"
"Do you not understand?" Adeline pushed him away. "Your ma-making me confused! Those hugs you give me...I'm starting to interpret it in the wrong way!"
"You... Do you have feelings for me...?"
"You're too confident."
"If I'm not wrong—"
"So what if I do? Will that change anything? I know that you've only had your eyes in one woman, Nic." Adeline took a few steps back. "I've liked you for a long time. Happy? I loved you so much that I'm like a fool! I love you so much that I cannot be myself. I tried giving other people a chance to fix my heart, but because of you, I can't seem to learn to love someone else... I just can't understand why I still like you despite the pain you've caused me..."
"I-I had no idea..." Nicholas looked away. "I'm sorry. It was never my intention to hurt you."
"Stop apologizing. If you don't feel the same way, then stop giving me hope that you will! I'm tired of crying, trying and getting hurt...from someone I know that'll never love me the same way I did... I love you, but I'm just so tired of giving so much more than I can get..."