Heading back to his office with a dejected look, Erick sat down on his chair as he covered his face. He didn't know the reason why he was feeling down. Was it because of the scar he left in Abigail's heart or was it because he couldn't accept the fact that Nicholas still holds a place in Adeline's heart?
"Erick! Do you hear me?" Adeline called for the third time.
Erick snapped back to his senses. "Ah, yes. What do you need?"
"I've finished checking the reports."
"Y-You can put it in my table."
"Is there something wrong?" Adeline touched his forehead. "You don't have a fever."
Erick flinched back as his cheeks started turning red. "I'm not sick!"
"Then what's with you? Did Abigail—"
"Does Nicholas still hold a special place in your heart?"
"W-Why would you ask this out of the blue...?"
"You're waiting for someone who isn't coming back." Erick stood up. "You're just living your life hoping that someone will realize they can't live theirs without you. You broke your heart trying to be enough for him, Adele."
"What are you saying?" Adeline took a few steps back.
"Do you still love him...?"
"You know I don't—"
"Do you?" Erick hastily grabbed her shoulders.
"It doesn't matter."
"Why doesn't it?"
"Because it wasn't enough to make him stay." Adeline rested her head on his chest. "I didn't want him to see me suffer like this."
Erick wrapped his arms around her waist. "How about me then?"
"Why are you even asking me this?"
"Because I'm tired of hoping that I can—"
"When did you become so fragile?" Adeline bursted into laughter.
"Why are you even laughing at a time like this?" Erick frowned. "Can't you take this conversation seriously?"
"I'll stop playing hard to get then." Adeline kissed his cheek. "You annoy me more than I ever thought, but I can't believe that I actually want to spend every irritating minute with you."
"What did you j-just say...?"
"I feel like everything in my life has led me to you. My choices, heartbreaks and even my regrets. When we're together, my past seems worth it because if I had done one thing differently, I might've never met you. My love for Nicholas led me to you."
"Is my hard work finally paying off...?"
"Don't make me repeat it." Adele in wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you because you actually put effort into me. You give me the love no one has ever given to me and you always make me feel that I am worth something."
"How about Nicholas...?"
"Stop worrying about that, silly! Ever since I met you, no one else is worth thinking about."
Erick then took her by her waist and lifted her onto the counter as she wrapped her legs around him, cupping his face. As Erick was about to brush his lips onto hers, Adeline abruptly covered his mouth and smirked. "Not today, Erick."
"What's gonna be the proof that you mean it then?"
"I just kissed you didn't I?"
Erick pointed to his lips. "I want it here."
"Wait until we get married then." Adeline folded her arms. "That's out of my limits."
"If you don't—"
Adeline gave him a peck on his cheek. "I never knew that I'd end up falling for you."
"I told you didn't I? It just takes some time for you to realize it."
"Do you think it'd be okay if I tell Abby about our relationship?"
Erick scratched his head. "I don't think today is the right time."
"What happened?"
"Nothing. She's just probably in a terrible mood."
"Did you tell her about—"
"Yes." Erick looked away. "I think I might've broken her heart again, Adele..."