~12~

"To love for the sake of being loved is human, but to love for the sake of loving is angelic." Alphonse de Lamartine.

***

They became closer.

Cyrus would go to Louise's house, spent the day there, cuddling, playing, and spending time with each other.

To Kate and Peter, they looked very much like a couple. Warm and loving.

In any case, it was unreasonable for either of them to question it. 'What are we? What is it that we are having and doing? Are we dating now?' Questions like that, but—

Some things needn't need to be said. Some questions were better left unanswered.

~~~

Cyrus would randomly bring food to Louise, saying things like, "Kate sent this for you. Marie cooked too much food, and I thought I'd bring it over for you."

Why couldn't he admit that he missed and wanted to see her?

He wanted to hug, kiss, and hold her.

But, his ego did not allow him to say what he truly wanted to tell her. "I am here because I wanted to see you. Or I wanted to hear your voice..."

Louise did not like to pressure people, but she knew that they were all excuses he came up with to spend more time with her. She was content, knowing that Cyrus may have liked her a little bit.

~~~

Louise was reading a magazine about her younger brother Gregg when she suddenly heard the door unlocked. She had given Cyrus the code, but she knew that he would not use it unless of an emergency.

She continued to read, thinking that it may have been Kate or her aunt, Diane.

"Hey!" Someone said.

'Cyrus?'

He smiled before kissing her on the cheek. That took her by surprise, resulting in her dropping the magazine.

"What's wrong?" He asked, opening the refrigerator, pouring himself a glass of water.

She shook her head.

Louise turned her body so she could see him better.

He was so—the way he came—was just so natural, as if he had lived in the house for a long time.

And that made her happy.

"Father's mother is visiting," he randomly said.

"Why? You don't like her?"

"She doesn't like me, well, she doesn't like my mother."

"You want to talk about it?"

"I would if I knew about it. I can't blame my grandmother because I don't know what had happened between my mother and her, and my father isn't here to explain," he sighed.

"Mmm! I see." Louise got up, taking the glass from him. "You look tired."

"I was grading papers all night," he pulled Louise in his embrace, leaning on her.

"Darling!" She whispered when he didn't let go.

"Mmh!"

Louise smiled.

"Do you want to go to sleep upstairs?" She asked.

"Please, help me go up. I am too tired for the stairs," Cyrus mumbled.

~~~

'I wish things would stay like this. What am I doing getting so attached to you? What do I do if you leave?'

"Sleep well," she said, after watching Cyrus fall asleep.

~~~

What were they? They've known each other for a while, but—what were they exactly?

Friends? Lovers?

"She was the one who initiated everything, but she's not even clearing up our relationship," Cyrus mumbled to himself as he went down the stairs. "Something smells good."

"You're awake?" Louise smiled, "Why don't you sleep more?"

"I don't know. I couldn't sleep at all," Cyrus said.

"Come, sit down!"

He sat down, watching her as she served the food. He stretched his hand slowly, touching her face gently, holding it in place.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing. The mole above your eye is—beautiful," Cyrus said, caressing it.

She blushed under his burning gaze. 'Why is this guy so cute these days?' "Thanks?"

Cyrus realized that whenever he was with Louise, she always took immeasurably great care of him.

She habitually had time for him. She was also attentive to him.

Louise would notice every little thing about him.

What has he done for her? She loved him so much—but he—

He wasn't even sure of his feelings. He liked Louise, but why was he so hesitant?

"I am sorry," he said softly.

"Why? You haven't done anything."

"I...I."

"Don't worry about anything, for now," she smiled. Cyrus felt his heart skipped—Louise's smiled seemed brighter and cuter than usual. And it gave him different feelings. He has not felt like this since he dated Mina; no, it was something other than what Cyrus felt for Mina. But at that moment, he knew—

He abruptly got up and said, "I won't stay for dinner. I suddenly remember that I had something important to do at home."

"You haven't— Eat something before you—"

"I'm going to eat at home. Sorry, Cahir," he said, leaving in a hurry.

"What's wrong with him now?" Louise sighed. She wanted to spend more time with him before going back to France.

~~~

"What is it this time?" Peter asked, opening the door for Cyrus.

Cyrus would go to his friend's house whenever he couldn't understand certain things. His family, his feelings, Cahir, and everything.

Peter was versatile: He was a best friend at times. A therapist when his friend needed help. Single was he, but he could even become a love and relationship guru for his friend.

Which was he going to be?

"Well, Louise finally decided to leave you?" He asked.

Cyrus glared at him. "I am sorry, but you have been going in circles with her."

"Why is this so complicated?"

"Tell me why you're here. You're making me anxious—I am feeling uneasy."

"Why does it feel like I fell harder?"

"Well, because, you—" Peter stopped, staring at his friend intensely. "Fell harder?" He continued. "You came here—"

"I fell for her," Cyrus clarified.

"And?"

"All this time. I was going around not being sure of the feelings. I had already fallen in love with her."

"What's the problem?"

"I am not sure—I feel like it's—"

"Too fast?"

Cyrus nodded.

"Falling in love with the person who loves you is a good feeling. I don't think you should be feeling guilty for falling in love with someone too fast." What's wrong with this guy? He's always overthinking things.

"Louise seems genuinely sincere about it," Peter said.

"I know."

"Louise isn't afraid to show you how much she cares about you. When she loves, she loves. You're just worried that you will get your heartbroken. She's not Mina; that's unfair to her. I know Mina hurt you, but it does not mean Louise will do the same."

"I know. I feel so afraid to be loved like this. I always give my love, but there is this woman who loves me unconditionally and..."

"It's scary. 'Why would a woman like her fall for me? What if one day she doesn't feel the same?' Thoughts like that."

"Yeah!"

"Sometimes, people fall in love without reason. She loves you because she loves you. Don't complicate things. We don't know—it's because we don't know that we take risks. We give our hearts to someone, hoping for the best. Wishing to be with that person. But, it's not always going to be the way we want it to be."

"Sure, Mina hurt you, but Louise is taking that risk by loving you. She knows that you may not feel the same way. She can't force you to love her back, but she loves you. It may sound wrong, but you need to let go of all your insecurities and just be loved."

"I—"

"Say no more," Peter begged. "Darn it, Cyrus. Don't you see how lively and healthier you are ever since she came into your life? What more do you need? I'm sorry, but does she have to take her heart out and show it to you on a platter?"

"Hey!"

"What? Let me remind you. Louise is an impatient person. She's that patient with you. Hurry up! She might change her mind soon."

"Don't remind me!"

"What's with your attitude?"

"Don't you ever get tired of me?" Cyrus asked, feeling guilty about using his friend to solve his problem.

"Yes—"Peter grinned. "I get tired of you denying your feelings for Louise."

"Oh! That is the last time," he said, closing his eyes. "I don't know how I am going to apologize to her. I left in the middle of dinner and. I—"

Cyrus didn't finish his sentence when Peter pushed him out of his room. "You are unbelievable. I pity her. I do. Don't come back until you have a good talk with her."

"Who's friend, are you?" Cyrus asked behind the door.

"Yours. But come on, Cyr. It's been over three months since we've met Louise. It's not good to keep denying your feelings like that because you don't want to get hurt. What about her?"

"You've been giving Louise hope, Cyr. You don't reject or accept her. She's still around because she believes that one day you'll return her feelings. Hurting her like this is unfair. I am telling you this because I wouldn't want Louise to do that to you."

"I know," Cyrus whispered. "Thank you. I didn't even consider her feelings. Thanks, bro."

"Clear your head. And make your decision," Peter said. He could see how happy Louise made his friend and had hoped that Cyrus decided to be with her. "But do you love her? Don't be with her just because she loves you."

"I do. You know, I am happy when Cahir is happy, especially when she smiles, knowing that I am the reason. I mean, she's beautiful and everything, but I can't stop myself. I don't even know when I fell in love. Or why? It's like she came like a storm and just—" Cyrus laughed. "This is crazy. I loved Mina, I did, but this is falling in love; it almost feels like a dream."

"Don't love just because you want to be loved. You may regret it."

"No, it's not like that. If it were, we would have been together already."

"That's good. Think carefully about it. Don't rush, but don't let her wait too long."

"Thanks, man!"