Chapter Forty-four

" You're gonna have to take it easy on yourself, Anny" I heard Rio say. A tear fell off my eyes and he cleaned them off almost immediately.

" Hey don't cry, Anny. Please" He said, his voice filled with concern.

" I never got to thank you for saving my life. Kyra said..."

" I didn't do anything really. I just happened to be the first on your call log so they called me and I just rushed here without thinking. I don't have to think when it comes to you, yunno" he chuckled lightly but my heart tightened. Only one question on my mind and I gotta say it. Can't hold it in any longer.

" Rio, are you still in love with me?"

He looked at me and I locked out gaze.

His Pov

" Rio, are you still in love with me?" I heard her ask all of a sudden and I looked at her. Our eyes met again and I felt terrible. Here was the girl who shattered my heart into a million pieces after I chose her to love. Here she is asking me a question I was trying to avoid. I couldn't actually fathom the answer. Would have just said it directly but the first thing that came into my mind was what I said.

" If I didn't, would I be here?" I said with a dry chuckle. Our stare still didn't break. There was a trace of pain in her eyes and something else. Probably guilt or was it pity? I didn't want her to pity me or feel guilty for not loving me. I wanted her to love me. To love me as much as I loved her. That wasn't too much to ask, was it?

" Rio, I'm sorry..."

" Don't!" I cut in.I didn't want her saying she's sorry that she couldn't love me. That was so not what I wanted to hear.

" Don't be sorry" I said.

" Rio..."

" You know what?" I said and before she could respond, I added,

" Have some rest now. I'll be outside if you need me" and I walked out of the room before she could say anything. I went out of the building and sat outside. Once outside, I breathed in the fresh air and relieved my nerves. It's crazy the effect her eyes has on me. I want to just hold her close to myself everytime she looks at me but she keeps pushing me away with that look in her eyes. She doesn't love me. She feels pity for me. I'm just Poor Rio and nothing else. God! The thought of that hurts as fuck but I'mma be patient. There's always a reward for those who wait. Hopefully there will be one this time too...