~ 55: A Rueful Apology - Part 3 ~

"Are you sure you want to do one because you know you're wrong, or is it so that you'll get her back?" said Lucas nonchalantly as he swivelled around, turning me around along with his body.

My eyes went wide with what he had declared for he was the one who was testing Aidan's forbearance. We should have just left him to think about it and come back some other day.

"Both," Aidan answered with a hard stare as we watched his standing figure. "I'm an extremely jealous person and I can't see someone I love and who has promised me her heart be taken away by another man. I don't care about what relation you have with her, but I wouldn't spare you if you have harmed her."

"Calm down, Aidan," I said with kind, doe eyes. "Be a little respectful when you speak to him, for me at least, since he saved my life. And I'm not going to land myself in another trap ever again. I will join the martial classes training when they open up next month."

I decided to leave the details of me already being trained by one who was his nemesis. Another scene between these two was not something for anybody to see, be it the press or college. They had already started to attempt doing another competition of a hard stare.

"I will forgive you if you can come down on one knee and say that you are sincerely sorry," Lucas remarked with a coy smirk.

"Lucas!" I reprimanded him sharply despite our difference in age. "Quit being so stubborn! Both of you!"

"No hard feelings for that," replied Aidan, but his twisted face said otherwise. "Let's get this over with."

I was going to interrupt him from doing so when Lucas said, "The more he bows the better. It means he actually means it and would like to mend his relationship with you."

'He could lie if he wanted,' I told him mentally.

'If he lies or not, he'll change to get you,' he returned. 'I thought that was your only worry. Be glad that you are getting him back in one piece.'

His coldness got to me and I stepped away. I stood between them as I watched them both try to conclude a part of their grudge.

Aidan clenched his jaw, got down on his feet and said, "I ask your forgiveness for acting on my impulses because of our differences. When we are in a team, I shall never think of selfish gains and only focus on making the team win and maintaining the team's spirits."

"You can stand up, Aidan," I said, passing a small scowl at my 'cousin'.

He only stood and smile at being satisfied with his punishment. That had been quite a hard time to endure, crushing one's ego while building the other's pride. I pulled Aidan up and would have left with him if Lucas hadn't spoken again.

"There's still one more thing you're forgetting," he declared, causing both of us to turn around with raised eyebrows.

"Let that be, brother," I intervened. "This was already a heartbreaking experience. I want the two of you to mend your relationship than making things difficult for the other."

"One turn deserves another," the two of them chanted at the same time.

I sighed in defeat and watched what the two of them would do this time.

"Just what have I done that I must stand in your 'honourable' presence?" asked Aidan with his temper on the rise.

"You have forgotten that you must also seek forgiveness for not respecting people," answered Lucas. "Calling people however you wish or speaking with a person in a manner that none wants to see deserves an apology. Starting with Celestine and then me, as you have spoken rudely to someone older than you."

I stood there with a sour face, not wanting to witness another scene. I just hoped that people wouldn't come along this desolated corridor and that the bell would ring soon.

"Kneel completely when you're asking the two of us for your polite plea," he added in a dreadful tone.

"Why should I even apologise for what I did now with the way I was treated by you in the past?" Aidan rasped out. "I have been living the life I wanted and the way I wish until you had to show up."

"This is not something for Lesty to hear. We'll have a duel on that some other time. I have been sent on my mission which I can't let anyone know about. So I suggest you don't interfere with my missions unless you would like your throat to be slit."

I was getting impatient at both of them not coming to terms with each other. I stepped in to stop them from bickering and to get the job at hand done.

"He'll kneel to pay back the pain he caused you in the past five days," an obstinate Lucas said. "I want him to learn how to value people despite him being an idol."

I couldn't argue with him so I let them proceed the way they agreed.

Aidan kneeled and said, "I never meant to hurt your heart, and I am sorry that it had to turn this bitter for me to come and do it. I will and want to cherish you for as long as time exists. If I ever step out of that line, you can punish me the way you desire."

I couldn't stand straight any longer so I kneeled down and gave him a hug. I couldn't believe that Lucas would be so harsh with him, even though he had already done what was asked of him.

The bell rang and Lucas disappeared amidst the crowd. But this time unlike any other, Aidan walked with me and dropped me off in front of my class. He was gone by the time I turned around to bid him a farewell as he left for his practice.