"Kiera!"
Though Annabelle's shout was loud enough, Kiera didn't turn towards her. All her focus was on that bullseye which she was aiming for.
TACK!
Unfortunately, the arrows were nowhere near the center. Kiera looked a bit irritated and started to shoot the arrows more aggressively. But neither of them touched the bullseye. All of a sudden, Anna saw Theodore walking past her and snatching the bow and arrow which Kiera was holding and shooting it at the target.
This time, it hit the bullseye.
"If you wanna score the center, hold the bow correctly," Theodore said coldly, returning the bow to her.
"How can I score the best when you are already here," Kiera scowled, crouching on the dusty ground, " It's not as if I'm gonna get any chance when you're in the picture."
Theodore didn't look at her as his face was still the same, expressionless. What can he say? He never wanted to be in that picture himself, though Keira would never believe the fact. Being in the middle of everyone's attention was not something that great to him, he never desired to be there.
Without sparing a second glance to Kiera, Theodore walked out of the ground, leaving Anna there. Now, it was only Anna and Kiera in the huge archery ground.
Anna hurriedly stomped towards Kiera who was still on her knees looking at the target.
"I can never do it, never do it, Anna," tears trickled down from her blue eyes. For the first time, Anna saw her shading tears like this. Why does she always force herself to act all strong? Now, looking at her weak self, Anna realized how much this girl has suffered until now on her own.
"Who said you can't, huh? Which fool said? You are amazing, Kiera! You don't need to do anything to become like anyone. Just be yourself, okay?" saying that, Anna enveloped Kiera into her arms as she burst out in tears.
… … …
After cooling down and crying her hearts out, Anna brought Kiera to a coffee shop near the archery home. She didn't see Theodore when they came outside the archery home. Maybe he already left, after all, he looked kinda angry earlier though it wasn't shown on his face.
Anna ordered a cold coffee for Kiera. Kiera was sipping her coffee slowly while stealing glances from Anna who was absentmindedly looking outside the window. She decided to talk things out but just couldn't bring herself to start.
"It's okay, tell me. I am listening, Kiera," Anna said, without turning her gaze from the window frame.
Kiera put down her coffee cup as she was trying her best to act a little composed though her red plumped eyes were the biggest proof of her earlier embarrassment. She never knew she had to reveal her weak side to Anna. To think it clearly, Anna was looking much stronger than her. She was always the one supporting Anna, but it was the first time facing a strong Anna who could also support her back. Sometimes, it's not bad to be the one being supported. Who cares if she showed some embarrassing side to Anna. it was her friend, Annabelle, so it's really okay, right?
"I...I had a relationship with Owen…. A romantic one….," Kiera started slowly, ".....for almost 5 years which ended a few months ago."
Kiera said, holding her breath, refusing to look at Anna. Right now, she doesn't have the courage to see her expression. How is her expression at this moment? Mocking, angry, or betrayed?
"I see…. That was for quite a long time then. It made me surprised, really," finally Anna said, after being silent for a whole minute.
Kiera looked at her this time and to her surprise, she didn't find any mockery or disdain in her eyes, rather it was showing surprise, shock, and maybe a little disappointment?
To be honest, Annabelle was really a little disappointed though she didn't try to hide it. She was disappointed, disheartened to know that she never knew or guessed that Kiera was going through this for such a long time. How can she not notice that her best friend was in love? How can she not see that Kiera was suffering this much? Today, she really lost. Lost to someone closest to her.
"So, what did he do?" All of a sudden, Kiera could sense her sudden change as it made Anna more furious to think that she spared that man though he was so close to her a few hours ago.
"No, he didn't do anything, really! It was no one's fault… actually, it was maybe my fault in one part. I was the one who made it abnormal, made our relationship awkward."
Though Annabelle couldn't believe what Kiera was saying, as she knew she was blaming herself for no reason when she really did nothing wrong. She already knew what kind of scum that Owen was, cheating on his woman with another flashy-looking celebrity. What good can come out from a basta*d like him when he is surrounded by so many scandals and rumors?
"Tell me, what did he exactly do with you? I'm gonna make his life hell," Anna was fuming with rage when Kiera stopped her by squeezing her hands.
"It's not all his fault, Anna. Listen to me first. How can someone be in a relationship when he is always feeling insecure in it?" Kiera said, looking at the mosaic floor of the coffee shop.
"What do you mean?" Anna squinted her eyes with confusion.
"Yes, it's true. I know I loved him, really loved him, Anna. But no one knew about this, it was always between the two of us. We never went on a date just not to be discovered by others. Never acted like a little couple except we are really alone. Owen was always there, never complaining to me about anything. All he wanted was to spend more time with me. That's why he would often visit your recordings telling lies like he is your big fan and all."
Kiera paused a bit. Yeah, it made sense. At a time, Anna would always find Owen visiting her studio back then. She didn't know why he was so obsessed with seeing her recordings though he never bothered to listen to her songs carefully. He never looked like a fan to her, but more like he was there for some other motive. So, it was for this reason, huh? She never knew. But after some months, he suddenly stopped coming, so she somehow came to forget about him.
"He stopped coming by when I proposed to him to stay at my penthouse," Kiera started again, " At that time, he was so happy, beaming with delight, that it made me happy also. But it was just that. Busy with each other's life, returning home, and finding each other so close after returning home. It was pretty good for almost 2 years. And the selfish me was really happy with that, without caring about the other person's feelings, other person's needs. It's not as if he wanted a commitment or something, he really never did. What he really wanted was to know me better. You know what? After thinking it through clearly, I came to know that I never even told him that you and I are such close friends. He didn't know anything, let alone knowing about this. It was a relationship where I gave him nothing while he tried to give me everything. I was full of agony at that time, but after cooling my head now, I think even if this led him to cheat on me with that client of his, then it's totally fair, Anna. it totally is…," Kiera's voice got muffled as she couldn't hold herself, her inner emotions flowing back on her surface. Her eyes were moist again but this time, she held herself to flow those emotions into tears.
The hugs when coming back home, those foods which were only made for her, she missed those, she really did. She was the one who ruined it all along. She can never blame anyone for this. Loving someone for the first time wasn't easy for her. But if it was her style of loving someone, then she doesn't wanna love anymore. She doesn't wanna fall in love and make her loved ones sad like this again. Maybe that's the reason she chose to run away, maybe that's the reason she is still running away from reality, from a certain someone.
"That day, he was there too. He was just helping me, but I made it look like it was all his fault. I want him to hate me, Anna. I want him to hate me the most in his life, that way, he can never forgive me, that way, he will… love someone else…..," Kiera couldn't finish, as Anna stood up and embraced her again.
"It's okay, it's all fine, Kiera. Just forget about these sad things, okay? You told me, and I am very glad, Kiera. Hating can never be a solution! Whether you were wrong or right, that doesn't matter anymore. All you have to do is make things right from now on, okay? You don't need to score the best, you are already beyond your best." Though some things were done wrong, she could never accept the fact that Owen had to cheat on her like that. If he was that hurt, why didn't he end it? Was ending it was harder than cheating on her behind her back?
Kiera nodded slightly as she wipped her eyes with her palm. She was feeling quite better right now. That's right, she should have shared all this with her sooner. Why does she always choose to do the right things later?
I am here today as relationship Buddha today U_U
Never hold back in a relationship, whether it's anger or happiness. It just makes the other party super insecure. Be true! That's what a romantic relationship needs to flourish! ;)
;---; Okay I have something to tell ya guys, next chapter is gonna a long-awaited one. See you tomorrow then? ;--;
Umm shet ;--; I uploaded it in an unusual time ;---; shet