Chapter 5

"I think it looks like you need this."

Rachel, who was crying reflexively, opened her eyes and found someone standing while holding out a handkerchief right in front of her face.

Dimitri stood with a sweet smile while tucking one hand in his trouser pocket, then sat down next to her. The woman accepted the handkerchief with a reluctant face.

Silence mediates between them. Noah chose not to ask, while Rachel didn't look like she wanted to explain what happened to her until she ended up crying alone on the emergency stairs.

Rachel didn't know whether to get up and leave or to remain silent in the awkwardness with Dimitri.

She wasn't the type of person who was good at melting the situation, she felt both embarrassed and awkward because she had never been in the same atmosphere with Dimitri.

"Rachel, are you okay?"

Dimitri chose to end all the silence between them because he knew a woman who wasn't as good at interacting as Rachel would never start.

"I saw you running while crying and coming in here, I was waiting outside but you didn't come out. I was really worried." Dimitri asked carefully. "I mean, I was just worried that you—"

"I'm fine, Sir," she said quickly.

"Oh, come on, Rachel!" Dimitri patted his thigh with an expression of disbelief. "How many times have I told you, don't be formal outside of work. I thought you considered me a friend now, but it looks like I'm too self-confident."

"Sorry." Rachel took a deep breath, then looked away. "But, I— Uhm, I'm really fine, Mr. Young, you don't have to—"

"Dimitri," he said while rolling his eyes. "Oh, please. I'm not old, and this is outside of work."

"O-okay." Rachel just said yes.

"So?"

"Uhm, so, that...."

Dimitri looked to the side, then found the woman was looking down while twisting her fingers. Dimitri caught the anxiety there and he understood it was not easy for Rachel to tell other people about her problems.

"It's okay, Rachel, you don't have to force yourself if you can't tell it," said Dimitri at last.

That's how Dimitri, can never force anything on Rachel, the woman who for the past two years reigned in his heart.

"Thank you," said the woman with jet black hair. "And sorry, I'm that difficult to just do it."

Rachel's words made Dimitri sigh. "I just want to be friends with you, Rachel, is it that hard too?"

"Sorry."

"Stop apologizing for things that aren't your fault, Rachel."

"Sorry—"

Dimitri turned his head quickly with wide eyes in surprise when Rachel reflexively tried to say those words again.

Rachel suddenly smiled stiffly until the rows of white teeth were visible. Her face was flushed red with embarrassment, then she cut her gaze while scratching her non-itchy temple.

Rachel's behavior made the dimpled man laugh into the air. Simple behavior which he thought was adorable, made him fall in love even more.

Dimitri really couldn't understand how this woman next to him could make apologies a habit.

"Glad to make you smile again, Rachel."

Dimitri's sincere words and expression made her ponder for a moment. In the past, the only man who could do that was Xavier.

Xavier hates seeing her cry. For him, making her smile is a mission in his life. But in fact, now Xavier was the man who was the cause of her tears almost every night.

If he can live a good life and even wants to marry another woman, why can't she?

At least she didn't have to walk, where she had been doing for the past ten years when Xavier left her.

Rachel closes her life from all men, even to the extent of friendship. All this time she thought her lover would return someday, and Xavier was a dangerous man who could easily harm people just because of unfounded jealousy.

But this time Rachel realized that everything was different.

"I think adding one more friend besides Nancy wouldn't be bad either."

Rachel muttered under her breath while looking straight ahead. She then turned and smiled at Dimitri who was now staring at her stunned. "Dimitri, let's be friends."

Rachel's words seemed to give him a breath of fresh air. Dimitri blinked, barely believing what he was hearing.

After two years of trying, the road to Rachel's heart has finally opened. Even though it's just a friendship that the woman offers. But at least he's one step closer now.

"Are we friends now?" Rachel asked with a thin line of a smile, one hand outstretched waiting for Dimitri's response.

For Dimitri, for now, a friendship was more than enough to start things off.

Yes, the real struggle has just begun.

Dimitri warmly welcomed the outstretched hand.

"We are friends."

.

(*)

Dimitri stepped lightly into Xavier's office room while whistling softly. The smile was beautiful, it seemed that the owner of the face was filled with happiness.

Dimitri opened the door to Xavier's room without permission. "X, you know what? I'm so happy—gosh!"

So surprised Dimitri found Xavier's office was like a broken ship.

"Who did you the war with?" Dimitri asked sarcastically.

The man stepped carefully through the many broken things and scattered files on the floor, then approached Xavier who was standing by the window with an unfriendly expression.

"You haven't lost control like this in a very long time," said Dimitri while patting Xavier's shoulder lightly. "What's wrong, dude? You look messed up."

Xavier rubbed his face in frustration, then plopped down on his work chair.

"Trouble with your future wife again?" asked the cousin again.

"Tsk! Don't talk about that first." Xavier sighed lazily. "Just make my mood worse."

Dimitri laughed. "Are you on your period? You're getting very sensitive."

Xavier glared sharply and then angrily threw a few folders on the table to his cousin.

Dimitri responded with a laugh, not once angry at his cousin's arrogant behavior. He was used to Xavier's original attitude, which was rude and emotional. An attitude that Xavier had not shown for the past ten years.

In the past ten years, Xavier has changed a lot.