To a type of person like Ryan, be it one year or five years, you’d never hear him utter such words. Lily’s first reaction to hearing these was whether something happened to him.
Did he encounter some trouble?
She is inevitably concerned, “Ryan, what the matter with you?”
This person is very special to her and Adair. Lily thought before that had she not met Rex whom she gave his heart and soul to, she might have fallen in love with Ryan.
But life is unreasonable. There are no ifs, buts, or hows.
What’s wrong?
His eyes look on the tiny black dots of people hurrying along the streets and smiles, “I’m not sure.”
He thinks of her every day. He thinks of her when he sees the cup that she used, when he sees the things that she likes, even when someone with the same name as her.
They weren’t together during the five years in England. It was only during the weekends and holidays that they spent together. He has never been so unsettled as he is now.
He feels that he is sick, terminally sick.
Lily senses his despair and becomes worried, “Are you feeling unwell or is it something to do with work?”
No.
It’s nothing to do with neither work nor health. It has everything to do with her.
Ryan ponders within him but finds it very difficult to put it to words. He doesn’t know how to express himself but he is certain of one thing. He needs to look for her immediately.
The biggest difference between Rex and him when it comes to feelings, he pretends to be confident and gracious. But for Rex, unless he is certain of the other party’s feelings, he will not let the person leave his side.
To Lily, she has had too much hurt and she doesn’t have the courage to try a new relationship. What she needs is when she is hesitating; the other person makes his move, rather than waiting for her to make the decision.
Coming back to J City was a mistake. Allowing her to come in contact with Rex was an even greater mistake.
The pity is, he understands that he may be too late.
He blames himself for this regret and suddenly can’t continue the conversation, “I’m going for a meeting, we’ll talk later.”
Lily opens her mouth and is thinking of how to respond but he says before hanging up, “Take good care of yourself, I’ll go back in a couple of days.”
She hears the cold tone of the call being cut off.
He ended the call.
Lily frowns and looks into the darkened screen of the phone and is unsettled.
‘Clunk’
The door behind her is opened and she turns to see a man walking in, “I prepared some porridge, go and have some.”
Lily looks at him and she can still hear Ryan’s words.
Rex walks to her and sees her expression. He waves his hand in front of her face, “What are you thinking of? So engrossed.”
Lily looks into his eyes and she is puzzled and asks with uncertainty, “Rex, how’s the issue between you and Ryan’s company?”
Forget it, why quarrel, nothing can be achieved by quarreling.
Lily turned away and sighs and she endures before speaking, “He really didn’t say anything and just asked me how I was doing. You are too sensitive. I don’t deny that it’s out of concern that I asked about the issue with your company. But have you thought about it, who is Ryan to me and Adair? He is not any ordinary friend. He is someone who gave us a chance at life. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
Lily wants to sigh a breath of relief and then says, “I understand shit! If there wasn’t him then, then our separation wouldn’t be that great. What have these five years turned into? Yes, you are grateful to him and I cannot but interfere. But to me, he is the fool who took away my wife and kid without my knowledge. I’m already gracious for not touching him. Now he is interfering again and you don’t want me to respond. Don’t expect anything from me if you still regard me as a man!”
Lily sees his blue veins protruding and is stunned.
She keeps emphasizing Ryan’s significance to her but she failed to realize what Ryan’s presence meant to his man.
Truly it isn’t a proper existence.
Rex is so angry that he feels that his internal organs are ready to explode. Apart from Lily and himself, he is furious about him not doing better in these five years. He knows that he can’t be compared to Ryan. He is angry with himself for giving others such an opportunity. But he can only endure because these are his fault, “I don’t care what you think, be it gratitude, thankfulness or appreciation. I can leave things as it is on the account of you and the child. But if you want me to back off, I can’t do it.
“I don’t expect you to do anything.” Lily looks down, she is once again engulfed by that long lost feeling of helplessness. She doesn’t know how to respond, do to find a middle ground so that he can understand her feelings for Ryan.
But considering from his perspective, he can’t possibly accept any explanation.
Rex is upset but when he sees Lily dropping her head, he becomes anxious and thought that she is crying. He lifts up her chin and sees a pair of watery and confused eyes.
She’s not crying. It’s good that she’s not crying.
He releases his grip and sighs deeply. He seems helpless and is restraining himself, “Go down for some porridge.”
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