" What's wrong with you?!"

"......."

" Why can't you just be honest with yourself? Can't you say that you love me too?!"

A seemingly fierce voice echoing in her head, with her head down. She didn't say a word to explain anything to him. It was just as she had expected, but her heart seemed much more messed up than the sad expression on her face.

" ..... AAH, you're just.... "

He sighed, seeing her like that as if he had suddenly realized something and held her in his arms.

" ... I'm sorry .... I shouldn't have shouted like that.... "

"......"

He kept apologizing, but he didn't hear a word from her. Holding her face with his hands, he said in a sweet voice.

" Hey, look at me. Won't you show me your face at least..."

She looked up at his worried face with a complicated heart. She was struggling to understand her feelings, but she didn't want to deceive him in any case.

"....."

" W-What's wrong? I-I'm sorry for shouting... can you please not cry like that... "

Tears falling down without her realizing it as if she had been holding on for too long. He hugged her tightly. It was the first time he had seen her cry.

" It's alright if you don't want to talk to me, but please don't cry. I swear I won't do anything to hurt you again."

He tried hard to calm her. Seeing him trying so hard, she didn't want to worry him any further and tried to smile but it was just not easy to smile.

"... It's nothing...."

" How can it be nothing when you suddenly start crying and..... And you told me that you want to... breakup with me. "

" ...What if I say that I can't love you anymore. I can't keep lying to you."

" .... I'll understand even if that's the case. But , why are you crying suddenly?"

She couldn't give him an answer. She knew that he loved her, but it was hard for her to believe it. He was willing to do anything for her, but he never wanted to part ways with her.

" I don't want to keep going this way. I just don't understand it. Maybe it's better for you and me to.... "

He kissed her out of the blue and didn't let go. He just didn't want to hear her saying those words anymore.

" Can't you see that I've been patient enough to wait for you for years, and now you want to leave me. Can't you show me some mercy?"

She never expected that the person who always remained cool and indifferent to everything could say that.

" No matter what happens, Kiara, you are mine. If something's wrong then we can always make it better, but there's no out of this relationship once you have stepped in. I won't force you, but I won't leave you either."

"......."

He never intended to be dominant. He always kept calm in front of her but that didn't work today. He was adamant to persuade her. He hugged her again and again just to see her smile. She had promised not to trust people again but, decided to give it a chance for him.

But was that really a good decision or would she end up getting hurt as always?

" Coco, where are you? The dinner's ready.!"

" Coming! "

I opened the door and went down the stairs. A typical day, all day overthinking, never getting the time to realize what I really wanted. But that never mattered to me at all.

" Coco, hurry up.! Everyone's waiting.!"

" Mom, people might laugh if they hear you calling me that.... Hahaha..."

My mother is a total sweetheart though I get scared when she gets angry. It's kinda funny, but she's the only one who will always be by my side if I'm ever in trouble while scolding me.

Today was the busiest day of the month. I wondered why mom suddenly called over my friend's parents. Not like I cared about it. I just wore my new dress mom got me yesterday.

' Maybe.... Let's just greet them and enjoy my mom's cooking to kill the time.'

I moved to the dinning table, but there was no one. I looked around, without a single person, it was just an empty room.

" Where are you, Mom? "

' Is this some kind of prank? '

With a confused expression, I moved toward the lounge. My mom hadn't pranked me ever before, so I cancelled the possibility.

" Come in already, turtle.... "

My eyes widened hearing that voice, and I was absolutely sure that it was someone I never liked to meet in my life.... My nemesis....

" Ah, I really hope it's not what I think it is.... Please, let it not be him. "

I took a deep breath to avoid being annoyed by even the thought of him. With my eyes closed, I wished hard and stepped in the lounge.

" Surprise!!... Happy birthday, Kiara!!!... "

" W, What... Happy.... Birthday?.... Me?"

I was taken aback by the sudden surprise party. The lounge was decorated with balloons and my pictures and the cake on the table....

" Is that my--"

" Pfft... You look so stupid. Of course, it's your birthday. Don't tell me you didn't even know that, dummy!"

" You!...."

He and his mischievous smile... Always getting on my nerves. Not like it was the first time.

" Alright, kids. Get here. How about cutting the cake first?"

" Sure mom but you didn't tell me that you invited the whole family. Isn't it unfair?"

After the greetings, my mom gave me a birthday hat. It was quite childish but I felt so cherished. My mom distributed the cake after cake cutting. I took a piece in a plate and went over to him.

" Oh my, I think one piece won't be enough. How about....?"

" What -- "

My wicked mind can't help but take revenge on him. It was worth it to see his face covered in frosting.

" Why you!.."

" Oops, I'm sorry. My hand slipped but it was .... Intentional though ( whispers).... Hahaha '

Dealing with him like that was risky but never mind the path when the outcome is so hilarious. I couldn't help but laugh.

" Stop messing around. Dealing with you, you know, is just a piece of cake. Pfft...."

I was hoping for him to get angry, but it didn't work instead he started a frosting fight and soon everyone's face was covered with frosting. We laughed a lot and that troublemaker again got off the hook.

" Argh... So tired. Can't believe he could be so helpful? Maybe, I'll treat him better next time."

It's was funny that I forgot my birthday but I thought it to be normal. It wasn't worth remembering because of the memories it brought back.

Staring at the ceiling, it made me remember someone I wanted to forget....

' Kia, you don't know how much I prayed for you to be born. You are my treasure. My beloved ---'

"Aaah.... Come to your senses, Kiara.! He is not coming back. He has already left you behind."

I slapped myself to wake up from the vain hope of meeting that person. I never thought about it but I guess it really is hard to forget people who you used to love . Betrayal always hurts and it was normal that I was hurt a lot.