My teeth gritted secretly. I don’t know why I felt a sudden madness. “Nothing. I just want to know why you loved Rige despite of those hot girls that liked you. I mean, that were far better than her.” I said. Oh damn yes, I lied. No girl was better than Rige. No one.


    “Oh, damn.” heughed with no humor. “You’re up to something, bro. Tell me, were you interested with her?” his voice became dangerous.


    My gaze was stayed in him. I can’t utter even a single word because … I’m fucking guilty. And I can’t say “yes” to his question because I know that … that simple word can ruin us. It can ruin our friendship.


    “I’m not interested with her, Seym. She’s … She’s all yours.” I gulped hard after I said that. Lie all you can, Ivan. Keep setting aside your mother’s errand.


    He looked at me for a minute. Damn, I was a bit scared because he stared at me like I did a bullshit crime on him.


    He smirked afterwards. I heaved a sigh. Curse this best friend of mine for making me nervous as hell.


    ‘that was a good answer, bro. I was just kidding earlier. I know you won’t be able to beat me. You know, our bro code. There’s no rivalry between a woman who likes you.” he patted my shoulder.


    Fuck, I’m sorry, Seym. I’m fucking sorry. I lied to you. I lied to you when I said that I’m not interested with Rige because that truth was … I’m not just interested with her. I love her, too, just like you.


    Our graduation came and all I could do was to stare at Rige from afar. I tried diverting my attention with other girls and luckily, I did. I had a girlfriend named Lara, but I prefer calling her in her real name which was “Larisse”. I met her in a cooking contest and I saw how great was she when ites on cooking. Seriously, I admire those girls who know how to cook.


    I know I like Larisse but I still love Rige. I am an asshole, I know that. But, I’m trying. I’m trying to love Larisse. And I hope, I can love her fully now because I just can’t bear the pain anymore. I can’t bear seeing the woman I love happy with someone else.


    Seymour started his speech while my eyes were all on him. He was our ss valedictorian, obviously. Our adviser told me that it should have been me but … our school doesn’t allow such people to be a valedictorian. So here, I am the salutatorian. But, it’s okay. At least, I graduated with honors. And I also knew that Seymour dreamed to be the highest


    My mother came and as usual, my father didn’t. It was weird because I didn’t feel anything about that. Perhaps, I was really just used to it so I didn’t bother anymore.


    I smiled secretly when I saw Rige hugged her mother. The graduation ceremony already ended. All of the graduated students were too happy. Maybe because their nonstop making of reports and assignments were already done. Maybe they thought that what they did was all worth it.


    While me, I can’t be happy. I graduated, yes. But still, I feel iplete. I never had the chance to approach Rige and told her that this was me, her childhood friend that she wants to marry.


    Tsk, looks like, going here in Bcan was just worthless. I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. Everything was ruined. Everything was nonsense.


    Present Time …


    FINALE (Part 2)


    Ivan’s POV


    FINALE (Part 1)


    Ivan’s POV


    “You just need to rest now, Sir Ivan. You’re now stable. What happened to you was a miracle.” told me the doctor who looked at me earlier. I had just finished eating and drinking so only now did he talk to us.


    I didn’t say a word and just looked at Rige who was sitting on her head now. She’s holding my hand tightly while listening seriously to the doctor. I bit my lower lip to hide my smile. She’s still gorgeous even if she increased weight because of her pregnancy. And also, seeing her pregnant with my child makes her more beautiful in my eyes.


    “When can he go home, doc?” he asked the doctor and looked at me for a moment before looking at the doctor again.


    The doctor smiled a bit. “He can go home once his strength was back. He needs to stay here in the hospital first so we can make sure no moreplications happen to him. But all in all, Mr. De Leon was fine.” answer it.


    Rige closed her eyes tight. ‘thanks God …” I heard her whispered. He opened his eyes and looked at me. She smiled at me. “Heard that, Ivan? You’re okay.” heughed softly and kissed my forehead. She looks so happy.


    “I’ll leave you first, Mr. and Mrs. De Leon. Just call me when something bad happens. I’m just one call away.” Rige and I turned to the doctor at the same time as he spoke. He looks familiar. I think, he was Creed’s cousin.


    Rige nodded and smiled broadly. ‘thank you very much, doc. I don’t know how I can thank you. You were the reason why Ivan woke up. You did everything just to save him.” he would be grateful.


    The doctor grinned and waved his one hand in the air.


    “Nah, don’t mention it, Mrs. De Leon. It’s my job to save my patients. Besides, Mr. De Leon was a fighter. He helped himself to wake him up. Though, I still believe that it’s


    a miracle, I also believe that your husband was a strong man. ”


    the doctor turned to me and nodded at me.


    I just smiled a bit and looked at Rige again.


    ‘thank you so much, doc. I hope I can help you someday, too.”


    my wife said.


    “No need, Mrs. De Leon. No need.”


    the doctor nodded.


    “By the way, I still have a patient to supervise. I have to go. I’m hoping for your good condition, Mr. De Leon.”


    the doctor greeted us again before he left the room where we were staying.


    I heaved a sigh before wrapping my arms around Rige’s waist.


    She looked at me with a curious look but she quickly smiled after.


    His hand reached my hair and gently caressed it.


    Damn, I love it when she does that.


    Her slender fingers that touch my hair feels so perfect.


    I caressed his stomach.


    Only now can I do it so I”m taking advantage of this time.


    This was the first time in thirteen.


    Though painful I did that. I needed to protect her from everything that might harm her. I can’t stand when I lose him. I love her so much that I can sacrifice our own hapiness together. I also didn’t like what happened then. I was just stuck in a situation we had before that I didn’t expect to happen.


    “You wereatose for five months …” she said out of nowhere. “How was your feeling? were you okay? were you still hungry or thirsty?” he asked and also barely lost his smile.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    I just smiled and shook my head. This girl doesn’t know her damn effect on me. I feel like I am the happiest man in the world because despite everything that has happened we were still together with the person I love. After several years of struggling just to save him, I did not expect this to happen. I am now free to express what I feel for her. I am now free to do those things that will prove the intensity of my love for her.


    Fuck, it’s gay but I want to cry right now. I want to jump for joy because finally, I can’t hurt him anymore. I will never let him get hurt again because of me. Because Tangina, every time he hurts I feel twice as much pain. I swear to God, I won’t make her cry because of pain again but instead, I will make her cry because of happiness.