1000 Season Chasing Stars

CHAPTER 50

Niko shook her head. “That's not the only reason I want to talk to you. I also want to apologize for not believing your words. Erika told the truth on graduation day.”

Laura looked at Niko straight. “All that has been a part of the past, Niko. I accept your apology. Is there anything else?”

“Why are you pretending not to know me?” Ask Niko directly.

Laura decided not to answer. “How's Erika doing?”

Niko smiled. “He is fine. Being on honeymoon with her husband to Europe.” “Erika is married?” Laura asked a little surprised.

“Ya,” says Niko. “He's a doctor now. Her husband is also a doctor. Now I realize that I never loved Erika. And at the reunion, Erika said she also realized the same thing.”

The news Niko gave Laura was shocked.

“On graduation day, I looked for you everywhere, but you were gone. I tried to catch you at the airport but couldn't find you. I called your HP, but it's not active. That day I realized that I liked you, Laura. Even now I still like you.”

Laura's breath stopped. Both of his hands were trembling under the table. His right hand touched the right leg where the wound was. Eight years ago, how much Laura wanted to hear Niko say that she liked him. Eight years later, Laura heard it. It's just that it's too late now.

“Sorry. I think you better go home now,” Laura said. His mind quickly thought of a solution so that Niko would not see him again. Laura is lying. “I already have someone I like.” Laura hoped Niko would believe her.

Niko's answer was surprising. “I know,” he said slowly. “Luki rafael. But I'm not gonna give up, Laura.”

Laura was silent for a moment. Niko assumes Luki is her boyfriend.

Suddenly Niko took out a ring box and opened it. He thrust the star ring he made into the face of Laura.

“I made it six years ago. I made it for you.” Niko looked into Laura's eyes.

The unexcavated pain permeated Laura's heart. He saw a ring of stars in front of him, then looked at Niko. Niko looked at Laura expectantly. And Laura must turn off those hopes. Niko deserves a better woman than her. Although her heart ached, Laura looked at Niko boldly.

“Niko....” he said slowly, “do you remember the first word you said to me when we were in school?”

“Of course.” Niko looked back at Laura. “How could I forget it? At that time you returned a picture of my star ring and I said ‘thank you’.”

Laura shakes. “We met a year and a half before that. You bumped into me at the school park and you said ‘ini your book’.” Laura thrust back the star ring box in front of Niko. “I can't accept your ring, Niko.”

Niko looked at Laura in confusion. He could not remember the events Laura said. But she knew Laura was telling the truth. “You're not fair, Laura,” protest Niko. “I didn't know you back then.”

Laura stood up from her chair. “You never knew me,Niko.”

Niko took the ring box in front of her and put it back in her shirt pocket. “Alright, this time I relented. I'm gonna go. But I'll be back. Even though I can't remember our first meeting, I know you like me. You wrote it in my school yearbook.” Laura flabbergasted.

Seeing Laura's reaction, Niko smiled. “Do you think forever I won't know how you feel?”

“I do like you, but first,” said Laura slowly. “Now go.”

“You said you forgave me.” Niko looked at Laura with sadness. “At least, let me be your friend.”

“Good.” Niko turned around. The sound of bells ringing was heard, then followed by the sound of closed doors.

Laura fell down. Maya approaches him and touches his shoulder.

“You know him, don't you?” Ask Maya. “Man who has been calling you lately?” Laura nodded. “He's part of the past I want to forget.”

“Why didn't you start a new relationship with him?” Advice Maya. “It looks like he really likes you.”

Laura looked at Maya sadly. “How can I start a relationship with him, if every time I see him I feel deep sadness? After all, he deserves someone better than me.”

“You don't like it?” Maya grabs Laura's hand.

“How I feel about her doesn't matter,” Laura dodged. “I just know that she won't be happy with me. The legs parted without even saying goodbye. We never got a solution. Now he has got it.”

“I'll be by your side always if you need me.” Maya clasps her hands

Laura. “You can cry, if you want.”

“No.” Laura shook her head, then stood up. “I cried for him eight years ago. My relationship with him was over by then.”

A few hours later, Laura was already in her bedroom. Ever since the accident that hit her two years ago, and the first time she saw a wound on her leg, something inside Laura died that day. Maybe his ability to love a man.

Laura closed her eyes. But the memories with Niko came out. He wakes up and tries to keep himself busy cooking new recipes in his kitchen. After two hours of cooking fatigue, Laura's heart still hasn't calmed down. His right leg was a little tired. He sat down and finally fell asleep in the living room chair. His last thought before going to bed was a man with a pair of beautiful brown eyes.

“She came again.” Maya walks into the kitchen and whispers to Laura.

Laura took a long breath. It's been a week in a row that Niko came to his restaurant. This time as one of the restaurant's customers, and order another menu from time-to-time. Laura didn't want to see him, so she didn't come out of the restaurant kitchen at all. Even until Niko becomes the last visitor Laura does not come out to see him.

Niko should have understood Laura's intentions and not bothered her anymore. But Niko seemed to not care about Laura's efforts to avoid him. The servants begin to gossip about Niko and Laura's relationship without Laura's knowledge.

“Can't you just kick it out?” laura asked Maya.

“I can't drive away customers, right?”

“I know,” says Laura fast. “I just origin talk. He's really stubborn.”

“I admire his tenacity,” Maya says. “He's very handsome too. You sure you don't want to have it?” Maya smiles at Laura.

“I'm sure. It's over between me and him.” Maybe Laura can apply for a leave of absence in the next few days. Spending time with mom and dad, away from Niko. If necessary, he can take a longer vacation and go to another city, or abroad, to avoid Niko. He had no idea how to deal with Niko who kept chasing him.

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