The Season of Reaching the Stars

Chapter 33's

Laura took a slow breath. He tried to remember every corner of the restaurant kitchen. The last customer for the afternoon was gone. The restaurant is closed. Laura will tell Antonio that he can't work tonight. He'll tell his family about his leg surgery. His feet started to hurt again. Laura rubbed it slowly. In a moment, he said to his feet, hold on a little.

Laura came out of the kitchen. He saw his quiet restaurant. There are only a few servants and Maya left. Laura will tell Maya after she tells her parents. Maya is like her family. When Laura was about to enter Antonio's office, the door of his restaurant opened. Laura turned around and saw Niko panting looking at her.

Laura's heart was very painful. I can't face it now, he said inwardly.

Niko went straight to Laura and stood one step ahead of her. “ uki your sister. Not your girlfriend.”

The other maids and Maya instantly stepped aside, leaving behind both of them. They must have realized that whatever Laura and Niko were trying to talk about, it must be personal.

“I never said that uki my girlfriend,” answered Laura calmly, contrary to her unreasonable feelings. “You assumed yourself. How did you know about this?”

“ uki told me myself,” said Niko.

Laura should have guessed it. His brother always did whatever he wanted. But Laura is not sure why Luki decided to come clean to Niko.

“I can't face you now, Niko,” said Laura sadly. “Please, go.” Niko shook her head. “I won't go. I'm not leaving you again. I've liked you for a long time. Eight years in a different country. But my feelings never changed. Your face always looms over me wherever I am.”

Laura was moved to hear Niko's confession. But the pain in his leg resuscitated him. He could not be next to Niko. “I've forgotten you, Niko. You're just part of my past.” Laura tried to say it as cruel as possible.

Niko nodded in disbelief. He took a piece of paper from his pocket and showed it to Laura. “You never forget me. I found this paper at my exhibit when you dropped your bag. You always carry the paper I gave you. Just like I always carry a sketch of your gift.”

With her other hand, Niko showed Laura a sketchbook. Niko showed page after page of her draft picture to Laura. It started with a star ring that first impressed Laura. “I always draw my best designs in your sketchbook.” 

Laura clasped her own hands until they turned red. He tried to restrain his feelings. “Stop, Niko,” he said asking Niko to stop showing pictures of his plans.

Niko stopped and put her sketchbook on the nearby dining table. “Why do you still deny your feelings?”

Laura shakes. Even if his heart hurts to say the next thing to Niko, he has to say it. “ I don't like you, Niko.” I love you, he said in his heart.

“You're lying,” refute Niko.

“I'm not lying.” Laura looked straight at Niko's eyeballs. He took the small paper that had accompanied him for eight years from Niko's hand and tore it into small fragments. “Our relationship is over.”

Niko looked at Laura with deep sadness in her eyes. “Why did you do it?”

“I told you, I don't like you anymore,” said Laura coldly.

“I don't care whether you believe it or not.” Laura pretends not to care about Niko's feelings. It's better to be sick now than later. “I don't like you. I want you to go and not bother me anymore.”

“Didn't you agree yesterday that we were friends? Why is your attitude changing so drastically now?” Niko still won't give up.

Laura laughed cynically. “Friends? Niko, we'll never be friends. Admit it, you didn't expect me to just be your friend either, did you?” Niko fell silent.

“You said you liked me, didn't you?” laura asked as she took a slow breath.

“Amat very,” replied Niko directly.

Laura tried to calm her heart and said, “If you like me so much, you should have respected my wishes.”

“That's your only wish I can't fulfill,” said Niko honestly.

“ look at me. Look me in the eye.” Laura forced herself to take away all her feelings for Niko. “I did like you once. Very, very, as you say. But right now, right now, I don't like you. Do you think I lied?”

Niko looked at Laura long ago. Laura's gaze did not change, remaining cold towards him. Niko shook her head. “No. You can't do this to me.” Niko knew Laura wasn't a liar. His gaze at her at this moment really broke her heart.

“Go, Niko,” says Laura slowly. “You can like other women better than me. Forget me. Because I've forgotten you.” Niko didn't know what to say.

Laura turned her body. He didn't want Niko to see his tears.

Suddenly Niko wrapped her hands around Laura's waist. Hugged him tightly with all his heart.

Laura was surprised and tried to let go of the hug. “Niko..”

“Only one minute,” whispered soft Biko. His embrace in Laura's body grew tighter. Her lips touched Laura's right ear. “Give me a minute to hug you like this, then I'll let you go.”

Laura closed her eyes. Niko hugged him from behind. He could feel the warm breath of Niko in his ears. He doesn't know how much longer he can hold on. It was fortunate that Niko could not see her face at this moment. Otherwise, Niko would have known that he had lied to her.

Slowly Niko's embrace loosened. “ elamat stay, Laura,” he said.

Laura heard Niko step away from her. The door of the restaurant opened and closed. Laura turned. He saw Niko's back. No, she whispered inwardly, I can't let her go.

His feet began to step, his hands trying to reach Niko's back from behind the pIntu. The pain came again, but this time Laura could not hold it anymore. Niko's back is getting faded. Laura's whole body started to feel weak. He fell to the floor. And darkness covered him.