Chapter 10

After Blake utterly spoiled my plans to buy a car, I now couldn't help but find problems with every car brand he looked into.

To break free of Blake's influence, I had no choice but to put it on hold.

Over the years, Blake had developed an incredibly thick skin.

Even after I had agreed with Willow to deliberately set up a date and show off our love for each other, I hadn't managed to shake Blake off. To outsiders who didn't know better, Blake's actions could undoubtedly mislead them to believe that we were a couple instead!

I genuinely couldn't understand what could've triggered this unusual behavior.

Why had Blake suddenly caught feelings toward me? Even though we weren't related by blood, we were technically still cousins.

Fortunately, though, Blake had to return to work tomorrow. Hence, I should be able to enjoy some peace for a while.

The next time we met, I would already be married to Willow. Blake should be able to accept the fact that his future wouldn't involve me. By then, he should be able to start living his own life!

The next day, I got up at my usual time. After washing up, I went downstairs. However, as per usual, I found Blake standing at the entrance to the building.

I was taken aback. "Blake? Aren't you supposed to be at work today?"

It was equally unexpected as it was within my expectations.

"I do have to go to work, but that won't stop me from giving you a ride! Get in!" Blake invited with neither the slightest hesitation nor intention to explain.

I groaned internally. "Well, thanks a lot! For such a busy man like you to find time to be my chauffeur... I'd feel bad getting into your car if I didn't pay you a salary!"

Expressionless but inwardly cursing up a storm, I climbed into the car. If I had to name one person who could strip away my introverted label in this lifetime, it would be that scoundrel Blake Wagner!

I couldn't help but wonder if Blake had been promoted to quite a significant position during his time away. How else would he be able to make such a carefree detour and drop me off at the school before heading to work?

No ordinary employee would dare act as boldly as him. At this thought, my eyes lit up. I had an idea—if I couldn't deal with Blake alone, I could leverage Blake's employer.

Perhaps I could file a complaint to curb Blake's arrogance.

The days passed uneventfully, with Blake sending me to and from work without fail.

As time went on, I vaguely felt like we'd gone back to my childhood days when Blake would fetch me to and from school, no matter rain or shine.

The difference was that I had grown from a student into a respectable teacher.

In the blink of an eye, the weekend arrived.

My original plan was to sleep in before heading to the city library in the afternoon to find a book to read. To my dismay, however, I was awakened by a knock on the door in the wee hours of the morning.

I opened the door to be greeted by Blake. Instinctively, I tried to shut the door. The whole experience was like seeing a ghost first thing in the morning!

Unsurprisingly, I didn't succeed. It was as though Blake could read my mind—he was always one step ahead.

He grabbed the door frame right before I could close the door. Without letting the shock get to my head, Blake then brazenly welcomed himself into the room.

"Why are you here? And how did you know I live on this floor?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Blake dodged the question. He casually plopped down onto the couch with his hands against the backrest. He leaned back with a tilted head and a mischievous smile, much like a domineering CEO eyeing his reluctant wife.

"What exactly do you want?" I instantly deflated. No matter what, I could never seem to win against Blake.

"Nate, why don't you take a seat? Then we can talk." Blake's haughty demeanor didn't diminish in the least. His eyes seemed to announce that he had me in his palms, that I should stop resisting.

I fought back the urge to curse him out. Thick-skinned people weren't a rarity, but Blake was the first one I'd seen who was shameless to such extremes!

He didn't even leave me any room on the couch! I had no choice but to sit down on a wooden stool by the dining table.

"What on earth do you want? Can't you just say it?"

"Jeez, the few years we've spent apart have made you more impatient, huh?"

"Blake Wagner!" I was evidently upset. My voice was low and hoarse with a slight tremble. When it came to dealing with Blake, I must admit I was truly defenseless.

Be it the past or the present, Blake had always forced his way into my life, sparing no regard for my wishes. Yet, he would end up leaving in style just as I got used to his presence.

All of a sudden, a surge of pain welled up in my chest. It extended straight to the tip of my nose, and tears began to escape uncontrollably.

Without warning, I fell off the stool and landed on the ground with a loud thud. I clutched my chest tightly, as if hoping I could alleviate the overwhelming pain.

I could no longer register the way Blake was cradling me in his arms. Tears blurred my vision, and my hearing seemed to have disconnected.

All I could feel was the sensation of my heart being gripped. I struggled desperately but remained powerless. The more I tried to break free, the tighter the band around my chest felt. At last, I simply let my consciousness sink into a bottomless abyss.

I felt terrible—so terrible I could hardly catch my breath.

"Nathan! Nathan, what's wrong? Nathan! What's wrong? Are you hurting anywhere? Don't worry, I'm taking you to the hospital right now!"

I looked up, and Blake's anxious face filled my foggy field of vision. I mustered enough strength to slap Blake's hand away as I reached over to wipe my tears.

"Nate?"

I spontaneously shoved Blake's burly body away. Faced with Blake's look of disbelief, all the accumulated grievances, resentment, and blame ruptured at once.

Blake had never seen me like this before. My eyes were bloodshot as tears ceaselessly streamed from them. My usually gentle, delicate face was now twisted in despair as I screamed feebly at him.

"Blake Wagner, go away. Go away! Go as far away from me as you can! I don't want to see you again! I don't ever want to see you again!" I howled, my voice raw.

The feelings that had been buried deep in my heart for as long as I could remember poured out all at once.

Utterly confused and powerless, Blake tried to step forward to support me. "Nate!"

"Go away! I don't want you! I don't! Don't come over, boohoo... I don't want you. Go away. Go away! I said go away!" These desperate cries only drove Blake to back off.

He stopped in his tracks, muttering something under his breath. However, his voice was too soft for me to hear, even in this small, narrow space.

Faced with my uncontrollable emotions, Blake feared that continuing to press me for answers would only turn out counterproductive. Though reluctant, he decided to leave silently.

It was only after a good while that I began to calm down. Nevertheless, the tears didn't stop.

The sense of déjà vu that spending time with Blake gave me had stirred up my deepest memories of vulnerability and fear. This was what caused such a strong emotional outburst. Perhaps, after this, I would finally be able to let go.

I sat on the floor for a long time until the pain in my chest finally eased. I lifted a hand to wipe away my tears and climbed to my feet. Just then, an impatient knock sounded on the door.

"Bl—Willow? What are you doing here?"

"I... Oh! I came to see if you wanted to go to the library with me. What happened to you? You don't look well."

"I'm fine. Come on in. Don't just stand at the door."

"O-Oh, okay!"

"Why do you keep looking back?"

"It's nothing. Let's go inside! I'm a little thirsty. Could you get me a glass of water?" said Willow as she pushed me back inside before I could step out.

As soon as the door clicked close, a silhouette slowly emerged from the side of the entrance.

The person's eyes were red. He stared at the shut door for a long time before hunching over and heading for the stairs.

Even though his posture was upright, his desolate figure looked like a stray dog.

Inside, Willow's concern was evident in her voice as she asked me, "Are you sure you're okay? You don't look well at all!"

"I'm fine, really. Let me tidy up a bit, and then we can go to the library."

"Why don't you have a little rest first? We can go to the library a bit later. It's no big deal. Are you sure you're not unwell?"

"I'm fine. I just need a moment to get ready." I muttered a curse inwardly, wondering why she'd suddenly become so perceptive.

"I was just worried because you look a little worn out." Willow forced a smile. She pulled out her phone and began typing away with speed.

She continued, trying to change the subject, "Hurry up and get ready, then. We'll head for the library." Her eyes were still glued to her screen.

I shook my head helplessly and scurried into the bathroom.

It seemed my library plans for today wouldn't be delayed after all. In fact, it was brought forward, and I might have extra time to pick out a book.

My emotions were enjoying a day of fluctuation. Blake, Willow, the library—everything was happening all at once.

I had only started feeling more settled again. Yet, my mood quickly soured the moment I opened the door.

Someone had emptied an entire ashtray right by my doorstep! How unethical!

Even gangsters coming to collect debt wouldn't have smoked this much. Whose immoral prank could this be?

"What's wrong? Why did you stop?" Willow circled me and beheld the mess before her eyes.

"Uh..."

"Let me grab a broom and clean this up before we go," I said, turning back into the apartment.

"Sure."

In my rush to grab the cleaning tools, I didn't notice the unnatural expression on Willow's face. Coupled with her peculiar behavior that day, I might have otherwise been able to piece two and two together and notice that something was amiss.