One Hundred and Twenty Two

CHAPTER 122

As Alicia prepared to leave, Brittany's weak voice stopped her. "One more thing, Alicia. Be careful who you trust. Not everyone is who they seem."

"What do you mean, is this about Kevin?"

And Brittany nodded in agreement.

Alicia's small smile was there. "You don't have to worry. I'll keep you safe from him."

Alicia's mind was filled with questions, but before she could answer, the door creaked open, and Kevin stepped inside, a mix of concern and determination etched on his face.

Alicia and Brittany were equally surprised there. They hadn't expected Kevin to come to see Brittany at all. See, he didn't even seem to feel guilty at all after the accident. Kevin stood in the center of the room in a short gray shirt and fancy black pants. He's clutching a fresh bunch of red roses that seem to match his formal style. And a smile, etched on Kevin's lips.

"Hello, Britt. Haven't seen you in a while."

"What are you doing here?!" Brittany held back her anger, while Alicia was still scanning the situation in front of her.

Alicia witnessed the tension between them. She could feel Brittany's turmoil, the mix of emotions swirling behind her friend's calm face. Kevin's arrival was unexpected, not even expected, given the circumstances.

Brittany, keeping her composure, replied, "I didn't expect you to show up after what happened."

Kevin's smile faltered, replaced by a shadow of regret flickering across his face. "I know I've messed up. But I couldn't walk away, not after..."

"Not after what?!" Brittany's voice rose, showing the depth of her pain. Alicia watched the scene unfold, torn between wanting to comfort her friend and understanding the drama unfolding before her.

"I need to make things right," Kevin said, his voice tinged with regret. He stepped forward, extending a bouquet of roses towards Brittany. "These are for you. As an apology, as a plea for another chance."

Brittany hesitated, her eyes flickering between the flowers and Kevin's earnest gaze. Alicia could see the turmoil inside her, the struggle between forgiveness and maintaining her wounded pride.

Alicia stepped closer, offering silent support to her friend. "Britt, take your time. You don't owe him anything."

Kevin's shoulders slumped, a mixture of disappointment and acceptance evident in his demeanor. "I'll leave these here." He placed the flowers gently on the table and turned to leave.

But Kevin turned around and smiled at Alicia. Suddenly he said, "I'm sorry that I didn't bring you flowers, Alicia. I didn't know you were here."

"You'd better leave before I bring up our problems, Kevin!" Brittany retorted distastefully.

Kevin grinned, he was satisfied. "Are you jealous of Alicia?"

Alicia looked at Brittany, as if waiting for her reaction. But why would Brittany be jealous of her? Was it because Kevin offered her flowers?

Alicia watched Brittany's emotions play out like a storm on the ocean, her friend torn between hurt feelings and a desire to resolve the problem. Beneath the surface, however, there was something more complex simmering.

Kevin's words made an impression, a mixture of regret and mischief dancing in his eyes. His unexpected quip about Alicia hits home, hinting at a history that is invisible to the eye.

Alicia, usually a watcher, now finds herself entangled in a web of unspoken truths. There is an unspoken tension between Brittany and Kevin, laden with secrets that Alicia accidentally discovers. She realizes that she has become an unknowing observer in a story that is much more complicated than she imagined.

"Jealousy has no place here," Brittany countered, her voice a mix of anger and hurt.

But Kevin's smile widened, a flash of knowledge in his eyes. "You can't deny it, can you?"

The room felt full, full of unspoken confessions and unanswered questions. Alicia felt there was more to it than a bouquet of roses and an apology.

Brittany's eyes glazed over, a silent storm of emotions raging inside her. She looked away, unable to face the truth that was still in the air.

Kevin's manner changed, his cheerful face crumbling and revealing a vulnerability Alicia had never seen before. "Britt, please..."

Alicia stepped forward, meditating in the middle of the stormy sea. "Maybe it's time to discuss what's really going on here. What exactly... are you guys talking about?"

Kevin shrugged, then answered Alicia's question without looking at her. "I don't know. She seems to think my attitude changed after I met you, Alicia." His hazel eyes looked Brittany straight in the eye, demanding a confession. "Am I right, Britt?"

"Is what Kevin said true, Britt?"

"No! It's not true!" Brittany shouted, defending her pride.

Kevin's gaze remained fixed on Brittany, his eyes searching for something Brittany couldn't deny. "Then why the distance? The wall you suddenly built?" His voice softened, the edges of hurt slipping between his words.

Brittany's face wavered, revealing the vulnerability behind her defiant demeanor. "Because you changed, Kevin. Ever since Alicia came into my life, it's like I don't know you anymore," she confessed, her voice sounding like a whisper filled with betrayal.

Alicia observed their conversation, piecing together the unspoken history between them. "I didn't mean to interrupt," Alicia interrupted quietly, feeling like an intruder in the midst of their chaos.

Kevin's shoulders slumped, a mixture of regret and frustration etched on his face. "It's not your fault, Alicia. It was bound to happen, sooner or later." His eyes looked pleading, urging Brittany to open up.

"I didn't expect you to take sides," Brittany finally admitted, her voice tinged with annoyance that echoed throughout the room.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Alicia raised her hand in the air, interrupting their conversation. With a confused face mixed with panic, Alicia finally spoke up again, "Why are you two talking as if I'm the third person in your relationship? What's all this about? I don't understand at all!"

"Brittany thinks you're my affair."

"No! I never thought that!" Brittany pointed at Kevin with all her strength. "Don't believe her, Alicia. She's trying to dictate to you!"