Chapter 4. Dare

4. Dare

Astrid's POV:

Edward's words briefly left me stunned. I thought I was hearing things, but then I noticed him standing there with an expectant expression on his face.

I blinked at him a few times, silently urging him to confirm that I wasn't imagining things.

"What are you saying, Edward?" I asked with the utmost curiosity.

"Astrid, please tell me that you love me too." Instead of responding to my query, he asked it again, but this time in hushed tones, as if he was worried someone would hear him.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Positive," he said.

I took advantage of the situation and decided to express my sentiments to him.

"Yes, Edward, I love you too," I said, amazed that I had said the words.

We nodded at each other, but despite the confession, my heart felt uneasy. I had waited for this moment all my life, and now that I'd said the words and he'd approached me, something didn't feel right.

I brushed away my worries and did the only thing that was sensible to me. I walked over to him and hugged him.

Edward was taken aback by my gesture, but he quickly returned it.

I let out a sigh of relief as I noticed his friends approaching us, followed by Charlotte, who had a sick grin on her face.

I didn't understand what had just happened; shouldn't she have been the one who became enraged and acted recklessly? Instead, she was strolling calmly towards us.

"Wow, Ed, I didn't expect you to complete the dare. You compelled her to confess, didn't you?" Shane, Edward's best friend, asked.

Then it struck me—I desperately wanted someone to tell me that I was wrong about what had just happened. I turned to Edward, demanding an explanation.

"Astrid, please let me explain this first," he said as he approached me, but I pulled away and moved further away.

"Tell me, Edward, did you say those words only because of a dare?" I asked, my heart sinking.

"But there's more to it, Astrid. Just hear me out," he begged.

There was nothing else he could say. I began to walk back into the kitchen.

"Do you need anything else from me, sir? Except for believing your nonsense," I added bitterly.

"Astrid, please don't be a spoiler. We were having a good time when Charlotte dared Edward, and he only played his role ".. Shane stood up for him.

Everything was, of course, fun for them. They wouldn't know what happened to my heart, and the moment I felt all the happiness had landed on my feet, I understood it was nothing more than a silly dare for him.

My heart shattered, and I needed some time alone to process it all. I retreated to a corner, wanting to hide my tears.

"Okay, I guess you had a good time. I have some work now." I turned my back and went inside.

If I stay here any longer, I'll wind up making a fool of myself again, so it's best if I leave.

"Hey, Astrid, you look sleepy," Smith observed. He, like me, works as a waiter at this restaurant and is the closest thing I have to a friend.

"Oh, nothing; I'm just feeling a little feverish today," I lied to him.

"Do you want me to talk to the manager about leaving you early?" he inquired.

"I think that's good," I agreed with a nod.

"All right, I'll go ask on your behalf," he said as he nodded, set his dishes aside, and began heading out.

The tears I'd been holding back for a long time began to obscure my vision once more. I had to convince myself that I could cry later, but I needed to get out of here right now.

These walls feel suffocating to me, and I'm afraid my thoughts will kill me if I stay here any longer.

"All done, you can go home and rest for a while," Smith said.

I thanked him and started to leave. Edward intercepted me at the gate, taking my hand in his. I pulled away and confronted him. "What now, Edward? Do you have more games to play?"

"Please, Astrid, I'm sorry. I didn't expect it to get so complicated. I meant what I said," he tried to explain, holding my hand.

"Don't play with my heart again, Edward," I cautioned.

I couldn't deny that hope was beginning to rise within me once more.

"No, Astrid, I adore you as a friend, as I mentioned earlier.I didn't get a chance to explain," he reasoned.

"That's ridiculous, Edward. I'm at a loss for words with you. I want to spend some time alone, so if you excuse me," I said as I began to go out of the gate.

My walls crumbled as soon as I walked into the house, and I burst into tears.

My walls crumbled as I entered my house, and I burst into tears. I couldn't understand why this always happened to me. I deserved happiness; this constant disappointment weighed on me.

"Astrid, are you home?" my mother called.

"Yes, Mom, I'm back," I said as I walked to her.

She had a mountain of dishes stacked up for me to clean.

"Clean these," Mom commanded. "Skylar will be arriving shortly. He would be hungry as soon as he is home," my mother asked me.

Yes, Sky is always there for her, and other times it's Lance because he lives alone and rarely sees us, and when he does, Mom makes sure to treat him well.

"Okay," I replied, and I began cleaning the dishes.

"Sky is getting placement today. I knew my son was always bright, and he was the one who would help us become better." Mom exclaimed, pleased with Sky's accomplishment.

"That's good," I replied calmly, returning to my job.

"Yes, your father is proud of him as well. Let's get this over with as soon as possible. He might be fatigued when he gets home." She patted my back and exited the room.

It's pointless to even ask her why she treats me this way. This is something I'm getting used to.

I reminded myself once more that this would all be over once I find my mate.

I don't mind if it's Edward or someone else. I just want to find him, get out of this hellhole, and lessen the weight on my parents' shoulders.

"Four more days," I reassured myself, returning to my job.

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