Page 191 of My Ruthless Neighbor

He shakes his head. “It’s not a good idea, Summer.”

I remain quiet. It’s strange how the thought of not meeting Mrs. Kim could stir such emotional turmoil in me.

Maybe he is right. I was being too greedy. I should stay away and cancel the plan as he asked. It’s the right thing to do. Then why does it feel so wrong? Why is it hurting so bad?

It sucks, you know. Just a minute ago, I was happy and now, the high is ripped from me.

“What am I going to tell her?” My voice is weak.

“I’m sure you’ll come up with something believable as you’re good at lying.” I flinch as if he slapped me across the face.

He said it casually but those words drive straight into my heart like little daggers.

???

It has been two days since that lunch. And I’m trying. I really am. I have been trying really hard to forget his words but they somehow snake inside my mind without any warning.

I’m sure you’ll come up with something believable as you’re good at lying.

He is right. Iamgood at it. But it has been pricking me like a thorn in my side. I tried reasoning with myself. That he didn’t mean it to come out as a taunt.

In the past, I never used to let other’s opinion or taunts get the better of me. I never let it bother me.

But it’s different with Archer. Every glance, word and action of his affects me greatly. Because of my feelings for him.

Now his little acts of tenderness make my heart soar and at the same time his bluntness cuts me deep. Deeper than it’s supposed to. Because I love him.

My inner voice is urging me to confess my love but I silence it every time.

Though I am brave enough to start loving someone, I am still not ready for the rejection.

I love him but I am too scared of him not loving me back.

That’s why without any more arguments, I did as he told. I lied to his mother and I did it with trembling fingers and brimming eyes.

It kind of hurt that he doesn’t understand me.

I stripped bare and showed him the wounds on my heart by telling him about my mother. He should’ve known that this was important for me. I practically begged him for letting me meet Mrs. Kim.

But I am trying to understand. It must be hard for him. All the change. Letting someone in. Because heischanging for me albeit slowly. And it matters.

I just hope he talks to me. He rejected my bonding with his mother but didn’t bother explaining why. He just said it’s for the best. He takes away my right to decide by deciding things on my behalf.

I am not an expert on how relationships work but I think communication is the basic element of every relationship. And Archer just doesn’t communicate with me.

Maybe with time, he will change that aspect too. Maybe he’ll let me in someday like I did. Maybe he’ll decide to be brave for us. A girl can dream.

“What should we do tonight?” I ask Goldie as we chill on the living room floor of Archer’s apartment.

He is happily chewing on his new toy Archer bought while I am braiding my hair.

It’s almost nine p.m. He should’ve been home by now. Home. I am now referring his place as home. It feels like Goldie and I have moved in with Archer.

We even have a spare key to each other’s apartment but I mostly spend my nights here.

Archer doesn’t say it, but he likes having us here. He gets this soft look in his eyes whenever I open the door for him.

His place doesn’t look lifeless anymore because now it has colors. My colors.

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