THE APOLOGY

Don't be afraid to hold yourself and other people accountable, sweetheart.

***

CHAPTER XXXIII

*****

"THE DAY I first saw you come down on someone, I promised myself that I would never be on the receiving end of your wrath," was the first thing he said as we both took a seat on the bench outside.

I couldn't help but smile even though it was the last thing I wanted to do in that moment.

"Guess I didn't keep that promise for long."

I didn't respond and after a long pause, he finally sighed and spoke up. "I'm sorry about how I spoke to you in the kitchen. I understand what I said was out of line and I could've just taken a second to calm myself before I took my anger out on you. None of what I said was true. I don't think you're a slut; I don't think anyone is a slut."

"I just don't see why you got so pissed at me, though," I finally spoke up turning around to look at him as he cringed. He ran his hand through his jet black hair before looking at me with his blue eyes and letting out an exhausted breath.

"It was easier to yell at you than to yell at Daniel," he answered, making me furrow my eyebrows. "I was pissed at Daniel, not you. You're like a little sister to me and I know how Daniel is. I thought he was just using you like all of his past girls. Instead of me to yell at him for doing that, I yelled at you because I felt like you let him."

"I don't understand. You known I've liked him for the longest time, Pablo."

"I know... I know you did and you probably still do, but back then, I always thought nothing would come about it. No, I always wished for it. I hoped that he would see you as innocent like everybody did and get turned off by that, but I guess after spending more time with you and knowing you better, he became more attracted to you. I didn't want him to play you because I know you loved him, but I guess I didn't really do anything to prevent it."

We sat quietly as I mulled over his words, subconsciously fiddling with the medallion around my neck again. Slowly I looked up.

"You think he's only using me?" I asked, biting my lip as Pablo turned to me with wide eyes.

He shook his head back and forth, looking at me in the way told me he was wondering why I asked that question. "I spoke to him and after a lot of yelling on my part, I finally got some straight answers from him. I can't really tell you much because I myself am really confused, but he's just as serious about you as you are about him."

"You don't think he loves me, do you?" I asked, perking up at the thought of it, but deflating when Pablo shook his head.

"Definitely not. But he trusts you and he respects you. And that in itself is not a minor feat. The fact that he gave you his necklace is proof enough of that."

I quickly let go of the medallion, only realising that I was fiddling with it when he had mentioned it. I stuffed it back into my dress and fixed my collar. It was going to draw unwanted attention towards me if I kept displaying it for the whole world to see.

Sighing, I turned to face Pablo. "I'm sorry about all the things I said to you too. I shouldn't have let your relationship with Emma slip to boss."

Pablo smiled, then chuckled, then let out a loud laugh that gained too many people's attention as I stared at him in confusion. He wiped the tears away from his eyes and turned to me with his hand over his stomach in a way to calm himself down.

"I just find it hilarious that you still call him boss," he said, chuckling in between each word as I rolled my eyes and turned away. "Do you call him that in bed too?"

"Pablo!" I said in a scolding voice, slapping his arm as heat crawled up my chest before looking away. "Of course I don't!"

He laughed again, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulling me into him as he ruffled my hair. I let him, because my hair was already a mess anyway, and only laughed along with him.

"It's fine," he finally said after a minute of laughing. "I'm glad you did, because I can't keep sneaking around with her either. She might not be happy about the fact that he knows, but it's for the best. Speaking of the best," Pablo said, turning me around to face him and placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You should go talk to Daniel."

I frowned, pulling away from him as my stomach sank. "I was thinking that maybe I should give it a few days. You know, to let the shock of the moment wear off." And to also get my self-esteem up.

I didn't say that one out loud for him to hear, though.

Pablo shook his head. "He's not pissed anymore. And even if he was, better to get the punishment over with now."

"Are you indirectly telling me that I'll be punished?"

Pablo laughed and got up, not letting anything slip as he only shrugged his shoulders and began to walk away. "All I know is that it's better you talk to him now rather then later."

I didn't trust Pablo. And I didn't trust Daniel either, but I really couldn't put off seeing him if he had given me the green light. I couldn't help but feel like I was walking into a trap with lions waiting to devour me. Not that I minded when Daniel devoured me. Hell, I wouldn't mind being his breakfast, lunch and dinner with a tongue like his.

Slowly and hesitantly, I got off the bench and started making my way through the house towards his office, only to find it empty. After checking his room and again coming up empty, I decided to call it a day and talk to him when it wouldn't be so hard to locate him.

I walked back to my room instead. I had nothing to do, so I just wanted to lie down and recollect my thoughts. Stepping into my room, I found myself freezing at the single rose that was on my bed.

With my heart beating hard in my chest, I closed the door behind me and walked over to it. I picked up the rose before looking at the small, white note that was left under it.

I'm sorry.

My stomach filled with butterflies as I took a seat on the bed. Maybe I was still supposed to be mad, but I couldn't help the way I literally swooned.

He gave me a flower.

Maybe Pablo was right and I meant more to him than I thought.

But how much more?

*****

Sorry this update came late. And it's also short. I'll update again on saturday and then we'll go back to normal after that.

Don't forget to drink your water

See ya