31 My Decision

"Ana, I have come to terms with what I am truly feeling for you." Jeremy looked straight into my eyes. "I am in love with you."

My eyes went wide with surprise. In my past life, I have been yearning to hear this from him. And now in my second life, I have stopped hoping for it but it was here now. I heard the words I longed for from Jeremy's mouth.

"Jeremy I…" I don't know what to say. I am so shocked with what I was hearing. "Jeremy, I really don't know what to say."

"It's okay. I know that you are surprised with this. I know this is a lot to take in and I also knew about my own feelings when you left." Jeremy gave me a warm smile. "I have hurt you so badly and I am really sorry. I am willing to wait for you, even how long it takes. I will fight for you fair and square."

"F-Fight for me?" I asked curiously.

"Yes. Like your father said, you have fiancé candidates lined up." Jeremy said. "I have already asked him that I also want to participate."

"And what did my father say?" I asked.

"Well it took a lot of convincing but I was able convince them about my sincerity." Jeremy replied. "I am serious about this Ana. I will fight for you and win you back."

I nodded with his words. "Thank you Jeremy, for thinking about me. The truth is I don't want to dive into a relationship with you again after what happened. With our engagement being broken. With you telling me you have fallen in love with someone else. It really did hurt."

I can remember the pain that I felt but it wasn't as intense now as it was before.

"I am sorry Ana. It is my fault, all my fault." Jeremy squeezed my hand with a little force. I can see his face full of regret. "I thought that what I felt for that girl was love. But after you left, I realized that what I felt for her was only attraction and what I really felt for you was love. I am sorry if I realized it too late."

"Jeremy, this is really a lot to take." I told him truthfully. "This part year I have come to accept that you only love me as a little sister but now you are telling me that you really love me. I need some time to digest all of these."

"It's okay Ana. I am willing to wait and fight for you." Jeremy said.

"Thank you." I replied back.

**

Jeremy drove me back to my home. He pulled just by the entrance door.

"Thanks for taking me home." I said while trying to go down from the car.

"Wait, I'll help you." Jeremy came down from the car and helped me with my crutches.

I have already called my parents about what happened so they won't be surprised seeing me in crutches.

"Your back." I heard Shiki's voice.

I looked up and saw that Shiki standing their beside the door.

"Oh, Shiki. I'm sorry if I left you earlier." I said. "I was about to meet…. Whoaaaa…ahh.." I was about to tell my reason when I felt my whole body being lifted up.

I let go of my crutches and found something to hold on to because of the fear of falling.

"I will take it from here." Shiki said. I just realized that it was Shiki that was carrying me and my arms were encircled around his neck.

"Sh-Shiki..." I tried to scold him but he flicked his fingers on my forehead. "Aww…"

"You really are a clutz." Shiki said and smiled.

"Well, that can't be helped." I pouted my lips. Shiki knew me well after spending this one year with him in Paris.

Shiki was about to carry me inside when Jeremy held his shoulder back.

"Wait, I was the one that took her home…." Jeremy was saying but Shiki interjected.

"And you have taken her home. Thanks." Shiki said coldly. "You can go back to your home now, so goodbye." But Jeremy didn't let go of Shiki.

I can feel the tension between them going up. I am afraid that if this didn't end, something bad will happened.

"Well if it wasn't for you, she wouldn't have had a sprained ankle in the first place." Shiki said.

Like I thought, Shiki is starting to piss Jeremy off. And it looks like Jeremy is putting Shiki's words to heart.

"Oh come on Shiki." I slapped his head. "Jeremy helped me go a lots after being sprained."

"Of course he should be. He was the one at fau... mmmmhmm." Shiki said when I closed his mouth with my hands.

"Sorry Jeremy, don't listen to Shiki. You helped me a lot." I smiled at Jeremy. "You can go home now. Shiki will help me from here. Oh and thanks again." I waved at him goodbye but he was a little reluctant.

Jeremy sighed in defeat at the end. "Then I will be going. I will be visiting you tomorrow." He said.

"Don't bother." Shiki was able to take my hand away from his mouth.

"Don't listen to him." I said to Jeremy. "If father gives you permission then you can come and visit."

Jeremy looked pained looking at Shiki and me.

'Maybe he really does love me.' I thought to myself. But I cannot stop doubting it. In my last life he was deeply in love with Angelika and so I can't just take away that defensive wall I created.

I see Jeremy get inside the car and drove off while Shiki was carrying me inside the mansion.

"You know you don't need to carry me towards my room." I told Shiki.

"Looking at your swelling foot, I doubt you can take even a step with it." Shiki said mockingly and smiled.

"That's why I have crutches." I pouted in irritation. He was making fun of me again.

"Haha, it's okay. I can carry you to your room." Shiki said. "Did you put on weight?" He jokingly said.

"I did not!" I said with irritation and jokingly punch him.

"Haha, you have to cut on those fries." Shiki said laughing.

"I only eat fries when I am craving. I don't eat it all the time!" I shouted with irritation and Shiki was laughing all the while carrying me to my room.

edited by: nalyn