" Stay away from me! " she expressionlessly stared into his eyes that reminded her so much of the memories she was trying hard to forget and quickly looked away. No, she needed to be strong, she can't cry now, she can't show him her vulnerable side again.
His shoulders slumped and he crouched in front of her. " Mira please, listen to me. . . it was all Maggie's fault." he paused and sighed." I'm sorry. . . I'm really sorry for what happened."
Mira was trying so hard to hold her tears. The words she had been longing to hear from his mouth were finally uttered, but how can she forgive him. If it was only about that night, then she could. But what about after that. Did he not feel guilty, why was he not mentioning it.
She stood up from the floor and walked toward the door."You don't have to be sorry. . . it's too late," she muttered coldly.
Zach stared at her back with frustration and sighed helplessly."Mira. . . Please, come back. I want to take responsibility."
Mira's hand left the doorknob with a small gasp then her eyes dimmed. If he had said this three years ago, she would have jumped in ecstasy but now. "hehe, responsibility?, why would you take responsibility now," she scoffed and turned back, now facing him.
Zach stared at the completely different girl with a sigh. He had always known that she loved him but acted oblivious as he only took her as his best friend until after that night.
He thought she had drugged him intentionally but when he realized the truth, she had already left.
When Mira saw that he didn't say anything again, she gave him one last glance and turned to leave.
Zach's heartache as he watched her about to leave. What if he can't find her and she runs away again. No, he had to stop her, seeing her like this he can't bear it anymore.
He quickly held her hand before she could leave the door and Mira turned with another gasp. A tingling sensation ran through her whole body as he held tightly to her hand and all the memories of that night came flooding in her head. "Let go," she uttered coldly and yanked off his hands.
Zach cursed inside and suddenly engulfed her in a hug, holding her tightly within his arms and she struggled to get out of his embrace. " Mira please, " he whispered bitterly, the pain he was feeling in his heart was nothing compared to the bunch of punches she was giving him now and he let her continued if that could only dissipate her anger.
Mira struggled violently while pounding at his chest then she suddenly heard him whisper, " I love you. . ." and her whole body stilled.
Zach stared into her widened eyes and repeated." I love you, Mira. . .".
Mira felt her heart stopped beating and her eyes teared up. Did she hear him right,? Did he actually say he loved her? Her heart started beating rapidly then she looked down gloomily. But, even though he loved her, can she really forgive him.
Zach watched as her expression changed from shock to worry. He frowned and looked down at her head which was now lowered, and then heard her say in a low voice, " Zach, I don't want to see you again. . . please leave me alone. . . pls.".
Mira looked up at him, her expression between pain and regret. She loved him, but the pain he had caused her was unforgivable. She can't bear staying in his presence without all those memories coming back.
Zach was shocked as he heard the words that came out of her mouth. Had she stopped loving him, why had she changed so much. " Mira..." he whispered, not knowing what he could say next.
Mira looked down again and a tear streaked down her cheek, she wriggled again and he finally released her. " Don't look for me anymore. . . I hate you, Zach," she whispered then turned her back and left the room.
Zach slumped down on the floor as he watched her figure disappear from his sight. His expression turned from pain to defeat. Had he really lost her, If that incident had not happened, would they still be at least friends?.
Ever since she left and he realized his feelings for her, he knew that his heart would only beat for her and had looked for her everywhere even faking his engagement so that his father would not bother him about marriage. His mind wandered to that day with a sigh, the day that had changed both their lives.
__Three Years Ago__
Inside a very spacious apartment, the music was loud and several people gyrated their bodies in the center of the room without any sign of stopping, but the sweats on their forehead showed how long they've been dancing.
Zach was sitting on a stool inside his bar counter, and generously serving people drinks with a cheerful smile on his face while flirting with girls mindlessly. He would glance now and then at the girl who was sitting in a corner and had been watching him with an infatuated expression.
He chuckled and threw a beer cap which landed directly on her forehead and Mira quickly broke out of her reverie and turned away with a blush. ' That idiot.' She stood up with a jerk and strode toward him.
" Ouch..." Zach winced as he was flicked on the forehead while busy serving drinks for another person. He looked up at Mira who was obviously embarrassed for being caught staring.
He noticed that she was looking dashing tonight and had even worn a dress which she mostly detested as she preferred pants and jackets.
Mira saw him staring at her and a blush appeared on her cheek again. Was she looking so obvious, she had planned to confess her feelings for him tonight and had even suggested this party which she had planned a surprise at the end, with her friend Maggie.
Her eyes darted around to look for Maggie while wondering if she had already planned everything.