Today was supposed to be a memorial celebration for Aster's late grandfather, celebrating his achievements and such, turned into a congratulatory party after Harkin Krii announced Aster's training for succession.
He had no choice but to grit his teeth and thank his vixen of a relative. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw his friends and happily excused himself.
"Aster!" Rue enthusiastically called out and waved.
Aster waved back, saying, "It's been a while."
Leo stared at him blankly and said, "It's been a while."
Aster was dumbfounded for a while. Leo was his childhood best friend, and right now, he was looking at him with resentment. "...Did I do something wrong?"
"Of course not." He added, "Well, I'm hungry, so I'm leaving now."
'I definitely did! '
Fira laughed awkwardly and comforted, "Don't worry too much. He's just a bit upset."
"A bit upset? He looks like he's planning my death!"
"Don't blame him too much, your girlfriend picked a fight with him yesterday."
"That's right!" Rue chimed in, "Ugh, it was so embarrassing! That girl dragged Leo out and started blurting nonsense in front of the whole school! If it wasn't for, uh, what's his name, Wyatt, that girl would've slapped Leo!"
"Calm down," Fira patted the enraged, puffed-up Rue.
"Girlfriend...? What girlfriend?"
'I'm gay! '
As if answering his question, someone called out, "Love!"
That someone hugged Aster from behind. Aster quickly froze, the familiar voice was far too hateful, and like purposely adding fuel to the fire, she affectionately asked, "Did you miss me?"
That's right, he did have one girlfriend.
Rue rolled her eyes. "Speak of the devil."
The man was still, forcing himself not to beat the girl. After all, even if, as Rue said, Liliana is the devil, she was still a girl, and he still had his morals and principles barely restricting him.
While Aster was thinking of a non-violent way to release himself, his savior came, dragging the poor server with him.
"Aster! This drink is re..." Aiden stood in place, "is that..." Upon realizing this, his face went red, and he screamed bloody hell, "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Aiden reacted fast and pulled Aster away from the girl.
The young boy urged his brother to remove his coat and gave it to the waiter, then he spouted profanities, luckily, they were in the furthest corner and not a lot of people heard him, those who did were glared at by Aster, thus, they decided to be blind.
"You! Don't you dare show up in front of Aster again!"
Liliana and the other two were clearly and rightfully so, very confused. Aster was a pampering boyfriend and his little brother was polite, but now, the two were looking at Liliana viciously.
She smiled awkwardly, "Love...? What's wrong? Are you sick?" She extended her arm but stopped when Aiden pulled out an alcohol spray and pointed it at her hands.
"Get closer if you dare."
"Aiden, what's wrong? Did sister offend you?"
The young boy was about to say something when Aster interrupted, "Aiden, that's enough."
With that, Liliana felt relieved, there must be a misunderstanding!
However, her feelings of relief didn't last long, with a gaze that seemed to be looking at a pest, Aster said, "Let's talk outside."
Fira and Rue didn't know why they were acting uncharacteristically: mouth open, jaw on the floor.
Leo who came back: ?????
***
Amongst all of the foolish things he did as a kid, the worst thing was the person in front of him, Liliana Anson.
Perhaps it was the pressure, the stuffiness of only being seen as a monetary resource, maybe it was puberty, or it was pure stupidity.
For whatever reason, on that rainy day, the 15-year-old Aster decided that Lily will be his confidant.
"Hmmm, then what about this, if you say sorry and you guys actually reconcile, you have to treat me to food!"
Used to people asking for things, Aster nonchalantly asked, "Okay, which place do you want to go? Allanea? Livren? Le Soiree?"
"Huh? No, I was talking about cafeteria food."
"???"
"The custard bread there is really good! What? You don't believe me? Try it out!"
Despite resistance, Liliana forced Aster to eat her beloved bread, "it really tastes good..."
"So, what do you say? You'll treat me, right?! No backsies!"
Soon after, the two got together.
But then the accident happened, and the 3 years of relationship came to an abrupt end — because of a betrayal.
Aster wanted it to be kept buried in the depths of his memory, but it seems that the world does not agree.
The man couldn't come up with words to start, he kept sighing and ruffling his hair. Liliana, dragged to the garden and then faced with the uncomfortable silence, was undeniably panicked.
"Aster... Why is Aiden mad at me?"
'Considering she was able to attend the party must mean we're still together... What a mess.'
"Are you also mad at me...?" Liliana grabbed Aster's hand, which he immediately pulled away.
Aster's brows furrowed, he was never the type to spare other's feelings and so, he decided to be frank, "Let's break up."
With a trembling voice, she asked, "What...?"
"Let's break up."
"No! Why? What's going on...? Did I do something wrong? We were fine, we were definitely fine..." She bit her lip, "Ah! It's because of that damn Leo, isn't it?! I was just... He was being too much. Do you kno-"
"No, I don't know nor am I interested to know. If you're looking for a reason, why don't you ask yourself the answer?"
Liliana's confusion grew. She liked picking fights with others who were close to Aster, so surely, it wasn't because of Leo. In addition, just a week ago, Aster sent her money to buy clothes just for today's event.
Asking herself and realizing, she stiffened, 'No, definitely not...'
"Aster..."
He scoffed, judging by her reaction, he must've been right, "Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
"Come on, Aster..." She lowered her head, not daring to look at his eyes.
"Aster! Aster! Aster!" Holding up to this point, the man couldn't help but raise his voice, this made the girl flinch, tears welling up, "Liliana Anson! Answer me, did you think I wouldn't find out? Or were you thinking that I'll be doomed before I found out anyways?"
"No!" Liliana shook her head vigorously. She planned out how to deal with Aster if he ever found out, but that came crashing as soon she met those golden eyes of his.
It resembled a predator planning on how to kill its prey.
Unbeknownst to Liliana, a beta, Aster was releasing a large amount of his pheromones, so strong that alphas and omegas outside or near the windows were panicking.
"I wasn't planning on bringing you down... believe me. I just... Just really need the money. My mother is sick remember?"
Aster's brows further furrowed, his already bad expression turned horrendous, "Stop."
He already knew what she will say, after all, the same words were spoken '3 years ago'. The only difference was, Liliana of this time was scared but back then, she looked at him with apathy.
"I'm letting you go for old times' sake. I don't care whether you will continue to see Vern or stay quiet, however, you should know never to cross paths with me again. Once you do," Aster leaned closer, his eyes staring at hers, "I'll make you a cicada in winter."
Sob... Sob... The girl continued to cry but Aster didn't look back, instead, he stopped and took his phone out. Seeing the familiar contact, Aster's irritation dissipated and was replaced by excitement, he immediately ran to the parking lot and got in his car.