4/5

Regardless of how much Ren tried to be productive, he couldn't get anything done, so he gave up and logged out. Not to mention Leonel's teasing that did nothing but aggravate his nerves.

He decided to take a cold bath maybe that would cool the heat off his body, and he could finally think of what move was best for him to do at this current time.

Ren knew that his feelings would come to light one of these days, but he never expected it to happen so soon and Evie initiated it, to boot!

The confession took place too soon, the location wasn't ideal, the atmosphere wasn't romantic, and they had an obnoxious audience.

This was the worst setting for a confession.

Yet it happened, and now he had to deal with it.

As every second that Evie didn't reply passed, Ren's nerves were tearing him apart from the very tip of his toes to the ends of his hair.

He didn't want to pressure her into giving an answer right away, but he probably wouldn't be able to eat and sleep properly until he knew her response.

The cold shower did little to quench the heat of his body. At that moment, Ren was desperately fighting the hope that was rising in his chest. He didn't want to hope, but he couldn't stop it.

Evie showed no signs of liking him. Perhaps she admired him, but that was it. There was no romantic feelings whatsoever. That was why even if she rejected him, he could understand. But if she ever started distancing herself from him, he wouldn't be able to accept it.

"I'm sorry," Ren said aloud, practicing what to say just in case. "I meant I like you . . . as a friend. You logged out too fast, so you didn't hear the rest . . ."

He pressed his hand against his temple and sighed. "I shouldn't have said anything."

His hands shook at the thought of the trouble he got himself into.

He skidded his palm across his face and attempted another dialogue, "It was just a joke. I'm only teasing you."

Hearing how fake he sounded, Ren sighed in frustration. No matter what excuse he used, it wouldn't work. Even a passerby wouldn't believe him.

The damage was already done.

Why did he even say those things? How could he tell her about his feelings when they weren't ready yet?

But then again, why didn't she reject him right away? Why did she say nothing?

Maybe he was just overthinking. Maybe he just wanted to hear her answer.

He took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

The truth was, he loved her.

And there was no going back from this.

Ren was in deep thought, trying to come up with ways to rectify the situation, but he was disrupted by his mother's voice from the intercom in his bathroom.

"Ren, someone is here to see you," Helen announced.

Ren could feel the unease in his mother's tone, so he inquired, "Who?"

He wondered who it could be for his mother to let him inside the house at this hour.

Could it be their relatives again?

Helen didn't reply immediately, weighing her words carefully before finally saying, "It's your friend. You know . . . the girl from your high school? . . . Saya."

". . ." Ren's forehead crumpled upon hearing Saya's name come out of his mother's mouth.

"What is she doing here?"

Helen was surprised at the harshness in Ren's tone. Did her son and Saya have a falling out? But weren't they close before? She even knew that her son liked her until she got a boyfriend, that is.

"She's been waiting for hours now," Helen said.

When Ren didn't reply, she added, "Should I tell her to come back another day?"

". . ." Ren took a deep breath. Her mother didn't know what had happened, and she was already old, so he shouldn't trouble her with things like this.

It was best to confront Saya and see what she wanted. Else, she would just keep bothering his parents.

"Tell her I'll be right there."

At least the thought of Saya being out there temporarily shifted his attention away from Evie. A short respite from thinking about the girl was all he needed.

Even if his visitor was a pain in the ass, Ren welcomed it nevertheless.

He casually picked up his usual black V-neck shirt and pants from his wardrobe and headed directly to the living room.

Ren immediately spotted Saya sitting by the fire, talking to his parents. She stood out from the monochrome furniture with her floral lace dress and a perfect commercial smile that showed her dimples.

When Ren entered the room, all Saya could see was him.

No matter how many times she had seen him in the past, Ren's presence never failed to take her breath away. His face seemed to mature perfectly, and he exuded allure as he walked with confidence and indifference. Success was woven nicely into his face, and he couldn't be more appealing in her eyes.

"Oh! Ren!" Helen's voice was so cheerful that it made Ren wince. "Here you are. Saya had been waiting for you since this afternoon."

Saya smiled at them both. "It's fine, auntie. I know that Ren is very busy, and I don't want to spoil his fun in COVENANT. Besides, I enjoyed talking to the both of you."

Troy nodded. "Good to hear." He then stood from the sofa and patted Ren on his shoulder. "Well then . . . we will leave you two to talk."

"Thank you," Saya said, bowing politely.

Helen was reluctant to leave since she wanted to know what Saya and Ren would talk about. Unfortunately, Troy's piercing gaze left her with no choice but to postpone her curiosmotherly concern for her child.

The moment his parents left, Ren sat on the sofa just across from Saya and asked, "What is it?"

Face with Ren's cold attitude, Saya wasn't discouraged. "We haven't seen each other for almost two weeks. Aren't you going to ask how I'm doing?"

"Funny hearing you say that. After the Alvarez family posted that Red Notice, I haven't even seen your shadow."

Saya slightly lowered her head, unable to meet Ren's straight gaze. It was true that she got scared after one of the most powerful families posted a notice blocklisting Ren and World Conqueror. She was not scared for Ren but scared of their future, if ever.

She was ashamed to admit that she feared the possibility of Ren going back to the way he was before. Mike even said that Ren was a goner since the Alvarez Family used their cards. His future was lost, was all she heard.

But Ren defied all odds and came out on top once again, solidifying his position and his group that not even the Alvarez family could do anything to him.

( . . . continuation on NOTES)