After Gabrielle left the room, I turned to Hailey and walked forward to the edge of her desk. Sitting on the edge, I looked at her and got straight to the point. "So, am I crazy? Or did you try to kiss earlier?"
Hailey’s heart was beating furiously. This was it, there was no going back now. This wasn’t how she planned it, she still wanted more ti, but the universe never plays fair. With a deep breath, she swallowed down her nerves and nodded her head. "Yes. I tried to kiss you. I felt sothing in the mont and went for what I wanted."
My eyebrows raised slightly, honestly I was still expecting so misread on my part, but she actually wanted to kiss ? That was surprising. "And you wanted at that mont? Can I ask why? I don’t an to offend you or anything, but I thought you only saw as a friend up until now. I’m going to be honest, I was taken aback by the sudden attempt at intimacy."
Hailey sighed once more. It was truth ti. "Apollo, I developed a crush on you the day we t. Back then I was just slightly interested in your strength, age, politeness and the fact you didn’t lech over , but just appreciated my looks. But over ti, and with every eting, I have started to feel sothing deeper for you. I don’t think you realise, no I know you don’t know, how much of an impact you have already had on my life. You are a significant part of it and to be honest... When I see my future, you are in it."
I remained silent for a mont and stood up. Hailey’s face looked panicked for a mont, but I didn’t go far, I just grabbed a chair and moved it directly next to her and took a seat. I then looked directly into her eyes and asked. "How have I affected you? Because honestly Hailey, I have just treated you with respect and compassion, like I do with all of my friends."
Hailey smiled at as I said this and tucked a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear. Her grey eyes then t mine and looked at softly, a lot different than the regal look she usually has.
"Apollo before I t you I was in a dark place. I had no friends and no one close to , except Gabrielle and aunty Kat. Spartari politics. Nobles, sches, assassinations, betrayal. It was all I knew, since I was a girl. It hardened . Made not care about anyone and anything. I thought the entire empire was just that. Sick, twisted, cancerous... Then I t you."
Her mouth curled into a warming smile as she reminisced. "A bumpkin Archon with a naive outlook on the empire. It was like I had breathed in fresh air for the first ti in over a decade.
After that, I hadn’t expected to et you again. And then I did. Again. And again and again. I don’t believe in fairy tales Apollo, but I do believe in fate. Sothing has ti and ti again drawn us together. And each ti I have interacted with you, I feel like I am looking at a glistening light in a void of darkness. Each ti we have crossed paths, a flicker of your light has rubbed off on . Illuminating both myself and allowing to see who you truly are... And who you truly are Apollo, is a man I see myself being with. Kind, caring. A little bit dense emotionally speaking, but it is very cute. The kind of man that doesn’t sche behind his friends back if it would get him benefits. The kind of man that despite already having multiple partners, shows just how much love he has for each of them and that only highlights how much love you have for life as I have seen the way they all look back at you and it moves deeply. I want that feeling. I want that with you."
Hailey’s chest was heaving as her adrenaline spiked. I was bewildered. My thoughts were still collecting themselves so I asked a question off the top of my head to buy myself so ti.
"But you are a princess, Hailey, even if you don’t like to act like one, are you sure I am the one you want to be with in that regard?"
Hailey gulped to prevent herself from stamring as she assud the worst from that question, but composed herself. "I am. You are right, I am. I was expected to marry soone incredibly influential and if I didn’t learn... What I did as a child, that might have been my path. But honestly? I have never felt a connection to soone like I have with you. I an, I will admit that you are hot, but that would never have been a driving factor for to be with soone. I need soone compatible. Soone I L- I think we can make each other happy Apollo."
’Headache...’ I thought and massaged my temples and my mouth began to speak on its own. "And you say this when you are aware I have multiple partners? Your own aunt? While I know they all have no issue with having multiple partners, I know for a fact others would not be ok with it? How do you feel about it?
Hailey laughed slightly nervously. "Actually, in that regard. Um, Aunty Kathrine knows about my feelings for you. She has for a while now. We, um. Actually ca to an agreent in that regard for possible scenarios in the future... I’m not going to tell you what as I think I would scare you off and you would be running out the door... But to answer your question. I don’t have a problem with your other relationships. You have shown that you can handle a harem without discourse and the... colourful personalities of your nurous won proves that you clearly treat them all with equal love as others less ’talented’ in handling that type of relationship would long be dead."
I was about to rebuttal with ’I don’t have a harem, but after thinking about it, from the outside without having the context of the hive, it does look that way, I supposed. "I see."
Seeing the lack of emotional change in Apollo’s face, Hailey began putting in the failsafe’s. "Of course, I understand if you don’t feel the sa way about . I an, you are right. We are also good friends. I am happy to continue being so. Just because we aren’t in a relationship, doesn’t an I don’t want you in my life. As I stated, you are a beacon in the void. I want your light to be a perating constant in my life no matter the choices you make."
...
Silence overtook the room for an uncomfortable amount of ti. Hailey watched on in deep anticipation with each second feeling like it spanned on for eternity. Usually when Apollo was deep in thought, it was attractive, now it felt like she had a sword hanging over her head and Apollo’s decision decided if it dropped or not.
’Ugh. I feel sick. Stupid Hailey, Stupid! Why did you have to do this? Ugh this is the worst.’
Fortunately her anguish wasn’t long as Apollo finally looked up at her, however as he sighed. Her heart shattered.
...
Sighing away the stress of quick decision making, I looked toward my friend and smiled. "Oh, Hailey. What are we going to do with you, huh? Dropping all that lovely stuff about ? I am beyond flattered. But-" I started, but she then parroted with a dejected voice.
"But..."
I reached out and placed my hand on her knee. "Yes, but. Let finish. But, I don’t feel the sa intimacy you do towards ."
Hailey’s heart shattered further, but she kept herself composed, seeping herself with her Psionic condition.
"But, that doesn’t an I can’t." I continued, prompting Hailey to beco a little bit confused, and desperately hopeful.
"I don’t feel the sa way you do because I truly thought of you as my friend. I am not a chaser, I never once considered the option of us being together because it is not what I do. But, your confession has opened that pathway, it has shown that you are open to the idea of us being together and I won’t lie, the thought of possibly being with a dear friend of mine is a thought I cherish dearly.
The ice she just began manifesting around her heart lted as hope shined through. "S- So, what are you saying, A-Apollo?"
I smiled and reached out for her hand, caressing it gently. "I am saying that while I might not be at the sa level of feelings you are for right now, the pathway for those types of feelings have opened. I am starting from the start, whereas you are already a bit ahead of , so I guess I should ask the important question."
Hailey’s eyes threatened to tear up hearing Apollo speak those words. And what he said next broke the dam.
"Hailey, would you care to go on a date with ?"
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