"I...I... can't...

"

Her sophisticated and broken voice made Max raise his head a bit. When his eyes were now open, he saw that she had the worst expression ever. Not like she wasn't liking this thing but..her heart was broken, he thought.

Without further conversation, Veronica slipped to the other side of the bed before she cupped her face into her knees. A tear escaped her dyes where she recalled the moments she had witnessed earlier of her crush. She saw him kissing her loved one.... his wife to be and it was enough to roast her heart.

"I..I'm..sorry....

" Veronica muttered again, without facing him.

Meanwhile, Max was still in shock. He wasn't expecting her to back out at the last moment. But it was still better to feel. After all, he won't be happy either if they were intimate and she was thinking about some other man..no, that was more indigestible for him.

"It's alright,

" he told her in the flat voice before his gaze averted to see her downcasted head.

"You don't have to feel bad...

"

"It's just that...I...I had seen too many things today..

" Veronica's voice gained his attention where Max brought his other hand to caress her back. He didn't let his expressions be changed either but to give her more comfort, he pulled her closer and let her keep her face on his chest.

"You are more than welcome to cry in front of his stranger. I won't judge you.

"

And the last string of her holding back had already got out of her mind as she ended up blasting into the tears, which were earlier at bay. Crying as the last resort she looked forward to, however, his words had made her relieved herself.

"NO! NO!... Why did you do that...Tristan...I..I loved you so much....

" her whispers were heard by Max where he kept on caressing her back. Keeping the subtle expressions, he had no intention of leaving her alone in this state.

But the name she called was enough to gain his attention. Yet he kept himself shut, in the hope to simply not make the turmoil of her emotions. 'I was right..this is because of any other boy...Tristan...'

His lips were set into a straight line before he said,

"Love often leads us to somewhere where we never dreamt of..

"

"I..I.. was so close to having him...he..he is my best friend! but..seems like he never saw me through those gazes..

" She can't find another reason.

Remembering how happily he had introduced her to his so-called wife-to-be, her tears were once again flowing as any river.

But Max had continued to do his work. His constant patting on her back, while he gently caressed her hair and planted small kisses on her forehead to make her stop crying, was something hard to miss. Veronica's heart grew soft, so the tears dried up.

Pulling off a bit, she lifted her eyes to stare at those sparkling eyes of his.

"I..I. know..I shouldn't have done that to you..

" Veronica apologized with the guilt trapped inside her. After she had already made him ready, she had backed up with the fear, betrayal that lay in front of her eyes.

However, in response other words, Max gave her a sweet smile,

"You don't have to apologize with anything... you went through a lot, I can understand somewhat…

" With this, he brought the hair behind her ears as he only gave her the sweet guy vibes. It was disturbing, but still capturing to know.

"I-if you want..you can go..and enjoy your night.

"

"Why will I do that? didn't we have a deal that we will spend a night together?

" Hearing these words made Veronica's lips part. Was he still in the anticipation that something might happen? Mentally, Veronica knew that she wasn't ready for such a big thing right now.

Despite the alcohol kicking inside her mind and heart, Veronica knew it better than anyone else that it wasn't her cup of tea at all.

Maybe some other day but for today? She can't afford such a hefty gift...neither can she afford to disturb this man's night.

When Veronica had expected him to walk out on her, she got the opposite reaction out of him.

"I said that you made a promise. To spend a night with me...but that doesn't mean that we need to have something. Maybe some talks, some food, and a movie..it will do as well..

"

At this point, Veronica was dumbfounded. Her eyes blinked twice before she was able to proceed with what he just told her. Was he saying that they both can actually go forward and have nothing but some good night talks and food?

Was he seriously so nice or acting to be one to get into her pants?

It raised many suspicions inside her heart, making her dig her nails more into the bedsheet.

"A-are you sure?

" she asked with uncertainty.

"Yes, absolutely. Why not?

" Saying this, he got back on the bed and rested there peacefully. Not only that he had taken his shoes off, along with a leather jacket to come out in the black shirt.

Afterward, he sat on the bed with the comforter to actually turn on the television that was there in the room. His actions were slightly alarming but her heart wasn't settled either.

At the end of the day, if this can help her to ease her pain..won't this be a good deal to leave?

Veronica's lips went dry but trying not to give it much of her thoughts, Veronica finally agreed as she looked at the man, to give him a giant smile,

"Alright, I shall order some food for both of us..

"

....

Next Morning.

Last night was the turmoil of emotions, where Veronica had gone through a lot. Yet this is the fresh start, which she was looking forward to.

As the sun rays flew on her body and eyes, she looked at them to see the curtains and the bright sun.

"Wait..what..time is this?

"

Looking at the clock by her bed, she noted that it wasn't that late as well. Already eight in the morning. With the same, Veronica jerked her head back as the dizziness was still absorbing her.

Yet, when she rotated her head on the other side, what Veronica felt was the emptiness... Blinking her eyes twice she tried to see again, finding it the same.

'Wait..where did that man go?'

....

PS- Let me know in the comment section below about your reactions! A tier of 8 chapters is added now.. You guys can buy it to read 8 chapters before others! It will be regulated from 1 February! Cheers.