Violet pursed her lips as she composed her thoughts.
Previously, she had discussed the probability of changes in her relationship with her pretend boyfriend with Sarah. Violet was determined that there was no chance that their relationship would go beyond friends.
She was able to get along with Ryan quite well, but the duration of their relationship was too short. There was no way that feelings could develop that quickly. Violet refused to believe that Ryan might have feelings for her.
Therefore, she was surprised when Ryan told her that he liked her.
He had offered her a sum of money, knowing that he had breached their agreement.
His words and expression were sincere, making Violet unable to reject him swiftly.
But Violet knew well that she could not accept Ryan's feelings for her. Not at this moment. Not in this situation.
Too many thoughts went through Violet's mind at this moment. After a moment that felt like forever, Violet raised her eyes to look at Ryan again.
"Ryan, thank you," Violet said. Her voice was slightly hoarse as she had been crying a while ago.
"Oh." An awkward smile curled on Ryan's lips. He could not understand why Violet was thanking him. "You're welcome?" There was a hint of hesitation in his voice.
Violet's expression changed. Ryan's answer turned their conversation awkward as she did not know how she should steer this conversation. Violet inhaled a deep breath and clenched her hand into a fist. "I'm sorry."
Ryan's heart sank. He could tell what Violet wanted to say to him from her apology.
"But I can't reciprocate your feelings," Violet continued. "These past few weeks, my opinion of you has changed. You are not the asshole that I thought you were. And I think we get along quite well. But that was it. I can't think of you as more than a friend. I don't have those feelings towards you."
Ryan felt as if his heart was stabbed by a sharp knife over and over again. He did not expect that this was how it felt to be rejected by a girl whom he had started to fancy.
"I understand." Ryan tried to smile, but he could feel the corner of his lips turn stiff. "If that's what you feel, then I have to respect it. In a few days, we will talk to our parents and tell them that we are not suitable. Don't worry. Everything will go as we had planned."
Ryan was about to say more when he felt Violet pushing something against his arm. He lowered his head and saw the envelope that he had given Violet earlier. "You–"
"I can't accept this." Violet pressed the envelope on Ryan's hand, preventing him from pushing it back to her.
Ryan waited until Violet retracted her hand before he pushed the envelope back into her hand. "This is yours. This is what we have agreed on. I broke the rules. Therefore, I should compensate you."
"No." Using a bit of force, Violet pushed the envelope back to Ryan. "I really can't accept this. Ryan, the first time we met, you thought that I agreed to our parents' agreement because I wanted your money."
Violet's words made Ryan pause. The light in his eyes dimmed slightly when he recalled meeting Violet at the cafe. He was very rude. Violet was not wrong for calling him an asshole. Each time he recalled their first meeting, Ryan would regret how he had handled the situation.
"If I accept this money now," Violet continued while Ryan was still in his thoughts, "it would make me feel as if I am really after your money." She stared into Ryan's eyes for a couple of beats. "I am not a gold digger."
It felt as if another knife was inserted into his heart and then slowly pulled out.
His words from back then were too harsh. It was not strange for Violet to hold a grudge.
He really deserved this rejection.
Ryan understood the reason Violet could not accept his money. It would make her feel as if his accusation was true.
For a while, Ryan did not know how he should be facing Violet. He had his head lowered. He was too embarrassed to look at Violet.
Unfortunately, there was no way that he could turn back time and change the past. He cannot take back the words that he had said.
There was another long silence between them. Finally, the sound of the door pushed open snapped Ryan out of his trance. When he looked up, Ryan saw Violet leaving. The envelope rested in his hand.
"Violet."
His voice made her pause. Violet hesitated before looking at Ryan again. As she wondered what Ryan was going to tell her, Violet saw that Ryan had once again stuffed the envelope into her hand. Her brow furrowed, and anger surged into her heart.
"I know that you won't accept my money," Ryan said before Violet could open her mouth and scold him. "But a deal is a deal. I broke the agreement, and this money is rightfully yours." His eyes fell on the envelope that was now in Violet's hand. "In the end, what I have given you is a check. Whether you wanted to cash out the money or tear that piece of paper is up to you."
Violet stared at Ryan with a complicated look in her eyes.
She wanted to return the check. But it seemed that Ryan was determined to let her have it. If she pushes it to Ryan again, the man will only return it to her. Then, this pushing won't stop until forever. Violet had no plan to spend the rest of her day in front of her house pushing an envelope.
After giving it long thought, Violet heaved a long sigh. "Alright then. I will keep this check for now."
She already planned to tear the check into pieces and toss it into the wastepaper basket the moment she reached her bedroom.
Violet gave Ryan another look before finally shutting the door with a thud.
Ryan sat in his car, watching Violet's retreating figure until he could no longer see her.