Ethilia's POV:
I wasn't sure where Liana was taking us, but I knew I had to tell her soon. The problem was... it wasn't easy. No matter how much time passed, that stain would always follow me... the stain of being a leftover, of having a daughter before marriage.
It's not like I couldn't have aborted. I could've. But when my parents abandoned me after finding out, I shut that thought out completely.
At least this way, I had someone. My daughter. If I'd gone through with it, I'd have been all alone. I love my Alina, and I'm grateful every day that I didn't abort her. Still, Liana is an idol... If I step into her life, won't her stalkers start digging into mine?
I know they will. They hate idols for breathing sometimes. What will they do when they find out Liana loves someone like me? Especially after all those rumors they spread...
I forced those thoughts away and slowly pulled out the ring. It was the same ring Liana had once wanted to give me. After her confrontation in the classroom, she'd thrown it away. But I... I picked it up.
Her eyes widened the second she saw it. She reached for my trembling hands and took the ring from me. "It's the same one I threw, right?" she asked.
I nodded slowly, but the air suddenly felt colder than before, making me shiver. Liana's face went blank for a moment before she turned to me again. "You had it all this time?"
I nodded slowly, my palms started sweating as my heartbeat quickened. "Yes... I-I picked it up that day."
Liana raised an eyebrow and handed the ring back to me. "Okay... so, what did you want to say?"
Her voice was sharp, but her eyes softened, and somehow, that small shift gave me the courage to continue.
I took a deep breath and looked straight into her eyes. "I... I..." I don't know what happened, but words stuck in my throat.
She frowned slightly and reached out, pressing her palm to my forehead. "Are you cold? You're... stuttering."
I swallowed hard and held her hand tightly. "Give me some time, okay?"
Liana nodded and her hands squeezed mine, "Take all the time you need," she said, her voice finally gentle.
I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm inside me.
Say it... come on, say it. It's simple. Just I am... what do I actually say? "I have feelings for you"? No, that sounds too plain. "I love you"? That's too direct... Then what?
I sighed and unconsciously pouted. I hadn't really thought about what words I'd use; I just knew I needed to tell her what I felt. But now, with her this close, every sentence I'd imagined vanished from my mind.
I can hide my emotions so easily, but when it comes to saying them out loud... I just can't.
Liana leaned her head gently on my shoulder. Her voice was soft and patient. "It's getting late... don't overthink it. Just say it."
She wasn't wrong. But my mouth just wouldn't open. I inhaled sharply and closed my eyes.
Okay… I'll just say whatever comes out. End of story. Say it and die from embarrassment. Yes. Better.
"I want you," I blurted, but my voice was trembling. "
"I don't want you to go, but I also don't want to stop you. I don't know what's happening to me. It's like every feeling I locked away long ago just… broke free. I didn't want to reject you that day, Liana. I loved you then, and I love you now."
My heart was pounding so hard it hurt. I honestly thought I might faint. My hands were shaking, and my whole body felt cold.
Liana lifted her head from my shoulder and stared at me with wide eyes. "Huh?"
My face burned instantly, and I turned away to hide it, but she gently cupped my cheek and tilted my head back toward her.
"Say that again," she whispered.
I frowned in confusion. "What?"
Liana chuckled softly and leaned in until her forehead pressed against mine. "Whatever you said at the end."
Her voice alone was enough to make my skin flush even hotter. I swallowed hard and whispered back, "I... I... love y-you…"
She exhaled sharply, almost like she'd been holding her breath, and her gaze locked onto mine. "You'd better mean that."
I parted my lips to reply, but before I could, she closed the distance between us. Her lips pressed against mine in a firm, desperate kiss.
A soft gasp escaped me, and she took the chance to deepen it, exploring my mouth with sudden hunger that made my thoughts blur.
I hesitated, my fingers twitching before finally resting on her shoulder. The warmth of her skin under my palm made my head spin. But the instinct took over, and I kissed her back.
She wasn't just kissing me; she was devouring every inch of my hesitation, and I couldn't stop her.
My mind went blank, my pulse thundered, and for a moment, the world simply stopped around us. I knew she clearly loved it.
After a few seconds, I patted her shoulder gently when I felt the need for oxygen.
She finally pulled back, and I saw her lips were slightly red and glistening. That made me blush hard.
With a teasing smile, she brushed her thumb across my lips. "You can't take back what you said," she murmured.
I smiled softly while panting hard and shook my head, "I won't."
Her lips curved, and she pecked me again before wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. I melted against her chest, burying my face into the crook of her neck.
"I meant every word," I whispered, kissing the side of her neck. Then I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, "You won't say it back?"
Liana pulled back and smirked. No… not that smirk. That familiar, devilish one. The one I hate because it always means trouble.
"Well," her tone was teasing, "you haven't done anything for me to say it back."
I felt a pang in my chest. She wasn't wrong… but it still stung.
I took a slow breath and met her eyes. "Then what do you want me to do?"
Her lips curved again as she reached for my hand. She gently pried open my fist and took the ring from me. "Let me put this on you," she said softly.
I chucked and held out both hands playfully. "Which one?"
"The left one, of course," she replied with a light laugh. She slid the ring onto my ring finger with care, then leaned in to press a kiss to my forehead.
For a second, I just stared at her, stunned by how warm that tiny gesture felt. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.
I looked at the city below; it was now glowing. The stars above looked brighter than usual. Maybe it was just my imagination… but it felt like even the moonlight was smiling tonight.
Still, the star everyone longed to see wasn't in the sky. She was right here... beside me, with her arms wrapped around me.
I leaned into her embrace and closed my eyes, breathing her in.
She kissed my temple softly and whispered, "Let's go home. It's getting dark... and cold."
I nodded, and we both stood. She reached for my hand as we headed toward the bike.
The ride back felt different, but I didn't know why. Every second with her felt perfect.
Still… there were things she didn't know about me yet. Secrets I hadn't gathered the courage to tell her. But I would. Soon. Maybe… in the morning.