As Natanie walked, her mind was blank with a place in mind to go. She just walked with difficulty and tiredness that overwhelmed her slowly.
Kingsley stood at the doorway adjacent to the narrow hallway that led to the dance hall. So when Natanie caught sight of him, she looked down at her feet and walked towards him weakly, as if to hide the obvious fact that loomed around her and also, the uncontrollable tears.
He grimaced at the sight of his daughter's expression. She was that obvious. And when she was closer..
“Are you okay?” He asked.
Natanie's eyes were still glued to her feet, his questions made tears drip from her eyes. 
“Natanie?” He called and then she managed to look at him through her watery eyes. 
He felt helpless. “What's wrong?” His asked with faded voice.
Everything is wrong, she thought.
“Why is it so hard?” She mumbled under her breath as tears fell uncontrollably down her cheeks. 
Then he swept her into his arms and tried to console her but it wasn't enough for her to mask the aftermath, the pain of denial.
Whereas, Dave's eyes were still glued to the direction she'd gone. Pain struck him and he felt his heart bleed. He never did anything wrong, all he did was to love her.
He was hurting and he thought of the futility of his actions. Why was it so hard? He thought, and a tear laid await at the corner of his eyes.
“Dave..” Isabelle called behind him and then he turned to look at her.
“I'm here.” She said softly to him.
He furrowed his eyes at her, and the way she stood immobile in front of him made him wish that it was Natanie who was unashamedly clinging to him. But sadly, it's Isabelle. But a part of him was grateful to her for saying she'd be there for him and she always had been.
Then he blamed himself at the sight of Isabelle still standing numb in front of him. He felt guilty at the thought that he had told Isabelle that he loved her when all he did was to love Natanie who didn't even dare to love him back as such. 
His heart then ached at the thought that he'd loved the wrong person, when the only woman he could have loved was right in front of him.
He took a step closer to her and then, another as he embraced her and held her tightly.
“Of course, you are…” He trailed off as he continued to hold her ever so tightly.
At midnight, Natanie sat dejectedly on her bed. Everywhere and everything was hushed except for the footsteps of Madina who approached her to sit beside her.
“He said he loves me…” Natanie began to say slowly. 
Madina nodded. “Of course, he's made it obvious countless times.” She said as Natanie threw a glance at her and then looked away. 
Natanie swallowed the lump in her throat. “I told him that I don't love him, that I didn't feel the same.”
“But you do?” Madina asked.
“I'm undecided, I'm not sure.” Natanie blurted. 
“That face doesn't look like a woman who isn't sure she's in love with a man.” Madina stated as Natanie shifted uncomfortably on the bed.
“Look Natanie, Dave loves you and has done nothing to prove otherwise..” Madina said as Natanie moved away from the bed to pace around.
“But he's with Isabelle!” She said airily.
Madina sighed. “Is that why you told him that you do not feel the same way?” 
Natanie's heart was heavy. “Yes.” And of course, that was the reason and the thought of losing her parents when she's just found them was nerve-wracking. 
“Well, that proves to me further that you really love this man, you really love Dave.” Madina pulled up a small smile at her.
Natanie bit her lip as Madina approached her. “Whatever reason you might have for denying your feelings, just know that loving someone also means pinning for them in the most affectionate way.”
Natanie's lips trembled. “I don't know, I don't know how…” 
Madina took her hand and placed it on her chest, and Natanie felt her heart pound heavily against her chest. “Follow your heart.” Madina said softly.
“What if it's subjective?” Natanie asked.
Madina shook her head. “Love is not some random course you have to analyze…” She said and slowly tucked Natanie's hair behind her ears.
Madina smiled at her one more time and moved past her and all Natanie could think about is she wanted her feelings for Dave to be kept a secret from him.
“Mom?” Natanie called. “Can you please not tell Dave?”
Madina nodded slightly. “I understand, trust me I won't.” Madina walked out of her room as Natanie grimaced and ran her hands through her hair.