Chapter 35: The Hot Match
Ethan, Jake and Hoon gasped when Riley ran towards the exit of the big theatre where the graduation ceremony was being held.
Hoon noticed that Ethan was about to follow her so he stopped him. "Let her be."
"Yeah," Jake smiled sadly. "We have to learn to let her go and be with the man she loves."
Jake and Hoon already cleared that Jay was the one that Riley likes for years. And Jay likes Riley. It's just Jay who wasn't sure about Riley's feelings.
How did they know? Ethan told them when they got home last night and they're still drunk while talking in the living room where Jay is nowhere to be found.
And as for Jay's young brothers, Jake and Hoon give up on Riley. For their Jay hyung. They knew that Jay already suffered too much pain when he's still young because of his father and when he lost his memories and had amnesia.
They hadn't been with Jay for three years so they wanted to compensate and give him everything that he deserves. And also for Riley. For serving them for years without hearing any complaints.
ETHAN STILLED at what Jake said.
Be with the man she loves…
He shook his head and still chose to follow Riley. He didn't bother to look back when his brothers were calling him.
"Riley! Riley!"
He ran fast to catch up with her. They were in the exit of the school. He saw her stop a cab and was about to get in when he stopped her from holding her hand.
She glanced at him. "E-Ethan?"
His pleading eyes looked deeply into her eyes. "Please… don't go." He was begging her not to go. "Stay with me, Riley." He started to tear up. "Please… choose me."
"E-Ethan… w-what are you saying?"
He tightened his knuckles to calm himself down. To stop himself from crying but he failed. "Am I not that… enough? Is there something that I've been lacking? Please tell me. I'm ready to do it for you." He sobbed. "I-I've tried my best to be a good man for you but it looks like you only see me as your brother. I-I know that y-you like Jay. And your feelings have gone deep for him and now you already love him."
Ethan held her both hands. "Why can't I receive that love from you? Why can't you choose me?" His tears were like waterfalls falling down from his eyes down to his cheeks. "Please… choose me, Riley." He was desperately pleading.
Riley was too stunned to speak and didn't know what to say. She was shocked that Ethan was actually showing his feelings for her. The Ethan Lee she knows was not like this. He was strong. Strong enough not to break out like this.
But does she truly know the real Ethan Lee behind his strong aura? He might be strong outside but deep inside, he's broken down.
Riley knew that Ethan did everything for her to be happy in those years without Jay. And she appreciated it so much. And the time when Ethan saved her from a car accident then Jay kidnapped her, she will never forget how Ethan was worried for her life.
But she can't stop her heart from choosing the man she truly loves. Yes, she loves her masters. Ethan, Jake and Hoon. But Jay is a different story.
He's the man that makes her heart beat faster than normal. He makes her happy and unexplainable emotions that Jay can only do to her no matter how she denies it.
Riley bit her lower lip. "I don't know how to answer you, Ethan. I-I'm shocked at the moment for dropping a lot of bombs."
Ethan wiped his tears. "It's okay, you don't have to say anything. Just be with me is beyond fine."
"I-It's not that easy, Ethan… I'm sorry…"
Ethan sighed disappointedly. "Maybe my brothers were right. I think I should let you go." He once again wiped his tears all over his face. "But you know what? It's very hard. It's hard to let you go because I can't stand to see you with someone else. Especially when it's my brother."
Riley couldn't stop herself to give Ethan a tight hug. She caressed his back as he cried on her shoulders. Keeps chanting to choose him. But she finally made her decision.
"I'm sorry, Ethan… I'm so sorry… I know you deserve someone better than me. I know that there's a person who's waiting for you out there. Who deserves your kindness, patience and love." She broke the hug and looked into his eyes and cupped his cheeks. "I'm not the right woman for you. You're so precious, Ethan. You don't deserve a woman like me." She tiptoed and kissed his temple. "Thank you for liking me. And all you did for me for the past years. I will never forget it, Master."
Ethan stared into her eyes for a minute. And slowly, a smile appeared on his lips. "No, thank you for making me love you. I enjoyed every time we spent together. And I don't regret that I fell for you. It's the best decision I've made."
He set aside the strands of her hair that covered her angelic face. "Loving you was my decision. My very best decision that I didn't think about regretting. So, go… be with the man you love." He kissed her temple. "He's at the backstage. The Dean invited him to speak in front of the graduates and to congratulate them." He whispered to her ear and winked at her. "Go see your man, Riley."
Riley chuckled and ran back towards the theatre room where their graduation was being held.
Ethan smiled while staring at Riley who's running back to the theatre.
They say that if you love someone, you're willing to sacrifice your happiness just to see her happy. With someone else.
JAY FELT relieved when he saw Riley came back inside the theatre. When he came out of the backstage, his eyes instantly searched for her. But he couldn't find her so he felt relieved that he saw her go back to her seat before he spoke in front of the graduates.
He clears his throat before speaking while he's holding a microphone.
"A pleasant morning to all, to those who aren't familiar with me, let me introduce myself first. I'm Jay Park, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and the CEO of Hybe Company. First of all I would like to thank you all for inviting me here today to witness this special day of the graduating students."
The students yelled and shouted for Jay's name as he spoke. Especially girls. They were amazed by his very handsome and gorgeous looks as he formally speaks in front of everyone.
That's my man. Riley proudly says inside her head while looking at Jay.
"It's an honor for me to be here and to congratulate every one of you, standing here on stage, watching you all receive your awards for being outstanding and for reaching your goals. I was one of the students like you. Waiting and seeking the moment to be one of the graduates. The only difference was, I was homeschooled." He chuckled. "And a piece of advice to all of you. This is not the end of your story. Keep on going, trust the process and don't you ever give up. This is just the end of your beginning." He smiled at everyone. "Thank you. And congratulations again."
All of the students and audiences clapped their hands on Jay's speech.
The emcee thanked Jay for his special appearance.
"He's so good." Riley uttered. She's so proud of Jay.
The Dean finally announced to line up to the stage and wait to call for their names to get their diploma and awards.
Lotte is a Salutatorian in the Architectural field and has the degree of Bachelor of Science in Architecture. She's also a Magna Cum Laude.
Riley also felt proud of her best friend's successes. Lotte had put in so much hard work for this. And she definitely deserves these awards.
"Riley Gomez, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the nursing department."
The emcee called her name so she stepped forward to the stage to receive her diploma and award.
"Congratulations, Ms. Gomez." The Dean said to her.
"Thank you."
"Nice one, baby!"
She glanced at Jake who shouted with an aussie accent. Making the girls squealed.
She waved her hand to them and to her grandma who's looking at her proudly. Then her eyes settled on the man she loves the most. The man who can make her heart beat go insane.
Riley smiled when Jay also smiled from ear to ear and he gave her a thumbs up then mouthed 'I'm so proud of you.'
Her smile never left on her lips as the ceremony ended well.
"I'm very proud of you, pumpkin. You finally did it." Her grandma almost burst tears when she approached and hugged her.
She gave her her diploma. "This is for you, momma. Thank you for being here with me." She kissed her momma on her cheeks. "I love you so much, momma."
"Aww, I love you too, pumpkin."
Madame Lacey announced that they will throw a party for Riley's graduation at the mansion. They already prepared foods and decorations as she spoke.
"Why don't you come with us, Lotte?" Madame Lacey asked Lotte.
"P-Pardon?" She was stunned. She glanced at her.
Riley nodded to convince her to come.
"U-Uhm, sure, ma'am."
"Great! Let's go?"
"Let's go!" Jake exclaimed.
"L-E-T apostrophe S G-O!" Hoon yelled while chuckling.
"Why did you spelled it?" Jake asked.
"I just copied what Jungwon said."
Jake's eyebrows furrowed. "Who's Jungwon?"
"Hoon's friend." Jay answered Jake. "Actually he's his student. He's teaching him how to skate." He shrugged.
Jake nodded. "Oh, I see."
Riley was listening to their conversation when Lotte went beside her while they were walking to the parking lot where the limousine of Madame Lacey was waiting.
"Riley, I'm very sorry for not telling you the truth and for lying to you. I'm truly sorry… I understand if you don't forgive me for what I did but please, let's not end our friendship." Lotte Begged her.
Riley softly smiled. "You don't have to ask for my forgiveness, Lotte. I know there's a reason why you two pretend to be in a relationship and I don't wanna ask why. I wanna hear the reason coming from Jay." She held her hand. "Don't be silly. I'm not that shallow to end our friendship. You're still my number best friend I only had."
Lotte smiled ear to ear and hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much, Riley! I love you so much."
She chuckled and hugged her back. "I love you too, Lotte."
THE GIRLS were celebrating at the backyard where the pool was. They were busy eating and chit chatting. While Ethan asked Jake, Jay and Hoon to play basketball at the court. Just beside their garage.
"We're only four here, fellas. Isn't it too boring?" Hoon complained.
Jay rolled his eyes. "Then what do you want? Ask Riley and Lotte to join us?" He sarcastically asked.
Hoon grinned. "Hmm, maybe?"
"Tsk. You're crazy."
"Crazy about you, babeh." Jake teased while spinning the ball with his index finger.
Hoon and Jake laughed when they saw Jay's annoyed face.
"Okay, okay, enough with that. Let's start the game." Ethan clapped his hands. "One on one?"
"Sure! Ethan hyung and Jay hyung first." Hoon said while grinning.
Ethan glanced at Jay. "Okay, sure."
"Game on." Jay said.
"Oooh, there's going to be a hot match here. Hmm, what do you think will be the price of the winner, Hoon?" Jake asked Hoon who's wearing a whistle around his neck.
"How about Riley is the winner?" He suggested.
Jake's eyes widened. "Bingo! Tomorrow is her birthday to be exact! Okay, the winner will have her tomorrow and dance with her on the dancefloor. What do you think, fellas? Deal?" His eyebrows moved up and down. Teasing his hyungs.
Ethan grinned while his gaze didn't leave at Jay's. "Deal."
The corner of Jay's lips rose up. "Let the game begin."
~amph1trite~