In all honesty, Rhianne has zero knowledge when it comes to dating and romance. All the things she knows in this field all came from the romance books and stories online she read before. All those books gave her a small idea about the concept as well as the process of dating between two people. Still, it is not enough for her to truly understand it emotionally.
Rhianne is still struggling when it comes to dating. There is still a shadow in her heart that gives birth to a mentality that makes her think no one will ever want to date her. Thinking about it, Rhianne died single and had no boyfriend since birth in her past life. No one also attempted to approach her or show any romantic interest in her.
She is not pretty and charismatic to be approached by men of her age in her past life. She is just that invisible girl in the background who always watched her peers getting in love and lovey-dovey with each other.
Still, she believes her obliviousness lessened a bit these past few years. She can now at least see how dating really works. Although Rhianne is still a novice, at least she is now aware of Keith's presence as well as his intentions.
And it was all thanks again to her romance books and Doctor Calvin. Yes, that's right. That annoying doctor who also happens to be Keith's older brother. He is the one who patiently discusses these things with Rhianne.
Rhianne suddenly remembered how it all started. She just finished her monthly check-up at that time when Doctor Calvin asked her when will she becomes his real sister-in-law. Ever since Keith confessed to her, Doctor Calvin is now calling her sister-in-law in every chance he gets which motivates her brother Francis to beat that doctor all the time.
Trying to surprise the doctor even once, Rhianne casually asked him how is it possible for her to know whether she is in love or not. Rhianne was not really expecting a reply at that time. Keith snitched to her that his brother never had a serious relationship before. She was just trying her luck to turn the tables and make the doctor struggle a bit.
And guess what? Who would have thought that Doctor Calvin will give her a piece of advice? And that doctor gave her a piece of serious advice and not just his usual joking answers. But what really surprised Rhianne was Doctor Calvin's calmness as if the words he was telling her at that time were based on his own experience.
Doctor Calvin told her that she will not receive any warning if she will have feelings for someone or not. It is not something that you can postpone or reschedule just because you are not ready to feel it yet. Having feelings for someone will just surprise you and it is up to you whether to welcome those feelings or deny them until you regret them.
When Dr. Calvin saw her dumbfounded expression, the doctor just pinched her cheeks until they turned red. After being her personal doctor for years, Calvin can now easily read her like an open book. He can clearly see the confusion in her eyes.
Without her asking him more questions, Doctor Calvin decided to be her counselor and gave more answers to her question. He is aware that Rhianne is very slow when it comes to the matter of feelings. Isn't that the reason why his little brother is struggling to pursue this girl?
Doctor Calvin told her that loving someone will make you feel weird and special at the same time. It is that kind of feeling where you suddenly want to change for the better not because the other people ask you but for the person you love the most. It also makes you feel mixed feelings which can prevent you from sleeping at night. Loving someone sometimes brings out the best of you most of the time.
There is a part in Rhianne that can understand the doctor's word and yet she cannot totally comprehend it. And because Doctor Calvin's words kept on bugging her, Rhianne tried to give herself some time to think about her feelings and relationships with those people around her. Every night, Rhianne will always stare at the ceiling while analyzing her feelings one by one.
First, her relationship with her family. Everyone is treating her with love and kindness. Rhianne never felt she is not a part of their family. All of them are always there on her side all the time.
Rhianne never felt that she is not a member of this family. Her family always cares for each other and they never leave anyone behind. There are times when her family was surprised with her decisions in life. They sometimes asked her a question about her decisions but they never judged her for it. They always told her that she can do anything as long as it makes her happy.
Second, her relationship with Keith. At first, Rhianne treated him as a protagonist of this world only. To be fair, she will never forget that Keith is the male lead of this world who can do anything he wants without facing too much difficulty. He is that person who is destined to be successful until the end.
But Rhianne slowly realized her mistakes as the day goes by. Keith is not just a protagonist in the story anymore. In fact, all of those people around her are no longer just a character in a book that she once read in her past life. These people have their own lives and feelings.
They can feel a lot of emotions. They can always cry, laugh, or shout just to express what they are feeling inside. They are no longer just characters who mindlessly follow the flow of the story. They also have their own feelings and stories to share.
That really made her reality check that she is not just living inside a book. Putting herself in their place, Rhianne will also feel hurt if someone treated her as if she is just a puppet who is following a script made by the author. Rhianne does not want to be treated like that. She has her own name, life, and feelings.
And so, Rhianne slowly opens her heart to develop a real connection with those people around her, especially Keith. Rhianne is treating Keith as her equal. It does not matter to her if he is the protagonist of this story or not. Keith can do those amazing things because of his efforts and talent and not because that is what this world is telling him to be like that.
Lastly, Rhianne thought about herself.
Recently, Rhianne noticed something weird about herself. There are times when her thoughts and actions are not synchronizing. Rhianne sometimes will do the opposite of what she is thinking most of the time. Take her actions with her family as an example.
Rhianne matured early in her past life because of the difficulties she experienced as a poor orphan. But when she spends more time with her family, Rhianne will subconsciously act spoiled and sticky with them. That is the complete opposite of her behavior in her past life. She would rather stay quiet and stand on the side instead of making her family pamper her.
Not only that, but Rhianne felt she really becomes a real growing teenager who is easily amused with literally everything. Rhianne made some assumptions about it. One of her assumptions is that is the original Rhianne Cartel's actions. It sounds so silly and unbelievable.
But isn't her situation sounds so unbelievable too?
Who will believe her anyway if Rhianne said that she died in her past life and now she is living her second life as Rhianne Cartel, the precious daughter of the Cartel family? Rhianne is very sure that Doctor Calvin will make fun of her and that will only make everyone worried for her.
But for her, that is a possible thing to happen the more she thinks about it. The body she possessed was originally owned by Rhianne Cartel. Although the soul inside is now different, maybe some memories of Rhianne Cartel were left in her body. And she is now doing the things she usually does in the past.
If that is really the case, then Rhianne will just accept it. If it is all because of the old memories of Rhianne Cartel, then she will gladly embrace it. She is not doing it out of responsibility or duty but because she is thankful to her. Without her, Rhianne might never experience this happiness and warmth.
Rhianne stares at the young man sitting in front of her. At first, she treated him as a kid who needs guidance to be a good man in the future. Later on, her view towards him slowly changed. Keith grew up so fast that it made Rhianne surprised with his growing progress.
The young timid and shy boy transformed into a reliable and responsible young man in just a few years. As for her inner auntie vibes, Rhianne feels so proud about his quick growth. But as his friend, Rhianne feels so happy that she has this amazing young man as a person who is very close in her life now.
"Mr. Protagonist." Rhianne called while staring at him.
"Yeah?" Keith asked as he scooped a spoonful of his ice cream and put it in his mouth.
"You know..."
"Hmm?"
"Well..."
"Know what?" Keith asked again while waiting for the ice cream to melt in his mouth.
"Keith, I really adore you." Rhianne finally said with a sweet smile on her face.