Call from Destiny | COMPLETED | English

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN: Confession

E T H A N

Her eyes sparkled and I couldn't seem to break off her trance.

Right now, we were at the seats and the players were already too far away to interrupt us. Claire was waiting for me to talk but I couldn't find the words that I wanted to say. It was as if my lips were sealed shut at the moment I saw her.

"You wanted to tell me something important?" she began, her face waiting for my response. Her brows were furrowed as soon as she saw me fidgeting with my hands. There I stood, breathing heavily at first. I don't even know how to start.

Should I even do this? I tried breaking it off with Vanessa earlier but she didn't quite agree with me. By breaking, I meant telling her that we didn't really have a thing and our relationship was never really official.

So, the only option that I was left with was Benedict's suggestion. I can't risk losing this or else I would be caged in this toxic relationship for a lifetime. My decision of letting it go would cost me a lot of regrets.

My hands quickly went to grab Claire's — her eyes widened as soon as I caressed them. "If only there was an easy way to say this kind of thing."

"These past few days, I can't help but get nervous around you. Believe me, I tried getting away from you in every way possible," I opened up to her and she stood still, letting me hold her hands right on that spot.

Her stare almost bore right through me as the words that left my mouth were getting to her. I guess she was taking the hint and decided to let me continue.

"Right when I was at the match, I can't help myself but look in your direction. I wanted to keep telling myself that I shouldn't but I did," I told her before chuckling. "You kept on distracting me, you know?"

When I saw that she was looking at me with anticipation, I decided to cut to the chase. "Look, what I'm trying to say to you, Claire..."

There was a slight pause when I said this. My heart was beating too fast and I could feel myself getting cold on the spot. My posture almost resembled a statue.

By the looks on Benedict's face, he wanted to call my name but then decided not to when he saw Claire and I talking to each other. I'm sure he already knew what was going on.

Knowing that it would be better to finish it off instead of waiting for too long, I confessed, "I can't split myself away. You're like a magnet that attracts me back. I love you, Claire Guanzon."

"Will you be my girlfriend, Claire Guanzon?"

She wasn't responding. Her dark brown eyes stared at me with uncertainty. I know that she probably knew this was too rushed. And I wasn't even sure if she liked me back.

One thing's for certain, though. All that I said to her were true.

I wanted to get out of Vanessa's toxicity.

But I also wanted Claire to be with me. That's also a possible reason why I accepted the laundry job even though I was against it at first.

Sh-t, what have I done? She just keeps on looking at me, her face burning red right now. I don't know if she was angry, excited, thrilled, feverish, or embarrassed.

This time, all of my teammates turned their attention to us — probably wondering where we were.

At this point, I could feel the rejection. Their sad stares seem to match what's happening anyway. I couldn't stand her silence so I decided to let her hand go and rub the back of my neck.

I immediately apologized and walked my way back down. That was embarrassing. I shouldn't have considered Benedict's suggestion. I made a fool out of myself. Even my teammates gave me a pat on the back — almost telling me that I tried my best.

My heart tightened, and I felt it crack.

"Ethan—" Benedict tried to approach me but I raised my hands to stop him. This wasn't a good time to talk to him right now.

"I'm alright. It's okay that she doesn't answer. I don't want her to feel forced," I exclaimed as I slung my bag on my shoulder. Benedict's hands tried to reach out for me but I decided to avoid him.

I was ready to leave along with my other teammates but quickly heard Sam shouting. It caught my attention and I stopped dead in my tracks as they fell silent at what Samantha had said. Even Benedict was watching them.

"Claire, come on. I know you secretly like him, judging by the way you look at him every time. Don't lose this chance!" Sam shouted as I heard my other teammates raising their eyebrows in amusement. Knowing that Claire probably won't like being gossiped about, I decided to break it all off so she wouldn't be uncomfortable.

I turned around again, my lips curling into a sad smile. "Look, Claire, you don't have to feel forced to answer. You can tell me any time with a yes or no and I'll understand."

When I was ready to finally leave, she decided to mumble to herself. I didn't quite catch what she said so I decided to turn my attention back to her. I told her to repeat what she said but I didn't expect that it would almost stop my heart from beating.

"Yes," Claire replied to me before she turned her attention to her shoes. I blinked and my mouth went agape. What did she just say?

"You said yes..." I paused momentarily and suddenly felt a shove coming from behind me — making me stumble. Looking back, I saw Benedict nodding right at me.

"Did you just answer 'yes' Claire? Is what I heard right?" I asked softly — almost muttering to myself. Though, I never thought Benedict would hear.

"Are you deaf, buddy? She said yes, Ethan! It's official!" Benedict shouted before patting me on the back. Even my teammates congratulated me from behind me. I couldn't help but smile as Claire blushed and hid her face in her hands.

Before we decided to leave, Benedict and I were approached by the Team Captain of the Sparrows. The man who owns the Lamborghini is the Team Captain in front of me now, smiling.

"It's nice to meet you again brother," he said, not smiling at me but looking behind me. I heard Benedict answer so I turned around and faced him.

"Ray, is that you? I can't believe it. I thought you were still in Georgia," Benedict said incredulously — wondering why he was there.

Ray Guitterez? Benedict's brother? The man who bullied me and the man who ruined my beautiful life as a kid in the States?

That's already a 'no' for me. Why is he here?

He probably noticed my reaction since he purposedly ignored his brother and turned his attention towards me. "Nice to meet you again, Ethan."

I just ignored the hand he tried to give me for a handshake and faked a smile at him. "Not really in the mood to meet you again, Ray."

"I assure you, Ethan, I've changed." That was not really believable. It's impossible for him to change all of a sudden.

He nodded, finally getting the hint. Before he could even leave us be, he decided to open the topic about Vanessa. "Vanessa is going back, right?"

"Pity, this girl beside you doesn't seem to know about her."

If only he knew that Claire had already answered her call. I just shook my head before forcing a chuckle.

"You must be mistaken. Vanessa was never my girl. She's just my childhood friend. Nothing more. I didn't consider her a girlfriend but like a sister. I didn't want to hurt her so I just left the state," I answered before pulling Claire with me and leaving him behind at the arena.