The Best Man novel Chapter 82

Olivia's POV

Love hurts, doesn't it?

Tristan stood uncomfortably at the center of the lounge before walking to sit on the couches' armrest, drawing a deep breath before opening his mouth to speak

"Listen Liv, I'm not here to cause a rift between you and me or what you have with Nathan. It's just that it came as a shock to me to discover how you felt about me all this time. I just want us to talk about, is that okay with you?"

Coming face to face with him with this conversation was something I was least expecting ever to happen, especially now after all these years. I wrote that letter just when I was about to leave for college. That was my way of leaving everything behind...in the secret compartment of our box. The initial plan was to burn it along with the diary when I came back for the semester holidays, it seemed like a legit plan by then...but that very same plan managed to backfire because I forgot, and now I'm standing in front of him, having to explain myself.

"Yeah sure", I croaked out nervously as I walked to sit beside him and I kept my eyes dropped to the floor. This is what I've been afraid of my entire life, I couldn't even bear to look at him and register the look on his face. I was just so nervous, I couldn't sit still without tapping my foot on the floor.

"So, how long have you, uh....had feelings for me?"

"I don't know", I shrugged uncertainly. "Since pre school I think, but it was a long time ago so"

I looked up at him to see him sigh heavily, looking defeated with his eyes having a hint of regret. "If only I'd known Liv, I didn't even know you felt this way about me"

I shrugged my shoulders again

"It's not like it would have changed anything though", it was my turn to sigh. "The reason I didn't want to tell you is because I didn't want things to change between us, like I said in the letter; I was okay with anything"

He slid off the armrest to sit beside me, taking my hand in his. "I feel like I should apologize"

"Apologize for what?", I quirked up an eyebrow at him "for not seeing me as nothing more than just a friend?"

He slowly nodded. "And for not noticing"

"No you don't", I reassured him while giving him a light shoulder squeeze, it was my it's really not that deep gesture, but he still really looked sorry and disappointed in himself

"I hurt your feelings without even knowing and that's the last thing I would ever want. I never imagined I'd be the one to cause you pain because I feel like I'm the one who's supposed to protect you from it because I care deeply about you".

"Tristan, it's okay really. I understand, always have".

We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before he finally opened his mouth to speak,

"Can I at least get a hug?", he motioned I come closer while standing up to my feet and I stood up to hug him

"I'm really sorry", he breathed out sighing heavily, and I tightened my arms around him a little

"Don't be", I was the first to pull away. "I just wanted you to be happy and for a moment in time you were really happy. That's all I wanted to see".

"I want the same for you. God knows that's all I wanted for you all those years and now that you are with Nathan, I couldn't be more relieved because the two of you deserve each other".

"Hi Mrs Miller, it's always a pleasure to see you", even though I could feel my heart starting to ache a little, I managed to still force a smile as I approach the noisy old woman. She wasn't all that bad to be honest, she was always welcoming and lovely each time I accidentally ran across her.

"You've been quite a regular here, haven't you?", she pointed her finger at me playfully, and I laughed a little

"I guess you can say that"

"But then that's good", she was smitten. "You and Olivia remind me of my late husband and I when we were still around your age, love so honest and pure"

This was probably the 8th time she told me this, but I still had to act surprised every time

"As for an Olivia, she's a real gem that one. I really hope you know what you have with her...if I were you I would never let go of her".

Hearing Mrs Miller say all these things to me didn't really shock or surprise me, she was telling me what I already knew

"I know Mrs Miller", I looked up at Olivia's large apartment window, and she hadn't closed her blinds for the night yet, catching a glimpse of her and Tristan hugging

"I really need to go Mrs Miller, it was nice talking to you", I smiled politely as I walked past her, and she bid me farewell. I had parked my car across her apartment window and I could still see them in each other's arms. At first, it wouldn't mean anything seeing them like that because I only knew them as really good childhood friends. Now that I know that Olivia had feelings for him all this time....it kinda messed around with my brain a little. Even though I managed to peel myself off her doorstep as soon when I figured what was going on exactly, it didn't change the fact that,

I was worried......very