"What answer?" I asked.
Marius faced me, his expression extremely somber. “You keep apologizing for not telling me about the blind date in advance, but that’s not what I’m really angry about. I didn’t expect you to still not understand my heart after so long.”
His words were heavy like lead, and they left me a little breathless. My face twisted into a frown as an indescribable emotion rushed to my heart. "I..." I was at a loss for how to respond to him.
His smile was like the spring breeze, and it gradually soothed my heartbeat. "I’ve expressed my liking for you. You rejected me, but I’m very happy that you’re able to accept me as a friend. I feel the happiest when I get to accompany you as your friend. I thought you’d be able to understand this after what happened last time. I didn’t expect you to still be unaware.”
Marius was referring to when I had distanced myself from him the last time.
My throat bobbed. All I could say now was that I was sorry.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think it through."
"Enough of your apologies." Marius shook his head and sat down on the grass. "I know very well that you and Theo are inseparable. I don’t need you to give me an answer. Just take me as your friend and we’ll leave the rest to fate. What do you think?”
I nodded, agreeing. "I just felt guilty since you always treat me so well yet I had no way of repaying you. That’s why I did that laughable thing.”
"I understand. I’ll forgive you this time, but three strikes and you’re out. This is the second time you’ve hurt me. If you do it again, I’ll definitely not forgive you anymore.” Marius looked at me, his smile bright.
Seeing his smile, I returned with my own. "Of course.”
Marius breathed a sigh of relief. "It feels good to say everything I wanted to say.”
"Shannon also did it for you. Forgive her too?"
"Love the house and its crows. I will.” Marius winked at me.
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