111: Chapter 111 – Devin’s confession

Chapter 111 – Devin’s confession

Matilda smiled sadly, afraid for her longest-kept secret to blow out of proportion. She was sure to never be able to see the face of the said person again.  1

"You promise not to tell?" She asked Lizzy seriously. 

Lizzy was curious and knew that secrets were secret, 

so she was indeed not going to tell anyone.

"This would be our tiny little secret," she promised. 

Matilda was still a little doubtful and thought of getting something in return. She asked Lizzy,

"Then tell me first, do you like Daniel?"

Lizzy covered her face shyly and smiled. "Yes, but I would like to get to know him first."

She had done a great job pretending but seeing that she might lose it all if she kept on the pretense, she decided to take the bull by the horn. Matilda smiled and encouraged her,

"Good. Don't make it too easy on him, and don't make it too hard."

"How is that?" Lizzy asked with another yoke of confusion. Matilda explained calmly,

"When he comes strong, push him away. When he retreats, flirt with him. That way, he would understand that you would only give in if you would have his commitment, that is, having him all to yourself."

Lizzy liked the idea since she was not ready to share anyway. She curiously asked, "So, who is that man you fell in love with?"

Matilda smiled sadly and revealed, "Your brother. Over the years, I tried to show him, but he never showed interest. I tried to get over him by going on blind dates and all. It just got me into trouble. I'm trying to accept that he isn't mine."

"And the hardest thing I've ever done is living in the same house with him and pretending not to feel anything for him. It's harder when we're left alone, like now that Sabrina was admitted to the hospital."

"Trust me, Lizzy, it is extremely hard because sometimes, I see in his eyes that he might feel something for me and the words he uses sometimes, but then, nothing comes out, and my hopes are crushed, feeling that I read the signs wrongly."

This was the first time Matilda poured out her heart about this to anyone. She never told Sabrina because she feared Sabrina would feel bad for her. It was not right to move on the pity of her shoulders.

"Why don't you tell him?" Lizzy asked fervently. She was sure that Devin would not bite, but at least Matilda would know exactly how he felt about her. 

If it was positive, then that would be good news. If it was negative, then it would be left for endurance.

"I don't have that courage, and I will bring breakfast to Sabrina tomorrow."

Lizzy did not understand the breakfast part and felt like something was off. She quickly looked around at the sudden change in topic and realized that Devin was standing behind the door.

She smiled in understanding of the fact that Matilda did not want Devin to know about what they had just discussed, but she wished they had more time to talk, whereas now was not it. 

"Okay then, I will see you when Sabrina gets discharged." Lizzy opened the door and stepped out while Devin took her place.

"Same here."

As Devin drove, Matilda noticed something different about him. He seemed troubled about something, and no matter how she tried to ignore it and advise herself that it was not her business, she just could not do it.

"Is everything alright? It's as if your mind is far away."

Devin looked at her and forced a smile. Matilda expected him to say something, but he didn't, so after a while, she asked again, 

"Won't you say anything?"

Devin swallowed tightly and parked the car by the shoulder of the road. Matilda was disturbed but also noticed that his hands were shaking. 

She kept wondering what his father must have told him to make him feel that way and thought of ways she could help him to overcome it.

"If it's a problem, I can drive," Matilda suggested. She unbuckled her seatbelt and was about to alight from the car when Devin said,

"Tilda, I don't know how to say this without you feeling that I'm taking advantage but believe me when I say that it did not start anytime soon. It was there a long time ago."

Matilda paused her movement and focused her attention on him. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand."

Devin pressed a button, and his chair slid to the back, giving enough space to his front. He turned to the side, facing Matilda. He did not know how she was going to take it, but he felt that if he did not say it now, then he would lose the courage forever.

"I love you, Matilda."

Matilda froze instantly, and Devin forced himself to continue with what he wanted to say. 

"It's been so long, and I have kept it inside. I didn't want to have anything to do with you because you are my sister's best friend, but I couldn't stand it when Daniel tried to hit on you. This is not how I wanted to say it, but it's too painful to keep it inside."

Devin was breathing heavily as if he just ran a marathon. Seeing Matilda freeze like that, he was afraid that she was going to reject him, so he quickly added, 

"I'm not asking you to love me back. I'm just letting you know how I feel."

He started the engine and stepped on the accelerator when Matilda screamed, "Stop."

Devin pressed the brake instantly and looked at her. He ensured that the car was locked since he feared she was going to run away. Now he felt stupid for saying it. At least he should have waited until they got home.

Before he could say Jack, he was covered with Matilda's warmth. While she embraced him, she sobbed into his chest. Devin was confused, not knowing why she was crying and feeling like he offended her.

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