On her birthday, the truth plays out again. Before the glittering guests and a pristine cake shaped like a castle, Sophia stumbles-knocking it to the ground. Then, with flawless timing, she collapses into Caesar's arms, weeping apologies. And just like always, their eyes turn on you.
'It's just a cake. Why do you always make such a scene?' Caesar snaps. 'You made her cry again, Jonah says, voice filled with disappointment. 'Why must you always ruin everything?' Benjamin cuts in coldly. Sophia's tears glitter under the lights, while your silence is branded as guilt. Finally, Caesar's voice cuts through, sharp as a blade: 'Apologize to her. Right now.' Because in this story-you are, and always will be, the villain.
Evy:"Why should I apologize, when I didn't even push her? And where's your evidence that I'm the one who hurt her for?"
*Benjamin rolled his eyes at your response.* "Seriously? You don't think you're responsible for the cake collapsing and causing Sophia to cry?"
Jonah's face twisted in an annoyed grimace. "You think it's just a coincidence that these things always seem to happen around you? Open your eyes, Evy. You're always causing trouble"
Caesar's glare deepened even more, if it were possible. "Denying your part, again. Just as I expected. How typical"
Evy:"Pfft! People like you always see what you like and disregard facts tsk! I'm leaving..."
Your declaration was met with three scoffs.
Benjamin sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance. "Leaving? Typical. Running away when things don't go your way"
Jonah's eyes narrowed, his disappointment clear. "You can't even take responsibility for your actions"
Caesar's gaze was cold and unbothered, his voice emotionless. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Good riddance"
Evy:"I'm also ending my engagement to you Caesar~ Go and be happy with that girl of yours..."
Caesar's eyes widened in surprise and anger at your unexpected declaration.
"What did you just say?" *His voice was low and sharp. His gaze narrowed, and his fists clenched tightly.
Jonah and Benjamin exchanged shocked glances, both clearly stunned by your words. Benjamin's face darkened, his usual calm and calculating demeanor slipping for a moment.
Caesar stepped forward, his voice a mixture of disbelief and anger. "You want to break off our engagement? Just like that?"
Evy:"Didn't you hate me? I thought you'd be very happy to be with that girl and me getting out of your life!?"
Caesar's face twisted with a mixture of anger and something you didn't expect — pain.
"You think I'd be happy about this?! Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?" He took a step closer, his voice raising as his frustration boiled over.
"We were engaged. Engaged! And now you just want to end it because you think I like Sophia better?! Do you even care about my feelings at all?!"
Evy:"Huh!?"
Caesar ran a hand through his hair, his frustration and disbelief growing with every word.
"Of course, you don't care! You never do! It's always about you you you!"
Jonah tried to interject, his usually calm demeanor faltering. "Caesar, maybe we should—"
But Caesar cut him off, fixing you with an icy gaze.
"No! I want her to answer me. Do you truly believe I prefer Sophia over you? That I'd be happier without you?"
Evy:"What!? That's.... NONSENSE!"
Caesar's eyes widened at your response, surprise momentarily silencing him. He had expected anger, defensiveness, or even indifference, but your vehement denial was not what he anticipated.
Jonah and Benjamin exchanged glances, both equally taken aback by your reaction.
"Nons...Nonsense?" Caesar echoed, some of the hostility in his gaze fading as he tried to process your reply."You don't believe that? Then why would you think I prefer Sophia?"
Evy:"Did you forget, what you just did to me a moment ago? You always come and defend her, when she acted like an innocent lotus around me- ALONG with those two!?"
Caesar's jaw clenched tight at your words. He knew you were right. He'd done just that — defended Sophia, sided with her against you time and again. Jonah and Benjamin shifted uncomfortably, aware of the truth in your words, but saying nothing.
"I... That's different," Caesar protested, his voice losing some of its edge. "She needs my protection. She's vulnerable. You... You can take care of yourself."
The flimsy justification sounded hollow even to his ears.
Evy:"Tell me 10 things I didn't notice about your feelings..."
Caesar's eyes widened at your unexpected question. He was caught off guard, thrown off the defensive, by the request for introspection. He was used to keeping his true feelings close to the chest, but your direct challenge made it hard not to at least try.
He took a deep, steadying breath, his expression a mix of reluctance and resignation."Ten... Ten things?"
Evy:"Why? Are you hesitant? If you truly have feelings for me, you would've answer honestly?"
Your words stung, and Caesar visibly flinched, the truth in your voice cutting through his defenses. He wanted to deny your accusation, to protest that it wasn't that simple. But he knew you were right. If he cared for you, the words should have come effortlessly, pouring out without hesitation.
He met your gaze, the conflict in his eyes evident. His jaw clenched, and he let out a frustrated sigh.
"Fine. I'll try."
Evy:"Huh? Nevermind, I'll go back to my room and pretend this never happened"
Before you could turn to leave, Caesar's hand shot out and grabbed your arm, stopping you in your tracks.
"No," *he said firmly, his grip tight but not painful.* "You asked me a question, and I'm going to answer it."
Jonah and Benjamin watched silently, their expressions a mix of curiosity and uncertainty at the turn of events.
Evy:"Give me your 10 answers then?"
Caesar took a deep breath, his grip on your arm loosening but not releasing you. He looked away, avoiding your gaze, as he began to speak, listing the items that came to mind.
"One... You're stubborn as a mule. So damn stubborn it drives me crazy. But I also admire your resolve."
It was a weak start, and he could feel your critical gaze on him.
Evy:"And?"
*Caesar forced himself to continue, feeling the weight of your scrutiny with each word.*
"Two. You're fiercely independent. Sometimes too much. You never ask for help, even when you clearly need it."
His voice was measured, his gaze still avoiding yours. Jonah and Benjamin remained quiet, observing the unexpected exchange between you two.
Caesar clenched his jaw, your dismissive tone setting off a spark of irritation. He pushed on, his voice growing firmer.
"Three. You're intelligent. Sharp as a tack. You see through people's bullshit better than anyone I know."
He paused, searching for the next item on the list. His eyes darted to your face, trying to gauge your reaction.
Evy:"Seven questions left"
Caesar let out a frustrated sigh, annoyed at the fact that you were keeping count. But he knew arguing with you was pointless. Instead, he pushed on, his next words forced and tense.
"Four. You're loyal to a fault. When you say you're going to do something, you follow through no matter the cost."
He paused, his mind racing to come up with the next attribute. He clenched his jaw, his fingers digging into your arm just slightly.
Caesar's irritation continued to grow. This was harder than he had thought. He'd never really thought about his feelings towards you in a concrete way, and now he was forced to articulate them.
"Five. You're strong. Mentally and physically. You don't break easily. You push through even in the toughest situations."
His voice was growing more strained, the pressure to come up with valid points mounting.
Evy:"There's still five left~ You can do it!"
Caesar's irritation turned to frustration. He was starting to feel cornered, forced to reveal more than he wanted. But he pressed on nonetheless, his voice now tinged with a hint of anger.
"Six. You're damn beautiful. Too damn beautiful, sometimes it's distracting."
His grip on your arm grew tighter again, his gaze finally shifting to meet yours, defiant and challenging.
Evy:"Almost there~"
Caesar gritted his teeth at your comment, his jaw clenching in annoyance. But he continued, his voice growing harsher with each word.
"Seven. You have a sharp tongue. You don't sugarcoat anything. You say it like it is, and sometimes it pisses me off."
He took a step closer, his intense gaze locked on yours.
Caesar clenched his fists, his frustration mounting, but he pushed on, unable to back down now.*
"Eight. You're compassionate. Despite your sharp edges, you genuinely care about others. It's infuriating, but also endearing."
He paused, the next item on the list a difficult one. His expression darkened, conflicted emotions warring within him.
Caesar's voice dropped low, almost a growl.
"Nine. You have a way of getting under my skin. You see through my facade, and it's damn annoying."
He was dangerously close to you now, his grip on your arm unyielding, tension crackling between the two of you like a storm about to unleash.
"You're frustrating, stubborn, infuriating, and yet... I can't get you out of my head."
Caesar took a shaky breath. The last point was the hardest to admit, the one he'd secretly pushed to the back of his mind. Admitting it out loud felt like a admission of weakness.
"Ten. Damn it, I... care about you. More then I should."
His voice was barely above a whisper, the confession forced out in a half-growl half-sigh.
Evy:'If you really care about me... Then you should've stand by side instead scorning me!"
Caesar froze, your words piercing through his defenses. He wanted to deny them, to argue, but he knew you were right. He had failed you time and time again. Scorned you, pushed you aside for Sophia.
"Damn it all..."
He let out an angry exhale, frustration and guilt warring within him. He released your arm, his hand running through his hair in agitation.
"Heh"
Caesar stood there, speechless, as he watched you disappear through the door. His mind was racing, his emotions a tangled mess of anger, guilt, and something deeper he refused to acknowledge.
Jonah and Benjamin exchanged glances, both clearly stunned by the turn of events. The room fell eerily silent, the tension still thick in the air even after you were gone.