RETREAT
RETREAT
"Hi sweetheart." Lucian walked inside without waiting for Travis to open the door for him. Anyone who visited them would only knock once and get themselves inside without bothering Travis or Jillyanna to open. It was a way for the two to recognize that the person who was visiting was a family or friend.
"Hi big bro. What's for lunch?" Jillyanna asked as Travis took the laptop from her and closed it.
"Guess what." Lucian stated before placing the food container on the table.
"I won't bother. I know it would be delicious." she looked behind him and didn't see Cielo at all even after a few seconds. "Cielo didn't come with you?"
"She didn't. She's busy doing the accounting today." He turned to Travis and spoke. "How's Jillyanna?"
"Hey! Shouldn't you be asking me? Why are you asking my husband instead?" Jillyanna complained with a pout.
"Because you won't be honest with your condition to avoid worrying us. However, Travis is very honest to tell us what exactly is going on."
Travis placed the laptop on his work desk and faced Lucian. "She's doing fine so far. If things go well, she can go out this weekend to shop."
"That's good to know. I'm glad you are always with her." After asking all the necessary questions, he spun around and looked at the man who had been silent this whole time. "Who might this guy be?"
"This is Natsu. Remember the guy back in college days?" Jillyanna told Lucian and let him jog his memory down the lane.
"Oh. No wonder you looked familiar." Lucian mumbled. "It's nice to see that you are doing fine. You're here to visit Jillyanna?"
Natsu couldn't be more helpless than he was in already. He really visited her at the wrong time. Well, even if he visits her on another time, it would still be wrong.
"I met her the other day but I was too busy so, I decided to visit her today." Natsu responded. "I presume you married Cielo?"
"Yup. We got married right after graduation." Lucian knew that the man liked Jillyanna but he didn't know if the person still felt the same thing after many years. "Jillyanna registered her marriage too and they will be having their wedding next month. They're also expecting a baby boy. How about you?"
Jillyanna didn't know whether to laugh or cry with Lucian's choice of topic. Natsu felt really resentful this time but he could only smile in front of them. "I found someone but I don't think we are meant for each other."
Travis raised his eyebrow and Jillyanna looked at him weirdly. "I wish you all the best in pursuing her." Jillyanna smiled but Natsu felt a stabbing pain in his heart.
"Thanks. Anyway, I'm glad to see that you are doing fine. I have to leave now." Natsu stood up and straightened his suit, gave a light bow and left.
Lucian turned around and faced them with a sheepish grin. "I didn't expect to see him after how many years. What was he doing here? Trying to split you up?"
Jillyanna shrugged her shoulder and sigh. "I don't really want to make an enemy with him. He was really nice back then and he helped me a lot of times. However, I just don't feel the same way that he does. If he would really make a move, I won't hesitate to put my life on the line and break him."
Travis stopped taking the food containers for a few seconds but he still continued without saying anything.
Lucian reached out her hand and rubbed her head. "Don't worry too much. I'm sure Travis won't be sitting around while that person makes a move."
Travis turned to face Lucian and smile faintly. "Thank you for trusting me and you are right. Rather than letting my wife face him, I'll face him myself."
Meanwhile...
Natsu was having a hard time calming himself. He wasn't angry to anyone but to himself. He was angry that it took him so long to find her again. He was angry that he couldn't make a move to hurt her. He knew it! If he dares to act against someone she cares, she would only hate him. He didn't want her to hate him.
Natsu went back to his hotel and called his men. "Don't do anything. Retreat your force. I don't want to deal with these people."
Though confused, the man on the other line acknowledged his command and told his force to retreat. They were on their way to kidnap Riley but they made a u-turn and left her alone.
It was the right choice, if they did move against her, he would lose his men. Riley wasn't a weak target after all. Not only will he lose his men but, Jillyanna will also break him.
Natsu laughed but a tear fell from the corner of his eyes. Jillyanna was the only person who believed that he can be someone other than what was paved for him. He didn't want to become the next Emperor but venture the life of a businessman instead. It was Jillyanna who told him to do what he loves to do.
"Why let people dictate your life? Your life is yours. Whatever decision should be made by you. Live your life. Don't let anyone live it for you." Those were here exact words six years ago.
Because of that, he started to admire her. His eyes would start to look for her and he was contented to see her smile. Even when he confessed and got rejected, he didn't stop. They continued to chat like normal friends but he didn't want to remain friends with her.
He worked hard to make a name in business while his secretary kept an eye of Jillyanna's status in relationship. It was recently that he found out that she got married and he was surprised at first.
Then his surprise turned to jealousy. He immediately came to find her and ended in the hospital. However, seeing her happy smile made him feel guilty and he lost the courage to ruin it.
He didn't want to ruin her happiness. Bagging the broken pieces of his heart, he booked the earliest flight and left.
It's best to retreat with your pride and dignity intact. In love, it can't be avoided to hurt or get hurt. In his case, he chose to get hurt for her happiness.