Broken Bad Boy
Chapter 61

PERCIE

"Hey." I moistened my lips. I wanted to say something-anything, but words wouldn't come out.

"Hi." Surprised, she swallowed. Her gaze dropped to the box in my hand, then glanced back at me.

I waited for her to start, but it didn't come.

"Oh, uh." I looked at the box. "This is not for you." I went silent, stunned. Then something in her expression caused me excruciating pain. Finally, it came to my senses. "I mean, this is not mine. I mean, it's mine now. It's from Emma." I stopped. I screwed big time. "This is one of a few things she left for me."

"I understand. You don't have to explain," she interrupted, eyes glittering. "Anyway, I just come here to take my things."

"What do you mean?" I stalked her to the living room.

"Victoria is looking for a roommate. As we agreed before, I'll leave as soon as I replace a new roommate."

"Don't leave, please?" My voice choked with raw emotions.

"I can't stay here."

"Why not? This is yours too, Hailey. Don't you get it? You belonged here!"

She stepped back.

"I'm sorry," I rasped and crossed the distance between us. "Fuck. I don't want you to go because of me. If you can't stomach me as your roommate, let me be the one to leave." "You can't do that. Your grandparents gave you this apartment, and I am just renting a room from you."

"No." I shook my head repeatedly. "We both belong here, Hailey. You know that."

"I don't feel I belong here anymore. Please, don't make this hard for both of us."

"What else do you want me to do, Hailey? I'll do it. Just tell me what it is."

"You can't do anything about it anymore, Percie."

"I know I hurt you. I broke your heart and your trust. But please, give me another chance?"

"I'm still hurt, and I'm still healing. I need some time. And if you care enough for me, you will wait until I'm ready." She walked away and entered her room. She was gone.

My mouth opened, but nothing came out.

***

Weeks passed...

I was alone, daydreaming of the day Hailey would open the door and walked in, but it never came. Those nights were torture. Those times I spent together, those memories we shared, her touch, her smile, and the way she looked at me. Even her taste, I could still savor her.

Everything lingered in my head.

We still exchanged pleasantries whenever we bumped into each other. She was still the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, though. When she smiled, even not at me, she still lit my life.

I had not given up.

Being with Hailey had changed me that I didn't know it was possible. When I thought setting free the one I loved to avoid them from getting hurt was the right thing to do, I would rethink again because it was definitely bullshit.

I longed to have her in my arms again. I longed for her touch, for her love. I'd only realized how much she meant more than life itself when she was already gone.

But I was only giving her time. Because I loved her so much, it hurts to think of giving up and letting her go.

I was still giving her the time she needed. The ache in my chest was still raw, though even if I kept telling myself not to dwell on things that were out of my control, but it was something about my feelings towards her that I'd be glad to dwell on it.

I strolled towards Emma's grave. It was her death anniversary. I placed down her favorite flowers before I stuffed my hands into my pockets. I stood in front of her as I gulped in deep breaths.

"Em, I just wish you can answer me right now. I badly need your help. I don't know what to do anymore, Em. And I don't wanna mess it up again because this is maybe the last chance I get." "When she's the right one, love will always replace its way back."

I turned my head. "I hope you're right, Mom."

She wrapped her hand around my arm. "You're early."

"I thought I wanted to clear my head."

"You haven't won her back." Dad stood to my left.

"No luck."

"Poor boy."

I chuckled at Grandpa. "Laugh all you can. I won't invite you if I get married."

"How do you get married without a bride, silly?"

"Just wait, Grandma. You'd be surprised."

"Good thing, I love surprises."

After they paid respect to Emma, they left, except Dad.

"Good thing happens to those who wait. She still cares about you." He patted my back. "Good luck."

"Thanks. I'll see you at the apartment."

I closed my eyes shut and prayed this pain would be over. It hurt even if I breathe. My eyes stung. I didn't realize I was crying until I wiped my face dry. "You okay?" A voice to my right startled me.

"I thought I would pay respect." She glanced up at me and smiled while all I could do was stare at her.

For the last few weeks, I never got a chance to get closer to her like this. "Thank you."

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She nodded. "I broke a promise."

Her words caught my attention. "How so?"

"I promise to someone that I would be there for him and made sure that everything is gonna be okay."

"I'm sure he would understand." My heartbeat was so hard it would explode in my chest.

"I hope so." She squeezed my arm. "See you later."

***

I arrived at Roninstory, still puzzled. Everyone was already there, including Remy. Dad and Mom welcomed him to the family when I told them he was Emma's boyfriend.

Remy suggested that he would like to honor Emma. That was why we were here.

Remy organized a cocktail party for a cause. All the donations would proceed to the charity Emma had been supporting. My parents and grandparents invited some of their friends as well. I'd recognized teachers from our high school and college and students as well.

"How's the wait going?" Lexie was wearing a deep red dress.

"Excruciatingly slow."

"Good." She jeered. "At least you can still feel it."

"You're enjoying this a lot, aren't you?" I looked down at her.

She smirked an evil smirk. "You can do this."

"I can, Lexie. I'm not so sure if she can, though." My gaze found her. She was with her classmates. She seemed preoccupied to even noticed us-pretty preoccupied with that asshole I recognized from her English class. "Oh, boy. If glare could kill."

I released a breath. "Shut up."

One of Emma's favorite songs echoed in the system. Students gathered at the center. I remained at the corner and snatched a drink when the waiter passed by us.

"You can't get drunk, idiot." I turned my head to Remy. He could stand now with his supportive device. I was impressed with his fast recovery.

"Who said of getting drunk?" I pinned my gaze at Hailey-she looked breathtaking in her blue silk dress. I stared at her in astonishment.

"Why don't you go, dumbass, and ask Hailey to a dance?" he suggested.

"I don't think she'd like to dance with me."

"There's no harm in trying, Matthews." He patted my back.

"He's so dumb sometimes. Gotta ask Megan than wait for you to pull your head out of your damn ass." Lexie walked away.

"Fine." I rolled my eyes. "I'll go." When I found the courage to ask her to dance with me, my dreams just vanished, and I skidded to a stop when she was already dancing with someone else.

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"It's not too late. Now go before I hit you with this walker. And no more what-ifs. I'm tired of you babbling about how much you love Hailey, yet you never win her over."

I swallowed the nervousness clogging in my throat as I got closer to them. They seemed to enjoy dancing. But she was my girl, and she shouldn't be dancing with somebody else.

I cleared my throat. "Excuse me. Hailey." My voice was raw.

They stopped, and the guy narrowed at me.

"It's okay, Jace." Hailey pulled her hands away from the Jace guy. She turned at me with eyes lighting up like stars.

"Are you sure?" he asked Hailey. His brows pulled in a deep frown. His looked was cynical.

"Yes." When the Jace guy walked away, Hailey turned to look at me and smiled.

"Can I "

"Thought you never asked."

Dumbfounded, I placed a hand on her back and grasped her hand.

"No." Just a single word from her made me freeze. She let go of my hand, instead, she wound them around my neck. This way, it would make me closer to her, our body touching. My heart pounded, nearly exploded in my chest.

"Good idea." I could barely hear my own voice. I tightened my hands on her waist, traveling down the back of her spine so that our bodies would be closer together.

I kept my eyes pinned on her as we danced, particularly on her face. I missed a moment like this it was just the two of us.

I remembered what my dad said to me earlier.

Her lips curved into a shy smile the same smile when we were newly roommates.

"Hailey, can I ask you out on a date?"

"Yes."

I wondered if it was possible for someone to die in happiness because I certainly did. My smile widened. Then a rumble of laughter bubbled up inside me. Hailey shook as she tried to contain her laughter as well. I pulled her closer to my chest in a warm tight embrace.

"Lee, I'm sorry for what I put you through. I just wanna let you know that I would apologize to you every day for the rest of my life until you learn to forgive me."

She loosened her arms around me and framed my face with her hands. "That won't be necessary. I forgave you a long time ago. When you love someone, you don't just love them for their perfection, you also love their flaws." I was beyond speechless.

"We made mistakes, and we learned from them. I don't need you to be perfect, Percival Matthews. All I need from you is to be yourself. That's what made me fall in love with you. And I love you more for not giving up on me, on us." Tears crested my lower lids and slid down my cheeks.

"I love you, Percie, so much."