Leo was shocked hearing what Clara said ok pie " Clara you really need to calm down,we are going to save little pie,I ... .I have money and will send it to you although it is not enough but we can deposit it to start the operation immediately" he said. Clara shook her head "no leo no!I can't allow you to do that with your money,you worked hard for that money for your business and I can't let you give it out like that. I will look for another way, you have already done enough for us" Clara pleaded to him as she cried. " Clara, it has nothing to do with my likeness. It's a little pie we are talking about. I will still get back the money,the important thing now is little pie" he said looking at her with concern. Hearing this Clara's eyes filled with tears but she couldn't let them fall.
" Clara, I'll always be here for you even if there's no one" said Leo while hugging Clara allowed him to,as she is tired.
After a few minutes Clara gathered herself as the both went inside little pie's room to see him awake. " My baby" said Clara as she went close and hugged him. " Mummy,you left little pie" he complained with a pout " my baby Mummy is sorry,what do you want to eat, Mummy will ask aunt Maggie to make it" Clara said as she picked her phone and called aunt Maggie.
"Buzz,Buzz" Leo's phone rang. He picked and stepped out to answer the call. When he came back, clearing his voice "umm Clara,I need to go but will come back later, please call me if you need anything" He said " little pie you need to get better and be strong so that Mummy will not worry about little pie" he said to little pie as give him a pet on the head, "yes uncle little pie is strong, I will get better and grow big so that I can help Mummy" he promised.
Clara stood there watching the both,she became emotional.looking at Leo, she knows his feelings for her but she can't love any other man as one man hold her heart, she indeed love Leo but can't see him anything more than a friend,he has always been there for her, she feels like she is taking advantage of his kindness. " Okay Leo PL take care" replied Clara with a smile which Leo returned as he walked out of the room.
"Clara, how is my little pie?" asked aunt Maggie as she entered the hospital room.stepping close to the little pie who was happy to see her. He sees Aunt Maggie as his grandmother. He has known her since he was born. "Aunt Maggie he is getting better now" replied Clara as she helped him with the things she was carrying. " Little pie aunt was scared,thank God you are ok now" said aunt Maggie "I am sorry grandma" little pie replied feeling sad "no no my baby don't be sorry" she said while hugging him " Grandma brought your all your favorite food but made the light ones" and with that,she started placing the foods on the table. She lifted the plate of soup as she brought the spoon close to his mouth to feed him. " Baby grandma is going to feed you" The little pie happily opened his mouth and drank the soup. Turning around aunt Maggie said to Clara "come and eat" she handed her a plate " I'm not hungry aunty" Clara said with a deep frown on her face " don't worry Clara dear, little pie is going bro better and you also need to eat from him" she said. Clara glanced at her before sighing "aunt Maggie can you stay with little pie,I need to go somewhere, little pie make sure you finish your meal Mummy will be back soon ok" she left before aunt Maggie could ask her any questions. She just has one thing in mind.
—----------------
"Bam" Jane bangs the door immediately she enters her apartment.she is really angry, she clenched her fists. "Why can't Michael see how much she loves him,how could he not see the signs" she thought. She pretends to be tipsy so that Michael can take her to his house.she has been with Michael for five years now but he has not even made an attempt to touch her,they have not gone beyond kissing but on rare occasions.
—----
Past
On their engagement night. Jane hugged him from behind. He stiffened. He slowly removed her hands. She pursed her lips noticing his slight avoidance.
"Michael,I want to take about something important with you"
"Hm" Michael responded.
She was fidgeting a lot. After a few moments of silence,she finally looked at him and asked "Micheal, don't you think it's time for us to ….. I mean for us to be closer now?".
He froze. "It's been two years we started dating and today we got engaged" she blushed,"I want us umm… I think we should try been together as a couple"
Silence.
Michael didn't say anything for a long time.
The silence was killing her. His no response gave a bad feeling.
"I don't love you Jane,you already know this"
Jane couldn't believe it. It was like the whole earth shook from under her feet.
She slowly raised her head to look at him " w-what?".
Yes she knew Michael didn't love her but this past two years the dated and little attention he showed her. She had thought maybe, just maybe he is starting to fall for her.
"Yes ,I don't love you Jane" her head was spinning. Her mind was completely devoid of any thoughts.
She suddenly laughed softly…more like she was crazy. "Oh,now I understand you don't love me yet,I mean you are not sure right? It's okay I can still wait for some time"
"Jane, I meant that I don't love you like that,I see you as a friend, you" she kept blankly staring at him "no ... .this cannot be true! Why do you agree to this engagement,all the attention and care?" She asked bitterly.
"You know I did all this because you risked your life for my mother and my uncle's sake" Michael replied with a sigh.
"Michael we can work towards it" she tried to go near him. " Jane" he stepped back. "We need to talk and set rules between us," he said with dead seriousness.
"Huh?...rules? What rules?" She was confused.
He looked straight at her and said " Jane even though we are engaged now,you already know that I don't like you the same way you like me. From childhood until now,I have only ever looked at you as my friend, nothing more, nothing less". She clutched her gown .
"So,you have to understand that without the feeling of love that a man feels towards a woman,I cannot give you what you hope for".
She bit her lips hard.
"As a couple now, we should respect each other's wishes and boundaries. I will give you the status of being my fiance but I will not have any physical relationship with you. We will not have sex and you will never force me".
She shockingly looked at him. She couldn't believe her ears. She finally made him hers….but at the same time she did not.
"I'm doing this to repay my debt to you and indirectly you got what you always wished for but I cannot force myself to love you. So Jane if you want us to continue this relationship promise me you will abide by what I said"
Tears threatened to fall but Jane controlled herself, at this time she couldn't ask for more.
She weakly nodded "okay we will so as you say".
Present
—---
once she tried initialing it but he turned her down.she has always known that one only one woman has occupied his heart but,she thought with time,he will be able to forget her "she better not come back" and now the nagging feeling is back. She has been feeling uneasy lately. Her plan to get close to Michael failed but she is not ready to give up.