Lisa, who was usually carefree and would tell Kate anything, suddenly became shy. She replied quietly, "Oh that! I like him, but he doesn't like me, so it doesn't matter."
"Unreturned love for him?"
"Yes," Lisa whispered.
"Does he know you like him?" Kate asked.
"He doesn't know yet..."
"Come on! You should bravely pursue your love! You know all about the detours I went through because I was not brave enough to tell Joseph how I felt. You cannot follow in my footsteps," Kate reminded Lisa. Although, in the end, she and Joseph made their way to each other, many people close to them had their lives affected.
“I don’t want to be nervous, but I found out he doesn’t have feelings for me before I even had the chance to say how I felt. So, it really doesn’t matter if I tell him or not.”
"Is he married?" Kate quickly asked. She was curious and was not going to give up until Lisa told her who the man was.
Lisa knew Kate was determined, so she had to tell her the truth. She lowered her head and took a deep breath, "Actually, the person I like is…Rowen."
Not knowing what to say, Kate sat silently.
“Do you think I am stupid? I know he likes you, but I still like him,” Lisa asked with a small smile on her face.
"No, I don’t think you are stupid at all," She shook her head, "How long have you felt like this?"
"If I told you that since we were in college, I had feelings for him, would you be upset with me for being insincere?”
Kate was confused; Lisa always seemed to be trying to get her and Rowen together. She was not upset but felt terrible for not noticing all along her friend had feelings for the man she kept asking about. She finally said, "You always mentioned him, was that a test to see if I liked him or not?"
"Kate, don't get me wrong! I am not jealous of you, and I would never take advantage of any situation. You are my best friend; even if I liked him and you did as well, I would give you my blessing. I would not give up on our friendship because of him. We will be best friends forever!"
The truth was that Lisa always wanted to tell Kate that she like Rowen. But she was afraid that Kate might misunderstand. And, since Rowen publicly confessed he had feelings for Kate, Lisa knew there was little chance of her and Rowen being together. She didn’t want to talk about it, so she never told Kate.
"I didn't misunderstand," Kate smiled and said, "I just think I am blind for not seeing it! The first few times you invited Rowen along, I didn’t know why. I couldn’t understand why you would after knowing that he and Joseph didn’t get along. Now, I understand!”
"I wasn’t referring to that. I only meant that you invited Rowen to do things with us in the past. I don’t blame you, don’t take things to heart.”
Lisa pouted, "It was also because of the incident while we were away that Rowen had the courage to tell you the secret he had been keeping for so long.”
Kate said nervously, "Lisa, you’ve always known who I was in love with."
"Of course, I knew. Now, I just have to accept reality,” Lisa whispered.
Kate didn't know what to say. After all, nobody had answers when it came to love. Kate would be there for Lisa, but in the end, Lisa had to face things on her own.
"Kate, I know you are going to feel bad. But don’t, I have always been optimistic. If Rowen and I are destined to be together, then we will be together, sooner or later,” Lisa smiled.
"Lisa, either way, I hope you will be happy. No matter what you do, I will support you, just like you always supported me,” Kate understood that being sincere with Lisa was the most important thing she could do.
Lisa bit her lower lip and tears filled her eyes, "Kate, all of these years, I always told you that I just never met the right guy. It was because my mind and heart were always thinking of Rowen. Even when he was overseas, I would check the internet to see what he was doing. Including his return, remember I was the first one to tell you? I hoped that he would pay attention to me and care for me…"
"Do you feel any better after telling me how you feel?” Kate asked.
"Yeah!" Lisa nodded her head and chuckled.
"Why were you afraid of telling me? Even if Rowen liked me, it was only wishful thinking on his part. My heart has always been with Joseph. You know that, and so does Rowen. You don't have to worry about me, so if you like him, pursue him!"
"Okay!" Lisa reached out and squeezed Kate’s hand, “I feel more confident with your support!”
Kate's phone beeped, it was a text from Daisy. She said, "Kate, you haven't been home for a long time. Are you busy tonight? If you aren't, can you come to the house, please?"
She hadn’t realized that she wasn’t home for a few days. Kate knew Daisy must have been bored and wanting to know what was going on with Kate Group, so she immediately replied, “I will be there shortly!”
After saying their goodbyes, Kate and Lisa went their separate ways.
As soon as Daisy saw the text saying Kate would be home, she began to prepare dinner.
Seeing Daisy in the kitchen, Anna crept over and stood behind her, "Sister Daisy!"
"Ah!" Daisy screamed and threw a half-cut potato in the air, “What the hell are you doing here?”
Anna stepped back quickly, clasping her hands together. She lowered her head with shame, "Sorry, Sister Daisy. I didn't mean to scare you; I just think that it is fun…"
Daisy glared at her and warned, "Go back to your room! Don't come out and cause trouble for me. If you don’t listen, I will tie you up so that you can’t move!”
"No, no..." Anna dropped to her knees, begging over and over, "Sister Daisy, don't tie me up! I will listen to you!"
"Get out!" Daisy usually didn't talk to Anna or even see her. She often let Anna go to the kitchen after she finished eating. But for some reason, she was out of her room, which thoroughly annoyed Daisy.
Anna walked away silently.
Daisy let out a sigh of relief when she saw her leave. She whispered under her breath, “She is such a haunting nuisance. I should have forced her to go with her mother!”