Chapter 44 - 44

Hardin hasn't seen Ava in the past few days. They would usually bump into each other around campus all the time. But when he tried calling her, she would always say that she was busy studying.

He really wanted to see her and made up every excuse he could think of, he would hang out outside their dorm, at the library, and he invited her to see a movie that had her favorite actor in it, but she declined that as well. 

Just a glimpse of her would brighten up his day, he had been studying earlier, but he had lost interest, he couldn't stop thinking about Ava, he really missed her so much. 

To everybody else, Hardin looked like someone who had it together he had everything anybody could want. He was good-looking, smart, and rich, but like everyone else, he had his own battles to fight.

The home was supposed to be where you feel the safest and the most secure but for Hardin home was where it all fell apart. Nobody knows anything about his family because he has never shared any of that with everyone if they only knew.

He dreaded coming home, where it always smelled like the hospital, where machines were beeping all the time, and where he remembers all the horrible things that happened. 

For once, he just wanted to be a regular college kid, carefree and happy. He never dated casually because he did not want to end up like him, the person that destroyed all their lives.

Just like everyone he had a secret longing to have a happy family. He wanted to get married to the love of his life and perhaps have children one day. He never imagined he would find her while he was still in school. He had given up all hope because all the women he met were superficial and shallow. But not Ava, she was the kindest, nicest, and most humble person he had met. 

Her family was one of the wealthiest families in their city, but she never flaunted or lorded that fact over anybody. She made friends easily, and she was very comfortable to be with. With her, he did not have to pretend, he could be just himself, and he knew that she would understand what he was going through if he ever told her the truth. 

She was very genuine, and he was falling in love with her. She was just easy to love. 

And that's where Lily, the campus beauty, found him, contemplating in front of the library. She had been trying to get Hardin by himself, but until today he was always surrounded by people, so when she saw him alone, she did not waste her chance. 

She was going to confess her true feelings for him today. He was the one who would fulfill all her wishes, she saw him as an opportunity to climb the ladder and be finally rich. 

She was a little apprehensive, thinking that maybe he already liked somebody else. 

"Here you are. I was searching everywhere for you," Lily said as she sat down beside him.

"Why are you looking for me?" Hardin asked. He never really disliked her, but he just didn't enjoy talking to her. She was very superficial, and it seemed like all she wanted to talk about was either herself or to gossip about other people.

"I have something important to tell you, do you mind if we go somewhere private?" she asked.

"There's nobody here, why don't you just tell me," Hardin said in a bored tone. 

They were on the college campus, and even though it was not crowded, but a few people were walking around, she did not want other people to hear what she had to say.

"Please… I don't want other people to hear what I have to say," Lily acted pitifully.

"Okay, fine, let's go," Hardin said, skeptical. So they found an empty classroom.

"What did you want to tell me, do it fast. I don't have a lot of time, I need to review for the exams," Hardin said.

"Okay.. uhm...The first time I saw you, I thought you were the most handsome guy I have ever seen. Then as I got to know you, I learned that you were a very kind-hearted person. I fall in love with you more with each passing day. Will you accept my love?" Lily asked.

She was very good at manipulating people and sweet-talking her way out of any situation, and right now that's what she was doing. She didn't really love Hardin, she just saw him as a means to an end. 

He was surprised by her sudden confession, and he was deep in thought for a minute.

Not wanting him to get away, Lily bowed her head, acting like a shy teenager telling her crush she liked him. "Hardin, I really love you, do you love me too?" she asked.

"I'm sorry but I don't love you," he said. She had expected this to happen, but she will not take no for an answer. She will do everything to persuade him to fall for her.

Born in poverty Lily learned that if you do not go after what you want you will never get it. She was good at reading human emotions and using them to her advantage.

"Please, give me a chance to prove my love," Lily said with watery eyes. Anybody who saw this would break down and believe that perhaps her love was true.

"Sorry, but I can't," Hardin said.

"Tell me what you do not like, I can change it," Lily said.

"Listen, it's not you, it's me, I cannot love you," Hardin said sternly.

Lily thought she should execute her next move since talking to him does not seem to work, she walked to the door and locked it.

"What are you doing?" Hardin asked, alarmed. 

Lily was going to seduce him with her body if she cannot convince him with her words.

"Stop!" Hardin screamed, but she kept on removing the buttons on her shirt. 

He could not take this anymore, so as she started to open up her shirt to show him her lace-covered breasts, he pushed her aside and ran towards the door.

Lily fell when he shoved her aside, and she felt humiliated, he stopped and turned around when he heard her sobbing.

"Look, whatever you're doing here will not make me like you, I feel disgusted. Cover yourself and have some dignity," Hardin explained.

"Wait! Do you like someone else?" Lily asked, wiping her tears.

"It's none of your business," Hardin said.

"I know you like somebody else, tell me who it is," Lily asked, seeing that he avoided her question.

"I do not want to talk about it," Hardin said. He had been spending a lot of time with Kelly and Ava lately, so her competition would be those two if she ever had any.

"Is it Kelly?" Lily asked.

"What? No," Hardin replied immediately.

"Then it must be Ava," she deduced. He didn't say anything, silently acknowledging the fact.

"Yes, it must be Ava," Lily repeated.

"Get dressed before anyone else comes," Hardin said on his way out.

"Ava! Why is it you every time!" Lily screamed angrily.

Lily's hatred for Ava kept on growing.