Chapter 102 - Cathy's Weakness (2)

"Vincent, to tell you the truth, I used to be able to see colors. At least I know what red, blue, yellow, common colors like that look like. I know. Even I can imagine it, and sometimes I can see various colors in my dreams."

Cathy became more nervous seeing Vincent's confused face.

"You're not color blind from birth?"

"No. I could still see colors until I was ten."

"What happened?"

Once again, Cathy chewed her lip unconsciously.

"If this stresses you out, you don't need to continue it," Vincent spoke while coaxing her to let go of the biting gently with his thumb. "You know, you have to get rid of this bad habit of yours on this one. Why do you like to make your lips bleed every time you stress out?"

Cathy was stunned to hear an annoyed tone in Vincent's voice. Is the man angry because she hurt herself? Not. This is not the time to think about this.

"Vincent .."

"Cathy, no matter what your past is like, my feelings remain unchanged. That's why you don't have to tell me now. I can wait for you. Besides, we have a long time to know and open up to each other."

"But I want to tell you now. I don't want any regrets later." she was sure both of them would regret it later if the man knew about her other weakness.

"Fine. You can tell me as long as you promise not to bite your lip again."

"I promise."

Vincent smiled warmly without any sense of mischievousness or teasing as he had been showing. Cathy wondered how this guy always knows when to act childish and act as a dependable man?

Nevertheless, Cathy calmed herself and started to speak her inner voice, which burdened her ever since the doctor diagnosed her mental health.

"My mom was already gone, but... dad is still alive. Since my mom's death, my father has experienced a tremendous downturn to abandon his four daughters. That day, when the twins cried because they were hungry, he came home in a drunken state.

I never felt afraid like that time. I wanted to hide, but my body was already moving on its own, trying to block him from going to my sisters' room. Then... then..." none of them could hold her tears, and she sniffled and sobbed along with the tears streamed down, wetting her cheeks.

Vincent hugged Cathy while patting her back gently. He wanted so badly to stop Cathy's story. If her story made the girl remember the traumatic past to tears, Vincent would rather not hear it. But, he understood that Cathy would want to reduce the feeling of burden, and he also wanted her to believe that his feelings would never change.

Therefore, Vincent listened to her patiently and let the girl cried her heart out. Because after this, he would make sure the girl would never shed tears ever again.

"He slapped me hard." was the continuation of the girl's paused sentence, making Vincent's body tense.

He could not understand the stress that a ten-year-old experienced as he never underwent an event like that. Vincent was abundant with love from his parents and sister all of his life. And he thought it was the same case for Cathy, seeing the close relationship between Cathy and her sisters. He never imagined that there was a deep bitterness about her father's treatment in Cathy's heart.

"From then on, I could no longer distinguish colors. I could only see a gray color which had made me... scratched my eyes until they hurt for several weeks."

Again Vincent felt his heart showered with sharp objects. Why did Catherine have a dark past like this? He had no idea that there was immense sorrow behind Cathy's professional smile.

Vincent did not say anything and continued to listen with sadness. His hands did not stop caressing Cathy's back soothingly, even though he felt gloomy as if he was the one who went through the bitter past.

"I once asked the doctor about my condition secretly. Do you know what they said? They said there was nothing wrong with my eye condition. They said I should be able to see colors normally. They also said... the reason why I cannot see colors is... because... because there's something wrong with my mentality." Cathy tried her best not to bit her lips when she uttered the last sentence. "Do you know where my father is now? He's in a mental hospital. There might be a chance that I... that maybe someday, I will be..."

"Shh... That won't happen." interrupted Vincent convincingly.

"How can you be sure? After all, I am my father's daughter... I might..."

"I will not let it happen. You are not your father, who was in desperation and hopelessness. I will make sure your life will not fall into the same condition as your father. Your days will only be filled with smiles and happiness as I'm planning to give you nothing but joy. If this world could make you smile happily, I will give the world to you. If the only one thing that could make you happy is to ensure your sisters' well-being, I will help you do it."

Cathy could no longer speak and stared at the man with much more admiration. She snuggled and hid her face to muffle her sobbing.

Fortunately, ever since Cathy started sobbing, Vincent had brought her away from the concert stage so that Cathy's cries wouldn't attract the surroundings' attention.

Now Cathy could cry as much as she wants in a muffled noise in Vincent's arms.

Not long after, Vincent guided the girl to sit side by side on a bench by the lake. They heard the music and singing of Kitty's faintly. Several lotuses were floating beautifully in front of them.

Cathy's head was on Vincent's shoulders while Vincent's hands didn't stop stroking Cathy's head gently. Since Cathy stopped crying, none of them have spoken.

Cathy did not know what else to say and was afraid to hear Vincent's reaction, while Vincent was deliberately silent to let the girl next to him calm down. They enjoyed the view of the lake before them in silence.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kitty's song ended and followed by another piece. Cathy wondered how many songs her best friend sang? And also, how long will her best friend sing here?

[author: until your man told her to stop]

As far as she could remember, Kitty's concert schedule was full, and there was no way the famous jazz singer could spare the time here. She was very curious and wanted to meet her friend immediately. Yet... she didn't want to move and part from the young man next to her. She enjoyed being in his arms, and even though none of them spoke, the simple togetherness was more than enough for her.

However, she realized that they could not possibly be there without speaking. She needed to resolve their ambiguous relationship.

Vincent confessed his love to her, but she still had not always answer. And she doubted the man's feeling would stay the same after hearing all of these.

Cathy took a deep breath and straightened up.

"How do you feel? Are you better?" Vincent asked because Cathy's head was no longer near him.

Why are you still worrying about me? Why are you so good to me? Cathy asked herself dejectedly.

"You already know the truth. I... I don't mind if you leave now. Besides, it's not too late and either..."

"Cathy," Vincent interrupted, "I just wanted to know if you felt any better?"

Cathy was stunned to hear that.

Is she feeling better? All these past years, she was always burdened with the fear that she would end up as her father.

Therefore, she did her best not to fall in love, yet she did. The reason why she dictated that the man was unreliable was not just because she hated men. But because she was afraid. Cathy was scared to fall in love and then have heartbreak because she will be abandoned. She was worried that she would end up just like her father when her loved ones leave her.

By now, she had told Vincent everything that was weighing on her mind. Of course, now the burden feels lighter. However, she didn't know what would happen to her if Vincent would leave her after this.

"I'm all right," was Cathy's reply in a low voice.

"Good. Now, it's my turn to tell you something."

Cathy gulped nervously, hearing the seriousness in the man's tone.

"I, Vincentius Regnz, have always and will always love Catherine West. I will never leave her alone or leave her depressed, but I will always make her laugh and happy. This is my promise."

Once again, Cathy was bewildered to hear that. This man's promise was utterly unexpected, so Cathy could hardly believe that she was not dreaming. Or perhaps… she is dreaming?

And then the man's next words made her couldn't help but laugh, forgetting about her pounder whether it was a dream or not.