Chapter 287 - § DID HE LIKED HER? §

CHAPTER 033 

Kraig was perching on his couch near his closet, both of his elbows resting at the armchairs. His fingers were intertwined, thumbs pressing on his chin, while he was skimming his forefinger's knuckle in his lower lip. His countenance was relaxed or was it more accurate to say he was absently staring at the dark side of his room. 

It had been two hours since he parted ways with Yanarym from the estaminet. He kissed her before she left… Those lips keep on distracting him, out of the context, he tugged her and huddled his lips to hers. If he had not come to his senses, he might have even embraced her and deepened that kiss into torrid. It was because he had the taste of something different from anyone, now he had been craving for more. He inhaled sharply, brushed his hair through his fingers, and lumped his back and forearms on the backrest and armchair. Shifted his eyes to the window, it's not raining today. 

Yanarym must be too confused, he saw it on her cover when she agreed to go out with him. She was perplexed and he could understand that. She was not entirely sure of conceding to his proposal but she after all could never refuse him. She was not part of his plan nor valuable to his revenge, but it didn't mean he could lose her. 

He must admit that he was pretentious that he let his feelings take control of him although everything happened so fast. It was to his detriment, he always did things without much consideration and contemplation. He tried to change that habit of his because he knew that it would cause a problem. If his emotions keep getting ahead of him… nothing would come good from it. He was learning to improve himself, he had been in control for a while. However, today was one of those times he could not stop himself even if his mind was rebelling. 

He extended his arm and peered at the fingers that clasped Yanarym's hand earlier. Upon reflecting on his actions and thoughts, he found it weird, it felt so strange that he suddenly wanted her. Did he always feel like this for her? He can't possibly fall for her overnight because they did it, can he? It was not like she was the only woman he held that way. He experienced sex when he was a teenager, it was not as good as he thought it was, and most of the sex he had was when his libido was spiking. If he was not feeling the heat of his body, he wouldn't even try it. Nevertheless, the sex of yesterday was indescribable… 

How did she do this to him? Yanarym can't use potions for him to be like this, at least he knew he was immune to any potions. "Do I want her from the very beginning?" He muttered with a husky voice. 

SEEING Lyndon casually talking with Tiana in the hallway, he could assume that those two had a close relationship. Kraig knew Lyndon, he was very picky in terms of associating with people—especially to his peers. It was hard to be friends with him, so, Tiana must be an important person that he was keeping close to all the time. Kraig could use Tiana to begin tormenting Lyndon… Kraig must do everything to make Lyndon feel how agonizing it was to lose someone. He would take away what was precious to Lyndon, one by one. By that, it would be more aggravating to see everything slipping away and you cannot do anything. Maybe it was worse than losing everything in one night. 

Kraig clenched his fist, he was austere— "Kraig," a shy voice called his name, he turned to see who it was and smiled upon recognizing her. "What's wrong?" She looked at him and they met each other's eyes. Kraig saw it, how her cheeks turned from pale to red. 

He felt his mood lightened. 

"Nothing," he chuckled at her, perceiving her agitated behavior. "Why are you so red, is it hot?" Her face flushed crimson pink. Which widened his smile a little more. 

"I-It's not hot… but…" she stuttered and looked away, "That's not the point. Why do you always go to my classes? W-why do you w-want to eat together?" Her eyes dropped on the floor. "I told y-you shouldn't talk to me, I'm an outcast. They will hate you if you keep on associating with me." 

"You're my friend, and you're the only person I know here." He said nonchalantly to her and started walking to the cafeteria. 

She immediately followed him from behind while keeping her head to the ground. Flustered, insecure, and overwhelmed. 

That was how Yanarym always behaved if they were together. That was how they got along. He was always aware of her feelings for him. He liked teasing her, and he didn't say it out loud but he felt confident whenever she acted like a fool admirer for him. He may be intentionally sending the signals that made her think that he liked her too, he did those to keep her coming back to him. 

Even from that time, he maybe didn't want her to move on from him; he didn't want her to get over him at all. So, he played with her a little. He kept on confusing her. By doing things that would flatter her heart, and break her heart. He was making her crazy for him. But did he like her? No, he just wanted her attention and her unconditional affection. 

"I like you, I like you, Kraig. I think I'm in love with you." She cried, clinging on his arm, begging so pitifully. 

This was the part where they began to slip away or the part where his interest in her began to recede. They were still friends yet he was fed up with her. After months of staying in the town, he started to gain attention and other acquaintances. 

As time passed by, it was no longer just him and Yanarym. He got close with Tiana, the star attraction of the town and academy. The woman who Lyndon adores. Kraig wanted Tiana for revenge but he began to like her after spending time. Kraig forgot about Yanarym, but momentarily, she would talk to him, reminding him of her existence. But her lack of attention resulted in a more aggressive outburst. 

Kraig pressed his lips together, he was mad at her. He was showing her how mad he was because she tried to hurt Tiana again, she knew that they would end up in this scenario but she would still do something to harm Tiana. 

"I-I did that b-because she was taking all of your attention, but b-believe me, I d-didn't mean to hurt her." She sobbed, and he was unfazed. 

"Yanarym, if you want attention, find someone else. I can't give that to you anymore. Why are you so obsessed with me?" Kraig uttered coldly to her. Just like that, he brushed her away, but he was cognizant that she would not stop there. 

He knew that she still had feelings for him and he could see that pain in her eyes whenever he would catch her staring at him being with Tiana. The jealousy in her eyes; he didn't think of it before but Kraig realized now that he liked it. He was delighted whenever Yanarym was showing how much she liked him. He was thrilled to see those moments where she was so obsessed with him. Those troubles she did to Tiana, he was pleased by it. 

He liked tormenting her emotionally, seeing her suffer, and agonizing. He liked it so much that he kept on doing it. No matter how terrible he was treating her, she would still love him. So, he kept on testing how far she could go. It was proof that she was so into him, and she won't give him up. 

Do I genuinely like Tiana? Or do I like using Tiana to torment Yanarym? He wasn't sure, at some point, he knew he also cared for Tiana. Nevertheless, that did not seem to be the case anymore. Right now, and to the future, he didn't want to impose Yanarym misery. He figured out, loving her tenderly was much better than tormenting her to pieces. 

Loud knocking from Kraig's door made him regain his senses in reality. His heart thumped—racing, he looked at the clock and it was past ten o'clock in the night. Was it Yanarym at his door? At this time? Did she miss him already? His face lit up with a cheeky smile, he hastily got off to his bed and ran downstairs to open the door for her. 

"You're here…R—?" He was panting when he twisted the knob open, the wide smile disappeared, his lips formed a straight line as his breathing stabilized and disappointment was visible in his eyes.. "—Tiana, it's you. What are you doing here at this hour?"