Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Chapter 71- Confession

“But why am I the bad guy if, as your boyfriend, I am just asking you to pay a little less attention to your friends, and more to me?” Luke couldn’t help but ask with a frown.

The other person’s face was hazy, but he knew she was his girlfriend…someone who had been tormenting him with her behavior for quite some time now.

“Listen, Luke, we are dating, so let’s not interfere with each other’s personal life. I never told you to not hang out with your friends, but-”

“Hang out? Really, Nia? You were sleeping over at your friend’s place who is a guy and had confessed to you in the past. Don’t you find anything….not a single thing weird here?”

The other responded aggressively, “There were other people as well! And not just because we slept under the same roof, we had sex!”

“…” Luke lost it. He couldn’t understand what was the problem. He has already faced seven breakups by now, and all seven times, he got dumped because of absurd reasons.

Either the girl said ‘You deserved better’ or ‘You expect too much’. He never expected anything from anyone.

He just desired a normal relationship where his partner remained loyal to him…and on whom Luke could actually rely at times. Naturally, he never cheated on any of his girlfriends, since he never was a hypocrite.

For the first time, he believed that his partner might be at fault. And that belief continued until a couple of more times since his friends also said that he didn’t do anything bad.

But ..with time and with each breakup, he started to feel.

‘Is it that….that actually there is something wrong with me?’

….

“Ah…” Austin woke up from his slumber, his head feeling a little heavy.

He didn’t know why but he was having a dream of his ex-girlfriend.

“Are you okay?”

Austin was startled to hear that voice, as he hurriedly turned to his left and found a familiar pair of eyes looking back at him with concern filled in them.

“Val…” He didn’t know why, but seeing her right now so unexpectedly filled his heart with inexplicable warmth.

“Sorry, I came here without telling you and even stayed…but you looked quite anxious in your sleep…” She apologized with guilt and nervousness evident on her face.

Austin wanted to laugh. His source of happiness and peace was being apologetic for approaching him.

He tested his back against the headboard, and responded in a soft voice, “I don’t mind…rather, I am happy to see you here. As you said, I was feeling a bit restless.”

Valerie’s thin brows elevated, “What happened?” She was like an innocent child worried for her sick parent and being very cautious even while speaking.

Austin heaved a sigh and held her hand, “Can I ask you something?”

Valerie nodded and straightened her back.

“Can you do me a favor and tell me if I become annoying at some point? Like I can be unbearable sometimes…make you feel that I am bothersome. So when you feel like it, don’t think twice before telling me what I am doing wrong, okay?”

Valerie was stunned. She couldn’t fathom why he thought of something like that all of a sudden. Why would she ever be annoyed with him? Rather, it was she who felt that her actions might become bothersome to him sometimes.

In the past, he used to say that she was unbearable; however, recently, after that incident, he always welcomed her presence.

Call it being paranoid, but she still sometimes feels scared that everything might turn out to be a dream and this dream-like reality might crumble one day.

That’s why, “I will…but in return, you have to promise me something as well.” Holding his hand between hers, she said, “Whatever happens in the future…if your feelings change for me because of any reason, let me know about it. I will do something to make you not dislike me.”

Austin shook his head, “I love you, Valerie…and that is a fact no one can change.”

“…!” Valerie paused. A tremor ran down her spine, and her eyes stretched wide.

Austin was baffled as he asked, “What happened?”

Valerie lowered her eyes, her cheeks adopting the shade of the setting sun, as she slowly muttered, “…y-you confessed…”

Realization hit him hard as Austin covered his face in both frustration and slight embarrassment.

Although engaged for almost two years now, he hasn’t proposed to her. Like goddamn!

“Wait a minute ..” Valerie was startled when suddenly Austin jumped from the bed and after opening the window, he jumped out.

“Huh?” Shocked, she got up and advanced towards the window, only to find Austin leaping back up, “Ehhh? How are you so fast? And why did you suddenly jump out?”

Austin smiled at the girl before stepping inside.

Standing face to face with the love of his life, he first knelt on the ground, his left knee firmly pressed on the ground.

“Curse me or slap me, I will accept it all, for the crime I have committed.” Lifting the flower he brought from the garden, he continued,

“Although I am late, I want to tell you my feelings, Valerie.” He was…strangely feeling quite nervous, but not even God could stop him from continuing at the moment,

“I have gone through several life experiences and met several people. However, only a single person gave me the feeling that without her …I wouldn’t be able to live. That person who has been with me during my hard times and helped me become a man who I am right now. My happiness, and the reason why I have started to love each day of my life.”

Valerie’s eyes turned moist as she remained rooted at her spot, etching each of his words in the deepest spot of her mind so she couldn’t forget about them until her last breath.

Austin locked his eyes with hers before adding, “I, Austin Eryndor, is head over heels for you, Valerie. And I promise to keep you happy for the rest of your life.”

Valerie covered her mouth, barely holding a sob. She so wanted to hear those words from him… Finally, today, the man to whom she has devoted her life was confessing his feelings as well.

Rather than answering him, she knelt before her Lord, and to his utmost surprise, Valerie kissed him.

“….!!” Austin’s eyes widened as he felt her warm and fluffy lips pressing against his.

It was nothing passionate, just a light peck, but that light connection was enough to blow all his senses.

Valerie broke the kiss soon after, before she looked at him with a broad smile, and said,

“Please take care of me.”