Her Return, His Regret by Natie

Chapter 94~ Love can't be forced

Lora walked into the restaurant just as her phone rang. When she saw that it was Ryan calling, she picked up and said, "Hello, Ryan." "Lora, where are you? I came to pick you up from work... wanted to take you home," Ryan said on the phone. "I need to make sure you're safe." "I'm moving with security and I have a bodyguard for a driver. You don't have to worry about me," Lora replied.

She looked around the restaurant and saw Jason seated at the table near the window. Their eyes met and Jason smiled before waving at Lora.

Lora forced a smile and began to approach him, the weight of what she was about to do weighing down on her.

After her little chat with Adan, Lora had finally made a decision. She couldn't lie to herself anymore. She was still in love with Ryan.

"I know... I wanted to ask you out on a date tonight. I know you're not sure about us-"

"Can I take a rain check? I'm a bit busy today but we can go tomorrow," Lora suggested.

There was a pause from the other side of the phone before Ryan's voice echoed through the speaker.

"Are you saying you're willing to go out on a date with me?" He asked, his voice laced with excitement like a child who had been promised his favorite candy.

Lora smiled and replied, "Of course. I'll see you tomorrow."

There was something she needed to sort out before meeting him.

By the time Lora cut the call, she had arrived at the table. Jason stood up and helped to pull back her chair before going back to his seat.

The air between the two was awkward. After ordering food and drinks, Jason cleared his throat and said, "I don't know if I should be happy that you invited me for dinner. Something tells me I won't like what you will say." Lora gulped, guilt twisting her stomach, knowing she was about to hurt him.

Jason and

was she supposed to say

when Lora kept

and I care about you," Lora said, the words feeling like

nodded and replied,

but it's only as a friend. I'm sorry that I accepted to be your girlfriend. The truth was that I thought I would learn to love you... but that's not how it works." Silence fell over them. The tension in the air was so thick, it could be cut with a

mood had changed and her heart

at her and asked, "So, what are you saying? I told you I'm patient. I've never pushed you to fall in love with me quickly... I can wait for you

sighed before

can't

not in love

the beginning, I'm deeply sorry. It was never my intention to hurt

eyes, she added, "You're a very good man, Jay. Believe me when I say doing this hurts so much... I honestly shouldn't have agreed

to go back to him?" Jason questioned,

lump in her throat refusing to go

thought I didn't love him

scoffed, cutting Lora's

you? Did you forget all the

flickering

you. What has that man done to deserve you? Heck, why is everything so easy for him? The only thing that I wanted for myself, he couldn't help but steal that

trailed when he realised that he had

feeling guilty but she furrowed her eyebrows when she heard Jason's

asked, "What do you mean by he stole the only thing you wanted for yourself