Chapter 515 Getting More Information
It was the first time I had seen Ronan looking so embarrassed. If it were anyone else, he probably wouldn’t give them the time of day. But because she’s my mother, he has to put up with it for my sake if not hers.
I lowered my head and listened to their conversation expressionlessly. It was natural for my mother to care about Janette, but it still bothered me a little.
“You don’t have a girlfriend yet?”
Ronan’s answer pleased Alicia even more, and she gazed at him with a smile in her eyes.
“Yeah. I don’t,” Ronan replied with a rather stiff smile. Clearly, he had also realized something.
“Janette seems to have a favorable impression of you after seeing you earlier. It’s a pity she’s not at the hospital now. Otherwise, you’d be able to meet her, and the two of you could get to know more about each other.”
A look of concern flashed across Alicia’s eyes when she brought up Janette, worried about how the latter had disappeared since noon.
“Oh… You’re very humorous, Mrs. Campbell. I don’t know your daughter, so why would she have mentioned me?”
When I mentioned Janette to him earlier, I sensed that he didn’t harbor any interest in her. Hence, he’s probably saying that as a subtle hint about his disinterest.
“You met her earlier this afternoon, but you probably don’t remember because there were too many people today. She’s Anna’s younger sister. Since you’re so close to Anna, I’m sure you and Janette will be able to become good friends.”
After mingling with the wealthy and upper class for years, there’s no way she wouldn’t get Ronan’s hint. It’s just that she doesn’t give a hoot. In fact, she’s confident Ronan and Janette will get on like a house on fire!
“When it comes to matters of the heart, I believe that one should just let nature take its course. As an elder, you only have to give your blessings without interfering,” I said.
Ronan was a good friend. Since he had no interest in Janette, I did not want anyone to try and force him into anything. And from what I knew about his character, it did not matter how much Alicia sang Janette’s praises. If he had no feelings for Janette, nothing anyone said would change his mind. In fact, it would only make things much more uncomfortable for everyone.
Alicia must not have expected me to foil her attempt. She looked at me, a little surprised, and her expression stiffened for a split second. However, she quickly agreed with me by saying, “That’s true. It was only a casual remark on my part.”
“You’re right. In terms of relationship matters, one can only go with the flow. There are too many imperfect relationships in the world. Take me, for example. I’ve had feelings for someone for over two years, but we weren’t fated to be together. Hence, I have no plans of finding myself a girlfriend in the near future. It’s enough for me if I can watch her lead a happy life,” Ronan piped up.
His gaze fell on me as he spoke, and his earnest tone caused me to panic a little.
I knew those words were for my ears, and the person he mentioned was me. I could not bring myself to meet his gaze. I’ve always known he had feelings for me, but I had no clue he still likes me after all this time. After my return, I thought we’d be able to get along like normal friends.
He used to openly show his feelings for me, which made me avoid him. But after my return, he had never tried to confess his feelings to me or anything. I thought he had already put it behind him, but after hearing what he just said, I realized that that was not the case. He had not put it behind him. He was only keeping his feelings buried.
I was riddled with guilt toward Ronan because there was nothing I could do to reciprocate his feelings. I’m already with Michael, and I love Michael deeply. That makes it even more impossible for me and Ronan to be together. Falling for me must’ve brought him a lot of unnecessary hurts. Sometimes, I have the urge to make it up to him. But I don’t know what I can do because I can’t give him what he wants.
Alicia glanced at Ronan, then at me. She did not say a word. She must have read the situation but did not think it appropriate to say anything at that moment.
Not wanting to prolong the awkward atmosphere, I raised my head and looked at Ronan. Forcing myself to keep my tone steady, I said, “Ronan, it’s getting late. You should head back and rest.”
“Okay. I’ll be leaving, then. Call me if anything crops up.”
To my surprise, Ronan did not utter a single word of protest. He was probably also feeling embarrassed. After saying his piece, he turned and left.
I sat by the head of the hospital bed, my face impassive. “Hurry up and drink the soup. It’ll get cold if you don’t.”
“Okay,” Alicia answered calmly while shooting me a glance. Then, she began drinking the soup.
I did not know whether it was because I was the one who had brought the soup, but Alicia drank almost the entire bowl. I felt much more at ease after seeing that. She had gotten ill because of low blood sugar and lack of nutrition, so getting her to eat more would be helpful in her recovery.
After setting down the bowl, Alicia looked up at me and asked carefully, “Anna, are you very close to Ronan?”
I was momentarily stunned, not expecting she would suddenly mention him. A beat later, I said, “Yes. We’re good friends.”
“I could tell that the two of you share a special bond, and the way he looks at you isn’t anything like how one would look at a normal friend. I also have experience in these things, so naturally, I know how he feels about you.”
She had not believed a word I said. And now that Ronan had left, she did not have to be careful about what she said. I could not help feeling a little taken aback. How could she have seen through the relationship between Ronan and me in such a short time? What should I say? I can’t possibly admit that Ronan likes me, can I?
“I know how much you like Michael and how happy you are together. Hence, Ronan’s feelings toward you will no doubt make you feel pressured. You saw how your sister behaved today. She has a crush on Ronan. Can you pull some strings for her sake?” Alicia turned to me and spoke in a hesitant and pleading voice.
“I have no sister. I’ve never recognized Janette as my sister. As for Ronan’s feelings toward me, that’s his business. I’ve already mentioned Janette to him today, and he didn’t seem the least bit interested in her. That’s why I think it’s better if you don’t poke your nose into the affairs of others.”
Alicia’s intention was for me to set Ronan up with Janette. That much was clear. However, no matter how pressured I felt by his words, I could not arbitrarily force another woman onto him. In my eyes, someone like Janette did not deserve Ronan. Hence, I had no intention of intervening in the matter at all.
