"NO." I shook my head. "That couldn't happen, Helen. I couldn't… I couldn't be in love with Gideon." My lips parted. "I hated him… He's the one person in this world that I hated the most. He… he ruined my happiness. I couldn't be in love with him."
"Then why did you kiss him, Bianca? And most importantly, why did you enjoy that kiss?"
"I… don't know, Helen." I stood up from the bed and panickedly circled around the room. "But I couldn't be in love with him. I'm in love with Charlie!"
"And how are you sure you're still in love with Charlie?" Helen probed. "When was the last time you'd think of Charlie?"
I stilled. I realized that I hadn't been thinking of Charlie for the past weeks. He didn't even cross my mind except when Gideon and I attended the company's anniversary party.
"I may not have been thinking of Charlie these past weeks, but that doesn't mean I'm no longer in love with him… and that I'm already in love with Gideon."
"Really? Or you're just still in denial until now?"
I let out an incredulous laugh. "But I can't be in love with Gideon, Helen. I hated him. Hated him to the core! Answer me, how can you fall in love with someone you hated so much?"
"You're forgetting that there's a thin line between love and hate, Bianca."
A thin line between love and hate…
"But the last time we've seen each other, I don't think you're still harboring hate for him, Bianca."
I almost jumped in shock when I heard a knock on the door.
"Bianca? Are you awake? I heard your voice. Are you talking to someone?"
I heard Gideon say behind the door.
I cleared my throat. "Yeah. I'll go out in a while." I answered back.
"Who was that?" Helen asked on the other line. "Gideon?"
"Yeah," I breathed.
I bit my lower lip.
"So, how are you two after last night?" Helen said. "Don't tell me you're acting awkward in front of him?"
I shut my eyes. "Y-yeah."
"Bianca, figure it out, okay? It's your own feelings. You're the only one who could figure it out for yourself. Not me. Not other people. I'm just telling you what I've been seeing from your actions."
"Thank you, Helen."
After ending the call, it took me almost fifteen minutes before I left the room.
I was feeling nervous, and I don't have a freaking idea why.
"That's just Gideon, Bianca," I whispered to myself. "You have nothing to be nervous about. If he asked about last night, just answer him casually."
"Good morning," Gideon greeted me after I entered the kitchen.
I cleared my throat. "Morning."
He was still wearing the clothes he'd slept in last night. White shirt and gray cotton shorts.
"Who were you talking to?" he casually asked, as he put down a platter of bacon on the table.
There was also a plate of scrambled eggs, and pancakes on it. He was already done cooking breakfast.
"Uh… Helen." I answered, avoiding his gaze.
I couldn't handle meeting his eyes. After last night… I didn't know how to face him.
"Bianca…"
Gideon turned to me. I could feel his eyes go to my face.
This time I was forced to look at him. "W-what is it?" I suddenly feel the thumping of my chest. Was he going to mention the kiss last night?
Gideon smiled softly. "Let's eat?"
I blinked. I thought he was going to… I mentally shook my head. "Sure."
The whole breakfast, Gideon didn't mention anything about last night. That's a good thing because I honestly didn't know what to say to him.
"Thanks, Gideon."
I gave him a small smile when he handed me the bowl of sliced fruits for dessert.
"You're welcome…" He said before he proceeded on sipping his tea.
'I don't think you'd still hate him, Bianca.' Helen's words echoed in my mind.
When did my anger for him subside? Was it when he took care of me when I was sick? Was it when he comforted me during a thunderstorm? Was it because of his gentleness… his kindness… the way he treated me the past two months?
And if I no longer hate him? Could it be possible that the people around me were right?
That I was already in love with him, and I was just being in denial about it?
But what about Charlie? It was impossible that my feelings for him already disappeared with just the two months that passed…
"By the way, Bianca…"
"W-what?" My eyes dropped to his slightly opened lips. I suddenly remembered the kiss that we'd shared last night. I remembered how he kissed me... I remembered how soft and gentle his lips were...
My cheeks heated.
"What do you want for lunch?"
I blinked. "We had just finished eating, Gideon. Why are you already asking what to cook for lunch?"
"I wanted it prepared in advance. We'll be having a visitor for lunch, Bianca."
My brows furrowed. "Your parents?"
"No. It's Penny."
"Penny? The landscape artist whom you asked to redesign this house?"
Of course, I remembered the woman. She already went here before.
"Yeah. She's already done with the layouts. I asked her to show them to us later. That's why I invited her for lunch today."
The frown on my forehead deepened. "But why lunch on a weekend, Gideon? You should have scheduled a proper meeting with her. Not here in the house."
"Unfortunately, Penny's only available for today. She'll be leaving for Toronto on Monday for a two-week business summit there."
"Oh. Okay." I said, nodding before I sipped on my water.
Gideon looked at me. "Is there a problem with that, Bianca?"
I frowned. "No. Why would I have a problem with that?"
He pursed his lips. "Your face says it."
"I don't have a problem with that, Gideon," I said, removing the frown on my face. "By the way, I want roasted chicken for lunch."