My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation-Chapter 274: Don’t Be That Man Zyair

(Arata)

If I had learnt anything in the past few months, it was the fact that I didn’t need to settle. Karsten had taught me that I could be loved the way I was.

I knew my worth and I knew what my heart wanted. Even if Andy was forced to break up with me, he never accepted me as I was.

He wanted to change me, and that was something I wasn’t comfortable with.

Plus, I was no longer in love with him. No matter how hard I would try to go back to the way things were, it wasn’t going to work.

I wasn’t ready for any relationship. I chanced a look at Baba and he was watching me, observing what my reaction would be.

Secretly, I knew he would want me to accept Andy so Karsten could be expelled from my life.

"Andy, a lot has changed in my life. I am not that girl anymore...and I never will be. I am not looking to settle down," I replied calmly but kept eye contact with him, letting him know I wasn’t deterred.

"I understand, and I am not forcing you to begin right now. But take your time and think about it. We were engaged and we can continue from there," he persistently said, not trying to understand what I was trying to say.

"Andy, I know how difficult that situation was for all of us. It left deep marks which will take time to heal. So for now, just focus on being her supportive friend," Baba intervened, placing his cup down.

Andy quickly nodded, not wanting to displease him anymore.

"Can I take you out for some coffee or anything? We can talk like old times. Please!" He insisted but I had no inclination to go.

"I am sorry, Andy but I don’t feel like it," I unapologetically refused. His face fell. Besides, I knew, once he would know I was pregnant, he was going to instantly back down. But for now, I wasn’t ready to share this news with him.

"Arata, an outing will help you relax. Friends can make you feel energised." This time it was Baba, requesting on his behalf.

"Not today, Baba," I politely refused again and both men fell silent, disappointment evident on their faces.

Andy stayed for a little while longer, trying to make small talk and I gave the shortest answers possible. I didn’t tell him about my pregnancy.

We exchanged numbers before he left. "Text or call if you are ever feeling lonely or like to go out. I will be here."

I just gave a small nod, having no energy to refuse him again and again. He was like that clingy bug who attaches himself to you and then refuses to leave. I could picture him with two antennas and six legs. The thought brought a smile to my face.

He politely shook my hand. "Goodbye, Arata. I will wait for you."

’Please! Don’t,’ I murmured to myself.

Once he was gone, Baba and I headed inside.

"Baba, I am never going to feel for him what I felt before. It would be wrong to string him along. Try to tell him that he should give up his pursuit of me," I requested Baba as politely as possible while we rested on the living room sofas.

Mom, Grandma and Zaylen were already there having tea with Grandma’s cookies. All gazes shifted towards us and an awkwardness settled in the air.

"You were going to marry him, Arata. You chose him and stayed with him for three years. Did all of that change in a matter of months?" Baba asked, a tad confused.

I knew Baba had only loved Mom and no other woman but that didn’t apply to everyone. I was no longer in love with Andy and would never be.

"It did. People fall out of love when they go through traumatic experiences and I have with him," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.

"So you are going to throw away your long-term relationship for someone you merely knew for a matter of months. Who gave you more trauma than love? Who was so blindsided that he didn’t even know what his best friend was up to?" Baba critically asked, his eyes narrowing.

And at that moment, I was so tempted to say yes. It lay on the tip of my tongue but the respect I held for my father held me back.

Grief engulfed my heart. The feelings I carried were so conflicting that I had no clue what to say and what to feel.

"I don’t know...but I will never accept Andy back..."

"And I won’t let..." He didn’t get to complete his sentence and was cut off by Grandma’s stern voice.

"Zyair! That’s enough." I could sense she was furious. Mom just rubbed her face in frustration. Zaylen was shocked. None of this had ever unfolded in our home before.

Baba instantly quieted down but the uneasiness had settled in his eyes.

"Everyone has a right to choose who they want under this roof. We are a family who solve problems together and not fight with each other," Grandma angrily reminded everyone.

"You want her to choose a Mafia boss? Because that’s who she wants." Baba’s disturbed gaze shifted to Grandma and his hands curled into tight fists. I could sense how disturbed he was. "Do you not want to see her again?" Baba asked his mother.

"She is not choosing anyone right now. But you can’t force her to take someone back she no longer has feelings for. Don’t be that man," Grandma wisely said and Baba only shook his head, trying to control the surging anger inside of him.

His reddened eyes wavered towards me, and my heart jumped into my throat seeing the look of disappointment on his face, and then he said the words I never thought he ever would.

"Today I am just disappointed. I am disappointed in your choices, Arata. I thought I had raised you better than this."

With that, he tiredly got up and slowly walked away, leaving me devastated.

"Zy!!!" Mom called after him in panic but he kept walking, heading towards his room.

"Go, he needs you," Grandma urged Mom. Throwing me a worried look, she ran away after Baba.

By the time Grandma and Zaylen came and held me, I had completely broken down, choking badly and drowning in the guilt.

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