The table was silent as Amber and Channing ate their food. She kept stealing glances at him all the while and when their eyes met, she would look away with a flustered face.

Amber didn't know why she was suddenly behaving this way. Just a few days ago, they were good friends. He was someone she wasn't always so self-conscious about but all of that suddenly changed after the one sentence he spouted in the car that night.

''Did you really not feel something for me all these years?''

When she thought about that question, her heartbeat would quicken and her face would turn red.

Channing furrowed his brows after noticing her reddened face, but didn't say anything further. He continued to eat his food quietly.

Amber soon finished her food and wiped her mouth with the tissue by her side before looking up to meet Channing's gaze.

''Why. are. you. looking. at. me. like. That?''

''Amber, you have something to ask or tell me, right?''

''No, I don't have anything to ask or tell you. if you are done, let's go'' she stood up and started to walk away and he held her hand just as she got to his side.

''You know about my feelings, right?''

''Huh?'' her face turned red and she pursed her lips afterwards.

''Let's go somewhere and talk'' he stood up and walked out with her.

.....

''Amber'' Channing called her name as they sat in the car at a park.

''Yes''

''You don't have to do anything. Nothing is going to change between us. those are my feelings and I can handle them. I just don't want it to affect our friendship''

''Chan.. I''

''Just pretend you don't know anything. What happened that day was a mistake. I didn't mean to startle you like that''

Amber turned to face him, ''Chan, I admit I have been dense and haven't paid attention to your feelings all these years. Actually, there was a time I thought of you as more than a friend but that was a long time ago''

Channing looked at her, clearly surprised by her revelation.

''Back when we were in high school, you used to protect me, advise me and stayed by my side. That time, when Ever and Jayden just announced their relationship, I wondered how it would be like if that happened to us, but I didn't want to destroy our beautiful friendship. At that time, I felt that it was impossible between us because you only saw me as a fragile person that made you want to protect. I don't know when it started, but I decided that it was best to keep them to myself.

Two years ago, when Ever went to New York, I finally mustered the courage to confess to you but, before I could do that, Ever called to tell me it was over between her and Jayden. It made me scared. I didn't want us to end up like them. I valued our friendship so much because with you, I could be myself. We are all close and do most things together''

''Amber, do you have any idea when I started liking you? it was around the same time in high school''

''You started liking me since that time?'' she looked at him. She thought she was the only one feeling that way. She had managed to mask her feelings all these years. That is why she felt overwhelmed after finding out about his feelings.

''Amber, I think that thing that factored the most was the timing. We missed the timing that is why we both didn't have any idea about the true feelings of the other''

''I know, but, right now. I am still confused. I actually don't know what I feel, I think I will need a little time to figure out my feelings. I don't want us to rush and get into a relationship and then break up the next moment''

''I understand. I have waited for a long time already. Waiting for a few more days or weeks isn't much of a deal to me. Just promise me something''

''What is it?''

''Don't take too long in making up your mind. I don't want you to leave me hanging''

''I will give you an answer during the camping trip'' she said and smiled.

''Really?''

''Yes, but, my face. What do we do about it?''

''I already asked someone to bring that woman to me. let's go and meet her''

''That fast?''

''En, she dared to mess with my babe. I should let her pay for it''

...

Channing held Amber's hand as they went into D-City's Police headquarters. That was where he made the request for the woman to be arrested. When they got inside, Amber immediately recognised the woman who looked haggard and her hair was messy and unkempt.

''Mr. Martins, you are here?'' the deputy police inspector stood up to welcome Channing.

''Mr. Wills, thanks for your hard work''

Amber looked at the woman who didn't dare to look up and meet her gaze. She asked her, ''why did you do that?''

''I'm sorry Miss Amber. I was asked to do it. I really needed the money for my daughter's operation''

''Who asked you to do it?''

''Andy, he said that as long as I was able to do it, he will pay for my daughter's hospitalisation and surgery. I'm sorry, I was desperate at that time and couldn't think straight''

''Andy, that scumbag really has it out for me''

''What do you want to do with her?'' Channing asked.

''You know, I really don't find you pitiful because in the end you tried to ruin my face, my life. If I hadn't detected the changes early, or if my body hadn't reacted early to those chemicals, my face would have been ruined. No matter the reason, you shouldn't blame your circumstances and hurt innocent people. you don't even know what happened between the scum and I. I find it difficult to even punish you because of your sick daughter, but she wouldn't be happy to see that her mother did something bad because of her. You said you did it for her seek but I find that hard to believe. You still had a choice, you could have come to me to confess it to me. I would have helped you but you still chose the wrong way out. Don't blame it on your daughter. I really don't know whether you are worthy of my forgiveness or not, but I hope that you don't show this kind of lifestyle to your daughter or it will be disappointing''

''I'm sorry, Miss Amber. Please, forgive me''

''I will let you off but that is because of your daughter who needs you. I hope that you will change from your ways. As for Andy, I will deal with him myself''

''Thank you, Miss Amber, thank you so much'' the woman knelt down, praising her.

''Why did you let that woman off after a warning?'' Channing asked as he opened the car door for her to go inside.

''I just found her situation pitiful''

''Where do you want to go next?''

''Home, I have to stay indoors if I want my face to heal fast''

''Okay, I will send you home before I go back to the office''

......

Jade walked out of the apartment with Alex behind her, 'make sure you get everything ready. I will come and start work here as soon as I am done. Tomorrow I am going camping with my friends, so we won't be able to meet''

''I will go with you'' Alex said, startling her.

''You will go with me?''

''I am going to prove to you just how serious I am''

''Alex, let's not start something we can't finish. The thing I value the most is friendship and I would hate for us to destroy what we have''

''Just stay where you are and let me do the work. I will convince you how real I am how serious I am about you. I admit, we haven't known each other for long, but after thinking about it, I might have started liking you the first day I saw you. I just didn't realise it yet''

''Fine, you are allowed to do whatever you want, but it doesn't mean I am going to accept you. I don't want to be anybody's rebound''

''I am not treating you as a rebound. I never saw you that way. You are much more important to me than just a rebound or someone I want to pass time with''

''I am still not convinced. I think you still need time to get over your ex-girlfriend''

''That means you aren't rejecting me''

''I am not accepting you either''

''I will work with that'' he smiled at her and Jade sighed. Just what had she gotten herself into? 'Be careful on the road and call me when you reach home''

''Okay, I will do that'' Jade smiled and got into her car, driving away.