It’s Your Turn To Cry and Beg, Dear Uncle

"I was angry."

Kyra murmured with one arm shielding her blue eyes. Despite her effort to swallow her feelings, her tears still found their way down her cheeks. One could school their expression and their voice, but a heart was the most difficult thing to control.

She resented him.

She wanted revenge, and she did.

Yet, the tears still fell. The worry still lingered. The fear of losing him remained etched deep in her soul. Her heart and mind were unsynchronized.

"Habit is a scary thing," the young woman continued to utter.

But, this time, someone wiped her tears. His fingers were cool against her warm skin. How Kyra wished that this hand was James'. Despite the guilt that was gnawing at her, her desire still won over.

"You were angry?" Oliver chuckled softly. "I didn't notice."

Kyra felt her heart beat along with his laughter. The strange thing was if this was James, she would have continued to cry. But, Oliver, he always had a talent for cheering her up. Just like the present where he didn't do anything special, yet her lips slowly quivered into a smile.

"He called me."

Oliver reached out to gently remove Kyra's hand and her red eyes entered his vision.

"What did he say?"

Kyra bit her lower lip. At his question, her eyes watered again. "He asked…what would it take for me to stop…"

Oliver pursed his lips. He caressed Kyra's head that was currently lying on his lap. With a smile to cover his own sympathy and rage, he asked, "Do you want to stop?"

Her heart was weak. It was true, but when Oliver threw that question at her, Kyra immediately rose from her sleeping position and shook her head.

"No." She felt her voice cracking. "I tried to stop but I couldn't. Every time I tried, every time I hoped, the memory of what James did would come crashing like a tide."

Again, just from saying it, the memory came rushing in. The humiliation she felt instantly fueled her anger and easily blinded her of the love she had for James. 

"I don't want to stop."

Oliver could see the confusion in her eyes. The contradiction she felt, how she was torn between loving James and resenting the man. Oliver didn't want Kyra to hurt but he also knew that whatever he said now wouldn't change her mind and would only further confuse her.

Worst case scenario, it could drive her away. Oliver couldn't let that happen. Even now, he could sense that Kyra was just a step away from being devoured by her own grudge and this was why Oliver didn't say anything to her revenge.

She needed that release and the only thing he had to do was guard her heart.

So, Oliver opened his arms and took the little girl in. "Then, don't."

"It's okay," he whispered as he caressed her long hair. "Do whatever you want."

Kyra closed her eyes and let herself drown in his warmth. The comfort that Oliver provided was able to slowly calm her heart. Then, slowly but surely, her consciousness began to sway and amidst her drowsiness, a nostalgic feeling enveloped her.

However, before she could swim in her memories and enjoy the peace, the door to the office was suddenly pushed open and as soon as she locked her eyes with the visitor, a wave of pain struck her yet again.

Those pair of raven eyes shot a deathly gaze at the embracing people. Then, his enraged voice thundered in her ears.

"What are you doing?!"

It was apparent not only from his tone, but also his rapid breathing that James was incredibly furious. His chest promptly rose and fell with his fists terrifyingly clenched as if he was ready to down someone.

Kyra could vividly see that his current state was unlike before or even when Kyra offended him. It was as if everything before this was just James simply being irritated. But, this time his wrath drew fear within her.

"James." Oliver pulled away from Kyra and stared dumbfoundedly at his friend. It didn't take a genius to guess that James had misunderstood the situation.

Meanwhile, Kyra, who was already frightened by how foreign James' current state was to her, subconsciously still clenched on Oliver's shirt to seek protection. However, this small action was akin to pouring oil to an already angry fire.

"Kyra."

His voice came out in a deep growl and a sharp intimidation that aimed to dominate the other party. His tone showed that he was not to be denied.

"Come here."

Kyra felt her heart leap at his blatant command. Her grip on Oliver's shirt only strengthened out of fear. Despite her frustration, in the end, Kyra was just a young woman and ten years younger than James. She would obviously be easy to intimidate.

However, she still shook her head and boldly retorted, "NO!"

James' expression visibly darkened. He took a step closer which surprised Kyra. Oliver frowned and decisively put Kyra's hand down before standing up which automatically shielded Kyra's figure. His height was comparable to James. Thus, two men stood facing each other, neither showing a sign of backing down.

"I don't know what you're thinking but it seems that you're misunderstanding."

James sneered at his remark. "And what am I misunderstanding?"

The wrinkles on Oliver's temple deepened. "We're not doing anything shameful, James."

James didn't know why but Oliver's defense only irked him even more. In fact, the very sight of his friend blocking the girl's figure made his blood boil. He tried very hard to calm down, repeatedly reminding himself that this was his best friend.

However, the image of them embracing each other kept rewinding in his head and provoked something dark within him.

All of the sudden, his hands itched to rip Oliver apart.

"I don't fucking care." His tone was laced with danger as he demanded impatiently, "I'm taking her back now. Move!"

James inched closer but Oliver stopped him. "You need to calm down first. You're scaring her."

But James merely scoffed. "You're scared now? After all you've done to offend me?" He let out a mocking laugh. "Don't be ridiculous, Kyra. You shouldn't have gone crazy if you can't handle the consequences."

Kyra gritted her teeth as she listened to his contempt. Oliver became irritated now but still patiently mediated the situation. "James, calm down."

But James just smacked Oliver's hand from his shoulder.

"Come here. NOW!"

The man's glare pricked Kyra's entire being and it overwhelmed her with fear. She felt tremendously annoyed as well but for some reason she couldn't muster any courage to face him. The scent of danger was thick in the air.

In the end, Kyra just froze in place, unwilling to get out of Oliver's protection or even turn her head towards him.

James, who watched the woman he held precious in his heart all these years remained comfortable behind another man's back and even refused to look at him, became deranged with anger.

"Didn't you say it yourself?" James was completely blinded by his temper as he shoved Kyra's words back at her, "Must be cozy hiding behind a man. I guess another job might suit you better as well."

In that instance, any fear Kyra had was entirely replaced with anger and her ire rained down on James unstoppably.

SLAP!