Chapter 290: I Only Have Eyes for Him
Meanwhile, the trio of Du Pont juniors stood frozen in place, looking at each other in silent confusion.
"Would Micah be alright?" Emile asked softly, breaking the silence.
"I thought for sure he’d talk back to me," Jacklin muttered, her arms crossed. "Like deny it. Say Clyde doesn’t like Asena. Or at least look upset learning that the two are together."
She turned to the others, scowling. "But seriously, why did he turn pale? Why did he run off like that?" Jacklin said, frustrated. "That wasn’t the reaction of someone who’s jealous or heartbroken... no, why did he even want to see Asena’s picture in the first place? That makes no sense! Shouldn’t he already know her? Why did he act like he had seen a ghost?"
"At first, he was definitely angry," Emile murmured. "Like, when Jacklin said Uncle liked Asena, I saw it. He looked pissed."
"Then why did his attitude change the moment he saw the picture? It was a complete 180 degrees..." Dean added. "He looked kind of embarrassed?" he tilted his head.
Soha stood nearby, quietly watching them. From their conversation, it was clear something strange was going on. But most importantly, it seemed her ship still had hope. Clyde and Micah...
"Umm... can I ask a question?" She raised her hand.
The three of them turned toward her.
"You think your uncle would be cool with you guys meddling like this?"
Their hearts skipped. Right. It seemed they had screwed up. They weren’t supposed to bring up Asena in front of Micah.
Maybe there was something else that they had missed?
*****
Clyde stepped out onto the deck, the wooden planks creaking under his boots as he scanned the length of it with narrowed eyes. The night air was growing colder, brushing past his face. The silver-haired boy was nowhere in sight.
He turned toward the living room then the kitchen... still no sign of Micah.
Clyde’s brows furrowed. He had gone to their room to grab a coat for Micah, but when he came back he was nowhere in sight.
He turned around to his friends. "Have you seen Micah?" he asked.
Dylon looked up from his beer, blinking. He paused mid-sip, then grinned sloppily. "No," he said, and hiccupped immediately after.
Clyde glanced over at Georgina and Mason, who were slumped on the couch; clearly, they were no better off. They were all wasted.
Clyde took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
Just then, Lin Heye came out of the kitchen, holding a steaming mug of honey lemon water between his hands. His face was flushed. "No. Last I saw him, he was with Emile and Dean," he offered helpfully, before taking a careful sip.
Clyde’s eyes immediately shifted toward the entryway as the sound of the front door opening reached them. Three familiar figures walked in: Jacklin, Dean, and Emile.
They paused when they saw him standing there.
Clyde didn’t waste time. He took a step forward, eyes sharp. "Where is Micah?" Clyde asked, looking behind them.
The doorway remained empty.
"Ah..." Dean raised a hand to scratch the back of his neck, eyes avoiding Clyde’s. "He, uh...took off."
Emile shifted awkwardly, rubbing his wrist. "Didn’t say where he was going," he mumbled, not meeting his eyes either.
Jacklin looked visibly guilty. She lowered her head, letting her hair shield her face as she avoided Clyde’s line of sight completely.
Clyde glanced at them, suddenly realising something. His expression darkened. "What did you do?" he asked coldly.
His tone wasn’t loud, but it was sharp enough to make the trio flinch. His presence was suffocating. His aura pressed down like gravity, daring someone to lie.
Soha, standing nearby, bit her lip. The tension in the air was overwhelming. She figured she had to speak with Clyde; if not, these three might not live to see another day.
"Umm... can I talk to you for a second?" Soha addressed Clyde hesitantly.
Clyde tore his gaze from them and nodded to her.
They stepped outside together. She rubbed her arms as they walked, trying to find the right words.
"I don’t know why.... But there seemed to be some kind of misunderstanding... Jacklin showed me a picture, said that the girl in it was your crush. And... Micah overheard..." Soha barely finished before Clyde turned his head sharply toward her.
"Asena?" he asked, voice strained. "Did she mention a girl with white hair?"
Soha nodded. "Yeah. He saw the picture. And right after that...he ran off..."
Clyde exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Got it," he muttered. "Thanks. That explains everything."
There was a pause, filled only by the rustle of the wind through the trees.
"Will he be okay?" Soha said finally. "Why did you let him on when you have someone else?"
Soha was really disappointed in Clyde. He didn’t get nervous. No, he was too calm. Composed even. Shouldn’t he be concerned about Micah misunderstanding him? Then was it true? Was he really interested in that girl?
Clyde’s lips twitched, not in amusement, but in restraint. He took a long breath, then let out with a dry, tired chuckle. "You’ve got it wrong," he said softly. "I just have eyes for him. No one else."
Soha blinked, her mouth parting slightly in surprise.
Clyde turned back to her, voice firmer now. "Do you know which way he went?"
Soha pursed her lips, then pointed toward the gate. "He ran off in that direction. Toward the entrance."
Clyde gave a curt nod. "Thanks. I’m glad you are so fond of Micah. Please keep looking out for him."
Soha stood there, stunned, staring at Clyde’s retreating back.
Clyde walked quickly toward the front yard. Contrary to what Soha thought, he was not composed at all, but anxious instead. Anxious about how Micah would react.
Would he cut ties after this? Would he look at Clyde with betrayal in his eyes? Call him a liar? Someone who toyed with him?
Clyde could take a punch. Hell, he would take ten if it meant Micah stayed.
But if Micah decided to cut him off completely... that would hurt more than any blow.
Clyde clenched his fist.
Still... maybe this was a blessing in disguise.
Maybe it was time to come clean. To tell Micah everything. No more secrets.
Clyde had a sliver of hope. Micah had feelings for him; he was sure of it. Maybe, just maybe, Micah would forgive him.