It'll Come Naturally

"No, she hasn't contacted me yet, but she said before that she would give me a call when she gets here. Are you worried that you'd miss her at the airport when you go and pick her up? If so, you can send her an e-mail to confirm the time of her flight." Gerard was curious

about why Leena was asking him about professor Bella. She could have just asked Bella herself. Why did she want to go through him first?

"It's not that. Professor Bella told me that the organizers would pick her up from the airport and that they had already booked a hotel for her. So I don't need to worry about these things. But... I just can't help but have a bad feeling about this. Maybe I just think too much. I feel like she doesn't like me anymore." Leena thought back of the conversation she had with professor Bella. She thought that the professor had sounded almost too polite; too distant.

"Mignonne, you are thinking too much. You are professor Bella's best student. How could she not like you?" Gerard's golden hair shone brightly under the sun. He knew that professor Bella never planned a soiree for any of her students, but she did it for Mignonne. That was evidence itself of how much she liked Leena, who was her best student.

"You think so?" Leena was perplexed at first. She looked up and stared at the leaves swaying in the wind and got lost in thought. Suddenly, she realized something and a beautiful smile spread across her face. She understood what Kevin wanted her to know last night. What she was feeling right now about professor Bella was similar to what Kevin must have felt. Leena thought that professor Bella didn't like her because she was being too polite to her. Leena being too careful around Kevin must have felt the same to him too, although her relationship with Kevin was not the same as her relationship with the professor.

"Mignonne, after this I will go back to Paris with professor Bella. I will also take over Blanc Group, so I might not be able to visit you for a very long time," Gerard's tone was sad. He had expected to be disappointed when he decided to come to this city, but he still came. He had wanted a final shot with Leena. If he hadn't tried, he would have regretted it for the rest of his life. Now that he knew Leena was happy with her husband, he could finally let go of what had happened between them.

"Gerard, thank you! For so many things," Leena said and put her hands on Gerard's gently. Though they had broken up and it hurt Leena for a long time, they had their good times. Leena decided to let bygones be bygones and accept Gerard as a true friend.

"Mignonne, no matter what, I hope you would be happy forever. Besides, I don't feel so bad losing you to such a good man. Kevin is great, and I wish you two the best." Gerard looked at her with serious eyes. Leena could tell that he was being honest. Gerard had decided to let her go but it didn't mean that he would stop loving and caring for her as a friend.

"I hope you'll always be happy too. I have a feeling you would meet the girl who loves you for who you are soon enough," Leena said with utmost sincerity. She felt touched by Gerard's words and had a tender smile on her face.

"Thank you. I hope you are right." Gerard's smile was small and bitter. He appreciated that Leena wished him the best, but still, he didn't know if he would ever meet another girl as sweet as her. Even if he did, it would not be the same.

The winter sunlight gleamed down on the streets. It was warm but not warm enough to chase away the coldness Gerard felt inside. After he and Leena parted their ways, Gerard had been wandering alone in the city. He had no idea where he wanted to go, nor was he in the mood for sightseeing. He just kept walking, trying to wrap his head around what had happened in the last few days.

"Hey! Gerard, why are you here alone?" Claire was out shopping and didn't expect to run into Gerard, the handsome French guy.

But it seemed that Gerard hadn't heard her. He continued to walk past Claire. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't pay attention to what was happening around him.

"Gerard? Are you okay?" Claire reached out to grab Gerard's sleeve, making him halt in his tracks. She saw the sad look on his face and wondered what had happened to make him like this. She was worried that he would meet an accident in this state of mind. "Oh! It's you. Hello, Miss Gu." Gerard smiled to her, but Claire could tell that it was forced.

"Why do you look like someone kicked your puppy? Are you okay, Gerard? You can talk to me if you want. Maybe I could help you?" Claire's first impression of Gerard had not been bad, so she decided to ask him what was wrong.

"I am all right. I was just wandering around because I am bored. What a nice coincidence to meet you here." Gerard looked down at the bags in Claire's hands and silently took them from her. "Where are you going? Let me help you with this." "Thank you! My car is right over there. How about I give you a ride? Is that fine?" Claire asked, feeling a bit shy. Gerard had helped her with the bags. Claire only wanted to show her gratitude by giving him the ride.

"Then I will help you bring these to your car. And thank you for the kind offer, but I want to have a walk and clear up my mind." Gerard followed Claire closely and walked over to the car. He didn't want to go back to his cold and empty hotel room. He really needed some time to make sense of things, as he said.

"Oh. That's all right. Well, maybe I could join you? If you don't mind of course! I have nothing to do right now anyway." Claire tilted her head, looking at him with expectant eyes. Claire wasn't busy right now as Louisa had something to do. They had put off their practice for later.

"Really? Of course, I don't mind! That would be a delight. Thank you." Gerard didn't expect Claire to want to accompany him. He was genuinely happy that he didn't have to walk around alone. He really needed someone to talk to and it was a bonus that someone was Claire. After all, they knew each other through Leena. Gerard was still new to S city and didn't particularly want to wander by himself.

"No need to thank me. I would like some company too. I hate being alone, after all." The two lonely people walked around the city and got a chance to get to know each other. Something was definitely brewing between them, but nobody could tell if it was for the good. They just had to wait for their story to begin.