After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back (Aveline and Lucas)

Sidney replied calmly, "I saw everything. And let's be honest, didn't you deserve that slap?" "Pfft..." Maria, standing beside him, couldn't hold back her laughter, her amusement clear.

Diana's face twisted even more, turning an ugly shade of red. She stared at Sidney for a long moment before finally saying, "I really misjudged you!" With that, she stormed off, clearly furious.

Sidney frowned slightly.

Running off without even an apology? How rude.

Turning back, he found Maria smiling brightly, her eyes curved into happy crescents. She was clearly enjoying the moment.

Sidney pressed his lips together briefly and asked, "How's your health?"

Maria shrugged playfully. "See for yourself I'm doing just fine. I even had the strength to slap someone."

Sidney's eyes flickered. "True... you didn't hold back at all."

A breeze swept by, and for a moment, Sidney fell into a quiet contemplation.

Maria broke the silence, tilting her head slightly as she asked, "You've been around a lot these past few days. Why didn't you just come to see me?"

Sidney looked genuinely surprised. "You knew?"

"I'm not blind," Maria said with a smirk. "I saw you."

Sidney's fingers curled slightly, a subtle sign of nervousness. He stood there in his crisp white shirt, his sharp features accentuated by his short, clean-cut hair. His eyes were focused intensely on her, far too intently. Maria raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift. "What's this about?"

Sidney's voice was low as he asked, "Do you like him?"

"Who?" Maria blinked, momentarily confused.

"Do you like Herman?" Sidney clarified, his gaze unwavering.

Maria hesitated, then responded, "Him? Why are you asking me that?"

Sidney seemed to have made up his mind. He took a deep breath and said, "Maria; at first, I couldn't stand your carefree attitude. I thought you wouldn't take love seriously, and I wanted to distance myself from you.

"I didn't want to get involved, afraid I'd be the one hurt in the end. But lately, I've been thinking... why am so afraid of getting hurt? At the very least, t, the journey would be beautiful, and would have had you in my my life. Maria, I've asked myself honestly,

and I do like you."

He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing as he gathered his courage. Then, he added in a quiet, vulnerable voice, "Could you at least look at me? Even if it's just to fool around... I don't care."

His words were spoken after long, careful thought, but as soon as they left his mouth, Sidney realized just how small and desperate he sounded. He was pleading for her attention. Pleading for her love.

Maria stared at him, utterly shocked.

She could hardly believe what she was hearing. In her mind, Sidney had always been someone with a strong sense of pride, someone who had avoided her advances with disdain from the beginning.

But now, what was he saying? Asking her to look at him? He sounded like a lost puppy, abandoned and looking for affection.

She couldn't help it-she laughed.

Sidney's face immediately tightened, his body stiffening at her reaction.

Why was she laughing?

Was it because she found him pathetic? It was clear now-she didn't care about him at all.

Lowering his gaze, he spoke quietly, "Those are my true feelings, Maria. If you think they're meaningless, then just forget I said anything." With that, he turned to walk away.

"Hey," Maria called out, grabbing his wrist. "Where are you going? Did I say anything?"

Sidney's eyes immediately brightened, full of anticipation as he looked at her, waiting for her response.

Maria hesitated, meeting his hopeful gaze before asking, "So, even if one day I get bored and don't want you anymore, you wouldn't care?"

"I would care," Sidney said earnestly, "but I won't interfere with your choices."

He took a step closer, his voice unwavering. "I like you, Maria. I want to be with you for as long as you'll let me."

Maria's heart raced in her chest, the unfamiliar rush of emotions both exhilarating and strange. She couldn't remember the last time someone's words had this effect on her. "Maria, I brought the water," came Herman's voice as he approached, breaking the moment.