Call me when you hate me - Let's Just Be Friends

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNKBvrYOnd

📞 Call Me When You Hate Me

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIwgZvTC5Y

Episode 7 — "Let's Just Be Friends"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rR9zAjzDG

Liam couldn't stop thinking about Adrian's question.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFBsS81Mlc

> "When I drove away yesterday... why did you look disappointed?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrCwNCGhoW

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCr90Yb1Fg

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel50uPn9qo

He still didn't have an answer.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtw02fnDIR

And maybe...

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFplbwjwCwl

He wouldn't find one until he stopped lying to himself.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxFaEHX6Ht

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHznzUnZQx

---

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jh0NwUS7x

That evening, Nathan texted him.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJJNPTClZB

> Nathan: Dinner tonight? I made a reservation at our old restaurant.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRbkYskH9Q

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFpp0Pfc7n

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dT82kZwkQ

Liam stared at the message for a long time.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGlJEsW4gw

Finally, he replied.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1JC1mWyx1

> Liam: Okay.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY6WctcwPr

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS5Iv9KFmI

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYcSyRSCsa

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uEY3zt86M

---

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMDwq7GxS5

7:30 PM.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yunn3R5Lf

The restaurant looked exactly the same.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xAFIUmRcM

The same tables.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmzSNZ0FTW

The same music.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVBpQV2tRH

The same corner where they had celebrated their second anniversary.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd3OIetU8v

Nathan smiled as Liam sat down.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGus8mfaPFt

"I ordered your favorite pasta."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMknntRpgfn

Liam forced a small smile.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1WEgII8sq

"Thanks."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uon93JbJE

The conversation started easily.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1xScrXAEb

Work.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU18QoKFGf

Life.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa9fZiud3J

Funny memories.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvfueFaYez

For a moment, it almost felt like old times.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHM8xV9V2I

Almost.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kwg2ig5mi

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumxnip3VN1

---

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoA5B8WA0R

Halfway through dinner, Nathan reached across the table.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCDx07h9H9

He gently took Liam's hand.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfrvw2Cy3u

Liam instinctively pulled it back.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubGvIsyP00

Nathan's smile faded.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1lZjWhE7a

"...Liam?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzqNMqNp3G

"I'm sorry."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFVuVbDhlT

"You don't have to apologize."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTziTW4tBsh

Silence settled between them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRABP5dmlg7

Nathan looked at him carefully.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdSihXzKMA

"You're different."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLJejIjliE

Liam lowered his eyes.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiHPjVbvru

"I know."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqakBcWhXt

"You don't look at me the way you used to."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1uMQZGVSi

No answer.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW8uMiEvvG

Nathan sighed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycrNsUxXqF

"Is there someone else?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aC8E6wuD3

Liam immediately shook his head.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68bdIFuq2w

"No."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnYsqlDdj8

"Then what's wrong?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisNawCeoTe

Liam took a deep breath.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6twr3yYY9n

He had been avoiding this conversation.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPy8HJ8YOk

But it wasn't fair anymore.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnBJHl1v13

Not to Nathan.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXCZm6lF47

Not to himself.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZAS6SVkQE

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJpAf0ARBl

---

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPJo8jNcrW

"Nathan..."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzcUN3eIsG

His voice was quiet.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf0sbXKB9V

"When you came back..."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWp5dGK76x

"I thought I wanted another chance."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMpPkYrTjl

Nathan listened without interrupting.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdUue51ctV

"But I realized something."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYpgntcdEt

He looked up.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mptMjBkeK

"I don't miss our relationship."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQCD2wfHeE

Nathan's expression slowly fell.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxDnTzwvz6

"I miss the memories."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28nOBkoC1V

"I miss the version of us that existed before everything went wrong."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PwHV9ljAj

Another pause.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgUGv5DE1J

"But I can't go back."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKITBJYnFL

Nathan looked away.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt83MSvjAv

"So..."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTycp04K7g

"What are you saying?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVbJF8dLtm

Liam smiled sadly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifKSURqlId

"I don't think I can be your boyfriend again."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU1mH0fn5m

Nathan closed his eyes for a moment.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7TzXPriAb

The words clearly hurt.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXQCqQHuUm

"But..."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HlUFjNpTE

Liam continued gently,

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuoAEaldZj

"If you're willing..."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdiDdhN6sj

"I'd like us to be friends."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMtRyFiZq2

Silence.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl0aXsukcJ

A long silence.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYYYiUxrJV

Finally, Nathan let out a quiet laugh.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIlYXZtxnQ

"I guess I deserve that."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvkmXAzRt3

Liam frowned.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzPPEnVqef

"Nathan..."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFRmjdUVfv

"I broke your trust."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrv2pxDinK

Nathan smiled bitterly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEbCaipBeS

"I kept hoping I could fix it."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK5VklCMuo

He looked at Liam.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh60A7SjfKg

"But love isn't something you can ask to come back."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5Qh8F7SGI

Liam nodded slowly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9ctlx4wii

"No."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTCY7OcooL

"It isn't."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVtyKDAw2p

Nathan stood up.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDUs7TG2rC

Then surprised Liam by pulling him into a brief hug.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kfcRzj7jC

This time...

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAkcEDQ2yz

It felt peaceful.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ufLIFVVUX

Not romantic.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAM256BOEt

Just two people finally letting go.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5AXpNwKoi

Nathan stepped back.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwRctwT3B8

"I hope whoever you fall in love with next..."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZZ7FgtJ7i

He smiled sincerely.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkifLfwcxi

"...treats you better than I did."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWldShhpFO

Liam smiled.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrq7UiyNJG

"I hope so too."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDvfVfpSZB

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZDnoaLfX1

---

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVsWRjSFbL

Outside the restaurant, they went their separate ways.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJPkv6tBBO

For the first time in months...

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImstgEB6or

Liam didn't look back.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb0JLmuWE2

His chapter with Nathan had finally ended.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllDI0QU5Nm

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnVyvYqZQQ

---

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9f1kbAf9w

The next morning, Liam arrived at the office feeling lighter.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwj4CI39sR

Scarlett noticed immediately.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dJR7zZOXE

"You talked to him?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXEbYrb36U

Liam nodded.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0p3R1X41O

"We're just friends now."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62c8n5rDdx

She smiled proudly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpn3SSGZkP

"I'm happy for you."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z54VAGxDu

Liam smiled back.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAOT2Bwtl9

"So am I."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UBFWb2ED8

At that exact moment, the elevator doors opened.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYLFaM5SRU

Adrian stepped out.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KWF2vSCZJ

Dressed in his usual black suit.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKJaiZzFXU

Coffee in one hand.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtP4ZL6C2z

Phone in the other.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSifFTryLm2

Their eyes met.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifIMLy5fYF

For only a second.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o7MwuAHxv

Then Adrian gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxgXdhLfSa

And for some reason...

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzMv6H6EUc

Liam smiled.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ0uXgLeJa

A real smile.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqwNJ5Rsq0

One that Adrian noticed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF42ygSjU8g

One that made the corners of Adrian's lips lift ever so slightly before he walked away.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdAwxIyehB

Neither of them realized it.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76Shdv7ctZ

But for the first time since the contract began...

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKZRNWwhAj

There was no ex standing between them anymore.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe9DwX45mN

To Be Continued... 🖤📞35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjKaYKVE52

ns216.73.216.38da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically