Bitter & Sweet
Part 79's
Matteo and David's attention, which was more focused on Harold, made the conversation there sound like it was talking about the third person, and Chloe seemed like an invisible shadow between them.
"You should have been able to draw conclusions, from what I talked to him earlier." said Harold, looking at David and Matteo alternately.
It was as if they were talking telepathically, David, Matteo and Harold, then gazing at each other.
And all of a sudden, Matteo stood up from his seat, saying,
"Harld! ... Thank you! ... But I have to go now. I have something to do."
Almost at the same time, David did the same.
David bids farewell to Harold and Chloe, then leaves the pavilion immediately, leaving only Chloe and Harold left there.
However, Chloe did not think too much about what Matteo and David were thinking and doing.
Chloe's attention was on Harold.
As if nothing had ever happened, Harold seemed to continue his lunch that had stalled, because of the debate and conversation earlier.
"Harld! ... Are you still angry?" chloe asked, be careful.
Harold did not immediately respond to Chloe's question, and instead seemed to concentrate on the crab claws that he was removing the contents of his flesh.
"I'm sorry.." said Chloe.
Harold shook his head, then put it on Chloe's dinner plate, a little bit of crab meat he had just managed to get out of his shell.
"If I'm still angry, there's no way that I'm still here" Harold said, staring fixedly at Chloe, then continued, saying,
"Chloe...! I love you and I want the best things that can happen to you. But I hate the way you think about 'social status', because it makes me so offended....
...Please stop being so prejudiced! Do not just because of the mistakes of one person, then you make it as an excuse and benchmark, to generalize your judgment against others....
... I know that it is difficult to change the way of thinking that has been too long, to become a habit and even a belief. But for the sake of our friendship, I hope that you will try to change."
Chloe mustache understands.
"I'm sorry, if I've offended you. And I'm sorry, who guessed nothing about you earlier," said Chloe, meaningfully.
"Harld! ... I don't want to defend myself. But I think you've also misinterpreted what I thought. Because I'm just having a hard time believing that the upper class won't have bad intentions, ...
...when they are in love with the people of the lower classes. And that's not to say, I can't believe that people with high social status can be good friends....
...You can definitely tell the difference between a 'lover' or a 'friend' relationship, right?!...
... So you should understand, if as a 'friend', I will not be prejudiced against anyone. Either he's from the upper classes, or the lower classes."
A sip of water from inside her glass, Chloe swallowed it to wash her throat that felt thick and dry, before she then continued to say, Chloe said,
"To be honest, it's hard for me to change my way of thinking like that. So, I hope that you will understand, because of course it is not without reason...
... Again I have experienced a similar incident, like when I was dating Bernard. So it keeps me convinced, that what I think is true."
Harold who listened to Chloe's words, with his brows furrowing deeply, looked like a confused and curious person.
A few moments later, Harold fell asleep. "Matthew! ... Is that Matthew?"
"Yes ... I fell in love with Matthew. She already knew that I loved her, and said that she loved me too" Chloe said, to be honest.
To be honest, right now Chloe's heart is very sick, to the point of having difficulty speaking.
However, Chloe felt that she was overwhelmed and wet.
Moreover, according to Chloe, as his best friend, Harold is someone he can trust, to bring out the burden that is in his mind.
Thus, Chloe encouraged to express her opinion to Harold, further saying,
"If we were alone, then she would act as if I were her lover, and as if she really wanted me....
...But you see for yourself! ... In front of other people, he actually acts friendly with other women. And the worst part is, she doesn't even hesitate to get in touch with that woman in front of me....
... Am I just something worthless, and could be one of those toys that a wealthy and enthroned person could easily have?"
Harold was silent for a moment.
As if he had completely lost his appetite, Harold opened the glove he was wearing, then stuffed it into his plate which then shifted away to the center of the table.
"But, Chloe...! Not everyone is going to be like that!" harold said, apparently trying to convince Chloe.
"Bernard, .. and then Matthew." In a hurry, Chloe refuted Harold's words, then continued to say,
"Who else is next? ... David? ... The matteo? How many people do I need to allow to hurt me, just to prove my way of thinking wrong?"
"I'm sorry...." Harold looked as if he had run out of words, so he could only apologize then fell silent, and even seemed to bow his head.
After repeatedly appearing to sigh deeply, and exhaling violently, Harold then said,
"Can you forget Matthew?"
"What kind of question is that?" Chloe asked back, shaking her head.
"Chelle! ... What if I propose to you? Do you want to marry me?" Harold's sudden question just made Chloe laugh at him.
"Pff.ht...! Just-there's...!" chloe said, then let out a long sigh that felt heavy.
However, it seems Harold is seriously asking about the marriage with Chloe. Because Harold did not seem to change the expression on his face, and still looked at Chloe fixedly.
"Hey! ... You're just kidding, right?" ask Chloe, make sure.
"No. I'm not kidding," replied Harold, still looking the same.
"Have you never heard that love can fade over time? And quite the opposite. The longer the friendship, the closer the friendship will be."
Looking carefree, Harold seemed to want to convince Chloe.
"You love me as your best friend, don't you?" harold asked, raising both eyebrows.
Without needing to linger to think, Chloe nodded her head.
...You have also heard and seen for yourself, if my mommy just hopes that you want to be my wife. So there will be no more excuses, that it is not approved by the family....
...I am also not interested in seeking love from another woman, who is only 'possibly' kind and suitable for me, because your existence is more than enough....
...And I think our friendship is a lot more exciting and fun than dating. Equally fortunate! ... Or, would you rather wait until you marry the one you love?...
... For example, your love for Matthew, who was hanged without any certainty, only hurt you. Would you rather have a relationship like that?"
After Chloe listened to Harold's long words, she thought it was quite convincing, and worthy of consideration.
"Think about it! ... If you agree, then we can meet my parents soon. And it's up to you, when you're going to have your wedding, and wherever."
Coinciding with Harold finishing his words, there was also a voice from someone who said,
"You're planning to get married?"
Either since when, Matthew or Matteo had been standing near Chloe and Harold, without them noticing.
However, if judging from the question, then Matthew or Matteo was already getting more than enough time, to listen to the conversation between Harold and Chloe.
"Yes ... I proposed to Chloe, so that she would marry me," Harold replied, without the slightest hint of hesitation.
"Please sit!" harold continued, shifting the chair. "You who? Matthew or Matteo?"
"Matteo," answered the man who claimed to be Matteo, and took the seat provided by Harold, and continued to say, ''The man said,
"It looks like you're done with lunch. I'm late, because I have some work to do."
"Ugh?" At once, Chloe and Harold, confused to hear Matteo's statement.
"Is something wrong?" matteo asked, looking confused.
"Aren't you having lunch with us?" chloe asked, with brows furrowing deeply. "Then, who was here with us? Mister Matthew?"
"Maybe! ... Because I'm really only able to come here now" replied Matteo, sounding carefree.
While rethinking about the attitude of 'Matteo' who had lunch with them earlier, Chloe finally regained her senses, then shook her head in disbelief.
"Mister Matthew has deceived us!" chloe, you have to admit it.
"That's not important!" matteo said, then looked at Chloe and Harold alternately. "I want to know what you two are thinking, so you can talk about marriage."
"Hm ... I want to marry her. There's no harm, is there?" harold said, sounding without a burden. "I don't want to, if my best friend is just a joke to you."
"Example now. Matthew or Matteo, I don't want to know who any of you are. Of course, you are just acting as you please....
... Do you think that's funny? What if someone else did the same to you? Can you laugh?" While expressing what was in his mind, Harold looked furious.
"What do you mean?" Matteo seemed to want to challenge Harold. "I didn't do anything! Why do you blame me?"
"Well?! ... You and your twin brother, use your likeness to play tricks on others. What are you doing that's not wrong?"
Harold looked increasingly furious, until his voice sounded trembling, as if he was trying hard to control his anger.
Meanwhile, Matteo hardens his jaw, and seems to still want to defend himself. "I never intended to play anyone, much less Chloe. Because I love her."
"Pff.ht...! You've got to be kidding!" Harold laughed cynically. "It's not just your looks that are similar. The nature and content of your head turned out to be the same."
Matteo then stood up from his seat, and seemed to want to hit Harold there.
However, Chloe who had wanted to interrupt the debate between the two men, then took advantage of the current opportunity to stop the tension that occurred there.
Chloe stood between Matteo and Harold, then looked at the two of them alternately.
"Replace, Harold! ... Stop it!" chloe said, wirily. "Mister Matteo...! Forgive us ... Please don't get into a fight, because of this misunderstanding!"
"What's wrong?" A loud voice, heard from the back of Matteo.
Chloe tilted her head slightly to avoid Matteo's body blocking her, in order to see who was talking.
"Mister Matthew?" chloe asked, confused.
"I'm Matteo. He's Matthew! ... You can't tell the two of us apart?" While saying, someone who might just be the real Matthew, then walked over.
"B*jerk!" As if having the same thought, simultaneously Harold and Matteo, issued a swear word.
"Matthew! Stop madness!" matteo said, with a rising voice. "You just make me look bad!"
"Hey! ... You are pretending to be me" Matthew said, furrowing his brows deeply.
"Do you not know how to be honest?" asked Harold, who seemed to have stood up from his seat, and seemed to want to challenge the pair of twin boys before him.
Chloe who was still standing among the three men, then remembered something, and immediately examined the faces of Matthew and Matteo carefully, alternately.
"What are you doing?" ask one of the twins, who looks confused by Chloe's movements.
Chloe did not respond immediately, and instead let out a long sigh, after finding what she was looking for, a mole in the corner of Matthew's eye.
"Mister Matthew! ... You have deceived all of us, by pretending to be Mister Matteo," Chloe said, with a rude snort.
"Can you tell them apart?" harold asked, looking astonished.
"Yes," Chloe replied, confidently remembering the clothes worn by anyone claiming to be Matteo, to join them for lunch.
"He is Mister Matthew!" Chloe looked at Matthew fixedly. "You were the one who had lunch with us earlier, weren't you?!"
Matthew smiled broadly, then said,
"Yes. I want to see and hear everything I want to know. Thanks to Harold, so I can get all the information I'm looking for."
Harold and Chloe looked at each other, confused and curious about what Matthew meant, about the information he got.
"Thank you too, Matteo! ... Since you're busy with your business, I can get enough time to be here" Matthew continued, keeping a big smile.
"B*jerk!" said Matteo, who appeared to be very upset. "You know that I love Chloe. But you let Harold propose to her first?"
"Ugh?" Matthew, who looked at Matteo, looked wide-eyed, then shifted his attention, looking at Harold closely, as he hardened his jaw.