Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 48. Platanus Road

A white dove landed gently on the balcony railing.

While folding its wings, the bird naturally approached its feeding grounds and pecked its food in delight, doused in the fading golden light of the sun that seeped in between its white feathers.

“Febes.”

Matthias gave his name after seeing the bird perched on his window.

'Phoebe'—'A great name for such a bird.'

His sneer at the avid lady flowed slowly like *******.

Matthias got up from his couch and opened the balcony door. The river breeze, which blows ahead of sunset, carries moist and cold air, playing in high tempo breeze and soft pause.

As he approached, the pigeon continued to eat its food without being disturbed. The personality of the domesticated bird is in stark contrast to the personality of its owner.

Gently, the night came along with the sunset as she leaned against the fence. Matthias closed his eyes to hear the wind. Their melodious tones became a feast in his ears. The soft rustling sound of autumn leaves, falling and dancing in the quiet and beautiful forest bloomed like a soothing lullaby.

Wherever he looked, he could only see Leyla in the autumn of Arvis.

He watched her diligently go to work by pedaling his bike and go home with a tired face. In his spare time, he volunteered to do gardener work and sometimes roamed the forest with his large basket to collect wild mushrooms and berries.

In the beautiful cage of Arvis, everything he has in this world remains in its place.

The perfect world satisfies him. More than enough to erase the disappointment she felt last summer after helping Linda Etman stop Kyle and Leyla's marriage.

'Leyla.'

As he opened his eyes, Matthias could feel the satisfaction spreading throughout his body like a pleasant hangover.

The dove doll immediately left the balcony and flew to the cottage, returning to its owner.

He was sure the bird would come here again tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. He had no interest in the bird's feelings, but he knew very well how to tame it.

To get the heart of the bird, he just needs to provide a safe place for the bird and let it eat to its fullest.

It was a trick he honed while serving in the military. Soldiers often use carrier pigeons to deliver messages when communication devices are poor, or there is a risk of information leaking to enemies. He is currently using the same methods that military bird trainers use to tame Phoebe.

Leyla's carrier bird, Phoebe, realizes there's no point flying into Kyle Etman's tightly shut window. A new source of food had appeared, and the place was safe, so without a doubt, Phoebe would fly into her pavilion from now on. The bird was quite clever, unlike its stupid and clumsy owner.

Matthias looked at the flying bird and suddenly frowned. Her memories drifted back to the autumn— picnic day as her smile faded to nothingness as their eyes met.

“But maybe it is the smile that countless of you have shown to the son of the doctor.”

The additional shadow that enveloped the balcony became darker as his thought groove jumped to that conclusion.

Ever since Leyla was a child, she had never once smiled before her, nor could she hold back her tears.

So. he made her cry.

If he can't make her laugh, he'll make her cry.

Whether it was her smile or her tears, she was satisfied with everything about him.

If all she could give him were tears, then she would make him shed tears.

He was also willing to break his heart.

'But what if you could give me something else?'

Lately, Matthias has been daydreaming a lot. He no longer wanted to see her scared or angry at him.

He just wanted her to look at him. Sometimes comforting her and smiling at her with great happiness after she grants her wish.

Now.he knows his wish…

Leyla Lewell….

He lusted for her…

Everything was…

Everything about him….

“Growth, Phoebe.”

Leyla said as she looked at Phoebe who was curled up in her hands. He mistakenly thought it was a thick strand of fur preparing for winter, but as he looked closer, it appeared that Phoebe was gaining weight.

“Is it because it's autumn?”

Yoke…. Craziest

Leyla continued to question Phoebe, but the bird seemed to ignore her.

“Where do you eat now? You don't even have Kyle right now.”.

His last words, which he had spoken unintentionally, stunned him. Tears flowed in his eyes, every time his name came out.

'No, it's okay. Don't cry.'

Leyla tried to hold back her tears from spilling. They have promised to take care of themselves, and he will do his best to keep his promise.

He calmed himself down by taking a deep breath then released his fat Phoebe. The bird wandered in the courtyard for a while before flying across the forest.

It was an ordinary day.

She diligently completed her morning routine and left for work after dropping off Uncle Bill.

The sound of his winding bike chain ringing along the Arvis road, beautifully lined by autumn foliage creates a boisterous tone.

"Teacher!"

The student who recognized him waved his hand as he entered the street in front of the school.

It was an ordinary day, but he felt a lot of happiness.

Children are much more compliant than usual, and they score well on math and spelling tests. The lethargic warmth in the classroom that he liked, the lunch chat with Mrs. The Grever he enjoyed, and the high, cloudless clear blue sky behind the window.

She smiles.

Leyla strengthened her heart and smiled brightly whenever she remembered Kyle upon waking up or on the way home from work.

However, as she gets closer to Arvis, she can no longer ignore the memories she shares with him as they walk along.

Loneliness suddenly engulfs it, taking what was once its inner light and replacing it with the darkness that overshadows every moment.

Layla stopped her bike on the side of the road. He felt helpless.

The myriad of memories floating above the road grew into a deep regret.

They cannot live like brothers and sisters for the rest of their lives, because they have no blood relation. Nor can they live as best friends like men and women. But they never knew that their relationship should have ended in separation from the start.

They never thought that they would love, hurt, and become like this in the end…

As her gaze began to blur, Leyla wriggled and bit her lips. He was encouraging himself, closing his eyes as if he was conjuring a spell.

'I'll be fine. I will definitely be fine, so please take care of yourself, Kyle.’

Fortunately, he was able to endure his sobs and continued to pedal his bike.

A black car approached from afar and finally passed through it.

Matthias told the driver to pull his car over at the entrance of Platanus Street. After telling his aide to return first, he was then left alone on the street, just like the day when last summer began.

He walked leisurely, waiting for the approaching figure. The fallen leaves rippled under his shoes.

When the sound of a bicycle speeding on the road was faintly heard, Matthias naturally slowed down his pace.

He turned around at the same time Leyla stopped her bike at a considerable distance from him.

The expected scene unfolded before his calm eyes; leyla was in front of him, along with his bicycle.

“Halo, Duke..Herhardt.”.

Leyla awkwardly greeted him after looking around. His braided and half-kinky hair decomposed and fluttered in the wind. She doesn't seem very good at dressing up because her hair is always tied too neatly or too loose as it is today.

Still, he quite liked her clumsy appearance.

Matthias nodded his head in a straight position, one hand behind his back. Leyla blinked her emerald eyes while tightly holding the handlebars of her bicycle. Whatever he did, he always seemed tense whenever he met her.

"All right then…. Excuse me."

After bending over, Leyla dragged her bike past him and continued walking.

“You should act like a good woman, Leyla.”

Matthias warned as he looked at his back.

Leyla had just jumped on the saddle when she flinched and pulled back the bicycle.

"You know that. If you want me to be a real man, you must behave like a woman.”

Matthias slowly approached him, who could not get off the bike or step on the pedal. He continued,

“And I must be a gentleman to keep your bird safe.”

Leyla immediately looked over. He frowned and got off his bike. Matthias grinned as he tilted his head and stared at him. Her wet eyes looked petrified, but her crooked little lips voiced displeasure and rejection.

'The fussy woman.'

After long staring at him, who was trembling from his jokes, Matthias walked forward as if nothing had happened. Having no other choice, Leyla dragged her bike and followed her from behind with heavy strides.

Matthias sighed and turned around. “I never asked you to act as my helper.”

Leyla, who was grimly staring at her toes and following her like a shadow, suddenly raised her head, startled.

"Yes? Ah… ."

Though stubborn, he was smart enough to understand his point. He quickly took a few more steps towards her. His gloomy expression showed his displeasure, but their distance was still a step.

Matthias scoffed as he got his wish and stepped back.

As she began to walk again, Leyla carefully adjusted her steps. With bicycles between them, they walked side by side on the Platanus road.

No words were spoken between them. The refreshing night breeze was only filled with the sound of spinning bicycle wheels and fallen leaves being stepped on.

He was a man who walked very slowly with his long legs.

Leyla meekly glanced at him after turning her gaze to a path that seemed to be starting to fade away. He was a lethargic man, but his pace was very slow today.

He was not sure if he felt that way because of the awkward situation.

He was the same tall man as Kyle, but he showed an even greater and domineering presence. He reasoned, it was probably due to his straight, graceful posture, and distinctive eyes. His physical appearance also looked firmer and wider than Kyle.

'Maybe that's why he looks so different.'

Leyla made her own findings and deliberately turned her gaze upwards. He observed his white and delicate hands, his dark gray suit, his finely shaped tie, his expressionless lips and his eyes.

His sapphire eyes noticed his gaze and looked at it.

Leyla was suddenly engulfed in instinctive fear. He intended to lower his head, but his mind floated elsewhere.

As he looked into her eyes intently as if he was hooked, Matthias opened his lips.