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You've been Marius' friend for a long time.
And that didn't change even when his mother had passed, or when his father urged him to go and study abroad - leaving you all alone.
Nothing changed when he came back and embraced you like always, nothing had changed when you cheered and smiled so big when he announced he was inheriting PAX corporation.
And while he was gone, you did your fair share of achievements. You'd become the person you always wanted to be - the dreams you've dreamed of became a reality as you stood at the blinding stage, your ears were ringing and your heart was pounding from everybody's praises.
When Marius became PAX's CEO you went on and became a renowned author, your novels sold a lot and you remember telling your friend about your first ever published book. Despite the tiredness in his voice, he remained enthusiastic for your sake.
And of course, you had asked what was happening on his end - if everything was proceeding smoothly and he shut down your worries with a melodious laugh of his own.
You've been Marius' friend for a long time.
But when you've turned on the television - you came across headlines that drained the color off your face. Your best friend had been detained...for what reason though? you didn't know. You went and frantically called Vincent and demanded to know what was happening. A few days ago, everything was fine. Things went according to routine and nothing was out of place...so why?
You'd spaced out when Vincent described Marius as being framed by one of his friend's companies, of course you were frantic - your heartbeat loudly resonated in the room. What did you have to do to help? With shaking hands, you had contacted his tutor - Vyn was someone you were also close with, having been able to bond and bond with him when both you and Marius were attending some tutoring sessions together.
Vyn had calmly explained what had transpired and although it relieved you knowing there was a defense attorney on his side - it didn't help quelling the worry bubbling up your insides. Even after the case was finished and you bothered Marius, there was still an inkling of doubt seeded into your heart.
It was only when you entered his studio that you knew why.
A flash of red and gold filtered your vision - the woman was familiar and you were trying to gauge on who she was. Recognition dawned into your body, it was Rosa - the up and coming junior attorney that defended your friend in court. You've also heard about her from Vyn, pure interest in his tone as he was recalling the times when he was with her.
Marius was laughing, and covering his mouth - Rosa glared at the man playfully, and it seemed as if you were interrupting their moment together. As you were leaving, the woman's eyes caught onto your figure, she smiled and waved you over - Marius gazed over where you were and his eyebrows raised.
It seems he wasn't glad to see you.
He covers up the disappointment on his features and places the wet brush back onto the canvas. With your mouth agape, you went and apologized for interrupting, Rosa stood up and walked over to you - it's okay! What seems to be the problem?
It seemed as if the girl was more interested in your presence than Marius himself. He was busy, humming and clicking away on his phone, you tried not to show how you were affected by his attitude but Rosa seemed to notice that something was off.
She coughed and led you inside but you put your hand up signaling otherwise. You shook your head and gave her a genuine smile - you couldn't be mad at her, she was nice and seemed to care more about your friendship with Marius than the man himself.
"Jiejie hurry up~" he whined, completely ignoring you. Your heart twinged, a sharp pain impacted your side and you winced - Rosa was curious to your sudden movement yet halted when Marius insisted for her to go faster.
"It's fine Rosa, I forgot what I was gonna do here anyway." you offered a forced grin - hopefully she doesn't see the cracks through your smile or the dimming light in your eyes. After a moment, she nods and goes back to where she was seated.
You leave with a heavy feeling weighing down your chest.
As somebody who writes for a living, you were stuck in certain scenes for this story. With every tick of the clock, you pause not knowing what scene needs to come next. Even after downing your third cup of coffee no rational thought enters your brain, and so you resort to scrolling - you had come so far that one certain article caught your eye.
PAX CEO Marius Von Hagen spotted with his defense attorney multiple times! Are the two encouraging more than a client-lawyer relationship?
You pause and stare at the blaring headline. It mocked you with all its might and the picture of the two mentioned ate away at your brain. A painful squeeze reverberates in your body and you brush it off as a normal thing.
The comments were none of your business yet you scroll and scroll, revealing that the public did enjoy their dynamics - some confessed they might have seen them out together a couple of times. You shake your head and huffed, the audacity of these people.
Despite how untrue the statements were in the article you couldn't help but to overthink, was Rosa a much better option than you? You felt another twinge on your chest this time, it was more pronounced and left a pulsing sensation in your body.
The document left untyped as you left your workstation for the meantime, grabbing your phone - you went and contacted Marius, he didn't pick up even if his phone was ringing. Why were you calling him anyway? He was busy today. You knew that, he already told everyone not to bother him…
You sighed and downed a cold glass of water, you needed to take your mind off of anything else and focus on the story you were trying to write - it had a deadline, so you should focus on that instead. And yet that stupid fucking article wove it's way back onto your brain, the picture plastered below it haunts your mind.
They do look good together…
It was another day, and Vyn had invited you to afternoon tea. He reasoned that he had missed your attentiveness and wanted more input on another one of his tea set escapades.
Agreeing, you didn't expect to see Marius and the young attorney along with your tutor. Your stomach churns, the breakfast you had earlier threatens to surge past your esophagus.
Again it was normal, that both of them were sitting so closely to the other while Vyn looked as if he was third wheeling - when he spots you by the NXX entrance - he calls out your name. You avoided the other two's gaze and sat beside Vyn.
"Oh Y/N, You're here!" he enthusiastically says, and you fight the urge to smack his head. Last time you went to his studio he had brought you for the sake of the woman beside him.
What changed?
You nodded still not looking in their direction. The white haired psychiatrist offers you a smile and stands up to bring over another cup of tea. This leaves you three sitting in awkward silence - in another situation, you would have caught up with Marius and maybe you've sat beside the man and nagged him about his activities for the week.
But now Rosa was the one who did it all for you.
Honestly, you don't hate her - you just despise your best friend more since he pays more attention to another woman as opposed to the person he supposedly claimed as his friend for life. The irritation slowly bleeds through your profile and Rosa notices your change in demeanor - she also spots how you were tense in your seat, your eyes frantically waiting for Vyn to come and save you.
"How are you today Y/N?" Rosa tries and asks, you snap towards her general direction - with wide eyes, you open and close your mouth like a fish out of water. "I'm doing okay, thanks for asking!"
Thankfully your voice didn't crack though it was still clear as day that your voice was getting a pitch higher, it was like a string that was placed too high and can't be reached. When Vyn comes back, he gives you the cup and you drink from it.
Forgetting that it was tea - and it was piping hot that you burn your tongue and choke on the beverage. All three in the room rush to your aid as you cough out loud - you splutter as tears slide down your cheeks.
A hand was on your back, and you stared at the culprit. Marius hovers over your hunching figure - he was concerned and kept rubbing your back to make you feel better. He had also gotten a cup of water presumably for you.
Once you had finished, you accepted the glass of water and downed it - thanking him afterwards and staying where you are. Why the hell were you like this? You just embarrassed yourself in front of these people and now they probably think you're a klutz.
You sighed loudly and kneaded the palms of your hands onto your eyelids, the throbbing pain left by choking and the scorching tea still hurts alot - and tears were once again ready to spill out of your eyes. "Hey, are you okay now?" your friend inquired, worried that you still weren't talking.
You hummed, and moved to stand up from the carpeted flooring. You noticed that both Rosa and Vyn were out of the room, "Oh, they actually left to clean up the mess. They'll be back soon though." he answered as he saw you were looking for the other two.
Even if it weren't the truth, you still nodded and sat down at the nearby couch. Sniffling, you glance down and try to forget the fuck up today. If only I stopped jumping to conclusions and assuming relationships maybe this would have been a normal day.
"It's not your fault okay?" Marius' voice rings in your ear. Your eyes move upwards and meet him - he had a lopsided grin on his face, his hands were hovering around your figure and it looked as if he was asking for permission.
You crash into his chest and embrace the hell out of him. Regardless of how hot your face was, you tightened your grip - his scent wafting by your nostrils, he smelled comforting…and very familiar. You both stayed in one position, the only noise being the air conditioner whirring to life every now and then.
And maybe just maybe this moment was meant for the two of you to reconcile.
If not for the sudden strain your chest began to feel, and it appeared to be hindering your breaths - your vision had started to blur together and something was rising up your throat - you pushed yourself off Marius - ignoring the concern tainting his voice - you ran towards the bathroom and gagged.
Nothing was coming out of your lips, your eyes started to burn and your back ached from how long you’ve been dry-heaving onto the toilet bowl. Your friend had rushed to where you were and he started soothing your weak body - yet his cologne once more invades your nose, and you cough violently.
You feel as if you’ll faint from your extensive stay by the toilet, you begin to taste metallic and when you crack your eyes open - you see blood and see a single pink camellia petal stirring in the water.
You found out that you’ve contracted the Hanahaki Disease - the irony of it all comes crashing down on you - what are the odds that a fictional sickness overcame you and rendered your body useless?
Bridled with panic, Marius had brought you to the hospital to get you checked. The whole way there - everything was blurry. The only memorable part of your trip was when you heard how his voice had wobbled over the phone and it looked as if he was crying?
Anything after that was a fog in your brain, you had overexerted your energy and needed rest - instead of your childhood best friend, Vyn had accompanied you during your stay in the hospital. You’ve mumbled that this too would pass like any other sickness, the man only gave you a glare and told the doctors to monitor your condition.
The whole hanahaki thing was something you remembered being discussed back in college - it was a storyline created mostly for angst storytellers to use, the perfect elements of yearning and dying by your lover’s arms such an appeal to those who have read them before. And honestly, you had tried writing one before - only that it didn’t end up as you wanted and you trashed it along with the other drafts you had in mind.
Most of the students ended theirs in demise - the protagonist completely succumbing to the suffocating bind, the love interest always left to pick up the pieces of their regrets and mistakes. Although some had made you shed a tear, you wanted to create an entirely different conclusion. The heroine in your story had found out of their inevitable passing, and quickly got rid of the problem.
She got treated - the vine and stems of the growing flower completely voided from her system - and along with it, her feelings had disappeared for the man she had affections for. The ending was overall bittersweet since time couldn’t be turnt back, and the damsel never reciprocated for anyone ever again.
As the night bled and transformed into morning, a nurse had entered your room on your fourth day - he had asked if you wanted to get ahead - get surgery you think he really meant. And you knew Vyn Ritcher had something to do with how nurses and doctors alike frequently visited your room to inquire the same thing.
Were you willing to remove the affections you held for a certain violet-haired boy?
Exiting the pristine and stifling building, you went home and foretold a lie, a lie that never in a million years would you say - you had said that you got treated and the ailment was no more - your heart no longer beats for Marius and even if he did harbor any affection towards you - you would be unable to reciprocate.
You smile sadly, and cough out another round of pink camellia petals speckled with carmine.
You’ve been Marius’ friend for a long time.
And despite the fact you never appeared anymore, he had messaged and called you multiple times after the small incident that occured at the NXX lab. With a sigh, he rubbed his palm over his forehead as another one of his calls went unnoticed.
This wasn’t like you at all - but if he had to be honest, he didn’t know you that much anymore.
He had drowned himself at work, Rosa and the others had noticed how much he was affected from your prolonged absence and it did not help that you were the only thing plaguing his mind for the past few weeks. Vyn especially gave him more pitying glances whenever the five of them had their daily meetings and it began annoying the hell out of him.
He had confronted Vyn after their meeting, cornered the older man before he had dashed out the door. Artem had given them an analytical gaze before walking out the laboratory along with Luke and Rosa. His tutor had a deadpan stare, maybe it was a bad idea to monopolize him like this - at this point Marius was desperate.
Someone he had regarded as a teacher, had his lips downturn and he glared at Marius. Of course said man is surprised at how hostile he seemed to appear. Vyn told him that you had suffered albeit not long and was still recovering.
Recovering from what?
Vyn’s words confuse him to the point that the conversation had no direction to follow, he huffs and steps back, rushing to come to where you were. He wanted to ask you personally what had caused your distance, and hoped to be forgiven if he had anything to do with what caused you harm.
And when he arrives, the door to your apartment was slightly ajar - it was so not like you to leave the door open like that though when he fully opens your door - a pungent saccharine scent hits his nostrils, he scrunches his nose and enters with a call of his name. There were pink petals scattered everywhere, some were rotten and the others looked fresh to the touch - the farther he stepped into your abode the more he saw the damage done in the property.
There were a multitude of jars haphazardly placed on the counter, sink, coffee table and even by the window. When he takes a closer look he recognizes them as pink camellias - a symbol of longing - Marius wondered where the flowers came from, if it were from a suitor hoping to receive your heart in return. From the looks of it, their efforts seem to never work as the camellias were littered across the flooring.
Did you rip away the bouquet offered to you? If so, where was the evidence of your doing? Even if you didn’t accept their advances, surely you must have wanted to keep these petals in good condition…and he even remembered how you rambled about wanting to be given a bouquet maybe even once.
As he walks closer to your bedroom, a sharp odor intermingles with the fragrant camellias - he opens the door and the once pitch black room swarmed with light. He gasps when he sees your body draped across the sheets, you looked beaten, sick and so-so pale.
He calls out your name once more, running beside your body and watching as a fully bloomed pink camellia went past your lips. Your features appeared devoid of light and happiness - it gave the impression that you were over it and let it keep happening to you.
Tears were spilling across his cheeks, this should be a nightmare, he thinks yet he gapes at you coughing weakly with blood spilling across your cheeks. He goes closer to your body and keeps muttering curses and a plethora of disagreement, but he was watching it unfold in front of him.
He wasn’t aware of what was happening to you, and his hands shook too much to contact any professional. His eyes were getting swollen - vision getting increasingly cloudy as his fingers caressed your cheeks. He was asking if you were alright and he seemed close to delirium.
You had enough energy to place your palm in his cheek, stroking his tear stained cheek. He also noticed how rough your hands were - when in reality it was supposed to be smooth and warm and something he had craved to touch.
“Please…don’t regret it…”
“What…?” His brows furrow, and his throat clogs with pain - why was this happening to you? His chest constricts and he feels as if something was squeezing the life force out of him.
“I’m sorry…I never told you…” He laughed incredulously, for what? You didn’t need to apologize after all it was his doing that you were probably suffering now.
You’ve been Marius’ friend for a long time.
You lied about getting treated - the seed had fallen into place when you realized you liked Marius Von Hagen, you were a goner when you realized he probably would never reciprocate your feelings. Yet you were afraid to forget the feelings you had been affected with - and you didn’t regret dying in his arms right then.
Even when he frantically tries to make you stay awake, you offer him your last beautiful smile and slowly your eyes blink and blink until darkness overcomes your vision.
Marius shouts your name, and afterwards coughs out what seemed to be petals of a purple hyacinth.