To the One Who's Only Cold to Me - Chapter 1

“Tone down your attitude, will you? No wonder people keep calling you a troublemaker.”

Aisha grumbled with a sulky face as soon as Daniel walked out. However, her voice carried no real blame or resentment, as she understood her relative’s concern.

With a deep sigh, Aisha leaned back comfortably on the couch. A cool breeze from the terrace connected to the lounge helped clear her stuffy feeling.

“It’s been six months since I saw him. He could’ve at least sent a reply. That mean Ian.”

Aisha muttered to herself as she looked outside. Though she had told Daniel not to criticize, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Her mind tried to understand, but her heart felt blocked and uneasy.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have come. He looked like he didn’t want to see me.”

But, as always, her disappointment didn’t last long. Aisha soon started blaming herself. Ian clearly wasn’t happy that she came. Being hated by him was her biggest fear, so without realizing it, she started regretting coming to the charity party.

“Don’t you think it’s silly to say that after you already showed up?”

Just as Aisha let out another deep sigh, a cold voice came from behind. Surprised, she turned around.

“Ian?”

The man leaning against the entrance was the very one Aisha had missed so much over the past six months. She hadn’t even noticed when he came in. Feeling nervous, she avoided meeting his sharp, cool blue eyes, wondering if he had heard everything she said.

“Tsk.”

Clicking his tongue, Ian walked toward her. With his long legs, he quickly reached her and gently grabbed her chin with one hand, lifting it slightly.

His icy blue eyes, once seen from afar, were now right in front of her. Drawn in by his irresistible presence, Aisha slowly lifted her lowered eyelids. Her cheeks had already turned pink. Confirming it was really him, Ian smiled deeply and spoke in a sweet voice.

“Aisha. How have you been?”

Smiling as he spoke, the man looked just like an angel. His well-shaped face shone under his brightly colored hair.

Aisha looked away from his smiling lips and met his eyes. Like a puppy looking at its owner, her sky-blue eyes sparkled with hope. But deep inside, nervousness and unease still remained. Noticing this, Ian twisted his lips slightly.

‘Still the same.’

It amused him. That wary, confused face in response to his sudden kindness. Her hopeful breath. Her flushed skin. It all looked so silly and pathetic.

And yet, that made it fun to hold her in his hand and toy with her. Ian smiled even more and let go of Aisha’s chin.

“You’re not going to answer me? It’s been six months, hasn’t it?”

His long fingers gently brushed her cheek and then tapped it. Startled by the sudden touch, Aisha flinched. But she didn’t turn her face away or move back maybe she didn’t dislike the contact.

“I’ve been well.”

She lowered her head slightly as she spoke, and her soft brown hair flowed down like water. Ian kindly pushed her hair back. Her ear, blushing red between her hair, looked lovely.

Without realizing it, he touched her ear gently. But as soon as he noticed something, Ian’s expression stiffened and he looked her over from head to toe.

Aisha was wearing a sky-blue dress that looked expensive. The lace on the sleeves and hem, along with the pearls at the ends, matched her soft, delicate appearance and created a beautiful, graceful look. And her shoes peeking out from under the dress were equally stunning. Shiny and in the same color, they were decorated with detailed embroidery that showed a master’s touch.

Everything looked perfect except for her earrings. The small pearl earrings were clearly cheaper than the pearls on her dress. Her loose hair mostly covered them, but someone with a keen eye would spot the mismatch right away.

‘She still has those.’

Those pearl earrings were a gift Ian had given Aisha long ago. He had bought them at a cheap accessory shop. Though the pearls were real, they were nothing to show off. Back then, Ian had lost his parents and hadn’t inherited his title or wealth. Living under the care of Count Parden, his guardian, he barely had any money. He bought those earrings with the little he had saved up.

‘Why is she wearing them again…? Annoying girl.’

At the time, he had probably been happy giving them to her. But now, just thinking about it irritated him. It felt pathetic him saving up every coin for such a cheap gift, and her proudly wearing it to this day.

“Anyway, that’s enough greetings. So, why are you here?”

Ian’s voice turned cold in an instant. Aisha’s face tensed at his sudden change in tone.

“Ah!”

As Aisha fumbled for words, Ian pressed the earlobe with the pearl earring. The sharp pain made her shoulders shrink, but she didn’t resist or say anything to stop him.

“I asked why you came. I’m pretty sure I told you not to.”

Ian’s fingers continued to play threateningly with her earlobe. Afraid of more pain, Aisha quickly replied.

“I didn’t get a reply telling me not to come. There must’ve been some mistake. I checked every day but there was no letter from you.”

Aisha had assumed Ian had sent a reply refusing her request to be his partner and asking her not to attend.

‘I’m sure Ian sent a letter! I just didn’t receive it!’

She had been upset from not receiving a reply, but now felt a little better thinking the letter was simply lost. That made sense he would never ignore her letter. Once she got home, she’d ask the maids to look for it. What paper did he use? What ink? What was the seal? If it was from Ian, she would treasure it no matter what.

“Of course you didn’t. I never sent you one.”

Ian’s words crushed her hopes in an instant. Aisha looked up at him with a confused face.

“Then what you said earlier”

“Ugh… this is tiring.”

Ian looked at her with frustration and sighed. Taking a step back, he crossed his arms and leaned lazily. His cold blue eyes showed no warmth, and Aisha’s sky-blue eyes trembled.

“Do I really have to spell everything out for you?”

“Geez… Not replying to your letter was my way of being considerate. It meant I didn’t want you to come. If I said it directly, you’d be hurt, right?”

That made no sense. Not replying to a letter isn’t considerate it’s just rude. And saying silence meant ‘don’t come’? It was ridiculous. But Aisha couldn’t argue or get angry.

“You know what this charity party is about I thought you’d understand at least this much. Tsk.”

Aisha lowered her head as tears welled up in her eyes. Compared to tall Ian, her small body shook.

Seeing her about to cry, Ian’s face twisted in annoyance. Why did she always make that face? She stayed so calm in front of others, but always looked like a crying child in front of him.

“What’s with that face? Did I say something wrong?”

That familiar expression only made Ian angrier. It was irritating, exhausting, and just unpleasant. Bursting with frustration, he snapped at her.

“Don’t cry. I clearly got my message across. You’re the one who didn’t understand. So why make me look like the bad guy?”

He looked like he was scolding her. Knowing Ian was truly upset, Aisha pulled away and scooted a bit from him. She was still within reach, but her small movement annoyed Ian even more. His eyes narrowed dangerously, as if he’d bite her if she moved any farther.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to cry.”

Not sensing the change in his mood, Aisha apologized while wiping her eyes with her sleeve. The soft lace scratched her skin.

Even after quickly wiping, her face still looked tearful. Ian, watching her turn away and wipe her tears, reached out irritably.

His veined hand grabbed her thin wrist and yanked it hard. Surprised, Aisha opened her tear-filled eyes wide. Ian avoided her gaze as he pulled a handkerchief from his jacket pocket. He carelessly dropped it into her trembling hand.

“Use this properly. If Daniel sees you like this, he’ll yell at me. You going to keep crying?”

“Ah… It’s okay. I have a handkerchief too.”

Looking blankly at the handkerchief, Aisha shook her head. She had brought her own and didn’t want to use Ian’s. Especially not the one embroidered with blue sage Her blurred eyes lit up slightly.

She fumbled to pull her handkerchief from her sleeve pocket, but her other wrist was still held. Seeing this, Ian scowled and snapped:

“Stop talking and just use it. I gave it to you, so don’t make me look like a fool.”

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