He knew he shouldn't have hope yet his heart would not be persuaded to give. He sat down on the edge of the sofa with his arm pressing against the back of the sofa. Lin seemed to freeze in the position as he continued to argue with himself. Finally Mai seemed to begin to stir. She slowly sat up while rubbing tears away from her eyes. Lin's attention strayed from his thoughts as the sofa started to shift beneath him. He looked at Mai. Her movements just made her seem all the more fragile. He didn't think to stop himself. He just moved forward, wrapping his arms around her little body and rested his head in the crook of her neck with his lips ever so slightly making contact with her skin.
In that moment he realised, he really had to let go of her. His love for her was overwhelming but he could never impose that upon her and ask her to turn to him instead, it would crush her. He knew Mai well enough to chance a good guess in how she'll react and what the results would be. After it's resolved, everything would seem like it never happened but the awkwardness will remain. Lin's resolve to turn his love for her as a woman to a different love was stronger than ever. He couldn't feel it but he knew that his heart was becoming lighter and stronger as the weight of love is making its leave. The tears flowed down from Mai's eyes, along her jaw line and made its landing on Lin's face. Not only had she hurt Naru and used Lin but she's also caused the two to fight. With shock, Lin pulled away from her with an apology. Mai cried even harder knowing because she's caused another misunderstanding.
"It's not your fault," Mai managed to muffle out "I'm sorry, I used you." Lin stopped and contemplated the thought. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'll be right back." Lin said in a low tone. Mai nodded in acknowledgement as she tried to stop the tears. Lin stepped out of his office and headed to the kitchenette where he pulled out a wooden box from one of the cupboards. He must be really angry at me for that. I'll have to explain it to him soon.She went to pick up the forgotten envelope and its papers.
Minutes later Lin returned with a tray. Balanced on the tray was a glass teapot and two cups. As he set the tray down onto his desk Mai could see inside the glass teapot was a flower. It was beautiful, it was simple and white yet it was elegant and spoke out with many words in its own way. The sight took Mai's mind off of things. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent it. Reopening them Lin held a cup for her. With a small thank you she took the cup, blew across the top and drank a little. The combination of the sight, smell and taste brought a little smile, but it soon disappeared as she questioned herself when was the last time she smiled. She clutched the warm cup in her hand a little tighter and began to gather the strength to tell him.
"I read it." said Lin. Silence he could take but a guilty conscience was another story, sure he had done other things he felt he shouldn't have but this was lying to someone he loves, who placed their trust in him. Mai lowered her gaze and nodded. Lin blinked. He blinked again.
"You left the papers out of the envelope." Mai stated