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“You know, no matter how much we fought, I've always hated watching you leave.”

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RIA'S POV

"I can't believe you didn't say anything when your mum insulted me again!" I yelled at my boyfriend pacing back and forth. "I mean, five years Nic, five freaking years! And you couldn't even defend me." I stopped my pacing and turned towards him.

"You're making a big deal out of this and blowing it way out of proportion. This isn't the first time she's done this so you should be used to her by now," he remarked nonchalantly. "She didn't mean what she said. You know how my mum is. She was just upset and took it out on you," he added in a bored tone.

What? Upset?

"Oh my God! Upset? Really Nic?" I exclaimed. "She was so upset that she had to literally downgrade my intellect and lifestyle in front of her snobby stuck up rich friends? And you, you supported her," I accused panting heavily because of my furious pacing.

"I hate you," I spat taking in his expressionless manner as he sat on a chair with all his attention on his phone, not paying heed to what I was saying. To him, I may have been saying rubbish. God, I'm so stupid!

My friends warned me that being in a relationship with someone of different class and status would be toxic but I didn't listen.

"You know what? I'm done," I say with finality. "I can't stay in a relationship where my boyfriend and his mother don't give a damn about me. Don't you see how messed up that is? Since we started dating, I can't remember the last time I and your mum went out for lunch— heck, you and I don't even spend quality time together again. I may as well be dating a freaking shadow!"

I thought I saw him flinch but maybe it was nothing. He stood, put his phone down on the counter and with a sigh turned to me. "Look Ria, don't talk about my mother that way like you know her," he said calmly. "At least I have a mother, where are your parents, you're just a lonely orphan." He said.

Tears dropped from my eyes as his words pained me.

He continued, "If you want to leave, the door's open. If you're staying, then you better learn to control that part of your face called your mouth." He folded him arms and glared at me.

I didn't speak for a while, just stood watching him and absorbing everything he said to me. His brown eyes which radiated love and warmth were now replaced with a cold, dead and icy glare. A sob escaped my lips and I nodded once.

The decision has been made, I thought. I won't stay where I'm not wanted. I have my dignity.

Without saying a word, I walked past him to the bedroom we had shared since the last three years. Three years of which I couldn't count how many times I laughed and smiled. I had hoped the relationship would he better with time— look at me now.

I pulled out a traveling bag from beneath the wardrobe and placed it wide open on my bed, sorry–the–bed. Opening the closet, I packed all my clothes and dropped into the bag half-hazardly. I quaked as fresh tears made their way down my face as I looked at the dress he sent to me the night before he asked me to be his girlfriend. He told me that it's purple colour complemented my round grey eyes. I guess that was all a lie. Just as how he lied about his parents being enthralled by our relationship.

Did he even love me, or did he lie about that too?

Mustering up courage, I packed my clothes, shoes and necessary equipments in exception of the purple gown and the jewelries. I went to the bathroom to wash my tear-rimmed face and my heart broke as I looked at the figure that stared back at me.

My brown hair was in fringes and tangled up so much because of how much I pulled at it these last hours. My eyes were swollen and red making it evident that I'd been crying, and my throat ached and was sore from all the yelling and screaming. I sighed.

I won't ever feel this pain again, I vowed silently. After washing up, I carried my bad and with a deep breath walked out to the living room. I didn't stop till I reached the door. I rested my hand on the door knob contemplating within myself. I dropped my bag on the floor with a small thud and turned to see him the way I'd left him, but now his face had a weary look on it.

"Aren't you going to stop me?" I croaked with emotion. I swear I saw remorse flash through his eyes but it disappeared as soon as it came. Maybe I'm just seeing what my heart wants to see.

He said nothing, just stared at me. I let out a resigned sigh, and with a heavy heart walked out the door shutting that chapter of my life for good.

***

The snow fell a top me as I dragged my things to the sidewalk. I didn't have anyone to call, nobody to lean on. I was all alone. My parents were gone, murdered, and I didn't have anyone to reach out to. I was all alone.

I felt tears flow freely to my cheeks and I made no move to clean them. It became so much that I dropped my bags and crouched to the ground, clutching my chest as I cried heavily. My shoulders shook so much that I fell on my knees and wailed out my eyes.

I felt a vibration in my pocket and brought out my phone. Zacks name showed on the screen, and I answered.

"Hello?" I sniffled, rubbing my eyes with the back of my palm.

"Hey pumpkin, how are you doing?" He asked cheerfully. I just clutched my phone tightly to my ear and sniffed continuously. "Ria? Why do you sound like that? Have you been crying?" He asked with a worried tone, "shit, what did that prick do this time?"

"I-i, I'm not okay. C-can you come pick me up, please?" I pleaded as fresh tears threatened to flow.

"Sure, sweetheart. I'm on my way. Hang in there okay? And don't hang up, I need to know you're still okay." He said and I could hear rustling of things from his end.

I nodded then remembered he couldn't see me and replied an "Okay" quietly.

Zack kept on talking to me as he drove and I just hummed in response till I saw a black car speed up the driveway. In record time he was out the car and by my side engulfing me in a tight, long hug.

"It's okay. I'm here. I'm here," he shushed as I cried in his embrace. "God, you're freezing!" He remarked and pulled off his coat placing it on me. I hadn't realized that it had started to snow. He then pulled me to my feet and into his embrace again. "Everything will be fine. I'm here now," he soothed till I stopped crying.

"Come-on, let's go." He carried my bags and walked slowing to my pace. He dumped them at the back seat and opened the front door and I sat in. He buckled my seatbelt and placed a gentle peck to my forehead, then walked over to the drivers side and entered the car.

"Just close your eyes and sleep, okay?" He placed his hands on top of mine and squeezed gently. "I'm going to take care of you, nothing's going to happen to you," he reassured and I closed my eyes and fell in rhythm to the humming of the heater.

***

My eyes fluttered open slowly and I woke to the feeling of being carried. That, and the massive headache I was feeling. I groaned and got Zacks attention.

"Hey, sugar plum. Think you can walk?" He asked softly and I nodded. We had arrived at Zacks house and I could see the ferns that decorated his sidewalk. I would have never pegged him for a plant kind of guy, but he made it work regardless. As I put my feet on the ground and stood, I felt lightheaded and stumbled for a sec, before gaining my stamina.

"You good?" He asked and I nodded. I slowly walked to the door and when he opened it, we stepped in. He dropped my bags at the entrance and pulled me towards the guest room.

He opened the door and sat me on the bed. He knelt to my eyes level and held my hands. "There's hot water in the shower. There are warm clothes in the closet for you. Take as much time as you need," he said, stood, then left the room.

I stayed on the bed for some time, face in the pillow as I cried my heart out again. I thought we were going to live happily ever after. I thought his family liked me. I didn't know it would end this way. My chest felt so tight, and my heart hurt so much that I wanted it to burst. What is this pain? Is this what heartbreak is all about?

I remembered his cold eyes as he told me to shut up or leave. Where did I go wrong with Dominic?

That feeling of discontent, discomfort, displeasure. That void that is left open with unanswered questions and you'd feel like tearing your hair out to solve them.

I sighed. I won't let him hurt me anymore. I deserve better than this. With new determination, I stood up and entered the bathroom, took a shower and put on an all black joggers and sweater from the closet.

I saw the painkillers and a glass of water on the table counter near the bed and smiled sadly. I popped two tabs into my mouth and gulped them down with water. Thanks Zack! I looked at the clock on top the table which read 22:30.

Wow, I didn't know it was that late...

After dressing, I went out to the kitchen and saw a pizza box with a sticky note on top. “Help yourself to this... Sorry that it's the only thing available. Would treat you to breakfast tomorrow. Love you xxx Zack!”

I smiled at his thoughtfulness and ate some slices, then drank water and went back to my room. I laid on the bed, curled up and covered myself with the duvet. I closed my eyes yet all I could see was the dark side of the man I thought loved me.

***

Zack really kept through to his word and brought me to a place called Sunny Sweets Cafe. The place had its own cuteness and was bustling with energy.

The cafe walls were pink with white stripes. The tables were round and black, decorated with a flower vase in the middle and the menu placed a jar on top, with red chairs. The waitress wore pink button up gowns with white aprons and white shoes.

"Heyyy, this place is really nice." I complimented as we sat in our booth. My stomach growled as the scent of melted butter and syrup on pancakes, waffles, bread and scones waffed through my nose.

Zack laughed. "Guess we better order before heads start turning this way," he remarked and called a waitress.

"What can I get for you sir?"

Zack raised a brow at me and I scanned through the menu. "We'll have, uh, the pancake tower with loads of syrup, two servings of omelet eggs with cheese, and then two cups of Americano?" I looked up at Zack in question and he answers with a bemused grin.

She wrote all I said and raised her brow. "Will that be all?"

"Yep, thanks."

She left and I turned to Zack all sobered up. I picked a non-existent lint on the table as I spoke. "Thanks for coming yesterday. I really owe you one," I said getting teary eyed.

"Shhh, it's fine. That's what friends are for. Besides, you've been owing me a lot and I plan to cash in very soon, so be prepared." He stated and I laughed loudly. He always had a way of making me laugh.

We continued talking, then I felt as though someone was watching me from afar and as I turned, I saw his eyes. I thought maybe he had followed me here to beg me to come back, but when my eyes landed in the lady in his front, I turned angry.

"Hey, what's the matter? Scowl any harder and your eyebrows will join together," he joked but I was past the mood to laugh. Sensing I wasn't in the mood, he followed my gaze and hissed on sighting Dominic.

"Great," he mumbled. "He just had to spoil breakfast too."

"Wanna leave?" I gazed at him.

He shook his head and smiled brightly. "Nope, were going to stay and enjoy our delicious meal." He then turned and stared back at Dominic.

This just turned into a staring match and I never lose a staring match...