Prologue

'I never imagined that my best friend would become the love of my life,' Lily mused while dancing with Lucas, her childhood friend and boyfriend of five years.

"This is the best week I have ever had. I will always remember these past few days," Lily remarked before Lucas let her make a complete turn as they danced. 

Lucas grabbed her waist and leaned down to peck her lips. He softly said, "I'm glad I made you happy."

For an entire week, Lucas had been with Lily, which did not happen often since they lived cities apart and were busy with their lives. 

Lucas was from Rose Hills City, while Lily was from Braeton City. Lily was a tough kind of girl and had enlisted in the military. On the other hand, Lucas was studying medicine, but despite their busy schedules, they have survived a long-distance relationship. 

In the villa where they stayed for seven days, the couple shared the same bed each night, cooked meals daily, and spent endless hours kissing and recounting stories about their childhood. 

Lucas would fly home the following afternoon, so they had an in-villa date. Lucas prepared a special dinner, and they had been dancing to romantic music for over an hour. 

They were both dressed to impress like they were in a five-star restaurant, but the truth was they were only in a private villa Lily's parents had rented due to safety reasons. 

"I miss this. I missed you so much," Lucas expressed. 

Hearing his words, Lily bit her lip. She regretfully said, "I'm sorry. Because of me, we were forced to take too many security measures, and I couldn't travel to see you anymore."

Lucas shook his head. He assuringly said, "It's okay. It's not your fault, and I promise you, everything will be alright."

It was because Lily got involved with a private organization while serving in the military. It resulted in a threat to her life. The same organization was meant to save lives. However, Lily learned it was merely a front, and the leaders had ulterior motives for creating the group. 

She wanted out, but that proved to be difficult. That was why she was in a house, locked down with complete security. She had to distance herself from her family for their protection, and it was also why Lily and Lucas had not seen each other for two months.

As they danced, Lucas chuckled and said, "It was always your ambition to help save the world, but you ended up working with the wrong people. Shit happens."

"Right. Shit does happen sometimes," Lily echoed, laughing with him. "Thank you for understanding, Lucas, and always having my back. I love you so much."

"I love you," Lucas declared while cupping her cheek. "I will do anything for you."

Soon, the music shifted to a familiar tune. Lily often dedicated the same piece of slow music to Lucas in high school. Lily chuckled, recalling her previous one-sided love for him. 

"God, this song reminds me of when I cried over you because I thought you would never look at me as a girlfriend!" Lily expressed. 

"So that's why you tried to wear a skirt and high heels?" Lucas teased. 

They both laughed because Lily was not the princess type. She preferred jeans over dresses more than anything.

"I had always had my eye on you, Lily," Lucas declared. Then, his face turned serious as he revealed, "I wanted to pursue you at the right time, not when we were in high school."

"I know that now," Lily smiled and studied Lucas' intense dark eyes. 

In the next few seconds, they were silent. Lucas's gaze landed on her lips, and he did not hesitate to passionately kiss her. They stilled, merely relishing in that heated kiss. They were so engrossed with the kiss that Lily felt the heat crawl to her cheek. 

When Lucas pulled away, he took out a velvet box from his trouser pocket. Inside were two necklaces made of bead golden chains, and they had golden tag pendants too. Lucas said, "This is for you and me. Something to remember me by and remind me of you forever."

Lily pouted while Lucas put on her necklace. She remarked, "I have too many gifts from you to remember you forever."

Lucas chuckled. He replied, "I know. I just wanted to give you one more."

He also wore his necklace. His pendant had Lily Rose carved, while her pendant had Lucas' name on it. 

Lucas held Lily's pendant and said, "When you feel sad, and I'm far away, hold on to this."

He held his pendant and suggested, "I will do the same, thinking of you."

Because of what Lucas said, Lily could not help but be sentimental. She asked, "Why are your words so emotional?"

Lucas did not answer. Instead, he held her tightly again and danced to the remaining music played in the background. Eventually, he softly said in her ear, "Lily, I - I don't know when I'll see you again. I - I don't think I can hold back tonight. I want you, Lily."

With that, Lily gasped. 

Truthfully, it was hard to hold back since she loved Lucas beyond compare. Nevertheless, they had preserved their innocence because their families were good friends. They both did not want to do anything that would disappoint their parents. 

However, since Lily was alone with Lucas, she figured, why not? She loved him, and she knew Lucas would never hurt her. 

That night, Lily and Lucas made love for the first time. Their bare bodies were in synch through the night, tangled in white satin sheets. 

It was already in the wee hours when they finally decided to rest. While Lily cuddled into Lucas' chest, she heard him say, "I will always love you, Lily. No matter what. Remember that."

In her drowsy state, Lily did not think much about it and simply answered, "I love you too."

Lily thought her life was perfect despite her current situation. With Lucas by her side, she could withstand all the trials in her life. Sadly, when Lily woke up the next day, Lucas was gone. The security said Lucas left in a rush at dawn. They all thought she knew. 

Again and again, Lily called Lucas' number, but his phone was off. 

"Lucas, where are you?" She murmured before calling everyone who knew Lucas. 

Lily also called Lucas' parents, but to her surprise, Lucas' father said, "Isn't he with you, Lily? I received his text last night saying he would stay longer with you."

Everyone started to look for Lucas at that point, but he seemed to have disappeared. They only discovered that he had withdrawn a substantial amount of money a month ago. 

In the following days, Lily escaped the villa that was supposed to protect her. She wanted to find Lucas herself. She went through panic, desperation, anger, and denial of what was going on. 

"Lily, maybe you missed something. Go back to the villa and check for clues," her brother suggested during one of their trips to Lucas' medical school. Thus, she went back to the villa and turned her room upside down. Then she saw the note that had slid under her bedside table. 

Lucas had apparently left her a note. Lily frantically opened it and read:

[Lily, 

I'm sorry it had to be this way, but I know I would not have the courage to tell you this in person. I love you with all my heart, but I must leave. 

I wish I could say that I will be back, but the truth is, I don't know what the future holds for me.

Don't wait for me. Don't look for me because you won't find me. Live your life and be happy. 

Goodbye.

Your best friend, 

Lucas.]

'Goodbye. Don't wait for me.' The words echoed in her head.

Lily's heart stopped beating for a second. Her eyes became muddled with tears. 

She could not believe it. Her best friend and the person she entrusted her heart to, left her without giving a proper reason.

"Lucas!" Lily screamed. "Why? What did I do to deserve this?"

"Lucas!"

"Lucas, tell me why?”

That day, Lily screamed her heart out, but no matter how many times she called Lucas' name and asked the heavens, her questions remained unanswered. 

***

Nine months passed. 

Despite Lucas's letter, Lily and her family continued their search for Lucas. Only the heavens knew how much resources they had spent to locate the man. However, things took a complete turn when something new came into her life. 

From inside her bedroom, Lily watched a sleeping baby in a crib. 

Lily wept at the baby's cute face. No matter what, this baby was a gift, a new reason to keep going. Thus, Lily decided to close a chapter in her life and start anew. 

She opened her bedside drawer and took out the note that Lucas had given her before evaporating in the face of the earth. She took the letter to the bathroom and flushed it down the toilet. 

She said, "I accept your goodbye, Lucas."