CHAPTER 1

"Babe, please! I swear to god, I didn't kiss her back! I love you, babe. Please, don't leave me... I love you..."

Even though my heart wants to forgive him badly, I refused to follow it. I would never let a man hurt me twice, once is enough. I cherish myself more than anyone because no one would do so. I only have myself, myself is enough. Loving myself is more worth it than loving a gluttony man for sex.

I maintained my stoic look without wavering my eye away from his. "You should have thought about that when you were busy devouring her disgusting filler. I'm done with your fucked up reasons, Falcon. We're done." As I stated those words, he ran towards the kitchen and came back while giving me a menacing look which I returned in an instant.

He pointed a kitchen knife in my direction with a threatening look. I didn't give in even though I was surprised by his unexpected actions. I expected him to accept it calmly as he doesn't seem to love me truthfully, it was only my looks.

"Take that back, Rhounzi. TAKE THAT SHIT BACK!" My eyes went bigger when he shouted.

"NO! We're done, Falcon. We are fucking done! Accept that just like how you accepted her lustful kisses!" I couldn't stop myself from reciprocating his anger. He was the one who caused shits between us and yet he has the guts to be furious? I should be like that but I remained quiet because I want a peaceful break-up! How shameless can he be? I can't believe I liked such a person!

His eyes went teary as if he had wholeheartedly accepted his defeat. "Please, don't leave me... I love you so much, Rhounzi..."

I scoffed. Was he trying to manipulate me? There's no way I'll fall for that shit, Falcon. Without any words, I took my bag and other belongings. I heard his sobs but I didn't look nor speak. I'm done, I'm so done.

Just when I was about to leave his condo, I heard him shout again. "Rhounzi! No! Please, no!" After his shouts, I heard hurried footsteps in my direction.

"I will leave peacefully, Falcon. Don't test me," I firmly said while my eyes took a swift glance at the kitchen knife he is holding.

"No! You are not leaving me, Rhounzi. You're mine! You can't leave me!"

My eyebrows rose up in an instant. This delusional prick... "Have you lost your mind? You don't fucking own me, I own myself." I chuckled before opening his front door. "You said I can't leave you?" With a triumphant smile plastered on my stoic face, I went out and faced him."Fuck you, I just did."

He took a threatening step forward while glaring at me. With a threatening stare, he pointed his kitchen knife toward his chest. "If you dare to take another step, I'll stab myself. Don't leave, Rhounzi."

I scoffed. Does he think I wouldn't dare to? "Who do you think you are? Huh? I have lived without any prick's help for twenty years, who are you? Go on, I'd be glad to see that, however, you aren't worth my time."

Falcon kept on shouting at me but I didn't mind it and went ahead. Even though It seems to be one-sided, I liked him. We have dated for six months, and of course, I have developed these unexplainable feelings toward him. Just when I entered the elevator, a lone tear fell from my eyes. I have been restricting it from falling since earlier but when the thought of me, being alone again crossed my currently wrecked mind; my eyes went teary and itchy.

Of course, it hurts. I thought he was different but my assumptions were all proven wrong.

My eyes caught a glimpse on top of the elevator and found out that I was about to reach the ground floor where the parking lot is located. I hurriedly wiped my tears off with my palm. I'm not wearing any make-up because Falcon likes it when I don't wear anything which amused me before. I wear make-up but I don't usually wear one every time. A gloss and a sunscreen will do.

My face got a little bit messy because of my tears. Some eyelash is detached from their origin and is plastered around my cheeks. My face turned pale red and sticky as well due to my tears. Exactly when the door spoke that I have arrived at my destination, a gray handkerchief was already facing me. When I looked up to check what was happening, I saw a very tall man, standing next to me with earbuds attached to his ears. He isn't directly looking at me but he is clearly offering his handkerchief to me.

I want to pinch myself out of embarrassment. I looked away and decided to accept his offer before saying, "thanks."

I can't believe a man saw me crying silently. I looked like a mess! Just when I was about to leave with a grumpy face, I heard him speak. "Don't worry, I didn't hear anything. I hope you don't get upset about it. Just think of me as a normal bystander."

I didn't look back and just silently went to my car's location. I just want to go home and take a rest. I drove while listening to my favorite musician bands and of course, Arctic Monkeys are one of them. Their music is just my vibe, I love their vibe. Thankfully, my mind got occupied by their song's lyrics that's why I forgot about my recent break-up. While I'm on my way to the condominium building where I reside, I dropped off at my favorite cafe called Lilyum's cafe. Their pastries are one of a kind and their owner is kind as well. She would usually give me free coffee and donuts whenever I encountered my break-ups with my past relationships.

I went inside her cafe and placed two bills in the donation box. The money from it is used for kids without any family because the owner herself is living all alone. I went to the huge table where varieties of bread, cupcakes, and cakes are placed. I took the small-looking basket and went to pick what I want. I took cookies, muffins, and some pretzels. When I got satisfied, I went to the front desk where the owner resides.

I smiled as soon as she greeted me with one. Her smile vanished when I got close to her, "did you cry? What happened?" she asked. My smile remained a bitter one. "I broke up with Falcon."

She gasped. "W-what? Why?" As expected, she got surprised because I was, too!

"He cheated," I simply answered while my eyes roamed around her cafe. There is also another customer but they are at their respective tables; dine in.

She gasped again, "WHAT?!" she shouted out of shock. I closed my eyes out of embarrassment and frustration as soon as I felt the other customers' attention on us.

I glared at her, "shut up. You're ruining their appetite." She immediately apologized to her customers and her attention was again focused on me. "What happened?"

"I saw him with his neighbor, making out inside the elevator," I said with a disgusted expression. I can't believe them, of all places. Shameless!

"Men really are a product out of lust," she said out of nowhere and I immediately agree. "Of course, my dad is an exception. He's way better, loyal, and man of his words." She said proudly and I agree again.

"We're all a product out of lust, not just men. They're more shameless, though."

"That makes sense..."

"Yep. Anyway, here's mine." I handed her the small basket and her smile got wider.

"Why get these when you're going to receive a bunch of boxes of these, anyway?" she asked while looking at my chosen pastry.

I shrugged, "I just want to. Besides, I want to reward myself today for cutting ties with that prick."

Once again, she smiled before entering her kitchen. It took her a couple of minutes before heading out while holding several boxes. She placed it on the counter before preparing my iced coffee. She knew me too well.

While she was busy with my iced coffee, I looked down at the boxes and as expected, there was a handwritten note on them. I have been receiving free pastries from her cafe for almost two years. I am a loyal customer of this shop but these aren't from here, these are from someone else. I never knew who that person is but since I get to eat my favorite pastries, I didn't mind it. I kept on asking the owner about this but she would only answer me with a shrug. I don't know if she's keeping it a secret for that person or she really doesn't know a thing base on her personality. Along with these boxes of pastries are handwritten notes and letters, mostly filled with encouraging and sweet words with compliments but that one sentence has always been present in these letters; a confession of love.

Usually, whenever I'm on my usual spot in my condo, I would eat these goods while reading them. For two years, it's not even surprising that it has turned into a usual hobby of mine. Somehow, these letters have been brightening my day whenever I'm having a not so pretty day because of the encouraging and cheerful words.

"Zi?" My mind went back to reality when I heard the owner's voice, calling me using a nickname she created for me. She's the very first person who called me that nickname, actually. I never had a nickname created for me because I never had any close friends because of my attitude and also, I kept my distance from people who tend to socialize with me even though it's pretty obvious that they don't like me.

"Hey," I replied with my eyes focused on the cup she was holding. My eyes glistened with delight, "wow, I can't believe your eyes got all sparkled because of my iced coffee. I'm flattered."

I looked at her with disgust, "duh, your goods are top tier that's why it's deserving. I'd rather live with you than marry a lustful man. At least, I get to eat your baked goods."

Mhm, that's actually a good idea but I don't think we can handle each other.

"Yeah, that's a pretty good idea. If I'm my schedule isn't tight, you'll be surprised because I'll barge right into your condo. Oh, my god. I'm so excited."

I smiled, "sleepover? Sounds great. Teach me—"

Just as I was about to ask her to teach me how to bake, the door's bell rang which means someone entered the cafe. The owner's face turned brighter because another customer has appeared and with a delightful smile, she greeted the new customer.

"Good afternoon, sir!"

"Good afternoon." My eyes grew bigger when I recognized the new customer's voice.

It was him! The guy earlier!

I turned my body back to have a gaze at him but looks like he already noticed my presence first as he is already staring at me. He isn't wearing any earbuds and his white long sleeve polo. He is wearing a plain gray sleeveless shirt and his pants earlier. I can feel the other customers' eyes on him as well, he has the looks, after all.

I turned my back on him and coincidentally, my order is already packed well and ready to go. I took the paper bag and my iced coffee before announcing my leave to the owner. She nodded and we bid our goodbyes.

I hurriedly went to my car because of my excitement. I want to eat them already, my mouth is already aching to try these. I opened my car and placed my food on the passenger seat before I started my car's engine. I was already planning to drive off but someone knocked on my car's window.

I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my calmness because irritation is overflowing inside my body. I pulled my windows down irritatedly and didn't even bother to greet whoever that person is.

"WHAT?" I asked, slightly hissing.

It was the guy earlier, again. He slightly flinched when I spoke, looks like he isn't expecting my response to be like that. "Can I get my handkerchief back? I know it's rude but that's very important to me."

His handkerchief? I didn't return it? I thought I did! "Oh, wait for a second," I replied and checked my belongings. My body literally felt cold when I didn't see any signs of his handkerchief. I have tried to re-check again but I saw nothing.

What the actual fuck?

"Is there by any chance, a problem?" He asked. I turned around and faced him with guilt written all over my face. I don't know how to inform him about it because I can see how dearly it is to him. He looks bothered when I faced him, looks like he noticed my guilty expression, either.

"Uhm... I think I lost it somewhere..."

"Fuck..." Before he can speak, his phone rang. He didn't mind it but it rang continuously and it was bothering me so I suggested that he should answer it first. That could be an emergency or what. He took a small distance from me and answered it, while holding his phone, his eyes never left mine. My brows creased when he muttered curses and went in my direction hurriedly. He then, took something from his pocket and handed it to me which I confusingly accepted even though I'm clueless.

"I need to go. Here's my card, I'll contact you regarding my handkerchief. Bye!" And without waiting for my response, he left.

Surprised by the event, I stared at his calling card and my eyes didn't leave his bizarre name plastered on it. An amused smile began forming on my lips, "Hazard? What a mystifying name he got."

Little did I know, I have already taken his perilous pitfall.