Chapter 2: Heartbreaking

I headed straight home to the condo, letting out all the pain and resentment that had brewed at the church. Quickly shedding my gown, a bitter smile crossed my face as I crumpled it and tossed it into the trash. Seeking solace, I stepped into the bathroom, allowing the water from the shower to cascade over me, tears mingling with the flow. An hour passed before the thought of changing clothes crossed my mind.

 

Gradually, I lay down on the bed, thoughts of the church incident causing fresh tears to cascade down my cheeks. The pain in my heart felt unyielding, enveloping me in a shroud of sorrow.

 

Awakening to the sunlight streaming into my room, I realized I had drifted to sleep with the window open. Despite the previous day’s turmoil, I readied myself for the office, having already filed for leave for the wedding that never occurred.

 

“Margaux, why are you here? You should take some rest,” Karen, my secretary, expressed shock at seeing me.

 

“I’ll go crazy if I stay cooped up in my condo. Plus, there's still work to be done. Holidays will come again,” I explained, my sunglasses concealing my weary eyes.

 

Making my way to the office, Karen voiced her concern, “Are you really okay?”

 

I mustered a smile as I removed my sunglasses, immersing myself in the tasks on my desk. Resolute in keeping my thoughts occupied, I delved into work, determined to stave off any lingering emotions.

 

The intercom on my desk stirred with Karen’s voice, “Lester is on the line. Do you want to speak with him?”

 

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself before answering, “I’ll talk to him.”

 

Lester's voice pierced through the line, causing my heart to ache. “Margaux, can we talk? I love you, something unforeseen happened that prevented me from making it to our wedding. Please, I need to discuss this with you,” he pleaded. “Babe?”

 

Gathering my composure, I replied, “Okay. Let’s talk after office hours,” before swiftly ending the call.

 

The day swept by in a blur as I kept myself occupied.

 

“It’s Lester again,” Karen’s voice crackled through the intercom.

 

Responding, I accepted, “Hello?”

 

“I’m outside your office,” Lester revealed.

 

“Okay, I’ll come down.”

 

Without fussing over my appearance as I usually would, I made my way to meet Lester outside. As I emerged from the building, I spotted him leaning against his car. My heart thudded with a mix of emotions. Dressed in a white V-neck shirt, light-colored jeans, and casual shoes, he seemed disheveled yet undeniably handsome. A cigarette lingered between his fingers, betraying signs of fatigue with dark circles under his eyes.

When Lester noticed me, he promptly discarded the cigarette and greeted me with a kiss on the cheek, which I deftly avoided.

 

"What else do we have to talk about?" I questioned, my irritation palpable.

 

"Let's discuss this elsewhere," he suggested in a hushed tone, guiding me toward his car.

 

"No, thank you," I firmly declined. "I prefer to use my own car."

 

With no alternative, he acquiesced, and we drove to a nearby restaurant in separate cars.

 

"What would you like to eat?" he inquired as we settled down.

 

"Just water," I curtly responded, despite my earlier hunger pangs. I desired a swift end to our time together.

 

"Honestly, Marg, baby..." He reached for my hand resting on the table.

 

"Do not call me that!" I interjected emphatically, pulling my hand away.

 

"Margaux... I regret what happened. It was unexpected," he explained with a quiver in his voice.

 

"Lester, I thought we both desired this ever since I said yes to you. You've discarded what we built over the past three years!" I retorted, disappointment evident in my voice.

 

"I truly desire a future with you," he murmured softly, kissing my hand gently.

 

I gazed at him intensely, still finding him physically attractive. His dark eyes, sharp nose, and crimson lips gave him an Adonis-like appeal.

 

As the pain in my heart transformed, I endeavored not to cry in his presence. Tears threatened to spill, prompting me to question, "Tell me, Les... What transpired between us? Where is the promise to keep me from harm? Our families are hurting because of your actions!" Emotions swelling, tears brimmed in my eyes.

 

"Shh, please don't cry, babe," he attempted to soothe, wiping away my tears.

 

"Stop it! It's all nonsense!" I exclaimed, pushing his hand away, drawing the attention of other diners.

 

"Please, baby, give me one more chance. I can make things right. I promise!" he implored.

 

"I don't want to hear your excuses for not showing up at our wedding. This marks the end of our relationship. We cannot return to how things were because you shattered us!" I declared, rising abruptly and storming out of the restaurant.

 

"Margaux!" Lester pursued me, grabbing my arm tightly when he caught up.

 

"Let go of me!" I demanded, breaking free from his grasp.

 

"I won't let you go. Please, Margaux, just give me time to set things straight. Trust me, after this, I'll marry you in any church. Please, baby..." he beseeched, his voice laden with urgency.

 

"There is nothing left between us, Lester! It's over!" I declared coldly.

 

"I refuse to let you walk away. I'm only asking for some time to fix this situation I'm in. Believe me, I'll marry you in any church after this. Please, baby..." his tone softened, but it failed to sway me. In a fit of frustration, I slapped him hard across the cheek.

 

"I'm not a puppy you can abandon and retrieve at will!" I exclaimed. "You were my first love, my first boyfriend, the one I envisioned a future with," I continued, undeterred by the onlookers outside the restaurant. "I gave you everything, yet it wasn't enough! It's devastating because you were my first love, but you're also the first to break me.”

Tears streamed down my face, a mix of emotions welling up within me. Regretting the vulnerability of shedding tears in front of him, I swiftly brushed them away and made a beeline for my car, yearning to escape the tumultuous encounter.