Because of Ethan, I neither feel like eating nor doing anything. My phone starts buzzing, showing Aiden's caller ID. I don't pick his calls and place my phone aside. If he hears my voice, he'll comprehend that I'm not okay. But if I don't pick up his calls, he'll get angry. So, I take the phone and pick up the call. “Hello…Aiden,” I murmur, my voice barely audible. “Belle, what happened? Are you crying?” he asks instantly. “Is a guy troubling you? Did a guy touch you? Tell me. I'll beat the person. I'm here to protect you. You don't need to cry about anything. Just tell me what happened?” “I'm okay. No one touched me. Don't worry. I could beat a guy on my own if anyone would have touched me,” I inform and gasp. “I'm just not feeling well. I'll talk to you later. Bye.” I end the call and cover my body with a blanket, tears still shedding from my eyes one by one, the weight of loneliness pressing down on my chest. My head throbs from crying so much. Overall, I'm just a mess. Max
Flabbergasted by witnessing Ethan here, I don't even stand up to greet him and stay like that. My father approaches him and they both shake their hands greeting each other. Ethan averts his gaze to me and again to my father then; as they both sit on the sofas my mother walks inside the room. I am stunned. Don't know if I should stand and go, or stay here and listen to their talks. “How's the business going on?” my father asks him. "Everything is well, Mr. Dubois! Nice to meet you. Heard a lot about your hotels…sounds impressive,” Ethan says. "How do you think we can team up?" "Well, imagine this: we throw awesome events at your resorts, mixing live shows with the vacation vibe. It could be a hit, don't you think?" Ethan cocks his brows. "Hmm, I like the sound of that. But how do we make sure everything runs smoothly, with all the moving parts?" "No worries, we've got a skilled team for that. We'll work closely with your folks to make sure every detail fits the vibe of your pl
Pushing Ethan away from me, I take steps towards the elevator door and kick on it in frustration. My heart skips a beat as the elevator light starts flickering. The elevator jolts to a sudden stop. I press all the buttons, but nothing happens. Claustrophobia hits me hard, making it impossible to think clearly. My chest tightens and I can barely catch a breath. “Shit! We are stuck now,” Ethan curses under his breath, and turns on his phone's flashlight. I back into a corner, my hands shaking uncontrollably and my body sweating. My breath hitches in my throat, as my eyes widen in terror. The small space in the elevator is haunting me. “Help,” I try to murmur, my voice barely audible. Ethan averts his gaze to me, and comes towards me. “Belle, calm down. It will open. Don't panic,” he says, trying to soothe my anxiety, but I can't. All of a sudden, I see my younger self, stuck in a car. I'm crying and hitting the glass window of the car, trying to open the door. “Mom. Dad,” I'm
Next day, I attend the school, but don't know why—I'm not feeling well. I'm feeling like something bad is about to happen. It's the first time that Aiden didn't call me at night time. He didn't call me last night. Maybe he's angry that I didn't pick his call the previous night. And I didn't call him either; I never do. My gut feeling is telling that it's the calm before the storm. “I hope nothing bad happens,” I murmur to myself, as I enter the cafeteria. Now Ethan will come and sit beside me, like he does everyday. How bad my life is! No matter what I do, say, or behave with him, he is still adamant. Can't he like some other girl? Out of nowhere, the microphone’s harsh sound bounces off the walls, catching everyone off guard. What's this now? Why is there noise coming from the microphone in the cafeteria? “Attention, everyone.” As soon as I recognize the familiar voice I hear all day and night, I turn swiftly; and to my surprise, my eyes meet Aiden's eyes, who's settled on a
The school nurse bandages Aiden's head; since it's just a minor injury, there wasn't any need to go to the hospital. Aiden's head has been bandaged. And now, three of us—Ethan, Aiden, and I—we are in the principal's office. I'm standing in between them. Principal, sitting on his chair, is glaring at us, from the past few minutes. Three of us are silent, just staring at the floor, as there's nothing to utter. My mind is still swirling with thoughts of Ethan. How can a guy be like him? He hit his best friend's head, just because of a girl. To have me, Ethan can do anything. He's crazy, for sure. Breaking the ice, the principal finally blurts out, “Ethan and Aiden, you both are best friends. How did you end up fighting? Can you please share with me? Huh!” Ethan and Aiden exchange glances, and none of them utter anything. The silence works as fuel in the principal's anger. “Belle, at least you tell me what happened between them?” he asks. I don't know what to say. They both fou
Now that I have reached the police station, I scamper inside in a hurry. Aiden is sitting on a seat, in front of an officer. I take quick steps towards him. “Aiden…” I utter. He turns his head slightly to me, his expression hard. “Why are you here?” he barks. “How could I leave you alone?” I shoot a quick response. He gasps. “Belle,” he says, looking into my eyes. “Why don't you understand? It's not a decent place.” “I know, but I can't leave you alone. I'm your girlfriend,” I say, taking his hands in mine. And finally, a soft smile appears on his face. His face softens. “Don't worry about me. Dad will come soon, and I'll be discharged then,” he blurts out, caressing the back of my hand and kissing it. “Hey, Romeo and Juliet. Be lovebirds after going home. This is a police station,” the officer says. I nod in response. The officer averts his gaze to Aiden again and renders him his own phone. “Type your father's number. All the time you were barking…call my dad, ca
As Aiden finally pulls away from the kiss, he kisses my forehead gently and wipes my tears. “I told you, I can't see your tears. It hurts me,” he blurts out. My lips quirk into a smile, hearing his words. Aiden turns slightly to his father, his gaze unwavering. “I think you've seen the future,” he says. Mr. Allen is just glaring into Aiden's eyes, consumed by his outrage. “If I wouldn't have come here, you'd be behind the bars,” his father states. “Then go. I'll go to jail,” Aiden announces. I turn my face to Aiden, furrowing my brows. Why is he saying all this now? Does he want to cause more trouble for himself? What is the need to show ego now? Idiot! Both father and son are glaring into each other's eyes, their jaws tense. “Officers,” Mr. Allen says aloud. “I need to get my son out of here,” he says firmly, his voice commanding attention. The officer, terrified by his father's authority, nods and begins the process of releasing Aiden, while Aiden's father and brother ste
“Belle…please, listen to me. Open the door.” Aiden is begging me to open the door, apologizing for his behavior, but neither I open the door nor reply to him. Lost in my thoughts, I cry until I drift into a deep slumber. I just need something to escape this pain and hurt. Due to a loud thud, I flinch and open my eyes. The city lights shimmering like stars in the skyline view of Aiden's room's glass wall. I rub sleep from my eyes and settle on my feet. I'm feeling a bit better after taking a nap. “Belle…are you listening to me? Please, open the door. You are scaring me now,” Aiden's voice guards me off. Turning the door's knob, I open the door slowly. My eyes meet Aiden's eyes. He's sitting across the room’s threshold, tears brimming in his eyes. Settling on his feet, he steps towards me, while his tears begin to shed from his eyes. “I'm sorry. Forgive me,” he demands, cupping my face. Tears well up in my eyes as I gently push him away. “You always say sorry, Aiden. And you alw
The next day, overwhelmed by the realization that the boy from Corsica is actually Ethan, I decide to leave Sofia. I head to Corsica, hoping to relive the feelings and memories from my childhood, to see if they can help me understand the emotions that have been haunting me.The waves gently lap at the shore as I sit alone on the familiar sand of Ajaccio Beach, the place where our story began. The sun is setting, casting the sky in a warm, orange glow, but all I can feel is the cold emptiness in my heart, all I feel is the heavy weight of unanswered questions pressing down on me.I close my eyes, and in my mind, I can see Ethan sitting beside me, just like we used to. I lean my head on his shoulder, feeling the familiar comfort of his presence, even if it’s only in my imagination.“Why, Ethan?” I whisper, my voice trembling with the ache in my heart. “Why did you leave me waiting all these years? Why didn’t you come back for me?”Tears spill over, sliding down my cheeks as I continue,
I fold the letter and slip it into an envelope, carefully writing ‘A Letter I'll Never Give to Ethan’ on the front. I place the envelope in the book Beauty and the Beast, alongside the first rose Ethan gave me, the one I have pressed between the pages. With a deep sigh, I shut the book, trying to push away the lingering sadness.Just then, my phone rings. I answer, and my heart skips a beat when I hear it's a modeling contract offer.“Hello, Belle?” a voice on the other end says. “We’re thrilled to inform you that your first major modeling contract has been finalized. You’ll be featured on a billboard in Paris.”My eyes widen in disbelief. Paris—the city where fashion dreams come true—is where my face will be showcased. The excitement and pride swell inside me as I thank the caller and hang up, my mind racing with the reality of this incredible milestone.As soon as I hang up, tears well up in my eyes. This is my first major contract, a clear sign that my hard work is paying off. Over
Ethan looks more grown-up now. If I'm twenty, he might be twenty one, I guess. He looks more like a man than the teenage boy I remember. He still has that same cold, intense look in his dark brown eyes and his jaw remains tight, just like before. But now, these expressions are framed by a more mature face. Seeing Ethan taking slow, deliberate steps toward me, my heart begins to pound so hard that I can hear it echoing in my ears. Everything around us fades away, leaving just the two of us, lost in each other’s gaze. I can’t move, can’t think—only feel the magnetic pull between us growing stronger with each step he takes. “Are you really here?” I whisper, as he finally reaches me, my voice trembling with disbelief.“Yes, I’m here,” he replies softly, his eyes shimmering with tears.Tears brim in my eyes as I lock my eyes with his. “I don't believe it,” I mumble. Seeing him here now feels like a dream I don’t want to wake up from. “I'm imagining you.”It has been two years since we sa
It has been two years since I left New York City and Ethan behind. Now, at twenty, my life has changed dramatically. I’m thriving as a model, spending long days and nights on my modeling career. Photoshoots, fashion shows, and casting calls fill my calendar, leaving little room for anything else. When I'm not modeling, I'm handling my father's hotels and resorts businesses, trying to prove myself in a world that demands so much. It feels amazing, earning money by myself at this young age. In the whirlwind of responsibilities and ambitions, I've almost forgotten about love. Due to my busy schedule, I've completely let go of the idea of relationships and dating now. Two years have passed, and my shoulder-length hair—that had once been trimmed by Aiden—now falls comfortably to my mid-back. While it’s not as long as it was before, it has grown out beautifully, mirroring the changes and growth in my own life.I had been taking my medications and therapy sessions for schizophrenia as well,
The journey back to Sofia feels like a blur. I sit in the private jet with my father, staring out the window but seeing nothing. My mind is consumed with thoughts of Ethan, the pain of our separation pricking my heart. Once we land, I retreat into the familiarity of our mansion, but it offers no comfort. Days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, yet the ache remains. I isolate myself, shutting out the world and everyone in it. My parents are frustrated with my demeanor, especially my mother, who doesn’t understand why I’ve stopped caring about everything I once loved.In the solitude of my room, time seems to stretch endlessly. I spend hours staring out the window, feeling no shift in my own heart. The walls of my room, once comforting, now feel like a cage. Every object, every corner, reminds me of Ethan, of what we had, and what I’ve lost. And Ethan's hallucinations make it even harder to forget about him. “Belle, you need to get out of this house,” my mother snaps one day from
As graduation day approaches, the excitement that usually accompanies the end of high school is overshadowed by a deep sense of melancholy. I’ve spent the past few days packing up my belongings, preparing to leave the dorm that has been my home for these formative years. Every item I pack feels like a piece of my past being sealed away, and the act of boxing up my life brings an unexpected weight to my chest.The day arrives with its usual pomp and ceremony. The campus is filled with graduates in their caps and gowns, the air buzzing with a mix of excitement and nostalgia. The graduation ceremony itself is a blur of speeches and applause. I’m called up to receive my diploma, a moment that should have been filled with pride and joy. Instead, it’s tinged with sadness, as I feel the weight of everything that has happened. The graduation ceremony is also the final chance to see everyone before we all go our separate ways. Friends and acquaintances gather for one last hurrah. The atmosphe
I push open the heavy wooden doors of the church, the familiar creak echoing softly through the quiet space. I walk down the aisle, my footsteps muted by the worn carpet, and make my way to my usual spot—a solitary pew in the corner.The church is dimly lit, shimmering with a soft glow from the candles flickering by the altar. I sit down, feeling the weight of my heart pressing heavily on my chest. I bow my head, folding my hands in my lap, and let out a shuddering breath."God, it’s me again," I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. "I’m not sure how to start this conversation. I don’t even know where to begin."I close my eyes, trying to steady my racing thoughts. Ethan’s face flashes in my mind, and my tears begin to fall, tracing hot lines down my cheeks."I don’t understand why things had to end this way. I wanted so much more. I thought we had a chance, a real chance to be happy together."I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me."He said he loved me, but I
Ethan comes running behind me, asking me to stop for a second. As I keep on walking on the road, my vision blurs by the car headlights. I'm too lost in my thoughts to notice the car speeding towards me. Suddenly, I feel a strong hand grab my arm, pulling me back just in time."Belle, what the hell are you doing?" Ethan yells, his voice filled with panic and anger.I can hardly breathe, my heart pounding from the close call. I look up at him, and his eyes are filled with a mixture of relief and fury. My mind feels like it’s spinning, and I can’t tell what’s real or just a trick of my mind. Everything around me seems to blur, and I feel disconnected from my own thoughts. It’s like I’m trapped in a fog, struggling to understand what’s happening.I'm just done with my life. The schizophrenia makes it hard to define for me what's real or what's hallucination. I've literally gone mad. It would be better if I would have bumped into that car. Why did he pull me back?“Why the hell are you he
As he kisses and touches me, his hands roam possessively over my body. I gasp, feeling overwhelmed and exposed.“Ethan, it's enough,” I whisper against his lips.“No, it's not. I want more of you, sweetheart,” he whispers, his voice raw with desire. "What if someone enters and sees me like this?" I ask, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and desire. “I don't want anyone else seeing me in this semi nude form.”“You’re mine, Belle,” he murmurs, his voice low and possessive. “Every part of you is mine, and only mine. If anyone else dares to see what’s meant for me alone, I’ll make sure they regret it.”He looks at me with a fierce, possessive glare. "If anyone dares to see you like this," he growls, his voice dripping with intensity, "I'II make that person blind. No one can dare to take a glimpse of your naked form until I'm breathing. No one means no one.”Hearing Ethan's words, my heart pounds in my chest. The intensity in his voice, the fierce protectiveness in his eyes—it sends a