0001: Three Years

As Edward stepped out of the airport, he chose the silver car. One of his uniformed staff members opened the door for him. From a distance, he spotted his cousin, Addie, running towards him, eager to catch him before he left.

 

“Edward!” Addie blocked the car door, her presence a stark contrast to the luxurious setting. She wasn't the typical billionaire, dressed simply and with a boyish charm, but she’s the CEO of AG, or Addie's Gazette, a rival company to JN Magazine. Edward knew instantly what she’s up to, her gaze and posture revealing her intentions. She wanted to get the scoop on the news that had just broken about his love life. 

"You got a secret girlfriend?" she asked directly, holding her newly switched-on recorder. Edward just laughed at her dedication to her job as a journalist.

 

"Yeah, for five years. We're getting married soon," Edward replied casually, starting the car engine. It’s a clear signal that he wasn't going to engage in a long conversation with his cousin.

 

"Oh, damn," Addie swore, hitting the roof of Edward's car. "Why didn't you tell me? JN Magazine beat me to it. I'm your cousin, Edward!" she demanded.

 

"You mean, JN Magazine, the company of your ex boyfriend?" Edward teased, getting a wide-eyed response from Addie. Despite her boyish aura, she had a single, short-lived romance.

 

"I-I'm talking about business, Edward. This is purely business," Addie stammered, her voice wavering as her past was brought up once again. Her expression seemed to reflect a heart that had been sprinkled with salt, a wound that hadn't quite healed.

 

"Fine, at the end of October, I'll go public with the lucky lady who's been my girlfriend for five years. We'll do an interview with you," Edward promised his cousin.

 

"Really? Oh, shìt! I'll let my team know. Ahhh, I love you, Edward—aw!" Addie cried out, clutching her head. Overwhelmed with excitement, she had bumped her head on the car roof after hugging Edward. She finally let go of her cousin and called her team to share the good news. She even started dancing in the street.

 

Edward just shook his head, watching Addie's antics in the side mirror. He smiled and drove down the long expanse of Crizford Avenue.

 

As soon as he turned on the radio, the news about his upcoming public announcement of his girlfriend at the end of October blasted through the speakers. Addie, his cousin, was faster than lightning. No matter what station he switched to, it’s the same story. He chuckled softly and played "Just Say Yes" by Snow Patrol on the stereo. The song's upbeat rhythm matched his own good mood as he gazed at the massive billboards featuring Alice. They showcased her various endorsements for popular products and well-known companies. Edward's eyes reflected his admiration for Alice's beauty and her achievements. For him, she’s the perfect girlfriend.

 

Edward loved Alice deeply. He had wooed her for a long time, and ever since they were children, he knew she’s the woman he wanted to marry.

 

Edward hadn't planned to keep their relationship secret from the public. The problem was, Alice always said that going public might hinder her budding modeling career. She argued that her colleagues who had exposed their love lives had faded into obscurity and hadn't been given any major projects. Edward understood her point. He didn't want to jeopardize his girlfriend's dreams.

 

He glanced at the flowers, chocolates, and gifts for Alice in the passenger seat. He had instructed Toni to get them even while he’s in Switzerland.

 

Despite their secret relationship, Edward never failed to show Alice how much he loved her. He showered her with expensive gifts and always put her first. In fact, he had even skipped a meeting with a major business partner in Switzerland just to make it back for their anniversary. He planned to surprise her with a romantic vacation for two at La Cresta for three weeks. It’s a popular resort in the country that he had booked three days earlier through one of his staff members.

 

Edward was lost in thought when he saw the towering condominium building where Alice lived. He smiled as he imagined how surprised she would be when he arrived. He grabbed the flowers, chocolates, and gifts beside him and got out of the car. He couldn't measure the joy and nervousness in his chest at the thought of seeing Alice again after six months.

 

He walked straight into the building and up to the floor where Alice's unit was. He took a deep breath before he turned the doorknob.

 

He expected Alice to be surprised—but what he found was the opposite.

 

He heard a moan and some whispers that felt like daggers piercing his heart.

 

“Ugh, babe… what about Edward? What if he finds out?” It’s Alice's voice.

 

“As long as you don't tell him, no one will know. After all, It feels good, right?” a man’s voice replied, weak and laced with sensuality. 

 

Edward felt like the bouquet of flowers in his hand was crumbling. He pushed the door open, revealing a naked man on top of his girlfriend, both of them completely undressed. The bed was creaking under the force of their movements.

 

Edward’s vision blurred with betrayal. He grabbed the man who had taken his girlfriend and they both fell to the floor. He pinned him down and rained blows on his face. The man was too stunned to fight back.

 

“YOU BASTARD!” Edward roared, his voice filled with rage. In his emotional state, he hadn't even registered who the man in front of him was.

 

“Oh, my God! Edward! Stop!” Alice pleaded, unable to even put on clothes, just pulling a blanket over herself in the unexpected chaos.

 

Edward was close to destroying the man's face. He’s coughing up blood, and Edward might have killed him if he hadn't stopped.

 

“Edward, stop! You might kill Jonas!” Alice cried, pulling him away from her lover. Her hands trembled with worry as she wiped the blood from Jonas’ face. The man just stared at Edward intently, saying nothing.

 

That's when Edward realized the truth. The man with his girlfriend was none other than his best friend, Jonas Montegory. The man he trusted to take care Alice for him. 

The one he considered a brother.

 

Edward stared at the two people he loved, the ones who had betrayed him, his fist trembling.

 

"Since when?" he asked them, his voice cold and emotionless.

 

Alice bit her lower lip and sobbed.

 

"Three years," Jonas replied, his tone firm. There wasn't a hint of remorse in his voice for betraying his friend.

 

Edward's anger intensified. "Three years?" he repeated, his voice echoing Jonas' statement. He turned to Alice, who couldn't meet his gaze. 

Edward left the room, banging the door, unable to handle the situation any longer.

 

He had been with Alice for five years, and Jonas had been with her for three. He couldn't comprehend how the woman he thought he would marry could have betrayed him like this.