I thought that'd be one of the rare moments I ran into Chris. After all, Jinovy was a huge city. Loving couples could hardly see one another, let alone a chance encounter between acquaintances. Yet, that evening, as I waited for Lulu at the entrance to Jesselton College, I bumped into Chris once more.He was wearing a dark brown blazer without a white shirt and without any tie. I could see his collarbone from the collar. When I saw him, I had a feeling of deja vu that brought me to the day I first met him. He was wearing a white shirt then too. Other than the slight crow's feet beside his eyes, he looked just the same.His eyes were just as mesmerizing, and he was as aloof as before. Back then, I fell for him, and I ended with a heartbreak. While his eyes remained the same, I only wanted to stay as far away from him. I didn't know if he wanted to see me or not. But I definitely did not want to see him.I quickly turned my back on him and pretended that I didn't notice him. Unfortu
The cute man next to me raised his brows and smirked. It was an enigmatic smirk. I dragged Lulu with me and left. Wherever Chris was, it felt suffocating. After five years, I realized that Chris wasn't that essential in my life and that it was easy to forget him.It even was easy to move on from the whole relationship. Why was that? Back then, I was head over heels for him. Why was one little incident all it took to destroy the feelings I had for him?Perhaps what destroyed the feelings wasn't that incident but the indifference he showed toward me and this relationship. Perhaps in my heart, I had already given up on this relationship. What happened that day was the straw that broke the camel's back. Perhaps the relationship was already dead.Chris didn't see my point. He gave chase and tried to drag me, but Lulu swatted his hand away. Lulu was my best friend. She was very protective, so she inserted herself before me when she saw I was in danger. "Mr. Moyer, you've broken up with
Seeing that I was still in the mood to joke, Lulu let out a sigh of relief. She patted her chest and uttered, "I was so scared. I thought you'd go back to him.""What? Do you think I'm a masochist? I wasted five years of my life on him. I'm not going to waste any more time.""But Zara, five years is a lot. Can you truly forget him?"I clenched my hands to suppress the sadness welling inside my chest. "It'd be a lie if I said I already moved on. He has disappointed me with his actions. After these few months post-breakup, I've moved on quite a lot. I'm sure that soon enough, he'll just be history."Luna winked at me and said naughtily, "Do you know, Zara? The best way to move on from a breakup is to start a new relationship. You've seen how many handsome men there are at my college, haven't you? They're all as handsome as Chris. Should I introduce someone trustworthy to you?"I pouted and rolled my eyes at her. What kind of idea was that? "No thanks. Not everyone is lucky enough li
"If my man can be stolen away, that just means he was never mine to begin with. If my man and I are meant to be together, no one can take him away. So, I'm not worried at all. I just want you to save money. I have enough space for you here, so why spend money on rent?" Lulu continued to persuade me.I knew she was worried that I'd feel lonely if I stayed outside. She wanted to keep me company. But I needed to grow up eventually. Yesterday, Zachary called me and said that it was difficult to make a living in Jinovy and that going back to our hometown might be the better option.But everything in Southsville reminded me of Chris. I didn't want to think about him. Besides, like what Lulu had said, there were more opportunities in Jinovy than in Southsville. Hence, I decided to stay. A new job is the perfect way to start a new journey.I started learning martial arts when I was five, and I had been practicing it for nearly 20 years. I had won many awards too. I was confident enough to
He had lost a lot of weight. The previously fitting clothes on him looked baggy now. His usually clean-shaven jawline was speckled with dark stubble. And in his cold eyes, there was defeat and desperation. Why? Was it caused by regret or the unwillingness to let go?During the five years we were together, he gave me indifference and humiliation. Yet six months after we broke up, he kept appearing at the building where I lived. I was so confused. When we were dating, I could count with both hands the times he came to pick me up.Yet less than two weeks after we met again, I saw him on a daily basis. It was either in front of the apartment building or at the entrance to my company.Even when I went to the cinema to watch a movie alone out of boredom, I would see him leaning against his car and looking at the crowd as everyone exited the theater. I was a very decisive person when it came to love.I was committed when I loved someone. And when I no longer loved them, I broke up with th
"Don't say that, Zara. I know I made a mistake in the past. I let you down. But I didn't do it on purpose. Faye and I grew up together. When we played house, she was my wife. I thought I was in love with her, so whenever I had to choose something, I always chose her."But after you left me and I began to date her, I realized that she wasn't the person in my memory. I would miss you so much at night. I was so drunk one day that I called you a million times, hoping that you'd come to pick me up. But none of my calls went through. None."Whether you believe it or not, Zara, that was my first true heartbreak. I made a mistake in the past, and I don't expect you to forgive me. But please give me the chance to redeem myself. I'll love you with my heart."Don't you want to travel? I can book the plane tickets now. We'll fly tomorrow, okay?"For some reason, Chris turned emotional, and his eyes turned glossy. They were as beautiful as ever, but I couldn't see myself in them. His emotional
Chris' skinny body faltered. The pain in his eyes was palpable, but I ignored it coldly. Pain? This was nothing compared to the hurt he had given me back then. It was now his turn to feel the pain. What swift justice."Zara, don't do this. I love you." He came closer to grab my hand.I dodged away and chuckled. "You love me? Then call Faye in front of me and tell her everything. Cut her off your life and I'll believe you."Chris lowered his arms. He couldn't respond. I cackled out loud. So that was his love. No wonder I wouldn't believe him. How could he convince me about his love when he couldn't convince himself that he loved me? What a joke."Why? You can't let her go? So why act like a hopeless romantic here? I won't buy your pretense anymore. Remember what you said, Chris? If you come to bother me again, you'll be a loser. So, stop pestering me. I don't want to be seen with a loser. It's humiliating."It was late, but since we were standing before the entrance to Jesselton Co
Chris' fearful and avoidant gaze told me that he was afraid of speaking his mind. It was not that he couldn't. In other words, he was afraid of Winston. I couldn't help but feel even more curious about Winston's identity."This is between me and my girlfriend. Stay out of it," warned Chris.Winston raised his brows and asked me coldly, "Are you his girlfriend?"I shook my head violently and denied it, "Not at all. We broke up more than six months ago. We're strangers now. He's lying. Don't trust him. He's trying to harass me. That's right, harass."Winston grinned, and light sparkled in his eyes. "Did you hear that? What else do you have to say?"Chris stood up. He was irritated and mad. He glared at Winston as if he wanted to kill him with his intense gaze. Winston put both hands in his pockets nonchalantly and walked a few steps toward Chris. While he was lanky and young, he had an intimidating aura around him.As he advanced, Chris backed off until he turned around and ran awa
Luna furiously scolded me, asserting that I didn't deserve Queenie's love and that Queenie had been blind to my true colors all those years. Driven mad by desperation, I chased after Queenie, determined to tell her I was wrong and plead for another chance to prove myself. However, the young man intervened, delivering a swift and punishing combination of punches and kicks that knocked me to the ground. Humiliated, I struggled to get up and fight back, unwilling to lose to another man.Despite his youthful appearance, the look in his eyes as he glanced at Queenie was undeniable. It was a blend of love, desire, and possessiveness only a man could understand.I was consumed by the thought that he wasn't worthy of my precious Queenie's love.Nevertheless, my body felt heavy and powerless. It was as if the strength had been drained from me. The blows rained down on me, bringing with them a strange sense of relief amidst the pain. Part of me yearned for him to kick me harder, inflict
I wanted nothing more than to run to Queenie, to hold her tightly and tell her how much I missed her during those endless days apart. I wanted to kiss her deeply and feel the warmth of her embrace. I called out, "Queenie, I'm here."Seeing me seemed to jolt Queenie from her joyous state, replacing it with a vacant expression. Mere moments before, she had been smiling brightly, her eyes aglow with happiness. Now, she appeared lost, her initial elation dissipating into a blank, unresponsive gaze.I couldn't understand why she had turned so distant upon seeing me. The love and joy that once shone in her eyes were nowhere to be found. As I observed her, I wondered if our time apart had caused her to forget. Or perhaps the events of the past had wounded her so profoundly that she had stopped waiting for me.The thoughts terrified me, and I dared not ask for fear of confirming my suspicions. All I wanted was to hold her, kiss her, and tell her how much I missed her. Yet, it seemed tha
I had no interest in Daniela's pregnancy, so I kicked her out of the house. My friends came to console me, each expressing their sympathies with a drink because they didn't know how else to comfort me.The money I had sent to Queenie's account was quickly returned as the account had been closed. Her phone number became unreachable, and when I sought her at her parents' home, I found the elderly couple waiting anxiously for their daughter's return. I lost not only Queenie but any connection to her. I grew disinterested in everything, neglecting my company and spending my days in a drunken haze.Then, my uncle came. We drank through the night as he shared tales of his hardships, the painful memories of his mother, and the years he spent alone, suffering.He said, "Everyone has their fate, Flynn. And choosing one thing often means losing another. Just as you've chosen to fight for the family business, you've sacrificed a part of yourself. But you must rise and fight me with all you'v
Queenie would then jump off the cliff, leaving me to jolt awake in a cold sweat. I endured each twilight in my hopeless vigil, counting down the days.On the 75th day, the door finally unlocked. I stepped outside and realized that this was the neighborhood where Queenie and I lived. All this time, we had been mere yards apart.My mom truly knew how to break a person's spirit. All I had to do was lift my head to see the pomegranate tree planted in our yard.I stumbled toward our home, my wounds screaming as I desperately called for Queenie. But the immaculate house stood eerily silent, echoing my footsteps like thunder.Except for Queenie, every possession remained meticulously in place—the exquisite clothes, expensive jewelry, and designer cosmetics.Queenie was gone, and the thought of losing her drove me into a frenzy.I collapsed in the middle of the room, sobbing uncontrollably. Regret consumed me. I should have never let my family's threats manipulate me and left Queenie to
I clenched my fists, barely resisting the urge to rush over to Queenie's side. All I wanted was to embrace her and whisper assurances that I would protect her, always. But I knew I had no right to do so.My dad's threat hung heavy in my mind, and the stares of Daniela and her mother bore into Queenie like daggers. One wrong move or word and those blades would descend upon Queenie, cutting her to shreds.The pain was unbearable. I felt sorry for Queenie. I was powerless and couldn't help her. With all my heart, I wished for her to stay strong and survive. She deserved better than me. Daniela's mother slapped Queenie, calling her a whore and a homewrecker, accusing her of seducing other people's boyfriends.Queenie stood rigidly, her gaze filled with humiliation. Her lips trembled, and the light in her eyes gradually faded.I winced in agony but held myself together, picking up Daniela and walking away.Countless times afterward, I berated myself for choosing to take Daniela away
We both knew the truth—neither of us could cross the chasm that had formed between our hearts.After that, I went home almost every day. We managed to maintain a semblance of normalcy in our day-to-day lives. We prepared sumptuous dinners and tended to our garden. I even considered adopting a pet to keep Queenie company while I was away.However, no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't rekindle the warmth we had once shared. Queenie hardly smiled anymore. No matter what I did to cheer her up, she would only give a half-hearted smile, her eyes remaining cold and distant.I knew something had transpired during our separation, but she refused to discuss it. My attempts to uncover the truth through private investigators were in vain. Any evidence had been meticulously erased.Eventually, I realized Queenie was simply biding her time, waiting for the moment when she would be forced to relinquish all hope and leave.A month later, my mother joyfully told me that Daniela was pregnant an
I grabbed a brush from the bathroom and scrubbed myself furiously, desperate to wash away the overwhelming sense of filth. Even as the rough bristles tore into my skin, drawing blood and causing searing pain, I felt no closer to feeling clean.My mind was consumed with thoughts of Queenie and the nearly five years we had spent together—the happy moments, the arguments, every single memory.At that moment, I realized I was terrified. Never before had I experienced such abject fear. Knowing Queenie's uncompromising stance on love and fidelity, I knew she would never forgive me once she discovered my transgression.She would undoubtedly turn and leave, heedless of any pleas I might make. I probably wouldn't even have the courage to ask for her forgiveness in the face of her justified anger.I regretted everything. If I had listened to my friends and taken Queenie away from all this, none of this would have happened. But I had hesitated. Even now, I couldn't be certain if my hesitati
Yesterday afternoon, my dad called and demanded that I make a decision within two days, or they would take action.I felt cornered because I genuinely didn't know how to talk to Queenie about this. The mere idea of her packing her belongings and leaving, accompanied by the unspeakable anguish it would inflict upon me, was a burden too heavy to bear.I wasn't sure if I could ever have a semblance of normality in my life again after that.So, I gathered some friends to drink with me. I drank heavily because I had made a decision—a disgraceful, heartless decision. The thought of what I would have to face the next day made life seem hopeless, so I drank even more.Before losing consciousness, I handed my car keys to my assistant, using my last bit of clarity to tell him to take me home no matter what state I was in.Even if it meant returning to the Hayes family's residence, he should not leave me out on the streets. Despite the imminent breakup, I wanted to part ways with Queenie in
My mom proved to be even more ruthless than my dad. She found me, dropped to her knees without a word, and begged me. She reminded me of the years they had spent raising me, pleading that I ensure they wouldn't be left without a sense of security in their old age.In essence, they were pressuring me to abandon everything. I was to pursue money and power for their sake, secure the Hayes family's head position, and ensure our grip on wealth and influence. Their priority was maintaining their luxurious, elevated lifestyle. My happiness, my desires—whether I even wanted those things—meant nothing to them. Sometimes, it felt like I was nothing more than a tool for achieving their ambitions.My dad told me bluntly that he would go after Queenie if I didn't comply. He said, "You're right. I'm incapable of outmaneuvering your uncle. But no matter how incompetent I am, I can easily make Queenie's life in Harveyton unbearable."To be honest, that day was the coldest my heart had ever felt