Felix placed the meat in his mouth and chewed.I didn't have much of an appetite. I ate a couple of mouthfuls of beef before stopping. I then waited for him to finish eating.My mind couldn't help but wander off as I looked at Felix's mop of blond hair.I thought back about our time as troublesome little kids, how we spent our youth as teens, and everything that had happened between us for 19 years.Felix stopped eating after getting full. He glanced at me and gave me a tissue to wipe my mouth.He and I hadn't been so close ever since that Thanksgiving incident. His gesture came out of the blue, making me dodge quickly.Felix paused before retracting his hand with a smile."We've finished eating. What do you want to tell me?" I asked.Felix's brows wrinkled. The emotions in his eyes were complicated. I was unsure what was on his mind."Lili was wrong for what she said last time. I'm here to apologize on her behalf. But you were at fault, too. "She was deeply affected after w
I would've caved in immediately back then.But when I grew up and knew what love really was. I would find that the me in the past merely caved in because I hadn't let Felix go.Felix spotted the minute changes in my expression and smiled. He grabbed my hand. "I never knew you could be such a wildcat. You're pretty amazing."Right? It also got me thinking. I was committed to being his lackey back then and listened to every word he said. I never got my time to shine, that was all.We didn't really talk much after that. I mostly listened to what Felix had to say.He told me about his life in university, his loving relationship with Lilac, and his plans for their future. He spoke of so many things and different people, yet never mentioned me.I couldn't help but wonder whether Felix actually knew what I was thinking or if this was his way of telling me to stop holding out for him.It wasn't really a pleasant barbecue.Felix really was cruel to tell the girl who had a crush on him f
"No, it really is her," I said faintly.Lilac had supposedly returned home with her mother after several days. She was standing under a small kiosk by the roadside. She held a large umbrella above her as the rainwater splattered her short skirt, making her curves all the more apparent.Lilac looked like a fake flower sprouting in the rain.She placed her hands near her mouth again before yelling, "Felix!"Felix saw her this time. Light glowed in his dark eyes. He ran out into the rain like an excited child, his white sneakers splashing in the dirty rainwater. "You're back, Lili."Felix ran over and held Lilac in his arms. She giggled happily.I stood there in the torrential rain, not even noticing that my umbrella was off-kilter. My heart felt numb.Felix always managed to hurt me without so much as lifting a finger.The wind and rain swirled around me cruelly. My heart was colder than the weather right now.Lilac and Felix spoke to one another in the rain. Lilac giggled again
I told myself I could do it. I could still be that cheerful young girl named Luna without him.The torrential rain had caused a brief flood to rise above curb-level. I couldn't see the road or what was beneath my feet save for dark, muddy water.It was a perfect metaphor for my current state after deciding to let go of Felix and stay away from him. I still hadn't found a way nor knew what my next step should be.I carefully felt my way into the water, tears falling down my eyes and blurring my vision.I was aggrieved and angry. Why was I always the one left behind? What did I do wrong? I liked Felix so much and treated him like my everything. Why did he have to treat me this way in return?Was shame the only result of liking someone?I couldn't hold back the tears as they fell.I told myself not to cry. I had walked this street countless times that I could go back home with or without Felix.But I couldn't control my aching heart. Tears continued falling as I saw Felix and Lila
I was regretting my decision.I shouldn't have believed Felix's bullshit nor decided to eat that shitty barbecue with him.I cursed myself angrily. Had I never had a barbecue before? Did I have to make myself so pathetic all just for a barbecue?Yet I had barely taken a few bites before nearly dying in this damned drain! I really did deserve this!But I couldn't accept dying just like this!"Is anyone there? Can someone help me?" I cried out as loudly as I could, hoping some passerby in the rain could hear my voice and pull me up.I didn't have high hopes, but I didn't want to give up either.There was nothing else in the street besides the roar of thunder and lightning. Dread and fear swarmed me.I tried getting myself out of the drain several times with my own strength. It wasn't a large hole. I thought I could do it.But the walls were too slick to climb. My injured leg wasn't helping either. My chances of climbing out of here were basically nil.Was I going to die witho
When I was five years old, Mom bought some fish back home and kept a few lively ones in the tank. A scrawny young boy and I lay near the tank and happily watched the fish swim about. We wanted to raise them and then release them into the ocean.When I was seven years old, I got really into movies depicting powerful, skilled female warriors riding on horses, roaming the world, and exacting justice with a sword in hand. So, I started practicing martial arts, wanting to become a famous, righteous Robin Hood-like vigilante.But I ended up falling from a fence and hurting my kneecap. I wailed painfully on the ground.Felix's brother, Colin, consoled me with a lollipop. He said, "Warriors never cry."I looked up at him and asked, "Do warriors eat lollipops, then?"Colin thought about it for a moment before nodding. "They do. Warriors love lollipops."When I was ten years old, I skipped a grade. All my classmates called me a freak, someone who was more capable than them, even though I
"Run, Lulu!" Mom's voice grew weaker as the net tightened around her."No, Mom. I don't want to go alone. Can you please come with me?"Mom shook her head as she grew more distant. I got up to chase after her, terrified."Wait for me, Mom!"I opened my eyes all of a sudden. Bright sunlight shot right into my eyes. I quickly covered them.A warm yet dry hand touched my shoulder immediately. A voice called out, "Don't move. You're still healing. Dear, Lulu's woken up."I returned to my senses. The sharp smell of sanitizer filled my nostrils. There was an IV drip bag right above my head.I was still alive!I remembered now. That kind old man saved me.I survived yet another catastrophe!"How are you feeling, darling? Do you feel sick anywhere?" Mom's delicate yet loving face appeared in my vision. How long had she been crying? Her eyes were frighteningly swollen."Mom," I called softly, caressing her cheek.Mom pressed my hand to her face as tears of joy burst forth. "Sweet
Mom's and Dad's faces turned gloomy in an instant. Mom's jaw pulled taut as rage boiled in her eyes.I hadn't returned home even when it was nearly 9:00 pm that night. When Mom called my number, she found my phone on the couch in the living room, left behind. Felix's phone had been shut down.Mom said she was really worried because the thunderstorm was too violent. So, she went to knock on Aunt Melinda's door to ask my whereabouts.But when Mom opened the door, she saw Felix sitting on the couch, cuddling with Lilac and feeding her fruit.When Mom asked him where I was, he was confused. "Luna isn't back yet? We parted ways on the street earlier."When Mom and Dad figured out where exactly Felix and I parted ways, they ran out looking for me without even taking an umbrella.No one was out in the streets while the rain poured.Mom and Dad panicked. They knocked on every single shop door to ask whether anyone had seen me.The storm was strong that day. Most of the shops had closed
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