Chapter 10%
“Serena, you really should go to the hospital and get checked out. You can’t keep going on like this,” Stephanie suggested with
concern.
But Serena’s face turned red with anger. She shot back, “Albion is my boyfriend! We’ve been together for seven years!“}
Her voice softened as she turned to me, her eyes filled with desperation. “Albion, tell them. Tell them it’s true. You’re my boyfriend.“} I shook my head. “Serena, please stop saying these things. It’s not good for people to get the wrong idea.“}
No matter what she said, I refused to admit anything. Even if she wanted to prove it, there was no evidence to back her claims. The seven years we were together had been a secret known only to the two of us.
In the end, Stephanie became more convinced that something was wrong with Serena. We didn’t even finish our meal before my sister dragged me out of the restaurant.}
On the way back, she gave me a pointed reminder. “Serena seems really unstable lately. You should probably keep your distance from her.”
I nodded in agreement.”
That night, I went home and burned every sketch I had drawn of the wedding ring I once dreamed of designing for her. With that, the last shred of evidence tying us together was gone. Those seven years we spent as a couple would forever remain buried in my memories. To make sure she wouldn’t show up at my doorstep again, I called my mom that evening and told her I’d be moving back home for a while.
Although my mom grumbled about it, she came over to help me move. Within days, I was settled back at home.}
Not long after, I agreed to go on a blind date that she had arranged for me.
To my surprise, the person waiting for me was my direct junior from university. My mom wasn’t exaggerating when she said she’d found someone sweet and beautiful. Her bright eyes held a hint of admiration, but I couldn’t bring myself to jump into a new relationship just yet.”
During the date, I told her honestly, “I’m not ready to have someone new in my life right now.”
Thankfully, she didn’t push me. Instead, she smiled and said, “That’s okay. I’ll wait for you to be ready.“}
It wasn’t until then that I learned she had liked me since our university days. Back then, though, I was too focused on my studies to notice her at all.
From that point on, we became close friends. Neither of us acknowledged the unspoken feelings between us, but we found comfort in each other’s company.
Meanwhile, Serena still refused to give up. She started waiting outside my office, trying to catch me whenever she could.
When Stephanie saw her acting like a stalker, she couldn’t hold back her frustration. One day, she confronted her, yelling at her right in front of the office.
That day, Serena broke down completely, collapsing onto the ground like a lost child. She sobbed uncontrollably and her cries echoed down the street.
When Stephanie came back to tell me what happened, she was still fuming. “Can you believe her? She used to be inseparable from Cyril, always glued to his side. And now she’s claiming she’s been with you for seven years? What kind of nonsense is that?“>
She took a bite of her food before continuing, “Honestly, it’s a good thing you never got serious with her. Imagine being with someone who flirts with other guys while calling herself your girlfriend. She’s not girlfriend material–she doesn’t know where the line is.”
I nodded. “Exactly. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I’d never be with someone like that.“}
I was determined to leave those seven years behind and focus on the future.}
Not long after, my company offered me the chance to study abroad. I didn’t hesitate to accept it.
Before leaving, I only told my family and my university junior about my plans.
Once everything was finalized, I boarded the plane and flew to a completely foreign country. But as I walked out of the airport, I was stunned to see her–my junior–waiting for me.”
I smiled, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“I had a business trip here and found out you were landing today. So, I decided to wait for you,” she said with a warm smile.
I hadn’t told her my exact flight details, only that I’d be arriving in Paris that day.”
“Wow, you’re impressive. How did you guess my landing time so perfectly?” I asked, half–joking.”
Just then, a man holding a sign for a pickup service walked past us and interjected, “This young lady’s been here since this morning. I’ve seen her pacing back and forth, checking the time over and over again.”
Hearing that, her face flushed with embarrassment, and she looked away shyly,
Warmth spread through my chest as I looked at her. “Thank you,” I said earnestly.
Thank you for making me feel at home in this unfamiliar place.“}
From then on, she stayed by my side, guiding me through the city with endless patience. She even created a custom map for me, marking all the routes and places I’d need to know. She went so far as to write down who to contact in case of emergencies.
Whenever she had time, she’d fly in from home to visit me, bringing a sense of familiarity and comfort with her.
12
.
Six months later, after realizing how much she meant to me, I finally confessed my feelings.
Around the same time, Stephanie messaged me, congratulating me on my new relationship./
She added, [It’s a good thing you left when you did. Serena’s been a mess lately. She didn’t end up with Cyril, but now she’s hanging around with guys who look like you. She drinks herself into a stupor and keeps calling out your name when she’s drunk. It’s like she’s lost her mind.]
I didn’t respond.
Serena and I were in the past now. I was moving forward–and I wasn’t looking back.
