Chapter 4: Fate, Or Coincidence?

It took Matthew five years to move on from Allison. After a few months of agony, he decided to bury himself in his work, so he eventually climbed up to the top position in the company, proving to his people and his father that he was fully capable of handling major business deals and managing the company and all its branches worldwide. He became well-known in society as one of the youngest, most influential CEOs in the country, and also as the hottest, most eligible bachelor in the city.

However, Matthew wasn’t happy at all. He simply lived through life on auto-pilot, finding work to be a proper distraction from the unending waves of sadness and emptiness inside of him. Through time, he started to understand why Allison was able to concentrate on her career so zealously; perhaps she had been depressed, or perhaps she had felt the constant need to prove herself, hence why she chose to prioritize her work and strive to become successful. Matthew didn’t know. He didn’t know anything.

How could he, when they barely even talked? When they never had the time to share their feelings with each other?

Maybe he should’ve tried harder. Maybe he should’ve just…

But there was no use regretting it now. Like Bryce said, things were already said and done. There was nothing else he could do but cope.

Fortunately, after a few years of emptiness, he met one of the kindest, most caring people he had ever known, and gradually fell in love for a second time.

But then, Allison came back into his life by accident.

Perhaps it was fate, or perhaps it was a mere coincidence. They were on a month-long vacation in another country to get a much-needed reprieve from their respective careers. But Lily had been complaining a bit about her recent headaches and fatigue, so she asked him if they could go together to the hospital for a checkup. Matthew, worried, quickly agreed and drove her there, accompanying her to the doctor. Luckily, it wasn’t anything serious, just a result of stress from work and that she should rest at home and take a few painkillers if she couldn’t sleep.

“Hon, I need to go to the restroom for a bit,” Lily told him as they exited the doctor’s office. “Would you mind waiting for me here? I promise I won’t be long.”

“No worries,” Matthew told her with a smile. “Go ahead, I’ll wait here.”

When Lily walked off, Matthew strode towards the center of the room where there were numerous seats for waiting persons. Sitting down on a chair by the edge, he took out his phone to check his emails. He had left Bryce in charge of the company while he was gone, but he promised to read through all the progress reports and give feedback when necessary.

While he was scrutinizing the contents of an email, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of an object falling to the floor with a thump. Lifting his gaze curiously, he saw a water bottle rolling his way and stopping just before the tip of his shoe. A quick glance also showed him a person who was picking up her things that were scattered on the ground, so he decided to pick up the bottle and help her out.

By the time he arrived there, though, the person was already putting the last of her things inside the bag. Matthew crouched down to her level and handed her the water bottle.

“Excuse me,” he said politely. “Is this your—”

The person lifted her gaze immediately with a startled yet teary look in her eyes. When Matthew locked gazes with her, his eyes grew wide, and his heart instantly stopped beating.

Ash-brown hair that had looked so soft and glossy down to her chest was now cut short, just stopping a few inches above her shoulders. Eyes that were a brilliant green, once blazing with thoughtfulness and intelligence, were now gloomy and desperate, with tears threatening to fall. Features that were once delicate and refined were now crumpled and slightly wrinkled, as if she had aged a bit more due to stress.

He was staring at a person who seemed like a hollow shell of her former self, a person who was so achingly familiar that the pain from six years ago came back to him with a vengeance.

“Mattie…?” Allison whispered aloud, her voice cracking in the middle of saying his name.

Matthew could not utter a single word out of shock. His heart rate slowed and he suddenly found it hard to breathe.

He was about to stand up and run away, to be as far away from the woman who made him feel miserable for five years, but something stopped him in place. He watched as Allison slowly stood up, and he followed unconsciously. The two ex-lovers stared at each other, realizing that they were meeting for the first time in years after their divorce.

Matthew wanted to say something, but he could not find the right words. Did he feel happy to see her again? Or did he want to blame her for being so selfish and choosing her career over love?

'But the relationship has already been over for a long time…' Matthew thought to himself, feeling his heart break all over again.

Allison’s lower lip trembled in emotion, and tears began to fall from her eyes as she restrained a sob. Matthew looked at her, and another piece of his heart broke. What was she doing here? This was a hospital. Why was she all alone? Why was she crying? Didn’t she bring family along with her, or her friends, or maybe her co-workers if she was all alone…

When another sob escaped her lips, the smallest part of Matthew’s heart that still held pure, unadulterated love for his high school sweetheart made all his defenses crumble in an instant. Without a word, he opened his arms, and Allison went right into them so naturally, arms wrapping around Matthew and pulling him close, spiraling him back into the past.

Matthew didn’t know how long he simply stood there, rubbing soothing circles on Allison’s back and humming soft, relaxing tunes under his breath, until Lily’s soft, confused voice broke the atmosphere.

“…Matt?”