Chapter 2

Mari Kristine

“What does this mean, Alex?” Fae angrily asked him while gritting her teeth. Her hands are tightly gripping me.

Alex looked at me with his eyes pleading. “L-Let me explain f-first, please?” He stammered.

I just stared at him without any expression on my face. I don’t feel any. I should be shocked, I should have been hurt, and I… I should have cried. But no, I don’t feel anything.

Fae shook her head before she stated, “You can explain now. But I don’t think you really can.” Fae glared at him angrily without giving Alex any chance of getting comforted.

“Let…” He paused and looked around. “Let us talk somewhere outside. Not here, but privately. Please, Mari?” He asked.

I frowned at him asking to save his face from embarrassment but destroyed mine. I replied to him without any hesitation, “No.” Fae smirked after hearing my response.

“So much for the drama. You asked for this, Alex. You two with your good for nothing other woman asked for this. Now, you wanted the woman you hurt because of your stupidity to save your face today?” Fae mockingly asked Alex.

The faces of both Alex and his girl turned as red as a tomato fruit. If I did not buy you a gift and look for a dress to impress you on our upcoming date, I would not have the chance to catch you. This is crazy as hell. I don’t think I can take it anymore.

I took a deep breath to calm myself before I spoke. “Alex… you have nothing to explain, I saw everything. I just did not expect you to cheat on me with such a girl. I never thought that you would have a poor taste.” I calmly stated.

“It was a good idea after all. For all we know if he is shopping here for another woman while letting you plan everything for your upcoming anniversary.” Fae’s face soured as she sarcastically humiliated the couple.

“Take good care of your new girlfriend then.” I reminded him before I grabbed Fae’s arm and walked out of the boutique.

“What are you going to do now, Mari?” Fae curiously asked. Her face shows how worried she is right now.

“I am okay with it. Not that I am hurt, it is too much to handle. It is painful, Fae. But I need not shed a tear for that scumbag, I do not need him in my life.” I explained to her, pretending to be strong.

Frankly speaking, I wanted to cry now that we are already gone from the crowd surrounding us a while ago. My boyfriend of almost seven years just cheated on me right in front of many witnesses, what do you think I would feel?

What I did not expect was that Alex followed us. He really won’t just give up. What a pity, I will never get manipulated by this guy anymore. Never by any chance, Alex.

When Fae told me that he was just using me as a trophy he can display to lure his friends, I did not believe her. When she told me that she saw Alex having a meal with another girl, I even explained it to her for him to get his image cleared because I trusted him too much.

I always clear his image and embarrass myself… because I have loved and trusted him so much. What a shame, Mari!

“Let’s talk. I wanted to talk to you about this properly.” He said but not casually. He spoke as if he was concerned about my feelings. About our relationship which he trampled.

“We do not have anything to talk about. Just go on through your life, do whatever makes you happy. Do not disturb us.” Fae answered him furiously.

People passing here outside the boutique are now looking at us curiously. What a scandal! A shameful scheme from a shameless man, too bad! But I am not in the mood after what happened today. What can I do? Right?

“You still wanted to speak? I am giving you the chance. But before you speak, let me ask you first. What do you think of me, Alex? Am I a pushover?” I fired up questions that were bothering me until the very moment I saw him in the boutique.

“No, no. No. That’s not it, Mari. Okay?” He denies making Fae look at him with disgust.

“Then what is it?” I asked out of irritation. Fuck love!

Does he really think I will still believe him? Only an idiot will believe his lies. I looked at the shopping bag which contained the advance movie tickets scheduled for tonight and the luxurious watch I bought.

I failed myself… right? I overworked just to be able to buy him something that fits his status. I have always been ashamed of myself being poor because I can’t even buy him a nice gift.

“I love you, Mari. I am really sorry for what I have done. It’s just that…” He paused as he looked at me intently. “My parents want me to marry her.” He said almost murmuring.

And all of this time, I thought his parents were okay with me. I thought they have accepted me because they are nice to me. I have given them my utmost respect.

That is because I thought their family was different from others’. So, all this while they are pretending whenever they are in front of me but the truth is… they don’t want me to marry into their family. What the heck?

“Don’t believe his words, Mari. He will just fool you again, let’s go.” Fae immediately grabbed my arm but I remained in my position. “Mari!” She angrily yelled.

“Let him talk if that is what he wanted to do.” I said while staring blankly at Alex.

“Mari, baby… believe me. I didn’t mean to hide it from you, I was going to tell you but you saw it in advance. I was just forced to accompany her shopping.” Alex explained. I did not give him any response and continued to stare at him.

“You could have told me earlier. Right? Not like this, not like me catching you in the act of cheating.” I refuted. My voice is a bit shaky but I can still handle the emotion.

“Mari! How could you say that now? What the hell?” Fae angrily shouted at me with her hands gripping tightly.

“No, Fae. You know, he should have just told me. But look at what he did, he hid it from me. He could have told me about it, I can understand. But why?” I emotionally asked Fae for the question I have in mind.

“I knew it. You love me, Mari. And, you’re going back to me, right?” Alex happily cheered.

“No.” I retaliated with a brief but solid word of hostility towards his happiness.

Not that I want to, but I have to do so. Because if I don’t, then I am afraid I will get manipulated again and again by this shameless man. You’re wrong, Alex.

He can hide such a thing from me now. How much more if we get back together? He will do it again because he knows that I can always forgive him. Right? And I do not want that to happen.

“But, why not?” He asked me with a confused look. “I will make it up to you, Mari. I promise I will not let you down this time, and… and I will not keep any secret from you anymore.” He explained promising something far from happening.

“Because we are done, Alex. From this day onwards, I don’t wanna see your face ever again. You hear me?” I confidently stated before walking out of the mall.