Chapter 7

I was so damn confused right now and hearing what Preston have said, my brows really furrowed like what does he mean by his treatment towards me compared to his treatment to Penelope?

And one thing, does Penelope know that he's here?

"Are you just playing some dumb shit right now, Preston? If yes, well I'm not playing with you."

My first thought was that the message I sent Preston hadn't gone through. But that didn't make sense anymore. The idea was absurd. Even if by some miracle the message failed to send, well, he was smart. He should've understood what my resignation meant!

So why was he standing in front of me at my parents' house, shamelessly acting like none of this made sense?

I didn't bother asking him any questions anymore. Instead, I met his gaze with indifference, my patience wearing thin.

"If you really didn't get it, well, let me make it clear for you then," I said, keeping my voice steady but firm for him to know that I'm really serious. "Preston, I want to break up with you. I want to end everything with you. Did you hear me? Or do I need to repeat it until it gets through?"

He just laughed mockingly.

"No matter how many times you say it, my answer stays the same, Claudia." His jaw clenched. "We will not break up."

His face turned a shade paler as he fixed his cold and unwavering eyes on me.

"Precisely, I don't agree to this breakup. I haven't done anything wrong, Claudia. What gives you the right to just break up with me like that and leave me hanging? I was calling you a hundred times and I didn't receive any answer from you. What are you up to this time?"

What the hell?

I was stunned and my jaw dropped. I stared at him, dumbfounded. How could he be so shameless?! Is he being serious?

"What-"

Before I could finish my words, I heard dad's voice from the kitchen, his voice laced with curiosity.

"Claudia, sweetheart, who are you talking to at the door?"

My eyes widened.

"Uh... dad, it's nothing! I just got the milkshake I ordered," I called back quickly. "Oh, right, I forgot to grab a package downstairs! I'll just head down and get it!"

Without giving Preston a chance to protest, I shoved him out of the doorway, stepping outside without a second thought because it will be a bad idea to let him in our house and sees by my parents.

I let go of Preston's arm when we're already far from our house and I walked pass to him, I immediately heard his fast footsteps.

"Claudia, wait!" He burst. "You didn't even bother to tell your dad that I'm here? Let me talk to him, please."

"And what are you going to tell him, huh?" I asked madly and stop walking when we reach at the front of a nearby café.

"Well, I'm going to explain that we didn't really break up-"

"Don't disturb my parents, Preston." I cut him off. "If you want to talk, we'll do it here!"

I marched inside the café with him trailing behind. As we got in, I immediately ordered some coffee to make our conversation less awkward.

We were sitting across from each other in a round table, I kept my face emotionless.

Preston spoke first, breaking the silence. "You cut your hair, Claudia."

I didn't respond, keeping my face blank.

I saw a little amazement from his eyes while trailing down to my hair.

For the first time, the usually composed, serious and aloof Preston sounded like he was trying to be... nice to me with his flowery words but it doesn't even send shivers to my spine though.

"It looks good on you," he added with his soft voice, almost complimentary. "It suits you."

I wanted to laughed right now in front of his face. I know damn well that he was just fooling me. I know his type. I know he always preferred women with long and flowing hair. And cutting my hair makes me feel that I already escape from his environment. I want the older version of myself back, without any influence from him.

For seven years, I had kept my hair long just to please him, even though I hated how hot and heavy it felt, just to match his tastes and preferences. And during all that time, he never once followed through on the casual promise he'd made, to braid it for me like I had asked, like what I saw in a movie where the guy will give you a princess treatment while kissing your hair.

For seven years... I keep hoping that I will experience those but in the end, only Penelope has experienced those treatment.

"Your coffee, ma'am and sir."

The waiter came over with two cups of coffee.

"Thank you. Can I get a menu, please?" Preston said and I looked at him annoyingly.

The waiter came back with the menu and to my surprise, Preston ordered a lot of cakes! He's doing this as if we're still a couple!

"Just make sure you will eat everything you order." I said flatly and sip to my coffee.

"It's for us, Claudia. By the way, are you even eating? Are you on a diet? You've lost weight," he remarked.

The waiter started serving us sweets.

"Eat something first, Claudia. When we go home tomorrow, I'll take you to a proper restaurant so that you'll feel better."

My brows furrowed.

"Go home?" I let out a quiet and sarcastic laugh. "You seem to have forgotten that we were still in the dating stage, Preston. Have you forgotten? Jeez, we were never married so I will decide without your approval so as leaving without you. You don't control me, Preston."

He just gave me a knowing smile as if he saw right through my words.

"Oh, Claudia, we've been together for seven years. If you wanted to get married, you could've just said so. Do you think I'd say no? There's no need to make a big fuss over this."

My chest suddenly felt tighter. An anger started forming inside me hearing the arrogance in his voice and insulting my feelings. How dare him treat a marriage like a small thing that he could just grant anytime, like it wasn't a big commitment!

I felt a sudden pain attacking my chest now. I can't explain how painful it is to hear that from him.

"I am not making a big fuss here, Preston." I said bitterly and rubbed my temples, feeling the chill creeping in again.

Without a word, I unlocked my phone and pulled up my contract from his rival company. I laid it on the table and pushed it forward for him to see clearly.

As expected, Preston's expression darkened as soon as his eyes landed on the document. His face turned stone and cold, his usual composure completely shattered.

"I can't believe you, Claudia." he said while shaking his head. "Is this some sort of your bitterness? Jealousy? Aren't you satisfied with your position in the company that's why you're up to this plan? Is this some sort of your revenge, huh?"

See? He don't really see his wrongs. In the end, he will still blame me and will ignore my feelings.

I fully know that Preston despised betrayal, whether it was in his professional life or personal relationships. He'd always had a strict rule that once his trust was broken, there was no going back.

I crossed my arms and spoke softly, almost casually. "Preston, I understand that you have a strong sense of ego. I understand why you're acting like this. Even if you don't have any feelings left for me, it must be hard for you to accept hearing the word 'breakup' from my mouth."

I leaned back in my seat and added,

"I'm giving you a chance now. Say the magic words. Break up with me. Don't worry. If anyone asks, I'll tell them that you were the one who dumped me so that won't hurt your ego anymore, right? Now, come on, say it. Say we're done so I can finally go home and sleep."