Chapter 9

Henry 

I didn’t want to believe what I was seeing, but the picture was clear.

The man standing next to Kingston’s crush was someone I knew. Even though it only showed his side, I couldn’t be wrong.

I stood there, frozen, while Kingston grew more anxious.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, nudging my shoulder. “Say something.”

I took a slow breath and shook my head. “It’s nothing… I just know the guy in the picture. But… are you sure they’re really dating?” I asked, still staring at the screen.

Kingston gave a bitter laugh. “I didn’t want to believe it too. I even told myself the picture was fake, like it was edited. But her friends said they’ve been together for six months. They also said her boyfriend is very rich and that I should stop chasing her.”

When Kingston looked at me, he must have seen the mix of emotions on my face. He looked like he wanted to ask something, but I was too shaken to explain.

How… how is this even possible?

It’s only been a week since he broke up with me. So what is all this?

How can Danny be in a six-month relationship with someone else when I was with him for an entire year, and I knew nothing about it?

None of it made sense.

I felt completely numb, unable to even stand. My whole body trembled.

What made it worse was that the woman Danny proposed to at the hotel wasn’t even this girl.

Playboy.

How was I supposed to process all of this? It was overwhelming.

“Henry, how do you know the guy in the picture? Is he from your school? You know him, right? I don’t understand…” Kingston wasn't a fool. He was quick to understand something was wrong with my reaction.

I ignored him and forced myself to speak calmly. “Who exactly confirmed this to you? Did you verify it yourself, or are you just believing what her friends said?” I asked, frowning slightly.

It was as if I wanted to leave in self denial. I badly choose to accept this was all fabricated and nothing of this sort was true, but the evidence was clear. Kingston did not know Danny before so he couldn't have fabricate such a thing. 

Kingston shook his head immediately and denied. “I didn't only confirm from her friends alone, but also from others. They mentioned a person who they suppose to be her boyfriend always visiting her in the night and sometimes during the day. Who else would that be if not her boyfriend?” 

“Henry, someone is calling you.” I felt a tap on my shoulder while I was lost in thought. When I looked up, I saw Kingston holding something.

I stared at him blankly at first, then suddenly realized, it was my phone in his hand.

I quickly sat up on the bed, staring at the phone as it rang. For a moment, I couldn’t think straight.

“What’s wrong with you?” Kingston said. “Your phone has been ringing, but you didn’t even notice.”

Really? I sighed, realizing I had completely zoned out.

“Henry, your friend is calling,” he reminded, looking confused and puzzled. “Aren’t you going to answer it?”

“Oh.” I nodded and quickly took the phone from him, then answered the call.

“Henry!”

The voice on the other end was loud and full of energy, way too loud.

“Ah, David? Don’t burst my eardrum,” I said, adjusting my position on the bed and holding the phone away from my ear. “What’s wrong?”

If I remembered correctly, David should be at his parents’ house, it would be the weekend tomorrow, after all.

I heard him chuckle. “What? Can’t I call my friend? I miss you.”

“Oh, please, David. Stop that,” I said, not believing him at all. Maybe that line would work on someone else, but not me.

“Alright, you got me. I didn’t call just to say I miss you,” he admitted.

I snorted, not surprised. “Then why did you call?”

“As much of a mummy’s boy as you are, I bet you’re with your parents right now,” I said with a small smirk.

“Whatever,” he replied. “You’re right, I’m at my parents’ house.” Then his voice dropped a little. “But I think they don’t want me anymore.”

He sounded upset, and I rubbed my chin, already knowing this was going to be a long story. “Why?”