ONE

Michelle's POV_

Today I finally graduated from the university and to say I was happy was an understatement, I was filled with so much joy at the achievement that no amount of words could express it.

I and my boyfriend Shawn decided to hold a little party to celebrate my graduation. I had only invited a few of my close friends since I wanted to keep things on the low. One thing no one was expecting was that this night will also be the night my best friend will be proposed to.

Everyone was busy dancing and partying when the music suddenly stopped and that was when the surprise came in. Tommy went down on one knee and proposed to Mirabel right in front of everyone.

Mirabel's dropped in shock as she wasn't expecting this and due to how long she was taking to answer, everyone began to panic until she finally said *Yes!*

The whole crowd cheered them on and even I couldn't hide my excitement, but behind that excitement, I was also filled with envy and I suddenly wished that I also was getting engaged.

I and Shawn have been dating for two years now and although our relationship seems to be going well, I can't help but notice that Shawn has no intention of pushing our relationship forward, he's not ready to be in a fully committed relationship and even though I try so hard not to show it, it's slowly eating me inside.

Mirable's proposal only made me realize how bad I also want my relationship with Shawn to move forward. Two years we've been together and we haven't ever discussed our future together. It's more like our relationship is just stagnant with no desire to move forward. I just can't continue with this, I need answers about the plans for our future together and I plan on getting those answers from Shawn tonight.

"Hey." I felt someone tap my arm, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"What's wrong Mich? Are you okay?" Mirabel asked, worry written all over her face.

I instantly put on a cheerful face, this is a big day for her too and I wouldn't want her to worry about me.

"Of course I'm fine, congratulations Mira, I'm so happy for you." I hugged her tightly.

"Yeah right, I almost can't believe it myself, who would have thought Tommy would do this." She chuckled. "Now that I've gotten engaged, I await yours too. We've been friends for years now and we've always done things together. It'll be good if we can also have a wedding together, in the same place and everything, don't you think?" Mirabel asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, that'll be great." I replied and my eyes scanned the crowd for Shawn, I saw him talking to some business associates whom he had invited, when our eyes met, he smiled at me.

I found it difficult to smile back due to the thoughts going on in my head. "What's your plan for us Shawn?" I sighed deeply.

Soon the party was over and we all headed home.

When we arrived, after the shower, I and Shawn shared a passionate night together and when we were finally having our rest, I figured it'll be a good time to bring up the topic about our future together.

"I'll be having a wedding to plan soon." I started off.

"Mirabel's?" Shawn asked and I nodded.

"I'm so happy for her, what do you think about them getting married? You will agree with me that marriage is in fact a blissful thing." I said and Shawn went mute for a while.

"I disagree." He said and my heart literally skipped a beat.

I instantly sat up and then I looked at him. "What do you mean? Why?"

"I see marriage as something that's so insignificant, why get in a committed relationship when it's not even going to last, in the end the so-called relationship is bound to be broken, so why go through all that stress. Physical pleasure alone should suffice."

"One should be okay with how things are, why press for more? I don't believe in all these things, marriage, commitment, none of that makes sense to me." He bluntly said.

I literally couldn't believe my ears, the pain I felt in my heart was unbearable, Shawn had no idea how hurtful those words were and he kept on acting like he hadn't said something bad.

Staring at him only made me realize how little I know about Shawn, his family or how he was brought up, I knew nothing about him and that's all because he's never let me in, no matter how hard I tried to get close to him, he kept on pushing me away.

We're both mates and we should know everything about each other but it isn't that way with Shawn, I've always hoped that he's going to change, I've been patiently waiting for the time when he's finally going to open up to me but that doesn't seem like what's ever going to happen, not with his present mentality about relationships.

"I guess I must mean nothing to you." I said with a heavy heart.

"What do you mean?"

I angrily got down from the bed and then I put on a robe. "Do you even realize what you've just said, this only means that you have no plans of us being together in future!!'' I half yelled and he frowned deeply.

"What are you going on about Michelle? We're okay the way we are!"

"No! No we're not, we're not okay with the way things are, you might think that we are but we're not!" I half yelled and tears began streaming down my cheeks.

"They're so many things wrong with this relationship, we've never for once sat down and had a conversation about our future or made plans to push this relationship further. You seem so close yet so far from me Shawn." I said softly.

"Why are you being this way? Why are you doing this to me? Don't you think I want this relationship to make some progress, I also want to get to know you better, get married and have a family."

Shawn got down from the bed and he came to stand in front of me.

He stared deep into my eyes and said the words that broke my heart.

"I'm not willing to commit Michelle, those are your dreams and not mine."

"I'm not ready to be in a committed relationship.''