Heart Broken

Alexander's POV

As I drove with no specific destination in mind, I recalled how Olivia had become a part of my life.

In college, I only had eyes for Kira. I was just a year older than her back then. At twenty-four, Kira had the body of a supermodel and had already graced the covers of several popular magazines. Her perfect body

and pretty face drove me mad with desire. We were both from worthy families, and it felt so right to be with her. Though she was a social media freak, I understood her. I loved her and planned to marry her once we completed college in only a couple of months.

Then there was Olivia. She was always there trying to please me, but I ignored her because my heart was already taken. Kira was not the type to serve a man, but Olivia was prepared to do anything for me. Yet it was Kira I wanted.

When I told Kira I wanted to introduce her to my parents as the girl I wanted to marry, she agreed with excitement. My family would have accepted her because she was from a family of worth, too. On that fateful day, I waited at our usual meeting spot, a bench at a local theme park. We’d planned to go from there to my family's house together.

I waited and waited. Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes turned into hours. It felt like an eternity passed. I tried phoning her but received no answer. My heart raced as I grew worried, wondering if she was okay and contemplating what I should do. Eventually, my phone buzzed with a text message. Relief washed over me as I saw Kira’s name on the caller ID. I quickly opened the message.

My dearest love,

I know we planned to meet at our usual spot today, where our love story began. Unfortunately, I can’t make it. I was just awarded a ten-year contract as a supermodel with Starlight, the top modeling agency in the UK. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, and I can’t pass it up. I’m leaving the country tonight. So this is the end of the road for us, Alexander. I’m so sorry. Believe me when I say this decision wasn’t easy for me. I love you and wish I could spend my life with you, but it’s simply not meant to be.

Kira

My smile faltered as my heart caved in. It felt like I’d been drenched with a bucket of cold water. I reread the message, each sentence feeling like a needle piercing my heart. For some time, I sat in silence, feeling like a shell of my former self. My family called continually, and I ignored them. Eventually, Olivia found me. She must have sensed my distress, because she rushed to my side and pulled me into a hug. I hugged her back tightly, and let out my sorrow, sobs wracking me.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m truly sorry you she put you through that. You’re a wonderful man and deserve better.”

Feeling lost and hopeless, I peered at her. Then she said the unexpected. “How about me? I love you, Alexander. I’ve always loved you. If you give me the chance, I promise I’ll make you the happiest man on earth.”

I pulled away from her embrace and looked at her quizzically, suddenly wondering how she had found me and why she’d bring this up now. Did she have something to do with Kira leaving me the way she did?

She must have. She was also from a worthy family, and I didn’t doubt for a second she could have had a hand in it. Anger bubbled within me, and I wanted to push her away.

But then she reached out and touched the side of my face and stared at me with what looked like love and longing. I felt calmness from her touch, and that angered me even more, though I didn't react.

“I love you, Alexander,” she confessed a second time, her eyes searching mine.

“You want me?” I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, a tear in her eye.

I kissed her. Yes, I kissed her. Not because I loved her, but I needed relief from the pain of losing Kira, and Olivia was there. I needed an outlet. My body needed one even more. If not for the fact that we were sitting on a bench at a theme park, I would have taken things further.

My phone rang, and I pulled away from Olivia to check the caller ID. I answered my mother’s call, while Olivia stared at me like she had just won a trophy.

“Alexander, it’s getting late,” my mother said. “Everyone’s here waiting to meet that wonderful girl. Are you two coming?”

I stared at Olivia’s smiling face. Her smile looked genuine, but she couldn’t fool me. She sent Kira away just to win me. I knew she did.

You took my love away from me. I will make you pay. I held back a sneer, and instead wore a false smile in return as I answered my mother. “Yes, Mum. We’re coming. Her name is Olivia. Olivia Hudson.”

A tear streamed down Olivia’s joy-filled face.