Chapter 4

I didn't turn Gemma down.

The weather had grown chilly by the time we left the cafe. Clad only in her miniskirt, Gemma rubbed her arms to warm herself. "Could you walk me home, Elliot?"

I was a little taken aback, but I glanced at her shivering shoulders and said, "Come on, then."

Gemma's place wasn't too far from my apartment. After I took her home, she asked me to wait downstairs. When she returned, she was holding a slice of cake. "It's my birthday today."

I didn't take sweet treats because Alora didn't, but when I saw the tentative, expectant look in Gemma's eyes, I graciously accepted the cake.

Upon returning to my apartment, I was surprised to find Alora waiting for me on the couch. When she looked at me, the smile in her eyes felt forced. "How was the blind date today, Elliot?"

I put the cake in the fridge and resisted the urge to straighten her mussed hair. Logan was meant to come home from Amerulea today. The fact that Alora was here already told me something.

At the very least, Logan hadn't come back as scheduled.

"Is something wrong, Alora?"

She responded by kissing me passionately.

She'd never taken charge like this before, and for a moment, I lost myself too. I carried her into the bedroom, which still smelled like her favorite scent. As usual, she scattered her clothes everywhere.

I had no idea why Alora was here to see me, only that she needed me now. She'd chosen me because I was young and content with what I had.

We spent the night tangled in the sheets. It was only when her phone rang that she seemingly snapped out of her daze and left my embrace.

She picked up the call, and her face immediately lit up with a faint smile. She hinted at me to keep quiet, then pulled on her dressing robe and padded toward the living room.

I lay in bed, my arms still open as if waiting to embrace her. A bitter laugh bubbled up my throat. I knew the kind of woman Alora was, so why did I still fall in love with her over and over again?

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and booked myself a plane ticket to Frinsor.

The month before, I’d received an acceptance letter from a school in Pareus. But because of Alora, I hadn’t gotten around to turning it down.

Now, everything seemed to have fallen into place.

Perhaps Alora had forgotten the time she got drunk and told me about her romantic history with Logan in Pareus. I’d buried my face in the crook of her neck and quietly told her that I wanted to visit Pareus someday too.

Now, I finally had the chance to see the city that held the memories of her youth.

…

Alora left, as expected. She'd resumed her usual cool indifference and tossed me a set of car keys before she left. “They’re yours.”

It was both a gift and payment for my silence.

"I won't be needing them."

It was the first time I'd refused her gift. She cocked a brow and eyed the keys that fell on the floor.

“What is this? Are you upset with me?” She caressed the vivid kiss mark near my collar and teased, “Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen in love with me, Elliot. You know our relationship is purely transactional.”

I opened my mouth to say something, only to smile bitterly in the end. I understood the warning in her tone, but she underestimated my love for her. How could I bring myself to ruin the happiness she'd been waiting for?

“Safe travels.” I kissed her on the forehead like I always did, my lips brushing the strands of hair that framed her face.

Alora lay on my chest, her lashes fluttering. I couldn't tell what she was thinking.

It was Monday, and I headed to work at the company as usual. I would hand in my resignation that day and leave Alora’s life for good.

Leaving her undisturbed was my final blessing.

However, Alora didn’t show up for the regular Monday meeting.