003: Meeting Again

EARLIER IN THE DAY

“I love you, Williams.”

“You are my soulmate.”

“Take your stupid ring. And don’t ever come near me again.”

_______

Williams’ eyes shot open, his heart racing as fragments of the dream lingered in his mind. He sat up, his breaths heavy, and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Reaching for his wallet on the nightstand, he pulled out a small, worn photo tucked inside. His fingers traced the edges, the image a cruel reminder of a past he couldn’t escape. His grip tightened as his emotions surged.

He stared at the picture, bitterness welling up in his chest. “Why are you still in my dreams, Elodie?” he muttered through clenched teeth. In a sudden burst of frustration, he tore the photo into tiny pieces, letting them scatter onto the floor.

It had been three years since she walked out of his life, yet the pain felt fresh, as if no time had passed. Her betrayal, her cutting words...they haunted him. No matter how hard he tried to bury the memories, they always clawed their way back to the surface, especially at night when he was most vulnerable.

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he stood and ran a hand through his messy hair. “Great,” he grumbled. “Another day ruined before it even starts.”

This wasn’t the first time. Every morning seemed to follow the same ritual: he’d wake up from a dream about Elodie, tear up her picture in anger, only to replace it later when his rage subsided. He hated seeing her in his dreams.

Skipping breakfast, Williams left his house in a foul mood. By the time he arrived at his company, his sharp tone and icy glares had everyone on edge. His employees knew better than to cross him when he was like this.

Tobias, his closest friend, was waiting for him in his office. As Williams settled behind his desk, Tobias raised an eyebrow. “Rough morning again?”

Williams didn’t answer, his jaw tightening as he rubbed his temples.

Tobias chuckled knowingly. “Let me guess. You dreamed about her again, didn’t you?”

Still, Williams said nothing. Instead, he walked over to the window, hands in his pockets, and stared at the bustling city below. The silence stretched between them until Tobias sighed, realizing his friend wasn’t in the mood to talk. He quietly left, closing the door behind him.

Alone, Williams’ thoughts drifted back to Elodie, as they always did. He wondered where she was, and what she was doing. The memory of her walking away, throwing their six years of love aside, still stung. The implication of her parting words echoed in his mind: “You’ll never amount to anything.”

Now, he was one of the richest men in the world....a living contradiction to her cruel prediction. Yet, despite his success, the ache in his heart remained.

He had avoided any news about her, telling himself she wasn’t worth another moment of his time.

“Hey, baby,” a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

Williams tensed as slender arms wrapped around him from behind. He turned, gently removing her hands.

“Mandy,” he said sharply, “what are you doing here? I told you not to come uninvited.”

She smiled, unfazed by his irritation. “Come on, Williams. Don’t be like that. We haven’t seen each other in days, and I missed you.”

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He wasn’t in the mood for her today.

“The music festival starts at seven,” Mandy reminded him with a pout. “You promised to take me, remember?”

“I’m busy,” he replied, his tone clipped.

Her pout deepened. “But you promised. I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks. Please, Williams?”

He hesitated. Maybe going to the festival would be a good distraction. He needed something to pull him out of this spiral. “Fine,” he said reluctantly. “I’ll pick you up at six.”

Her face lit up, and she kissed his cheek. “Thank you! I knew you’d come through. We’re going to have so much fun!” She left his office, her excitement palpable.

Williams watched her go, a heavy sigh escaping him. “Mandy,” he muttered under his breath, “I wish you could replace her. I really do.”

Now, hours later, he was at the festival with Mandy. For the first time that day, he felt lighter. The music, the lights, and the energy of the crowd were enough to distract him....until a moment ruined it.

They stopped to take a picture with a mascot in a ridiculous blue-and-pink costume, and right after the photo, the mascot suddenly turned and ran, bumping into a towering three-tiered cake.