Let's Break Up

4 weeks prior to the wedding

Anna checked her appearance in the mirror in front of her. She etched a wry grin before grabbing her bag and leaving the room. She went downstairs and found that her family was having dinner.

"Where are you going?" Rachal, her mother, inquired as she peered at her daughter, who was ready to leave.

Anna giggled a little. "Kai is on his way." It's no surprise she's so pleased.

Paul, his father, furrowed his eyebrows. “Have you not yet separated from him? Ibrahim will not be pleased if he finds out," he nudged his daughter.

Ethan attempted to soothe his father because he did not want to put his younger sister under lots of pressure. She was already going through a lot because of them. He wanted to remove a little burden from her shoulder. “Dad. Anna must have a plan.”

When her father mentioned Ibrahim's name, Anna's smile faded. She was well aware that their wedding was only a month away, and Ibrahim had already given wedding gifts to her family. "I know. I'm going to tell Kai everything today. You don't have to be concerned, Dad. I'm not going to run away," she replied glumly.

The doorbell rang before Paul could respond to his daughter. "I will be back." Before leaving, she said her goodbyes and bowed to her parents.

Kai was standing at the door when she opened it. However, when he was about to enter her house, she immediately shut the door behind her. "What does this mean?" Kai is shocked because he usually goes inside her house to have a little chit-chat with her parents.

"Mom and Dad are not at home. Ethan is also preoccupied with his work." Anna made an excuse.

Kai nodded his head and led her to his car. He didn’t forget to open the door for her. Every time Anna looked at him, her heart ached seeing him smiling at her like she was the most desirable thing in the world. Kai might not be as rich as Ibrahim, but he is a good guy. She feels terrible if she has to leave such a good guy for the sake of her arranged marriage.

"Where are we going?" Anna queried.

Kai gave her a friendly smile. "Surprise," he said, winking at her.

Anna didn't ask any more questions because her mind was engrossed with how she would tell Kai about her wedding, about leaving him just because her family decided to put her on line. She simply remained silent without bothering Kai and pretended to sleep so that Kai would not ponder her. The ride took more than an hour and she really fell asleep. 

"We've arrived, Anna." Kai gently patted her shoulder to wake her up.

Anna struggled to open her eyes and look around. It appeared familiar, but she couldn't place them. "Where are we?" she inquired.

"Let's go down first," Kai suggested.

Kai took both of them to Decimo at the Standard, the famous Mexican-Spanish fuse restaurant located at the center of the Standard’s London outpost. Its surrounding cityscape with an inviting and warm atmosphere, thanks in part to the fire at the center of the sprawling dining room, “It's a lovely place where we can enjoy your favorite Mexican food plentiful. I heard that char-grilled meat is one of their delicious dish here. You’ll love it.” Kai said happily. He was happy because he’s finally taken Anna to a high standard restaurant. Though Anna didn’t complain about their small date like walking on the streets or sitting by the lakeside, today he wanted them to have a special evening together. Anna forced a smile.

Kai appeared to be aware of her silence. “Why? You don’t like it?” 

Anna shook her head and began to place her order. After their romantic dinner they walked to the park. They didn't talk much, which made Kai feel strange. Anna is usually a chatty person, and he doesn’t like this quieter version of her. He didn't ask until they were both finally reached at the love lock area. Where couples were busy locking their love locks so they could spend their life together forever. Kai looked at them and smiled. He turned towards Anna and asked with the brightest smile.

“Should we buy locks too?” asked Kai, referring to the love locks. Anna looked where Kai had indicated, seeing a couple writing their name on the lock, which they locked on the railing. 

Anna finally gets back to her senses as all the things running in her mind stopped. She shook her head. “No. We don't have to.” She responded in hushed tones, almost indistinct.

Her sloppy response bothered Kai. "What happened to you?” He inquired, concerned, "Are you not feeling well?”

Before mustering the courage to look into Kai's eyes, Anna cast a glance down at her shoes. When tears began to gather in her eyes, she bit her lip so firmly to stop them from streaming. She apologized in a husky voice after letting all the tears that she had been holding back fall.

"What happened? Did I do something wrong?" Kai became terrified when he saw his girlfriend whimpering and sobbing uncontrollably.

She finally said, "I'm ending our relationship." She spoke deliberately clearly, doing her best to look into his eyes so he would know she meant it.

Kai rolled his eyes, as he couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Don't be silly. Anna. I brought you here to propose to you. Your joke is seriously ruining this lovely moment," he replied, his hand busy searching for something in his pockets.

Anna's eyes welled up with tears once more when she saw the red velvet box. He is about to ask her to marry him. "I said we were done," she said, raising her voice.

Kai panicked when he saw her sobbing loudly this time. She is not faking her words in any way. “Why do you say that? We're not breaking up, not at all!”

"I'm getting married. Another guy has already proposed to me. It will take place next month.” Anna replied, but she refrained from gazing into his eyes.

Kai felt as if his whole world was collapsing around him. The red velvet box he was holding fell to the ground. He's been saving for that ring for so long, but now she said she's going to marry another guy? Just like that. "You've got to be kidding me!” He snapped. "Who's that guy?”

"You don't need to know. He's rich, he drives a luxury car, owns a large business corporation, takes me to fancy restaurants, buys me diamonds and branded designer clothes that you can never give me. Please don't contact me again, we're done!" Anna said, and all the words she just said are meant to make him loathe her. It's better for him to despise her in order for her to feel less guilty.

Kai was taken aback by the sudden confession. Anna walked away before he could ask another question. She doesn't know how to face him anymore. She's mad at herself, mad at the wedding, and mad at the boastful Ibrahim Saunders. Her life is over!