Ways We've Never Loved

DYANNEOur world is such a small world—literally, and every day coincidences happen. People meet the most unexpected people; one way or the other, they run into people they swore to never see again. Life has its way of bringing people back together in a way. And in some others' cases, they walk in by themselves. Like me, agreeing to move back to New York to work in The Morgan's company, knowing full well who is about to own it. But what are the odds that a normal employee like me will ever come across the upcoming president?I have been quite unlucky, I can say that for a fact, but I hope the universe will give me a break this one time.“Nervous?“ A familiar voice asks as he catches up with my fast stride.I turn at once to look at David, my friend and workmate who also got transferred alongside me. I throw him a small smile that's meant to seem confident, but from the look he's giving me, I guess I failed. I straighten up and try to look more convincing.“Of course I'm not,”He size

DYANNE My body soon pulls out of the shock, and before I can avert my gaze and walk away, she says my name.“Dyanne!“I exhale in exasperation and force my legs to walk past her. 'Please don't touch me. Ignore me like you've done for the past ten years. Ignore me like everyone has'Unfortunately, everything I've ever desperately wanted never came to me.“Oh my gosh, sweetheart!““You didn't tell me you were back!“ She exclaims. For a second, her high-pitched voice tempts me to look at her, and when I do, the wide, genuine smile on her face almost makes me throw up.Why is she pretending to like me? I immediately get the memo when someone clears their throat beside me.“Your daughter? She looks just like you mentioned,” the woman beams at me. Before I can speak, Mom pulls me to her side.“Of course, she takes just after me,”Clearly, the woman must have seen the look of disdain on my face when my mother says that, because her eyes dart between us in confusion. I don't attempt to ad

DYANNEI slide my chair back, twisting over just so I can catch a glimpse of David's face.“David?” He raises his head. “Yes, ma'am?”“Can I have all information on Layaways sent to my email?““On it, boss,” he nods, raising his hand to his head in a salute. A light smile forms on my face as I get on my feet. I pick up my phone and make my way to the break room.Once in the room, I make straight for the vending machine, grab an iced tea can, and pop it open.I exhale as soon as I take a gulp, the liquid immediately sending a refreshing feeling throughout my body. As I bring it up to my mouth one more time, I hear the door being pushed open, and I lift my gaze. I freeze as my eyes meet Alex's. My eyes circle over his face, noticing the tousledness in his hair and even the slight movement of his lips.I can see the slight hesitation in his eyes as he takes a step closer.Alex? Hesitate? I mean, the old Alex would, but I barely know anything about this beauty standing in front of me.

DYANNE“Fuck it! I'm going for the welcome dinner,” those were the words I said to myself as I rounded up the day's work, and so, barely an hour later, I'm walking alongside my colleagues into the hotpot restaurant they picked out.I nod in satisfaction as we make our way to our assigned table.I've never been here before, so I'm kind of excited to see what it's like. Apparently, this is a hotspot for most office workers to hold casual team dinners and the like.They were right, though; most people seated in here were young people and were still in their workwear, and the minority were college students or couples.I sigh as I take my seat beside David.The only reason I agreed to join the party was because it would be my first and only team dinner with them, and I'll take this as my secret retirement party from the company after 4 years.So it won't hurt for a little celebration, right?'Liar. You are only here because of Alex'I roll my eyes at that thought. Of course, I'm not hurt

DYANNE“Are you okay?” Rose asks softly as we are walking back to my apartment, breaking the silence between us.“I planned to quit.”There's a look of concern on her face before she turns away from me, her eyes searching around; when she finally finds what it is, she grabs my hand and leads me to a concrete platform where we sit.“I thought you were only joking about it,” she finally replies.“I wrote a letter. But it's not submitted yet. I think I'm making a mistake.”There's silence between us for a while, the only sounds coming from cars speeding by, the heavy footsteps of pedestrians, and their little chats.Is it because of Alexander?“Is it? Yes. But it's also because of my mother. And myself. “I don't think he has a problem working with you.”“I don't want one in the future; that's why I want to quit,” I counter.“Why do you keep sacrificing yourself for things that are not your fault?“Her words slice deeper than anything that I've heard these past years.Why? I don't know e