Chapter 2

I stared at him, wondering how he could sound so convincing while spouting nonsense.

When I did not respond, Nicholas grew visibly flustered.

He repeatedly assured me that he was simply looking out for a colleague.

“I helped her with the itinerary because I didn’t want her coming back late and holding up the team’s work.

“There’s nothing else to it. Don’t overthink this.

“Rey, if it bothers you that much, I’ll block her and never see her again. Just don’t use breaking up as a threat, alright?

I scrolled across the screen.

Those chat messages kept flashing back into my mind, no matter how hard I tried to push them away.

His “no other intention” meant that they were more than friends, but less than lovers.

“How naive do you think I am, Nicholas?

“Blocking her doesn’t mean you can’t unblock her later. You two work at the same company. You can’t avoid her forever.

“It was such a detailed itinerary. It even included which hotel to stay at, where to go, and what to eat.

“I waited two whole years for those plans. She got them in the blink of an eye. Is this special treatment also supposed to be normal, harmless workplace kindness?”

I held my breath while waiting for his reply.

I used to feel sorry for him, thinking he was working hard and exhausted late into the night.

But it turned out he was not actually working. He had been using that time to plan a romantic trip for another woman.

That irony kept hitting me over and over, and it made me feel sick and numb inside.

“Take all the time you need. When you’ve figured things out, give me a call. We’ve got too much tied up in each other to just walk away cleanly.”

I picked up my coat and walked toward the door.

He stepped past me in one stride and blocked my way at the entrance.

His tall frame loomed over me as his large hand gripped my arm tightly.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he said, “Don’t go.”

I was emotionally shut down. But the moment I looked at him, all the suppressed feelings broke through, and tears welled up.

My stomach churned with a hot, sick feeling that climbed all the way to my throat.

I shoved at him, trying to get past him and out the door.

He was sobbing too, but he stood there like a wall, just repeating over and over, “Don’t go.”

In the end, I went back to the bedroom and refused to open the door.

He stayed outside the whole time, not willing to leave.

Then, my best friend, Patricia Bellamy, called me.

“Rey, what happened between you and Nicholas? He didn’t even show up to today’s client meeting.”

I stayed silent.

On the other end of the line, Patricia began to lecture me.

“You two have always been so inseparable. Listen to me, just let it slide. Men like him don’t come around often.”

“He cheated. I’m breaking up with him. Don’t bother trying to change my mind,” I said as my voice came out hoarse.

Patricia paused for a moment.

“Rey, Nicholas knew you loved roses. All through college, he got up early every morning to order you the freshest bouquets. He knew you didn’t like takeaways, so he went and got a chef’s license.

“Over the years since graduation, we’ve received gifts from time to time, and I know you’re not that thoughtful. It was always Nicholas who sent them on your behalf.

“He truly loves you.”

In the end, I just hung up the phone.

That day, I received countless calls, from classmates to teachers, friends to relatives, all urging me to get back together with Nicholas.

The last call came from my mother.

“Rey, don’t be so stubborn. Nicholas is good to us, and he has a good job. He just didn’t handle boundaries well. It’s not like you caught him cheating in bed. Young people make mistakes sometimes.”

My fingers trembled.

I had friends and family, yet at that moment, I felt utterly alone.

They all wanted something from Nicholas, or perhaps they had simply grown accustomed to me being with him.

But I did not want that any longer.

“Fine, Mom. I’ll do what you say.”

I hung up.

When I pushed open the door, Nicholas was sitting on the floor. He quickly looked up at me.

He looked completely worn out and lost.