001

REGINA 

"I'm sorry, Regina, but I can't do this anymore. You have to find another person to go with for the Yuletide Getaway at Manhattan Island."

That was how a relationship of three years ended, two days ago. In the cafe where I worked. Over a mug of freaking coffee! And of all seasons, Christmas! With no solid explanation.

The season I had been looking forward to since I finished my last paper a few months ago. It was supposed to be a moment of total freedom and happiness being that I was officially a graduate and finally quitting the cafe tender job(which saw me through my college degree)

 My roommate, Karina, and I planned our official graduation party to take place on Christmas day, and we also decided to fulfill our Christmas wish list by buying a ticket for a cruise tour and getaway in Manhattan Island. Remy was even the one who suggested it. Now, he was bailing out on me.

I still couldn't get over the thought of him ditching me just like that without any valid reason. I couldn't remember denying him anything and I didn't pester him about money despite his father owning chains of business. Hell, I even paid for the ticket with my salary. It was partly the reason I didn't quit immediately after I graduated— I was gathering the money.

Maybe this was all a prank. I thought. My heart was still aching from two nights of crying.

 Maybe he wanted to know if I would still come to the cruise vacation, and then we would organize a surprise party for me, right?

"Earth to Gina!" Shuddering, my head whipped sharply to stare at Rina who was sitting beside me and wearing a quizzical expression. I decided to go through with the getaway in high hopes that this was all a prank. 

Throughout the drive to Manhattan Island, I had been zoning out at intervals, feeling like a sore loser but still hanging onto the glimmer of hope that this might be a Christmas prank.

She gasped. "You are still crying?"

Slowly, my hands found my face, sensing the lines of tears that cascaded down my face. My heart constricted against my chest. I have been doing a lot of these lately.

Karina pulled me close and wrapped her hands around my chest. "Stop crying over that asshole, babe." I didn't resist her embrace. I needed it.

I wish it was that simple.

"Don't tell me you are still nursing the thought of that asshole ever coming back to you?" 

Karina huffed when I didn't counter what she said. 

"I have told you to forget that bastard that had the heart to break up with you a few days to Christmas day." Her soft hands found my back, rubbing my hands soothingly.

"The sooner you let me get a pretend boyfriend for you for this getaway the better for you, Gina."

"I don't want a pretend boyfriend." I sulked. "I want Remy." My left forefinger and thumb held tightly on my right thumb as though it would slip away and scurry off. I usually did that when I was frustrated and needed to vent.

Karina held me like that till we got to the resort. Reluctantly, I got down with her, taking my suitcase that had already been brought down by the driver. 

She held my hand as we walked through the gigantic gate that was manned by a few security personnel. 

From one glance, I could see the beauty of the resort and its gigantic structure, but I was far too distorted to play the admiral guest now.

When we got to the reception, we presented our tickets to the receptionist, who called staff to take us to the vacation house, which, from the look of things, was separate from the hotel itself.

"Welcome to Manhattan Island!" The reception said with a smile that was fully returned by Karina. I can only manage a faint smile.

"What time do you think my boyfriend—" I started as we trudged behind the staff heading towards the summer house, but Karina's hard gaze whipped my mouth back into shape.

"I mean, what time do you think Remy will get here?" I half-whispered dejectedly. I knew she would be angry at the question, but I couldn't help it.

"That's none of your business. And I doubt if he will even be here."

I shook my head. I refused to believe that. Remy wouldn't throw away three years of our lives together. "This may be a prank, you know," I muttered to Karina who humphed with an indifferent shrug.

"Or it could be really goodbye for the both of you." I winced at her words, causing her to stare at me. "The earlier you accept my solution for a pretend boyfriend. The better for us. I won't be by your side throughout this trip you know. My boyfriend will soon get here. Let me make the call." 

I shook my head at her silent plea as we rounded the sidewalk heading straight to the vacation house that was now in sight.

"Let's wait a little." 

She humphed again but decided to let me be. We were almost at the grand entrance of the vacation house when a female figure stalked out, giggling like a child, almost bumping into me.

"Oops," was all she could say, causing my head to whip up to meet the clumsy fellow, but my lips fell inches apart on beholding her face.

"Valentina?" Even Karina is stunned to meet her, here of all places.

She faked a gasp. "Hey, Gina!"

Valentina was one of my coursemates at Manhattan College. The typical cream of crops that thought the world began and ended with them. We never got along. I kept wondering how she managed to know my name because I was not among the popular and the wealthy.

"I didn't know you come to this kind of place." She let out a soft laugh and I felt the irresistible urge to gag.

Her gaze flicked to Karina, and her smile broadened. "Oh. I forgot you are friends with Karina." 

Karina was one of the rich girls in Manhattan College, but you will only know from her branded outfits and accessories. She wasn't a flaunter like Valentina.

 I glanced at Karina and she was already throwing her a murderous glare. But Valentina went on, unruffled by our glares.

"Anyway, I came with my boyfriend—" Karina and I exchanged glances. Valentina was notoriously known for her inability to settle with one guy because of her beauty and her father's wealth. Going around Manhattan with every wealthy guy that came her way. Why settle now?

"You know, I would have gone to Florida as you guys know. But my boyfriend insisted we come here." Karina and I exchanged an eye roll. My gaze flicked to the staff, and he was standing and waiting patiently with our suitcases. 

I needed to get as far away from Valentina as possible. Her gloating was the last thing I needed right now. Not when my heart had just been wrecked to pieces. 

Sighing, I took a step and so did Karina.

The gigantic door of the grand entrance opened. "Oh, there he is."

Glancing up with a look of disinterest, my eyes bulged out of their sockets, my jaw falling several inches apart.

'Remy!'