Semua Bab A Lab Rat for His Love: Bab 1 - Bab 9

I'd been in love with Howard Chapman for 20 years. In the week leading up to our graduation, we slept together every night and went through ten boxes of condoms in seven days. After he turned me away when I offered him the 11th box, I bought him some supplements instead. As I stood outside, waiting to hand them over, I saw him poking holes in his condoms while his friends looked on, cackling. Listening as he explained how he'd only slept with me so that I could test out birth control pills for his "Lizzy"—full name Melissa Lane—I cried. After all, he'd just proposed to me in front of the entire college yesterday. Inside the room, Howard continued speaking. Eight hours ago, he'd gone down on one knee and promised to love me forever. Now, less than a day later, I felt as though his mocking words were stabbing me. Goosebumps rose all over my body. His friends clinked glasses with him and said, "Rehearsing your proposal in front of the whole college is something only you could come

Melissa's lips were ringed red from her smeared lipstick. When our eyes met, she grinned. Glee sparkled in her eyes. If Howard was what she wanted, I'd give him to her. A man who'd cheated was like rotten food. Holding on to it would only cause disgust. My thoughts were a humbled mess as I caught a cab home. Lying back onto the couch, my brain functioned sluggishly. I scrolled through my chat records with Howard. Throughout our four years at college, I'd enjoyed how Howard took care of me and expressed his adoration. I spoiled him with gifts, and he took me on dates. I helped him with his thesis, and he took me to the movies in return.I tried to find out whether he liked me, and he let me do whatever I wanted, even going as far as to reciprocate. This gave me hope. Even though he'd never confessed or confirmed my status as his girlfriend, I allowed him to bed me in the hotel. How cheap of me. I had no idea what I was doing and thought it was the passion of true love. Time

On my way to the airport, Howard realized I'd blocked him. Using his spam account, he texted me, complaining, "What's going on with you now? Is this ever going to end? Weren't you alright a few days ago?"How can I marry you now if you keep behaving like this? Wasn't it just that I didn't bring you with me to a gathering with my roommates? Why are you so mad? "Alright. Fine. I'm sorry, babe. Can you unblock me? Melissa's still waiting for her internship. Speak to the secretary and make sure her application isn't held up. She's just a girl trying to find her way in the big city. It's not easy for her." Howard had texted me more in a few minutes than he had in the past two decades we'd known each other. It was the first time he'd called me something as sweet as "babe". However, he'd only done so to secure a job for his beloved.The irony wasn't lost on me. In fact, I found it funny and giggled audibly in the car. However, tears streamed down my face.Howard only noticed Melissa'

Completing all the necessary paperwork for enrollment took a day. During that time, I made a new friend who hailed from the same place—Eric Bieber. Apparently, he was a transfer from one of the top universities in the country. Eric was completely different from Howard. He was humble, quiet, and a perfect gentleman. He took me on a campus tour.On the way, we ran into three couples who were kissing on the streets, bathed in sunlight. Blushing, Eric led me away from them. However, the attraction he harbored for me didn't escape my notice. After my failed relationship, I didn't want to start anything with someone new. Studying overseas was my way of improving myself. So, when he offered to walk me home, I turned him down. Under the warm glow of the street lamps, I looked up at Eric and said, "Thank you for your help. However, we're studying different majors and probably won't see each other frequently. If you'd like, I can treat you to a meal as thanks for the tour." We were both

The landlord said Howard had paid ten times more than the market price for the apartment, so the original tenant agreed to give the spot to him.With a bouquet of roses in hand, Howard knocked on my door. When I opened it, he smiled bitterly and said, "I know you won't believe me when I say I can't bear to let you go, but I'm not a rock. I can feel your love for me. If you can't accept me, I can wait for you. I'll stay here for as long as you are. If I have to get married, I hope you'll be the one I marry." Before I could turn him down, he stuffed the flowers into my hand and turned back into the apartment. After that night, I began receiving packages every day—new product releases from luxury brands and limited-edition jewelry.The more he sent, the more it pissed me off. Even after two decades, he hadn't bothered to find out what I liked. I never wore jewelry. Eventually, I refused to accept the packages. However, he still knocked on my door every night. Not once did I open i