Chapter 10
I wanted to get Michael to leave, but he was too drunk to move from where he sat by my door. Neighbors passing by looked at us with curious. With no other choice, I dragged Michael inside and gave him a glass of water. He was still out of it, so I dampened a towel and wiped his face.
After a while, he slowly came to, wrapped his arms around my waist, and burst into tears, speaking in a torrent of emotion.
“Juliana, I really tried to give you space after the breakup, but I couldn’t do it… I can’t live without you. Every day is agony without you. When I wake up and see you’re not there, I punch. myself and curse my stupidity…”
“How could I have been such a jerk? I must have broken your heart over and over, didn’t I?”
“When you were chasing me, I only thought we were having fun; I never expected to feel such pain seeing you with another
man…”
“I know I let you down. I didn’t keep my distance from Emmy, and things got out of hand…”
“Juliana, is there any way we can start over? I truly love you, I really do…”
Too little, too late, as they say. I was no longer the girl who would melt at sweet words.
After crying for a bit, Michael continued his monologue,
suddenly slapping his own face in frustration. “I don’t have a chance now, do I?”
“That night I was drunk and mistook Emmy for you, and I slept with her…”
“When I woke up, all I could think was that I’d never have a
Chapter 10
chance to win you back…”
Hearing this, I remained calm, accepting it as something should. be. Michael and Emily’s ambiguous relationship was bound to cross the line at some point. There’s no such
тает
platonic friendships between men and women–it’s either unspoken attraction or one–sided love. Once the veil is lifted, it’s no longer innocent.
So with Michael and Emily, even without me, they were destined to hit this point of no return. Just two people living out their roles. I had nothing to say.
But Michael, still crying, mumbled, “But then Emmy left me too… She said I was boring and wouldn’t talk to me anymore, not even calling me Mikey…”
“She found someone else, and stopped responding to my messages…”
That’s when I understood why Michael was here, suddenly seeking me out. Emily had spurned him, and he was here, pretending to regret, hoping to shed his shame.
Men can be so pitiful.
Without another word to Michael, I shoved him out the door and went back inside to a peaceful sleep.
When I woke up the next morning and headed out, Michael was gone, as if he had never been there. I didn’t care.
Some time later, I heard Michael’s name again from a former classmate. Apparently, Michael had been caught taking kickbacks on a construction project, using substandard materials, and had been reported. The news didn’t stir any feelings within me; it was like hearing about a stranger. He no longer had any impact on my emotions, and that was a relief. I
Chapter 101
could finally focus on loving myself.
The end
Another six months passed.
On my twenty–fourth birthday, I treated my coworkers to dinner. to celebrate. I had a good income, enough to take care of myself and buy nice clothes and shoes. I was amusing, got along well with my colleagues, and thrived in my work. Everything in my life was great.
The celebration was at a high–end buffet, and I was finally able to treat my colleagues to a great meal. Unexpectedly, Ethan, the CEO from the neighboring company, joined us. Since it was my birthday, I couldn’t refuse, so he joined in.
As usual, Ethan followed me with his tray, taking what I took. Eventually, he asked, “Juliana, is there anything else you need. me to teach you how to eat?”
I paused, realizing that during our previous outing, his food choices mirroring mine hadn’t been accidental. He had noticed I was unsure how to pair or dip the food and had calmly demonstrated each bite for me without drawing attention.
My heart was touched, and I stood silently for a few seconds. I realized that there was someone who noticed me quietly, and in the gentlest way, saved me from embarrassment at my most vulnerable moment. I smiled gratefully at Ethan.
During the cake–cutting, my coworkers asked what my birthday wish was. I thought for a moment and said, “I wish for everyone’s dreams to come true.”
Ethan seized the moment and said, “Juliana, I’ve waited a year. May I finally have the honor of adding you on Instagram?”
I looked at him. His expression was sincere, his eyes gentle, as if
Chapter 10
he were looking at the most precious treasure. It was a gaze I had never experienced before.
Unexpectedly moved, my eyes teared up, and I softly replied,
“Yes.”
“Ethan, thank you for your sincerity. I hope your wishes come true,” I thought, feeling a warmth in my heart. At that moment, I felt like they just might.
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