I woke up from that enchanting dream. That's the kind of dream I long to experience. But in reality, would I feel the same? Would I run into his arms and embrace him tightly? Would it be as welcoming as in my dream?
I myself don't know the answer. Even though I want to say no, my feelings for him haven't diminished that much, but my trust has been shattered. Not just for him, but for most guys I meet.
Upon waking up, I immediately got out of bed and prepared myself. I needed to distract myself today and forget about that dream.
As I drove my car, I received a notification. It was from my brother, informing me that one of the biggest and most influential investors in our company would be visiting today.
I saw it as a golden opportunity. While I was confident in the success of our company, there were formidable competitors in the industry. Gaining a more powerful backer would be a significant advantage, especially in terms of advertising and securing essential partnerships to elevate our brand and boost sales.
You know, I must admit that I used to be a certified brat. My spoiled behavior was extreme. Back then, I never imagined working or being part of any industry. All I knew was to seek happiness.
But reality hits differently. Especially the Clayland... I will never forget that place where I learned to think maturely. It laid the foundation for understanding why and how I became who I am today.
Perhaps even the experiences, the lessons I learned the hard way.
Anyway, I arrived at the office today and was immediately greeted by Alice. Her vibes and facial expression intrigued me. She seemed visibly unsettled.
"What's with your expression?" I asked her, puzzled.
"You won't believe who the investor is that's here!" she said, sounding a bit uneasy. Whoever this person was, they were making Alice uncomfortable.
"Why?" I fell silent when I finally saw who she had been talking about all this time.
He approached me slowly, appearing more mature and muscular than the last time I saw him. Undeniably more handsome. I never imagined seeing him like this again. And not only that, I dreamt of him last night. Could it be a sign of something? Do you know that feeling of wanting to run to someone and embrace them? But now, there are so many "what ifs.
"What if things aren't like they used to be? What if he's already married? What if it's too late? And what if history repeats itself?
And the fear resurfaced, as always.
He approached me, looking amazed. Perhaps he didn't expect the significant changes that had taken place in my life. I was no longer that young girl he once ghosted, how peculiar.
"How are you?" were his first words to me, weighing heavily on my chest.
I am getting better, but not until I saw you again.
Because you seem like a ghost from the past, reappearing before me.
But will running towards you bring progress? That's why I won't escape from you now. I won't be a coward, and I will gather my courage.
"I am doing fine, and I hope you are too. Shall we proceed? It seems you're interested in investing in our company. Perhaps my brother can discuss this further," I said, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. Even Alice seemed surprised and taken aback by my composure.
Over the years, I have grown. One area where I have developed is my ability to quickly adapt. Imagine how rapidly my mindset can change. I shouldn't let myself appear surprised or affected.
"Where is your office?" he asked, finally moving past my reaction. So he expected me to be affected by his sudden reappearance in my life? That audacity on his part, huh?
We walked towards my office, and I asked my secretary, Alice, to fetch the things I needed for the presentation.
I wanted everything to be swift, concise, and precise for the record. There was no reason for him to linger here. If he was not just an investor with great potential to elevate our company, I would personally reject him.
Why? Because I had a feeling that he would disrupt my work. He might hurt me again. Did he come back to rub in the fact that he's happy now? Perhaps he already has a family or something?
"That's my presentation... I truly appreciate you coming all the way to Azura to hear it. I wanted to have lunch with you, but I doubt it's possible as I already have a lunch date."
He looked into the void, his jaw tensing. But eventually, he let out a deep breath and gave me a smile.
"Then I am looking forward to seeing you more," he said, shaking my hand before leaving.
As he disappeared from my sight, I felt weak and sat down on my swivel chair.
"Are you okay? What did he eat that made him suddenly appear?" Alice asked me, handing me a glass of water.
"Ask your boyfriend," I retorted, annoyed.
"My boyfriend? What does he have to do with this?"
"He's the one who sought out the investor. In short, he's the one behind all this."
"But isn't that far-fetched? If there's one person who saw how hurt you were because of Master Logan, it's your brother," Alice said.
Up until this point, I was confused. Was it all just business? Were these two guys plotting something behind my back?
Now, a massive headache was building. I was extremely anxious. Sometimes I overthink too much in these scenarios.
"I need to take a break. Take care of things here for now."
"Oh, sure, rest well. You were really drunk last night. Maybe it's a sign that Master Logan will come back into your life."
"Impossible, that will never happen."
So I got into my car and started driving. I didn't know where to go. It was cold outside, and snow was falling. Christmas was approaching, and the snow was getting thicker. I decided to find somewhere to rest and eat because I was practically starving.
I parked my car by the side of a local restaurant. Now, I craved a warm soup and some fried chicken, so I went inside.
"Good morning," a middle-aged woman greeted me.
I greeted her back and proceeded to order my food. I wanted a comforting meal to chase away the cold.
I sat by the glass wall, enjoying the view. The falling snow created a serene and pure atmosphere.
"So, where is your date?"
"Oh my goodness, you!" I shouted in surprise, catching the attention of other customers. I quickly apologized and shot an angry look at the man standing in front of me.
"What are you, a mushroom? Why did you suddenly appear out of nowhere?" I said, annoyed.
He should be somewhere, on a date with his wife, son, or daughter, instead of chasing me here. At least, that's what I thought. It couldn't be a coincidence that he was here too.
"Well, mine has the shape of a mushroom, just saying," he said, making my face turn red!
When did this man become such a perverted idiot?
"What the hell, have some shame! We're in public!" I scolded him, embarrassed by his words earlier.
Thankfully, my mood improved when the food arrived, and its delicious aroma filled the air.
"Maybe you can find your own table? I'm trying to eat," I told him, shooing him away.
What if Rhaena Krystabella suddenly shows up here? That woman is overly obsessed with this guy, and it's unhealthy for me to imagine that happening right now. But it's no longer my concern.
"You can eat while we wait for your date. That way, I can see who's trying to win you over," he said, sounding annoyed and ready to dismiss the imaginary guy I was supposedly on a date with.
"Can you stop it and calm down? There's no one, okay? It's just an excuse because I have a headache from last night's hangover. I want my alone time, okay?" I clarified, still remembering the kind of person he is.
He's persistent, stubborn, and won't stop until he irritates me with his questions.
"Then you're not dating anyone?" he said, smiling for no apparent reason. What the hell?
"If I were, it's no longer your concern. Can we stop talking about my love life? How about you? How are things with Rhaena Krystabella?" I asked him.
He looked speechless. "We're okay."
Okay, I honestly expected that answer, but I didn't expect it to hurt this much. So he talked to me while being in a relationship with Rhaena Krystabella? What kind of guy is this Logan? He's become even more of an asshole than the last time I remember.
"Good for you," I said, my voice filled with sarcasm.
After finishing my meal, I bid him farewell. I didn't want to waste both of our time. Seeing him was enough for me. As long as he's happy, that's all I wish for. Today, I realized that there's no reason for me to hold onto bitterness.
I made a decision to give myself a chance to love someone else. Maybe there's no such thing as a perfect love experience. It's always about taking risks, and perhaps it's time for me to do just that. I contacted Riyu, a guy I met in college. He's now a well-known actor, singer, model, and brand ambassador for our company. While he's part of the entertainment industry, he also comes from a wealthy family of business owners here in Azura, as well as in Japan and China.
When we graduated, he confessed his feelings for me and expressed his desire to court me. However, I declined his advances at the time as my wounds were still fresh. It wasn't just a single heartbreak. I was broken twice by different guys.
Logan, who led me on and chose someone else, disregarding my feelings until I became numb with shattered hopes and fantasies. And my dad, who betrayed our family. I reminisce about the good old times, but when I remember how he tore our family apart, forgiveness becomes a challenging task. It's a struggle for me, and I'm working hard to achieve it.
But until now, I haven't spoken to him. I don't know when I'll be ready for that encounter. The pain of the past still weighs heavily on my heart.
"Riyu, can we go out on a date?" I asked over the phone.