"Leo?" she exclaimed. Charmaine was surprised to see Leo waiting on the entrance of the flower park they agreed to meet at. It has never happened before that Leo came earlier than her. It was always Charmaine who comes first on every dates and Leo usually came late. "How long have you been waiting?" she asked.
"Just about ten minutes. Let's get in!" he replied.
For the first time ever, Charmaine wasn't glad to see Leo. This date was for her to say goodbye and although she knew she was doing the right thing, her heart still felt heavy.
"I'm sorry. I know you're busy but... I just want to spend a couple of hours with you. Did Grandpa told you anything?" she asked as while they were entering the park.
"No. What's the matter?",he asked.
Charmaine sighed. She couldn't tell him she's leaving. She's afraid to see his indifference once she told him. It would only hurt her more if she witness his lack of concern about it.
"It's nothing! Let's go there and take some pictures!" she cheerfully hollered and grabbed Leo's wrist, pulling him towards a big Wisteria with purple flowers decorating the tree.
The young woman took out her phone, hugged Leo's arm, put her head on his shoulder and took a picture of them. The photo came out fine, vibrant and excellent that Charmaine stared at it for a long time. It's just a pity that although she was smiling brightly, the man next to him didn't grace her a smile and just looked at the camera coldly like he always did.
"It's good. Send me a copy." Surprisingly, Leo told her from behind.
"It would have been perfect if you smiled!" she murmured.
"It's good enough. Send me a copy now." he demanded.
Charmaine did what he asked and then they continued to take numerous photos with the flowers as their background after. Charmaine enjoyed it so much that she didn't even notice the time. She only asked him for a couple of hours and the time was almost up.
"Our time is almost up." she blurted out when she saw the time on her phone.
"It's still early. Let's stay for another thirty minutes." he suddenly said. "Sit over there. I'll get us some drink." he pointed to a nearby bench and then turned to leave.
Charmaine watched Leo's back in astonishment. He was unusually caring today. He must have heard about her leaving. Was he too happy about it that he decided to treat her nice today?
Back then, whenever they went out, Leo would always be grumpy. It was always her who reached out to him. It was always her who chase after him. It was her who comes to him first. She only realized now how tiring it was. That she too wanted to be loved and pampered. But Leo couldn't give her that. He doesn't like her.
"Here." A can of soda appeared before her eyes while she was dazed. Charmaine looked up and found Leo standing in front of her, handing her a drink. She took it and thanked him but avoided his eyes.
Leo sat beside her and drank his own drink. There was a long silence until Charmaine found the courage to say what's on her mind.
"Leo... I know that you don't like me. I just want to ask... do you like Jienna?" she asked.
Leo stared at Charmaine for a long time before shaking his head. "I don't."
Charmaine sighed. So he didn't like either of them? That's unfortunate. "Then, I'm going to tell you something... Open your heart and only marry a woman you love. I want you to be happy... because I like you." she told him, her eyes staring straight to his. Leo furrowed his brows. Pondering what she actually meant. The next thing he knew, Charmaine was claiming his lips. She kissed him but he didn't respond. It was something quite heart breaking for her.
"I have to go now. Thanks for accompanying me." she then bowed her head and ran away.
Leo was left sitting on that bench dumbfounded. The kiss surprised him so much that his mind went blank and he was unable to respond. He remained dazed for another ten minutes.
After a few seconds more, Leo's phone received a mail. His heart pounded instantly the moment he opened the message...
'Leo, I'm sorry. My previous self has been greedy for your love. But I understand now that I have to let you go. Please be happy! No matter who you choose to marry in the future, please don't abandon your child! Raise him and shower him with love. I will be leaving today and this will be my parting words.... Leo, Xiaomin loved you.'
Leo stared at those words. Was it a joke? Was Charmaine playing with him? Was she playing the strategy "one must let loose in order to capture"? Charmaine can't possibly just let him go like that, can she? Not when he has already taken her first time! He doesn't believe it! She was so obssessed with him before. How can she give up now? But.... why does he feel a hole inside his heart all of a sudden?
***
When Charmaine sent the message to Leo, she was already on her way to the airport. She was sitting in the back seat of a cab and was staring outside the car window. She has turned of her phone after sending that message. It's not that she didn't want to take a call. It was because she knew there won't be any call but she would still be waiting for Leo's call. Deep inside, she would wish he calls and stop her from leaving or even just ask where she's going. But he won't be calling and she'll only be waiting in vain.
Tomorrow, Jienna would be coming home. She didn't want to witness the argument that will commence. She has already seen it once and she wants to avoid it this time. In her dreams, Jienna came home to tell their parents the news of her pregnancy but they shunned her. She wondered if the things in her dreams will still be repeated now that she's gone? From now on, Jienna's life would be a battle of her own. Charmaine will be out of her way and no matter how things turned out, she won't be able to blame her anymore.