The familiar man handed me a mug of hot coffee, and I stared at it. Unending ripples started when I caught a glimpse of my warped mirror.
As I cupped my hands over the unadorned brown mug, a mist rolled by and brushed across my face. Instead of the sharp chill of yesterday night's incident, I felt an overwhelming surge of warmth.
That evening...
"Thank you for being nice, but I——"
I found the man sitting at the coffee table across from me. He appears to be brewing coffee for himself; he crosses his legs and holds a white mug in his right hand.
I could see his pupils constricted as he clicked his tongue.
He said, "I didn't come to that place last night to help you," his voice as sharp as a glacier and his demeanor as icy. I raised both of my brows, and I clutched my cup firmly. I would have to put myself in his shoes to see how his taste and self-assurance really did clash.
However, such treatment of a young woman is inappropriate...
"Then why are you——"
"Listen," he said, setting his cup on the see-through coffee table. He then got up and reached into a nearby bookshelf for something. After that, he stood a meter away from me and leaned his back on the bookcase.
Even though he gives off an air of self-assurance, I sense his restless need to talk but do other things, so I guess that's why he enjoys moving around so much.
He pulled out a fragment of an envelope from the book after heaving a sigh.
"Look inside this before we continue," he said carelessly as he sat back and sipped his coffee.
Instead of looking at me, he turned to the window of his apartment and opened the curtains so that I could see the sun's golden rays filtering into my eyes.
Even my now ex-boyfriend Lucas lives on a higher floor than his flat (or is it a condo?).
Even though I'm in his condo, clutching the envelope he handed me, he must enjoy the high life, because Dhalia told me that this young man is now our new director of sales and marketing.
However, he was also privy to my night appearance.
He should not have invited me into his home if he was so unfeeling.
Why would he even consider taking in a woman who had been left for dead to his shelter?
I have no idea.
"You should open it for yourself and judge whether you want to do something or not..." His voice lacked any trace of warmth or hatred; it was deep, dark, cold, and merciless. Basically, it doesn't care.
I crumpled the envelope before I even realized it was happening because I was gripping it too hard. Following his instructions brought back the emotions I had from trying to cling to last night's events, so I did that first.
Then, I gasped.
While I was holding my mouth closed, I didn't deny how I was feeling.
Even my reflection in the coffee was visible, but it was of no consequence at the moment; what did matter was the date gleaned from the photographs that had been distributed upon opening the envelope.
Lucas and Sophia shared adorable moments in every single photo. They joined forces at the Fair Caravan while remaining disguised; there were no crews, cameras, or staff members present.
My eyes dimmed before I could even see further images of them posing as a loving couple.
"You know that Sophia and I are childhood friends, right?"
"..."
I remained silent.
Maybe I just didn't feel like responding.
I feel like my heart is breaking right now.
Actually, it was being ripped to shreds.
Giving me the diamond ring that was his first paycheck as an actor, Lucas pledged to me that I was the only one he loved.
He has promised to spend the rest of his life by my side, to see us through parenthood, and to share in the joy of having grandchildren.
Were they, however, all lies?
"This is obviously not real; it must be false. S-Something has to t-to..."
"Then what did you say last night? Were they all fake as well?"
I felt a jolt in my gut, and I drew back from the photos to meet the man's lingering stare.
It had a magnetic pull, but it also posed a threat.
"Why, you ask? Why did they act in such a way? Then why?"
I used both of my hands to shield my face. I made an effort to be at peace with my present situation, but it seemed like there was no way to avoid the bittersweet finish.
Lucas and his co-star are solely to blame for the tragic end of our six-year relationship.
But for what reason?
"Didn't you even hear me out earlier?"
His voice grew increasingly agitated. I looked up and noticed that he was narrowing his eyes, which made me gag.
"Are you trying to bribe me? I thought you were Sophia's childhood friend and were meant to be by her side. Is that so? So you could shield your beloved childhood friend from harm, was that it? You wanted me to remain silent, right?" I choked out, "You shouldn't do this because, in the end, I'm just a nobody. In the end, no one will believe a word I say, especially since I don't have any family to begin with," I went on, my expression betraying my feelings of helplessness.
His subsequent sighs caused me to expand my eyes even further.
He's giggling uncontrollably, as if something amusing I said had just happened.
"Actually, you're right that I cherished her," he said slowly.
His normal icy demeanor returned, and his gaze cut deep into my being.
"So I needed you to do something."
"You knew I just lost my boyfriend, right?"
He continued by saying, "You never lost him, Miss," before taking another sip of his coffee.
"You're still in love with him, and no matter what, you would always forgive him and run into his embrace like nothing had happened."
"Are you absolutely certain? It's not even my job to foresee something like this."
"I knew it because I'm in that situation as well..." This time, his voice seemed altered, as if he had experienced some kind of pain.
"If you're trying to bribe, then that will do no good because I'm willing to—"
"Miss, I'm not here to try and bribe you; I'm here to offer you a contract."
"I'm not interested..." Standing up, I spoke.
Before I stepped away from his sofa, I turned back to bow to him.
"By the way, I have a name, Sir..."
Suddenly, I departed from his luxurious condo, oblivious to what was ahead or even what my fate might hold. By the time I stopped walking, my eyes fell on the door from the night before, so I suppose I was aware of one thing: my feet had other plans.
My clothing was soaked from the odd weather that had returned to commiserate with my emotions. I checked the time and it was already 6:00 p.m.
A voice from beside me interrupted my attempt to lift my hand to knock on the door.
Maybe I would have followed the advice of the young man earlier if I hadn't heard that.
Since I have never known what it's like to have a family of my own, if anything were to happen to Lucas, I would cling to him and pretend that night didn't happen.
"Miss Jasmine, is that you?" As I turned to gaze to my side, I beheld a petite woman with silver highlights all over her curly hair who sounded like an old acquaintance. She covered her gaping mouth with her palms as her eyes widened.
I smiled and responded, "Yes, ma'am Livy," letting go of any resentment or anger I could have felt.
"Oh, I take it you're here to support your boyfriend, Lucas, don't you?" She complimented her partner, a young and skilled actor, and expressed her envy.
Very few people were aware of the unique bond that Lucas and I had; in fact, Ma'am Livy has been my boyfriend's neighbor for quite some time.
However, her expression was one of complete astonishment at the moment, and I found it irresistible.
"Is there something wrong with Lucas here?"
"I thought you knew, didn't you? Last night, he left, and I was stunned; I dashed outside the house the second I heard a large truck's moving sound, knowing that Lucas's belongings had been removed."
"Do you know where he went to?"
"Is that shocking to you? I assumed you were aware; you should have informed me. Since he may be planning something special for you, I suppose it's best if you act as though you're unaware of this——" However, I never again patiently awaited her utterance of those words.
Not when I was aware of the nature of the anniversary surprise he had prepared for me the night before.
As soon as I started laughing, my tears started flowing like never before.
I was ready to let go of my past, even though it was difficult for me to do so due to my lack of family. I was also ready to move on from my past and create a new life with Lucas, and I was even ready to forgive him if he would just be honest and explain everything.
However, I found myself in an unrecoverable situation because of this type of unexpected event.
"Oh dear, Miss Jasmine, are you all right?"
"I believe so, Ma'am Livy. There's no need to worry about me. I'll simply act as though I was unaware," we conversed briefly before she returned to her flat with the groceries she had previously.
After my feet wandered into a park, I sat on the swing and did everything from laughing to crying.
No longer did it bother me.
Should I also end my own life now that things are this bad?
On the first occasion, I had my doubts due to the presence of that young man, but at this very moment, I am considering—
"I knew you had a name, but I also have a name I want to share, Miss Jasmine..." Suddenly, the brisk air carried whispers of the young man from that fateful night; his appearances were always startling and chilly.
"Why are you here with me?"
"Because I am striving for something, and you should too. You must be aware of my offer, right?
My laughter echoed through the room.
"To bribe me, huh?"
"No, actually, I was going to make you read, but now that it has come to this, I guess I have no choice..." As he drew nearer, he murmured the words that nearly shattered me to my core.
"Do you want revenge, Jasmine Rose?"