Saturday dawned with a peculiar blend of anticipation and dread. For Cereus, it was a day of reckoning. The confrontation with Collin had been looming over her for days, a dark cloud threatening to unleash a storm. She'd spent the morning preparing herself mentally, arming herself with a mix of courage and vulnerability.
Collin, on the other hand, was a maelstrom of emotions. Regret, longing, and fear churned within him. He'd chosen this cafe, a quiet, secluded spot, hoping for some semblance of privacy. As he sat there, the wooden table between him and an empty chair feeling like a chasm, he couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom.
Matthew, oblivious to the undercurrents of the situation, was on a mission of his own. He'd decided to surprise Cereus with breakfast, a small gesture to show he cared. As he entered the cafe, he scanned the room, his eyes lighting up when he spotted her. A coincidence, he thought, amused. She must have wanted to explore this place too. He ordered breakfast for two, planning to join her at her table.
But his plans took an unexpected turn. Cereus, instead of sitting alone, was heading towards a table occupied by a man. Matthew watched, a mix of confusion and intrigue. He didn't recognize the man, and Cereus' determined expression was unlike anything he'd seen before.
As he waited for his order, Matthew couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. Something about the atmosphere in the cafe, the tension between the two people at the table, was off. He decided to keep his distance, to observe without interfering. But as he watched, he knew that whatever was about to unfold, it was going to be anything but ordinary.
Matthew slid into the booth, careful to remain hidden from Collin and Cereus' view. He was captivated by their interaction. Cereus was clearly the one initiating the conversation, her voice laced with a raw emotion that was both heartbreaking and compelling. Collin, on the other hand, seemed guarded, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route.
"It was so hard, Collin," Cereus began, her voice trembling slightly. "I couldn't understand why you left. Just like that. No goodbye, no explanation. It was like you vanished into thin air." Her eyes filled with tears. "I had nightmares about you for months. I'd wake up in a cold sweat, my heart racing."
A wave of sympathy washed over Matthew as he listened to Cereus' pain. He couldn't imagine the depth of her suffering.
Collin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I know, Cereus," he began, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm so sorry for the pain I caused."
Just as it seemed like a genuine conversation was about to unfold, Collin's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting rapidly. "I'm so sorry, Cereus," he said abruptly, "but something urgent has come up. I have to go."
With that, he stood up and walked out of the cafe, leaving Cereus alone at the table.
Matthew watched as Cereus' face fell. Her eyes filled with disappointment and hurt. She looked like a wounded animal, and it made Matthew's heart ache. He wanted to reach out to her, to offer comfort, but he knew it wasn't his place.
Cereus sat there for a long moment, her mind racing. Had he really just walked out on her like that? After all these years? A wave of anger and resentment washed over her. She had bared her soul to him, and he had simply walked away.
Matthew couldn't help but feel a growing sense of contempt for Collin. He had no idea what had happened between them, but it was clear that Collin had hurt Cereus deeply. And now, he was doing it again.
Matthew watched the scene unfold with a growing sense of unease. Cereus, his girlfriend of over a year, was sitting across from a man he didn't recognize, her voice laced with raw emotion. The intensity of their interaction was palpable, and it was clear that they shared a history. A history that excluded him.The man, Collin, exuded an air of confidence, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes, a vulnerability that was at odds with his demeanour. Matthew had never heard Cereus mention this name, not once in their year-long relationship. A pang of hurt shot through him. Had she been keeping a significant part of her life hidden?As Collin abruptly left, leaving Cereus visibly shaken, Matthew's paranoia resurfaced. Something wasn't right. The way they had looked at each other, the intensity of their conversation - it all pointed to a deeper connection than Cereus had ever hinted at.He watched as Cereus sat alone, her expression a mask of pain and confusion. He wanted to comfort her, to hold her in his arms. But he hesitated. What if by interfering, he pushed her further away? What if she was protecting him from something he couldn't handle?A cold dread settled in his stomach. He knew Cereus well, or so he thought. But the woman sitting across from him was a stranger, a version of her he had never seen before. And the man who had just walked out? He was a ghost from Cereus' past, a specter haunting their present.Matthew knew he couldn't ignore what he had just witnessed. This was more than just a casual encounter. It was a confrontation, a reckoning of some sort. And he was an unwilling spectator. The question was, how deep did he want to delve into this mystery? And was he prepared for what he might find?
Matthew decided he had seen enough. He paid for his breakfast and left the cafe, his mind filled with questions. Who was this man? What was his relationship with Cereus? And why did he seem so intent on hurting her?
As he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was about to be drawn into something much bigger than he had anticipated.