Cereus
The weight of Leo's words crushed down on Cereus like an avalanche. Her mind was a chaotic storm, the thunder of confusion and the lightning of betrayal illuminating the darkest corners of her heart. The man she had started to build a life with, the man she thought she was falling for, was tied to a past she thought buried deep.
The world tilted, and the only escape seemed to be the stinging burn of alcohol. She stumbled out of the cafe, the city lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of colours. A nearby bar beckoned, and she pushed open the door, the familiar scent of wood and whiskey a comforting embrace.
Three bottles later, the world had reduced to a hazy blur. Her mind, however, was razor-sharp. The questions clawed at her, demanding answers.
Cereus's mind was a tempest. The revelation that Collin had returned for her, only to disappear without a trace, was a storm churning within her. The quietude of the cafe seemed to mock her internal turmoil. A wave of nausea washed over her, and she excused herself, rushing to the restroom. The harsh fluorescent lights amplified the despair in her eyes.She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to clear her head. But the image of Collin, both the carefree boy she loved and the enigmatic CEO, persisted. Her heart ached with a longing she hadn't felt in years. A part of her wanted to believe Leo, to cling to the hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for them. But another part, more practical, reminded her of Matthew, her boyfriend of a year. A year filled with stability, comfort, and a love she was certain was real.Desperation gnawed at her. She needed answers, and she needed them now. The only person who could provide them was Collin. With trembling hands, she reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over his number. A part of her knew this was impulsive, irrational even. But she couldn't stop herself.
"Cereus?" The voice was cautious, laced with concern. The voice that answered the call wasn't Collin's at all.
But Cereus didn't hear it. Her voice, a raw, wounded animal, burst out, "Collin, is it true? Did you come back for me six years ago?"
Without preamble, she launched into a tirade of questions, her voice rising with each word. "You came back for me, didn't you? Why didn't you find me? Why did you disappear again? And now, you have me as your PA, and you act like nothing happened. Do you even remember me?"Her voice cracked, the dam of her composure breaking. "I miss you, Collin. I still love you, oh God."The silence on the other end was deafening. She waited, her heart pounding in her ears, for a response. But there was none. Just the soft hum of the office in the background.Desperation fueled her next words. "I'm coming to see you. Now. Wait for me."With that, she ended the call, her vision blurring. She stumbled out of the restroom, the world tilting around her. Ignoring the protests of her body, she made her way to the bar, the only goal in her mind: to find Wusan Conglomerate.Three bottles of vodka later, the world had lost its clarity. Her mind was a fog, but her determination remained. She hailed a cab, slurring the address of the Wusan building. The ride was a blur, a jumble of thoughts and sensations.When the cab pulled up in front of the imposing skyscraper, she stumbled out, the night air a cold slap to her face. She looked up at the building, a monolith of power and success. It was here that she would find answers, or perhaps, more questions. With a shaky breath, she stepped into the building, her high heels clicking against the marble floor. The world was spinning, but her feet were moving, carrying her towards the heart of the storm she had created.