He stood before me, dressed in a white rolled-up long sleeve shirt that showcased his muscular arms, paired with khaki shorts that accentuated his tall figure. His dark hair, usually neatly combed, now had a charming wave to it, and his bright smile remained as captivating as ever.
"Is this fate? What are you doing here?" he exclaimed, his eyes filled with surprise.
"I'm here for a conference. And you?" I replied, a shy smile playing on my lips, wondering if he would bring up the incident that occurred when I was intoxicated.
"I'm here to attend a wedding," Chester said, glancing at my luggage before graciously offering to carry it. "Which room are you in?"
"Room 402," I answered, following his lead.
A broad smile spread across his face as we reached my room. "Here we are," he said, coming to a stop. I opened the door, expressing my gratitude as I took my suitcase inside.
"See you tomorrow," I said, my smile faint but filled with anticipation.
"Yeah, good night," he responded.
Closing the door behind me, I placed a hand over my racing heart. How could this unexpected encounter be happening? Tomorrow, I resolved to act as normal as possible, despite the whirlwind of emotions stirring within me.
On the first day of the conference, our focus was on attending workshop and training sessions. I gained valuable knowledge from the training, and I felt a sense of pride working at Harmony Home Interiors.
"Be back after an hour," the facilitator reminded us as we left the conference room. During this break, I had the opportunity to get to know my seatmate, Hannah, and we joined others for a satisfying lunch. We shared stories about our experiences in different branches when suddenly, I began to feel an unpleasant sensation in my stomach.
In a rush, I covered my mouth and hurried to the nearest washroom. Tears welled up in my eyes as I vomited the food I had just eaten. I felt a cold sweat and my knees weakened. What was happening to me? Could it be food poisoning?
Hannah followed me and gently patted my back, offering her support despite our recent acquaintance.
"Did you eat something that didn't agree with you?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," I replied, continuing to vomit and feeling increasingly dizzy.
"Would you like me to accompany you to the clinic?" she suggested.
"It's alright, I'll likely feel better soon," I assured her. I didn't want to miss any of the training sessions. Even though I hadn't volunteered for this opportunity, I still had a responsibility to represent our branch, and I didn't want any complications.
Fourteen missed calls.
My mind raced, wondering if there was an emergency at home or if Andrew was simply bored and seeking attention. I felt a sense of concern and curiosity, contemplating what could have gone wrong. Just as I was about to call him back, the phone rang again, interrupting my thoughts.
"What happened?" I asked, my voice filled with a mixture of worry and curiosity, eager to understand the urgency behind his call.
"Tell me where you are, Drew!" he yelled, his tone filled with frustration as soon as he had the chance to speak.
Confused by Andrew's sudden intensity, I replied, "What is going on?"
"Answer me!" he commanded, his impatience evident. I couldn't comprehend why Andrew was acting this way.
"I am attending a company conference in Waveport City," I replied, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me as he seemed uninterested in answering my questions.
The sound of a beep abruptly ended the call, leaving me with a heavy sigh as I put my phone away, unsure of what had happened and longing for clarity.
Andrew felt a wave of frustration wash over him as he hung up the phone. The woman had departed without even seeking his consent. The clock was ticking, and Kelly was eagerly anticipating their future together, free from the chains of his current marriage. But what if his wife doesn't conceive? What would become of him and Kelly then? He couldn't bear the thought of Kelly having the status of a lifelong mistress.
"Would you like me to order lunch for you, Mr. Collins?" his secretary inquired.
"No, that won't be necessary," he replied. He left his office and headed towards the elevator, intending to have lunch with Chester. It had been a while since he last shared a meal with his best friend.
As the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, he made his way towards the Financial Director's office. Chester's secretary greeted him, but he didn't stop, heading straight for Chester's office. Seeing him about to enter, the secretary hurried to catch up with him, "Mr. Collins, Mr. Reed isn't in."
His eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Before he could ask, the secretary quickly explained, "He's on vacation leave. He's attending a wedding."
Feeling a pang of disappointment, he turned on his heel and left. The secretary, ready to see him off, followed him to the elevator.
He suddenly spun around and asked, "How long will he be away?"
"A week," she replied.
He nodded, feeling a sense of impatience. "Where?"
"Waveport City," she answered promptly.
He paused for a moment before stepping into the elevator. Was Chester planning on going there with Andrea? His heart pounded as his mind raced with unsettling thoughts. Was this all planned? Had Andrea moved on with Chester, his own best friend?
"At last, you remembered me!" Kelly pouted, twirling pasta noodles on her fork as she sat across from Andrew for lunch.
"Please don't say that," Andrew pleaded, reaching across the table to hold her hand. "Work has been really hectic."
"Okay, I forgive you," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "The month is almost over. I can't wait for us to finally be together," she said with a sigh of relief.
Andrew's face drained of color. He didn't want to let her down. He wanted to be with her too, but things weren't shaping up as he had hoped.
He was overcome with regret. Just a week after marrying Andrea, he found himself in a chance encounter with Kelly at a coffee shop. In a clumsy mishap, he accidentally spilled a drink on her. Kelly's anger flared, and she demanded that he replace her outfit.
"Do I look like I'm begging for money?" she snapped, her voice growing louder as Andrew handed her his card.
As he took a moment to assess her, he was taken aback by the striking resemblance she bore to his wife, Andrea, but in a younger form. Kelly was dressed in high-end fashion, exuding an air of affluence. Unlike his wife, who preferred plain and neutral colors, Kelly's outfit was a bold statement. She wore a vibrant hot pink blazer dress paired with knee-length lemon green boots. Her accessories and luxurious sling bag matched the vibrant colors. Her long, straight hair added to her attention-grabbing fashion sense.
She appeared slightly smaller than Andrea, her petite frame adding to her allure. Just like his wife, she had captivating hazel-colored eyes. There was an air of entitlement about her, as if she were the type of person who would throw a tantrum if she didn't get what she wanted.
At first, he was suspicious, wondering if she had orchestrated this incident to get his attention. He had experienced similar situations in the past where women would go to great lengths for his attention, usually with monetary motives.
Impatiently, he clenched his fist and asked, "Then what exactly do you want from me?"
She was taken aback by the stranger's rudeness. "Purchase a new set of clothes for me! I want you to buy me, not just hand me your damn money!" she insisted, unable to believe the audacity of his behavior.
As people started to gather and give disapproving looks, he realized he didn't want to cause a scene. Reluctantly, he had no choice but to accompany her to the nearest mall.
They entered a luxurious clothing store. He couldn't help but feel an unexpected pull towards her. It was as if he knew her for a long time. Though she seemed overbearing, he could sense that there was something more to her, something deeper.
"Hey, what's your name?" she asked casually as she browsed through the clothes rack.
Andrew stared at her, unsure of how to respond.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to," she said nonchalantly. "I was just trying to make conversation. It might take me a while to decide anyway."
Annoyed, Andrew crossed his arms. Women can be so troublesome, he thought. "Drew," he replied curtly.
"I'm Kelly," she said, still browsing the clothes without making a decision. "You look familiar," she added.
He smirked, assuming she was using a common line to get closer to him. Andrew took a seat, feeling impatient. When would this be over?
"I'm certain I've seen you before," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "Do you happen to live near Serenity Park?" She turned her head towards him.
His heart skipped a beat. Serenity Park held a special place in his heart. "I've been there before," he replied softly, his voice filled with anticipation.
She chuckled. "No way. You wouldn't happen to be that kid I met at the park years ago, would you?"
Andrew locked eyes with her, memories from the past flooding back. Those eyes, those deep hazel-colored eyes. He stood up abruptly, rushing towards her, gripping her arms. "It's you, isn't it?" he exclaimed, his gaze filled with longing. "I've finally found you."
As Andrew found himself caught in the midst of his parents' heated argument, he watched as his father drove away, suitcase in tow, while his mother desperately tried to stop him. The car gradually disappeared from view, leaving Andrew overwhelmed with a whirlwind of emotions. Feeling lost and overwhelmed, he made the impulsive decision to run away from home and seek solace in the park.
"Nice choice," the vendor complimented young Andrew as he selected a red string bracelet.
Andrew handed over his payment to the vendor, but was informed that the bracelet came in a pair.
"I only have enough money for one. I'll come back for the other one another time," the young boy replied, a touch of sadness in his voice.
Intrigued by the traces of tears on Andrew's face, the vendor's wife couldn't help but ask, "Who do you plan to give the second bracelet to?"
"Hmm... my mother," Andrew replied, mustering a faint smile.
The vendor's wife placed the second bracelet in Andrew's palm and said, "Keep it. May it bring happiness to your mother."
Grateful for their kindness, Andrew thanked them and ran off towards the park, clutching the bracelets tightly in his hand.
Lost in his thoughts, Andrew wandered aimlessly through the park until he stumbled upon a serene pond. He found solace in the tranquility of the water, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. As he walked along the edge of the pond, he suddenly lost his footing and began to drown. In that critical moment, a hand reached out and pulled him to safety. It was Kelly. She had saved his life from the brink of drowning.
"Thank you," he gasped for breath, his gratitude overflowing.
"Be more careful next time," she smiled, her radiant smile resembling the warmth of the sun. Her hazel eyes, like the changing colors of fall leaves, held a mix of warm tones, ranging from golden browns to hints of green. Just as autumn leaves create a captivating and vibrant scene, her eyes evoked a sense of natural beauty. They spent the day talking, and Andrew found himself instantly captivated by her charm.
As Andrew opened up and shared his story, expressing the pain he had been carrying, Kelly listened attentively. She offered him advice and words of comfort, providing a supportive presence that made him feel better. Her guidance and understanding helped alleviate some of the burden he had been carrying, bringing him a sense of relief and solace.
"I have to go now. See you," she bid him farewell, her departure leaving him longing for more.
Andrew removed a simple braided bracelet from his wrist, made of red thread. "This is for you. Let's meet again," he said, offering it to her.
She nodded in agreement, a sparkle of excitement in her eyes. She ran off, waving her hands in farewell, and called out, "Oh, what's your name?"
"Drew!" he yelled back, his voice filled with anticipation.
As she took a step away, she whispered to herself, "Drew, meaning wise," and smiled.
The little boy couldn't contain his excitement and shouted again, "When we grow up, can I marry you?"
Her eyes lit up, and she playfully replied, "Yes! You owe me your life, after all."
The next day and the days that followed, Andrew eagerly waited for Kelly, hoping to see her again. However, she never came, leaving him with a bittersweet sense of nostalgia and a yearning for the special connection they had shared.
"Let's have dinner together," Chester suggested, waiting for me outside the conference room.
"I'm sorry, but I don't feel well at the moment," I replied, holding my stomach.
"Are you alright? Should I take you to the hospital?" he asked, genuine concern etched on his face.
"I think I just ate something bad. Don't worry, I'll feel better after some rest," I reassured him.
He accompanied me back to my room, clearly worried about my well-being. I immediately lay down and drifted off to sleep, hoping that a good rest would alleviate my discomfort.
As I woke up feeling nauseous, I stumbled my way to the bathroom to freshen up. Determined not to be defeated by this sickness, I searched for something that would alleviate my discomfort. However, in that moment, a sudden realization struck me like a bolt of lightning – what if I was pregnant? Would taking medicine harm my baby?
"No way," I laughed, dismissing the thought as quickly as it entered my mind.
Curiosity got the better of me, overpowering any hesitation as I grabbed my phone to check my menstruation calendar app. With bated breath, I stared at the screen, my heart racing in anticipation. As the information unfolded before my eyes, a whirlwind of emotions swept through me: shock, disbelief, and a growing sense of unease. The ground beneath me felt shaky, leaving me hanging on the edge of uncertainty.