The group chat finally quieted down, and then I got a video message from a number I didn't recognize.
It was Robin's explanation video.
He also wrote: [Sophia, if you really don't want Olivia in our lives, I'll do my best to avoid her. You're the one I love. It's always been you and always will be.] But I was already let down by him.
I let out a deep breath, "I don't make a habit of going back to old relationships."
After making sure the message went through, I quickly blocked the number. But Robin wasn't ready to give up. He kept finding ways to stay in my life.
Every mealtime, like clockwork, he'd have tasty food delivered to my place or work.
In the afternoons, he'd send over fancy snacks and tea – always the kinds I enjoyed.
This time, he got smart and told the delivery person not to take anything back.
Obviously, I couldn't lug all this stuff to his office to return it.
"Wow, Sophia, you're living the good life. Look at all this amazing food!"
My coworkers would crowd around when they saw what I was carrying. Suddenly, I had an idea and offered the food to them. "I'm trying to watch my weight lately. Want it?"
"Are you sure you want to give it away? Hold on, this isn't from someone trying to win you over, is it?"
"Yep!"
From then on, whenever Robin sent something, I'd give it to my colleagues.
Time ticked by, and finally, my departure day arrived.
I didn't tell anyone except my parents about it, worried about making things complicated.
So, no one came to see me off.
Hearing the airport staff's boarding announcements, I walked to the gate with my suitcase. Everything went smoothly.
I found my seat and took out an eye mask from my bag to put on.
It was my first time flying, and I was pretty nervous, so I tried to sleep to calm my fears.
Half-asleep, I thought I heard a voice I knew.
"Excuse me, could you get me a blanket?"
Soon after, I felt something warm covering me.
Too tired to open my eyes, I snuggled into the cozy blanket and drifted off again.
Suddenly, the plane hit some rough air, and the cabin shook.
I woke up with a start, took off my eye mask, and looked around, only to see a familiar face.
Robin, looking calm, said softly, "Don't worry. We'll be through this turbulence soon."
My nerves slowly settled, and I asked stiffly, "What are you doing here?"
He looked right at me, saying nothing but seeming to say a lot.
I moved my lips and turned to look out the window.
After a few quiet seconds, he suddenly said, "I'm sorry."
"What?"
"My mom had a bad bleed when she was pregnant with me. Olivia's mom found her in time and got her to the hospital, where she had me safely. At the time, her mother was also about to have a baby. Because of what happened, she lost her child.
"My mom's always felt we owe them a life and asked me to look after Olivia more. She has heart problems and can't handle stress. That day, she had a fight with her family, and I was worried she might do something dangerous. That's why I came up with that plan. "She's not my first choice, not then, not now, and definitely not in the future."
Robin calmly explained their families' history, looking at me with a hint of worry in his eyes.