Pasco couldn't stop thinking about Debbie. Every encounter with her left him restless, his emotions tangled in a mix of regret and jealousy. The image of her walking away at the gallery, Filex by her side, burned in his mind.
Filex. Pasco hadn't expected Debbie to have someone like him in her life. Filex was calm, confident, and clearly protective of her. Seeing them together had stirred something dark and unflattering in Pasco—a jealousy he hadn't felt before.
Debbie and Filex's Growing Connection
As the weeks passed, Debbie found herself relying on Filex more and more. His ability to understand her emotions, sometimes even before she voiced them, was both comforting and disarming. One evening, after a particularly exhausting day, Filex invited her to a quiet café tucked away in a corner of Phnom Penh.
"You've been running yourself ragged," Filex said as he handed her a cup of tea.
Debbie sighed, resting her head on her hand. "I just feel like I'm constantly trying to prove something—to everyone, to myself."
"You don't have to prove anything to anyone," Filex said, his tone gentle but firm.
"You're allowed to just be."
Debbie smiled faintly, the weight on her chest easing a little. "You make it sound so
easy."
"It's not. But I'm here to remind you that you're not alone in this."
Their eyes met, and Debbie felt a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time—a quiet, steady reassurance that she could lean on someone without fear of being let down.
Pasco's Jealousy Boils Over
Pasco couldn't ignore what he saw on social media. Debbie had started posting
pictures again—smiling, radiant, and in the company of new friends. In one photo, she and Filex were sitting by a riverside, laughing at something out of frame.
The caption was simple: Finding my peace.
Pasco felt a pang in his chest. He had never seen her like this before—so full of life, so… whole. And the fact that it was Filex who brought that out in her made his blood boil.
The Confrontation
One evening, Pasco ran into Debbie and Filex at an open-air market. Debbie was laughing at something Filex had said, her face lighting up in a way that twisted something inside Pasco. He approached them before he could stop himself.
"Debbie," Pasco called out, his voice sharper than he intended. Debbie turned, her expression neutral but guarded. "Pasco. What are you doing
here?"
"I could ask you the same," Pasco said, his gaze flickering to Filex. "But I see you're busy."
Filex, unfazed, extended a hand. "Pasco, right? Nice to see you again." Pasco ignored the gesture, his focus on Debbie. "Can we talk? Alone?"
Debbie hesitated, glancing at Filex, who gave her a reassuring nod. "I'll grab us some drinks," he said, leaving the two of them alone.
A Conversation of Regrets Pasco stepped closer, lowering his voice. "So, this is your new life? Hanging out with… guys like him?"
Debbie crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin. "Guys like him? You mean people who actually care about me?"
"That's not fair," Pasco said, his voice tinged with frustration. "You know I cared about
you."
"You had a funny way of showing it," Debbie shot back. "You ghosted me, Pasco. For
years. And now you want to act like you still have a say in my life?"
Pasco looked away, guilt flashing across his face. "I made mistakes. I was young, and I didn't know what I wanted. But seeing you with him…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "It just makes me realize I should've tried harder."
Debbie's expression softened for a moment, but she quickly steeled herself. "You didn't, though. And you only want to try now because you see me moving on. That's not love, Pasco. That's selfishness."
Her words hit him like a slap. For a moment, he said nothing, his hands clenched at his sides.
"You're right," he admitted quietly. "I don't deserve you. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt to see you with someone else."
Debbie sighed, her anger giving way to a weary sadness. "I loved you, Pasco. Deeply. And for a long time, I thought I'd never get over you. But you made your choice, and now I'm making mine. Please don't make this harder than it needs to be."
Pasco nodded, his eyes filled with regret. "I hope he's good to you."
"He is," Debbie said firmly, her voice leaving no room for doubt.
Filex's Quiet Strength
As Pasco walked away, Filex returned, two iced coffees in hand. "That looked…
intense." Debbie let out a shaky breath, taking one of the cups. "It was overdue."
Filex nodded, his gaze steady. "You okay?"
Debbie smiled faintly. "I think I will be."
He didn't press her further, simply walking beside her as they made their way through the market. His quiet presence was all the reassurance she needed.
New Characters Introduced
• Rina: A close friend of Filex's from his university days, Rina is an aspiring journalist with a sharp wit and a knack for uncovering secrets. She becomes an unexpected ally for Debbie, helping her navigate her complicated feelings about Pasco.
• Dara: A young artist working in the market who befriends Debbie after a chance
meeting. His free-spirited nature encourages Debbie to embrace her creative side.
• Alex: A former friend of Pasco's from Bangkok, Alex arrives in Phnom Penh with
secrets about Pasco's time abroad, revealing that Pasco's charm often hid selfish decisions.