"Why is that jerk calling me?" Elena wondered as she stared at her phone on the floor, dread creeping into her chest.
Then it hit her.
"Right... This is ten years ago. We were dating then… just a few months into the relationship." She remembered and exhaled sharply.
"What should I do?" She wondered aloud.
The phone kept ringing, the sound piercing the silence of the room. At that moment, Elena's eyes darted to the small calendar on her desk.
"What is today's date…" She was checking and her breath hitched when she realized something.
She quickly grabbed her phone from the floor, ended the call and checked the date to confirm.
"It is really 10th of April..."
"This is the day he proposed to me!" She remembered and her chest tightened instantly.
Her hands trembled as the memory of that particular day washed over her.
*FLASHBACK*
"Elena, meet me at our usual spot at the garden." Adrian had said over the phone, that morning. His voice had been calm, almost soft.
She had rushed there excitedly as she was head over heels in love with him. And he had made her believe the feeling was mutual.
"Is he planning to surprise with me something? Well, whatever it is, let me dress sweetly." Elena had thought with a giggle as she dressed that day.
When she arrived at the beautiful, quiet garden, Adrian was sitting near a fountain, dressed handsomely with a sweet smile on his face.
"Mi amor..." He called lovingly as she approached.
"Hey love! I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long?" She had smiled, her heart fluttering.
"A bit, but I am not angry." He replied and Elena chuckled, believing that was definitely a joke.
Afterwards, he took her hand and led her to the center of the garden.
"Elena… you know how much I love you, right?"
"I know you love me so much and I love you too." She said, blushing.
Then, without warning, he got down on one knee, a small velvet box in his hand.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh my God, Adrian!" She exclaimed.
"Elena, will you marry me?" He had asked her with his adorable smile that used to melt her heart.
She gasped. It was unexpected, but she was happy. So happy.
"Yes! Yes, Adrian, I will!" She had replied.
Then, he slipped the ring onto her finger and got up. She smiled brighter, feeling a rush of pure joy.
She embraced him, expecting the beautiful moment to continue but it didn't last.
"Why didn't you cry?" Adrian had demanded out of the blue.
"What?" She blinked in confusion, still hugging him.
"You didn't cry." He repeated, his tone sharp and pulled out of her embrace. Elena searched his face in confusion.
"I… I was just so happy. I didn't think—" She was saying but he cut her off.
"So, I'm not enough? My love isn't enough to bring you to tears?" He asked and Elena's lips parted in shock.
"Adrian, no! It is not like that. I—" She tried to explain after she found her voice but he cut her off again.
"You don't appreciate me. It is obvious." He maintained sharply.
Instantly, Elena felt guilty even though she didn't understand what she did wrong.
"Adrian, please. I didn't mean—" She tried to pacify him, her eyes filled with tears.
"Didn't mean to make me feel like this?" He demanded angrily.
She grabbed his arm, panic setting in.
"Please don't be mad. You know I love you."
Adrian pulled away, looking at her with disappointment.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
Elena's hands clenched into fists after reliving the memory.
"It is unfortunate I couldn't see the red flag then." She muttered, gritting her teeth as her anger rose.
"I was blind. I thought it was love. I believed he loved me and refused to see what was happening." Her eyes hardened.
"But it was never love. It was a cage."
The phone rang again, disrupting her thoughts.
She stared at it, not knowing what to do.
"He might come here if I don't answer." She stated aloud and took a deep breath.
"I need to leave. I can't face him. Not now." She decided within moments and quickly grabbed a small bag.
She stuffed it with some clothes and essentials, almost frantically.
"I will go to my mom's place." She whispered to her as she got ready. Her mother lived in another part of the city and she believed Adrian wouldn't go to find her there.
When she was done packing, she hurried out of her small apartment.
~~~~~~~~~
Hours later, Elena arrived at her mother's house but found it locked.
"She must be at the restaurant." She said as she checked the time.
Elena pulled out a spare key from under the mat and let herself in.
"Nothing has changed..." She observed as she set her bag down and wandered through the rooms, memories flooding back.
Finally, she walked into her mother's bedroom.
"Mom..." Elena stood by the doorway, her chest tightening as she remembered when her mother had died.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I wasn't there for you. I was too caught up in my own struggles. You got sick. And I wasn't there. I let you go through it alone." She mumbled with guilt.
After a moment, she took a shaky breath, wiping her eyes.
"Well, in this my new life, it will be different. I will take care of you. I will make sure you rest, make sure you're happy." She vowed.
Her gaze shifted to the small table by the bed and she saw a book.
Curiously, she walked over and picked it up.
"Mom keeps a diary?" She was surprised and flipped it open.
"She has always loved to write..." A smile tugged at her lips as she read the first page. But as she turned the pages, her smile faded.
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open at what s
he just read.
The diary slipped from her fingers and she staggered back, horrified.
"Why am I just finding out about this secret now?"