CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER IV

A week. It has been a week since Avin and I had sex. It also had been a week since I last saw him. He wasn't texting or calling me. He's not bugging me at all. Clearly because everything that had happened that night was pure lust. No feelings involved.

I'm currently in a meeting with the board members of the Company. There was a woman standing in front presenting the sales for this month. That's Caleigh, my best friend. She's under Finance Department and her parents are one of our stockholder.

I can't even focus on this meeting. For some unknown reason, I feel really boted. That was why when the meeting got adjourned, I stood up immediately. I was about to walk out when my brother called. It's Edward, the eldest among my two brothers. He's already married and has his own family. Same as my other brother.

"Stephanie, I want to talk to you," he seriously said.

We waited for the people to go out. Caleigh just waved her hand, saying goodbye to me. I just nodded.

"What is it, bro?" I asked curiously. "Is there a problem with the Company?"

He only shook his head, "It's not about the company. It's about something else." He sat again in his swivel chair at the center. "It's about Avin." He took something on his pocket. "He told me to give this to you because he's out of town for a convention."

When I saw what my brother get his pocket, I got stunned. I've been looking for that necklace for a week now. Edward and Avin are closed friends. Did Avin told my brother about what happened?

"He said you forgot this in his place." He put down the necklace on the table. "What are you doing in his place? Did you finally moved on? You know, getting stuck from your past is bad. You should try to open your heart for someone else."

I breathe deeply, "That. . . Is hard to do, bro." Then I walked to get the necklace. "I gotta go. I still have a lot on my plate."

I thought I lost it. The necklace has the engagement ring that Jake gave me when he proposed to me. I treasure this so much. I got really scared when I learned that I lost it. Turned out, I just forgot it in Avin's penthouse.

I entered my office and start working. My usual days are always like this. Go to work, eat, sleep, go to club. It has been like that. Well, at least I'm still going on with my life despite of what happened years ago. I was so broken that time that I was just inside my room looking at the ceiling. Asking God to bring back Jake.

To bring back my love. To bring back my happiness. To bring back the days that he was still alive. To bring back our happy moments. Good, Lord! Why do I need to suffer like this?

Three days passed by like a whirlwind and my routine continues. However, today will be different, because today. . . Is Jake's birthday.

I'm riding my car going to the cemetery to visit Jake. I brought his favourite Daisy flowers. This flower was the flower that he used to give me.

When I arrived I lit up the candle. There are fresh flowers. It seems like his family already went here. It's already past five in the afternoon, though. I sat on the grass and smiled sadly while looking at his grave.

Jake Taden H. Henson

February 14, 1994 - May 17, 2019

"Hi, Jake. Happy 28th birthday, and happy Valentine's day, " I tried to sound happy. "I missed you so much. I hope you're not mad at me. Jake. . . Love, I slept with someone," I took a deep breath. "Unlike you who have a blue eyes, he has a dark brown eyes. He intimidates me each time our gaze meets. He had been on my mind since that night. I'm trying to be loyal to you, but I'm really sorry. I failed, Love. I failed," then I start sobbing silently.

"Wherever you are right now, I really hope you're happy even though I slept with someone. It seems like I can't fulfill my promise to you. My promise that you would be my first and last." I wiped my tears. "But please, always remember this, I love you so much and you have a special place in me. You still own me even if you're already dead." I just cried and cried until I have no tears to cry.

Jake already has a son with other girl. Unfortunately, the mother of his son, Taden, died because she has a problem on her heart that caused her to die during giving birth. Jake was twenty when he got her pregnant. I met Jake when he was twenty-two and I was twenty that time. We met in a park. His son went missing on that park and I found him. That's how we met.

I smiled as I remember that memory. I can't promise to be loyal to you, Jake, but I promise to take care of the people you loved.

New tears started forming again. It's just so hard for me to look at his son's eyes. Jake's eyes was given to his son because his son got blind because of the accident. I barely look at Taden's eyes because he reminds me so much of his father. But even if it's like that, I'm still tryng to make time for that kid because somehow, he gives me happiness.

I sobbed again. My right hand was already in my chest because of the unbearable pain. When will this suffering will halt? I'm tired. So much.

"It's okay to cry sometimes, but not all the time you need to cry. It's okay to be broken, but make sure that you'll get up later," I heard someone spoke. I didn't look at him, though. I was busy crying. He sat beside me and caressed my back.

"Soon. . . You'll be okay, but for now, just cry. Then wipe your tears after."