Oasis-ddd-2 Facebook ad: “He left me broken. Now he's back-and his apo logy tastes…”

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Cinderella’s Story: Not Happily Ever After I’m Elle Austin, a nerd girl. I had a secret I’ve been hiding for two years. I’ve been dating the hottest guy on campus, Marco Salvatore! Tonight, I rushed to the hotel to celebrate Marco’s 21st birthday with him. Reaching the door of the grand ballroom, I took a pause, anxiously fixing my dress. My best friend, Sarah, lent me her dress for this occasion. She also helped me doll up, fixing my hair and makeup. I still felt uncomfortable mingling with the crowd; however, I must attend this party for Marco, after all, I’m his girlfriend. Still holding my gift for Marco, I mustered up my courage to push the door open and enter the hall. The loud, lively music echoed throughout the entire hall. The party-goers were enjoying themselves on the dance floor. I tried to squeeze myself through the crowd, searching for Marco. It didn’t take long before I heard loud cheers at the center. Instinctively, I turned my head in that direction, only to find Marco dancing with a beautiful lady in a red dress. Her long, wavy hair swayed at every movement of her body. She looked about my age. Marco was seemingly having fun as he danced with her. This was the first time I saw this girl. I was certain that she was not studying at our university. “Who is she?” I asked the person standing next to me, my gaze still lingered on the mesmerizing lady on the dance floor. “Eh? Seriously? You don’t know her?!” The guy responded in disbelief. “That’s Erica Wilson, the Campus Belle of URK University!” My heart suddenly clenched inside my chest the moment I heard that. Marco and Erica appeared to be a perfect match. A Campus Hunk and a Campus Belle dancing together… and everyone was cheering for them. I swallowed hard, feeling the lump in my throat. I quickly looked away as my insecurity kicked in. If I were to compare myself to Erica, then I would have nothing to be proud of except my brain. But then again, the guy beside me spoke once more. “She is the epitome of Beauty and Brain. Aside from being the Campus Belle, she is also a top student of URK University! No wonder Marco has been pursuing her since High School.” Hearing those words, I felt like I shrank into a tiny little thing, realizing the big gap between Erica and me. ‘Marco and Erica have known each other since their High School years. So… if he is still courting her… then what am I to him?’ I darted my gaze back and forth between Marco and Erica. My chest tightened further as I watched them together. I clenched my fists, a trace of jealousy reflected in my eyes. Reflexively, I stepped back, as I felt the need to run away. I rushed out of the hall without looking back. I fought hard not to cry. I continued running without a clear destination in mind. Before I knew it, I ended up reaching the fire exit of the hotel. I was about to take the stairs when I heard three guys talking just below me. I recognized their voices. They were Marco’s best friends– Jonathan, Carlos, and Franklin. “Have you seen how Erica interacted with Marco? It seems that our best friend’s wish is going to come true… very soon,” Jonathan said. The next thing I heard was their cheerful laughter. “It’s true. I think Erica finally acknowledged Marco’s effort. Remember the deal between them?” Carlos chimed in. I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop on someone else’s conversation, but I couldn’t help it. They were talking about Marco and Erica. I was really curious about the real score between them. “Yes. Who would ever forget that kind of deal? Imagine! Marco transferred out from URK University to Sterling University to fulfill his promise. I could still vividly remember when Erica challenged Marco in front of our classmates. She told him to stay away from her so that he could focus on his studies. If he could graduate with flying colors, then she would accept his feelings and become his girlfriend,” Franklin spoke up as he recalled the past. “Haha! So true. I remember the old days. Marco is like a small puppy tailing Erica everywhere. He always missed his classes just to be with her. The professors often complained about Marco stalking Erica in her classes. The guidance counselor summoned him multiple times.” Carlos’ chuckle bubbled up. “In fairness, he has changed after transferring to Sterling University. Marco’s academic grades have improved a lot over the past two years. I was surprised when he became a Dean’s lister. It seems nothing is impossible when it comes to love. Haha! If he can maintain his grades, then for sure, once he graduates this year with flying colors, he’s gonna get a new girlfriend! The woman of his dreams. Erica Wilson!” Jonathan uttered proudly. “Hmm. Then what will happen about that nerd girl? What is her name again?” Franklin asked curiously. “I forgot. She is too insignificant for me to even remember her name.” Carlos responded with a hint of sarcasm. “She is not even worth mentioning. That plain-looking nerd girl. Marco is just letting her stick around because she is still useful to him. Remember, thanks to her, Marco’s grades have improved a lot. I heard she’s always doing his homework. And remember Marco’s research paper? She was the one who made it.” Carlos smirked, playing with the case of cigarettes in his hand. “Well. Once he achieves his goal, he is going to dump her anyway. Poor girl. I pity her somehow.” Jonathan shrugged his shoulders while shaking his head. “C’mon, Dude! Don’t pity her. She should be grateful because even once in her life, she experienced having a handsome boyfriend like Marco… although he is just pretending. Hahaha. And don’t forget. Marco is paying her for those tutorial sessions. She gains a lot from this! This is enough compensation once Marco dumps her.” Every word they uttered was like a dagger hitting my heart. I clutched my chest while my other hand was covering my mouth as I tried to suppress my sobs. I felt my legs tremble as I leaned on the wall for support. It seemed that every ounce of my energy had been drained from my body. Looking so pale, tears streamed down my face like raindrops. I was silently sobbing while gripping my chest tightly. My body shook uncontrollably as I tried to steady my footing. Hearing those words from Marco’s friends completely shattered my fantasy. Everything made sense to me now. I was nothing more to him than a tool. A tool for him to achieve his goal of getting together with the woman he truly liked. ‘I’m so naive to believe that a prince charming exists to love me for who I am… even if I’m poor… even if I’m not pretty like those girls…’ Thinking about it, Marco took all my firsts– my first kiss, my first date, my first dance, and my first sex! Yes, he took my innocence, turning me into a woman. He let me experience the sweetness of love. Who would have thought that in the end, he would also be the one to ruin me– causing my first ever heartbreak? As my mind was left in shambles, I began to reminisce about our past. It all started one summer break. Marco visited our town for a vacation. Partying all night, he got drunk. And I ended up saving him from drowning in the beach resort where I was doing my part-time job. A few weeks later, he started pursuing me. He kept pestering me every day: giving flowers, showing up in every place I worked, and freely expressing how much he liked me. At first, I didn’t take him seriously. Who would believe that a handsome guy like him had feelings for me? I was just a simple girl who worked multiple jobs just to make ends meet. I’m not ugly, but I also wouldn’t consider myself pretty. I look plain and ordinary with my thick-rimmed eyeglasses. As for Marco, he always wore different designer-brand clothes with his Rolex watch, driving a Porsche, and using the latest iPhone model. I knew from then on that he came from a rich family. Our difference in status was like heaven and earth. He was out of my league; however, his relentless pursuit continued even after the summer break. I thought I would never see him once the classes resumed. But to my surprise, Marco was a new transferee to my university. In just a few weeks, he became the hottest guy on campus, attracting women’s attention, left and right. Despite that, he ignored the pretty ladies who were chasing after him. He always put me in his priority. When he protected me from the bullies, I knew from then on that he was sincere. I began seeing him in a different light. In three months of his relentless pursuit, I ended up falling for him deeply. Marco was my first ever boyfriend… the first ever guy whom I allowed to be part of my life. However, since I hated the spotlight, we agreed to hide our relationship as a couple. In the eyes of other people, I am just his student tutor. Since he struggled in his academics, I was “hired” by him to be his tutor as we continued dating secretly. However, it seemed that my Cinderella story was not meant to end well. I guessed smart people really turned dumb when it came to love. I failed to see the signs. I used to think that his love for me was real and pure… until I overheard his friends’ conversation tonight. At that moment, I made up my mind. I was going to run away from Marco… go to the place where I could no longer see him. I decided to accept my professor’s offer to join the Student Exchange Program and continued my studies abroad! Far away from Marco. The Nerd Girl and the Campus Hunk Two days had passed since Marco’s birthday celebration. I focused on preparing all the requirements for the Student Exchange Program. I hadn’t seen Marco for the last two days. Deep inside, I was grateful for that because I didn’t know how I was going to act in his presence. The last message he sent me was during his birthday celebration. He asked me what time I would be arriving at the hotel. I didn’t reply. In the end, I just went home without showing up in the ballroom. Attending his birthday party or not, it seemed that my presence didn’t really matter to him. After all, the girl he truly liked was there beside him: Erica Wilson. Despite being heartbroken, I still kept his birthday present in my dorm. I was supposed to throw it away out of anger, but thinking about the whole time I spent taking several part-time jobs just to save up money to buy him a gift, I couldn’t waste it. I’ll just consider it as my parting gift to him. “Miss Austin, please come in. Prof. Wayne is waiting for you inside. Are you done with your application form?” The student assistant’s voice snapped me out of my deep thoughts. “Yes. I completed all the required documents,” I replied with a smile. I thanked her before heading inside Prof. Wayne’s office. He was my class adviser who encouraged me to join the Student Exchange Program. He saw great potential in me, so he recommended me for a spot. I had nothing to worry about my expenses abroad. It was all sponsored by Sterling Holdings– my board and lodging, my meals, and my allowances. All I had to do was study hard. “Elle, you are here!” Prof. Wayne greeted me warmly. He was smiling from ear to ear. “Good morning, Sir. I’m here to submit my papers.” Prof. Wayne gestured to me to sit down. “Sigh. The first time I talked to you about this program, you refused my offer. I’m really glad that you’ve changed your mind.” I simply smiled in response. Thinking about it, I hesitated to join this Student Exchange Program because of Marco. I consulted him about it, but he discouraged me from joining. He said he didn’t want to get separated from me. Damn! He was so good at lying! I almost missed this opportunity because of that deceitful jerk. “Elle, are you with me? Give me that! Stop gripping the documents. Don’t tell me you are backing out at the last minute?” I blinked in puzzlement when I heard him. Instinctively, I stared down, only to realize I was clutching the folder tightly. I almost crumpled it with my fingers. “I’m sorry, Prof. I just got nervous,” I lied, smiling sheepishly. I quickly passed my papers to him. Prof. Wayne checked my documents as I waited for his feedback. “Hmm. This is good to go, Elle. The next step for this is to process your VISA. Then, after a week, we can finally book your flight,” he said, patting my shoulder. I simply nodded, still couldn’t believe that I was finally leaving York City. “Don’t be nervous. You are not alone.” Prof. Wayne just finished his words when the door of his office slid open. A tall man with eyeglasses entered the room. “Elle, this is Kenneth Tan. The two of you will be representing Sterling University for this Student Exchange Program. I have high expectations for both of you, so keep doing your best!” “Sir, I want to ask a favor from you. Can you keep my participation in this program a secret for now? I don’t want my classmates to know. Just announce it once I’m already abroad.” I made this request because I didn’t want Marco to know that I was leaving. I would get out of his life quietly. “Oh, sure. No worries. Hmm. I guess you hate saying goodbye to them, huh,” he teased me. I could only smile at my professor’s last remarks. After giving us some final instructions. Kenneth and I left Prof. Wayne’s office together. “Elle, are you available tomorrow? We can go together to process our VISA,” Kenneth suggested as we walked in the hallway. “Hmm. Yes. I’m free,” I replied politely. Staring at him, I realized that I hardly interacted with Kenneth Tan. But we’ve always seen each other in the same school clubs since our first year at Sterling University. He was also a campus nerd like me. No wonder both of us were recommended to participate in the International Student Exchange Program. “Give me your number so that we can communicate with each other,” he said, passing his phone to me. I had just finished registering my number on his phone when someone suddenly grabbed my hand. I looked up only to meet Marco’s seething gaze. “Come with me. You’ve missed our tutorial session for two days now,” he said coldly, forcefully dragging me with him. I didn’t know why he suddenly looked furious. He didn’t even bother texting me for the past two days. How would I know if he set up another tutorial session? Before I knew it, Marco and I had already slipped into the library. He continued pulling me to the inner bookshelves. “Marco, let go. You’re hurting me,” I complained. After hearing my voice, he finally loosened his grip on my wrist. But to my surprise, he gently shoved me to the bookshelves, trapping me with his arms. His tall figure loomed over me as he gazed at me intently. “W-What are you doing, Marco?” I asked, my voice cracking down with tension. He pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes at me. He didn’t reply. His silence made my already anxious heart race even faster. ‘What’s wrong with him? Why does he look so mad?’ I pondered, holding my breath. “A-Are you mad?” I stuttered a little, trying my best to calm my nerves. This time, he gripped my waist tightly. Then his free hand lifted my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. “Why do you think I’m mad?” He asked me, his voice was as cold as the winter snow. I even saw his lips twitch into a dangerous smile. “I don’t know,” I replied, frowning. I should be the one getting mad at him. How dare he give me such an attitude? It’s just a pity, I didn’t have the courage to voice my complaint. I was afraid to confront him. Sensing my tense body, Marco began caressing my face. Then he even leaned closer, his face only a few centimeters away from mine. I could feel his hot breath brushing my skin. I instinctively slammed my eyes shut under this intense pressure. After a while, I heard him take a deep sigh before speaking up. “I can’t believe it, Elle. Seriously? You don’t know why I’m mad?” He murmured, his lips inching closer and closer to mine. “Do I have to spell it out for you?” he hissed. I only swallowed hard and nodded. My heartbeat didn’t slow down a bit. Then, I felt like my body was burning because of our physical contact. He was so near. His familiar cologne was intoxicating my mind. Damn it! Why did he still have this kind of effect on me? I clenched my teeth while cursing myself inwardly. “You didn’t attend my birthday party. You never texted me for two days. You didn’t bother to explain why you didn’t show up. And now… I would see you happily chatting with another guy. You even exchanged numbers with him!” He said under his controlled rage. I snapped my eyes open, staring at him in disbelief. If I didn’t know the truth, I would have assumed he was truly upset and jealous. But in reality, that would never happen since his heart only belonged to Erica Wilson, his dream woman. He liked her, not me. I was just a tool for him. I tried to push him away. But my resistance only triggered him to hold me in place. “We are not done talking, Elle. You are not going anywhere without explaining to me,” he sternly said, grabbing my two hands and pinning them just above my head. “Marco, please let go of me. For goodness’ sake, we are in a library.” My words just fell on deaf ears. He ignored my plea. Seconds later, my eyes widened when I felt his other hand slide under my skirt. “M-Marco, Stop! What are you– Aah~” I didn’t manage to finish my sentence as Marco’s fingers rubbed the spot in between my legs. “You deserve some punishment, my dear Elle,” he cooed in my ear, his lips nibbling on my earlobe. “Explain now,” he demanded, his fingers still assaulting my most sensitive spot. I could only bite my lower lip to stifle my moan. I wiggled my hips to break free from him, but he even pressed his body against mine, completely immobilizing me. My hands were still bound by his strong grip. I shook my head while giving him a pleading look. “Marco, s-stop… other students might see us.” Staring at me intently, Marco’s lips curled up into a knowing smile. “You want me to stop, but your body is telling me otherwise…” “See… You're already wet down here, Sweety… it seems your body is asking me to claim you right here and then. Does the thought of having sex in the library excite you more?” he whispered, sensually teasing me. In one swift move, he shoved my panties to one side and inserted his finger inside my core. I gasped in surprise, and a soft moan escaped my lips. Damn it! My body already betrayed me. Secret Girlfriend Meets His Dream Woman Marco had always been like this, doing what he wanted. I loved him so much that I indulged him by letting him touch me whenever and wherever he desired. I was nineteen when we first crossed the line. I let him take my virginity on my birthday. Since then, we have found it so addictive. Whenever we were alone, he would always find a chance to touch me and make love to me. Since I was naive in terms of physical intimacy, I let him do it, just going with the flow as he led me on. I hated to admit it, but I also enjoyed every intimate moment we shared together. During our tutorial sessions, I helped him with his academics, but he taught me how to be a woman, exploring things I never imagined I would ever do intimately. At that moment, a thought popped into my mind. Maybe I was not just a tool for him… but more of a plaything. As the realization struck me, I suddenly broke down. My stored tears kept flowing down my face. Marco stopped the moment he saw me in tears. A trace of panic could be seen in his eyes. “Elle, why are you crying? I’ll stop teasing you now. Please don’t cry.” He finally released me from his grip. Then he also pulled his hand from my skirt. Taking off my eyeglasses, I just covered my face as my sobs wracked my body, robbing me of the ability to speak. I was angrier and more frustrated with myself than with Marco. I blamed myself for letting myself get fooled by him. In between my sobs, I heard Marco curse, but his words didn’t register in my mind clearly. Before I knew it, he had already pried my hands, revealing my tear-stricken face to him. His hand reached out, his fingers gently caressing my cheek. “Shhhh. I’m so sorry, Elle. Please don’t cry. I’m not mad anymore,” he softly said, resting his forehead on mine. He also wrapped his free hand around my waist, pulling me into a hug. His sweet, gentle side made me feel frustrated even more. Why was he so good at pretending? Marco hugged me while I buried my face in his chest. We stayed in that position for several minutes until I finally calmed down. “Are you ready to talk now?” he asked, his expression softened. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. I just want to know why you didn’t show up on my birthday. I waited for you…” I lowered my head, avoiding his gaze as I replied, “I was sick. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your party. But I prepared a birthday present. It’s in my dorm.” “Really?!” he exclaimed in his elated voice. His mood changed almost instantly. “Then I forgive you.” He quickly gave me a peck on my lips. “I was upset the entire two days. I thought you'd already forgotten me,” he added, puffing his cheeks. If it were before, I would laugh upon seeing his adorable side. But now, I couldn’t even bring myself to smile as I looked at him. His friends’ conversation kept replaying in my mind, reminding me not to get fooled again. When I stayed silent, he picked up his handkerchief, using it to wipe away my tears. “Hmm. Let’s go. I’m gonna treat you. But make sure to give me my birthday present today. It’s long overdue!” I put on my eyeglasses and nodded, faking a smile. He grabbed my hand, gently escorting me out of the library. He looked somewhat excited, as though he was really looking forward to seeing my gift for him. After leaving the library, Marco brought me to our favorite Coffee Shop, near our campus. We often hang out and study here together. This was supposed to be my happy place, but not anymore. “Tell me what you want. I’ll order everything for you.” Marco said, handing me the menu sheet. “They have new pastries. You wanna try them?” “I don’t have an appetite,” I mumbled absentmindedly. Marco stared at me for a long moment. It made him wonder why I was very unmotivated today. My usual smile was gone. “Are you still not feeling well, or perhaps, are you still upset with me for what I’ve done in the library?” I gazed at him only to find his disheartened look. “No. It’s not that. Maybe, I’m just exhausted.” I forced myself to smile. “Then it’s more reason for you to eat. I’ll order your favorite cupcakes and white mocha.” He didn’t wait for me to respond as he headed to the counter. When he returned, he was already holding a tray of cupcakes and our drinks. Marco had just sat down next to me when we heard someone calling his name. “Marco! There you are!” My heart tightened almost instantly when I saw Erica. She was wearing an above-the-knee off-shoulder floral dress, her smooth, wavy hair cascading down her shoulders. Marco’s friends, Carlos and Jonathan, stood proudly behind her as though they were her bodyguards. Only Franklin was missing to complete the whole crew. Instinctively, I shifted my gaze to Marco, his expression unreadable, yet I saw a glint in his eyes as he stared in Erica’s direction. I could only clench my fists as Erica and Marco’s friends made their way to our table. I kept my gaze down, not giving them a single glance. “Hey, Bro. I knew it. We will find you here! What’s up?!” Jonathan playfully wrapped his arm around Marco’s shoulders, giving him a meaningful smile. Marco frowned, shrugging his shoulders to shove Jonathan’s hand away from him. “What are you doing here?” “Erica is craving some sweets. We remembered this Coffee Shop, so we brought her here,” Carlos responded with a wide grin. The three of them exchanged glances with one another. On the other hand, Erica’s attention seemed to focus on me. Even though I was not looking at them, I could sense that someone had been staring at me. “Marco, who is she?” Erica’s calm voice entered my ears. I kept my head low as I sank into my seat. I didn’t dare look up. “She’s Elle…” Marco responded with a sudden pause. It seemed that he was still thinking about how he would introduce me to her. “... my tutor.” My lips curled up into a bitter smile when I heard that. I shouldn’t have kept my hopes up. Indeed, Marco would never introduce me as his girlfriend to the woman he had been pursuing for years. “Oh, so she is the smart tutor I’ve heard about! The reason why your grades are improving!” Erica exclaimed with amusement. “Hello, Elle, it’s my pleasure to meet you.” She extended her right hand in front of me, giving me a friendly smile. “I should really thank you for being patient with Marco. Honestly, I tried teaching him once, but I surrendered. It’s so hard to teach him! Before, he was just a handsome face with an empty head.” “Hey! That’s harsh. You’re insulting me! You are deliberately hurting my ego, Eri. For goodness’s sake, give me some face here. This is a public place,” Marco butted in, but his voice was sweet, no hint of annoyance or irritation at all. Erica just let out a soft giggle. Even her giggle was like a piece of music in our ears. No wonder Marco liked her a lot. She seemed to be a perfect girl– smart, beautiful, sexy, and rich. “Can we join you? I hope you don’t mind, Elle,” Carlos chimed in, his words had hidden meaning, since he knew that I was Marco’s current girlfriend. I just smiled timidly. “It’s okay. I don’t mind.” The four of them chatted cheerfully, reminiscing about their high school years. I just sat quietly, feeling left out. I focused on eating my food, shutting myself in my own space. Yet, I was still silently observing Marco, whose attention was on Erica. When Erica was about to grab a napkin, Marco had already placed one in her hand. Then the two exchanged coquettish smiles at each other when their hands touched. I pretended not to see, but my grip tightened on my fork. I completely lost my appetite, yet I stayed calm outside, reminding myself to keep enduring it. Several minutes had passed by, I felt some strange gazes from other customers inside the Coffee Shop, seemingly asking why I was there at that table. I could somehow guess what’s on their mind. They found it very strange to see a plain-looking girl sitting with three handsome men and a pretty lady. I was just a nuisance in their eyes, ruining the perfect image of those four. I didn’t belong there. To avoid getting unwanted attention from other customers, I excused myself and headed to the shop’s restroom. I stayed there for several minutes until I received a message from Marco. ‘Elle, my friends and I are heading out. Erica encountered an emergency at home. I’ll drive her back. See you later at your Dorm. I’ll pick up my birthday present.’ I simply typed “Ok” and pressed send. What should I expect? Of course, Marco had ditched me just to send Erica home. It was as clear as the sky… I truly meant nothing to him. I clenched my phone and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My body shook as I burst into a humorless laughter. I was laughing, yet tears fell from the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision. ‘This is the last time I will cry for him. In two weeks, I’ll be leaving York City. Before he can dump me, I will free myself by walking out of his life quietly.’ Choosing Friends Over His Girlfriend Earlier, Marco was eager to receive his birthday present from me. He said he would pick it up after sending Erica home. It’s already nighttime, yet there is no sign of Marco dropping by my dorm. I stared through my window, letting out a deep sigh. From then on, I knew that he was not coming. Then I shifted my gaze to the small box on my study desk. “He has forgotten all about you because he is with his special someone,” I said, playfully tapping the box of his birthday present. “Hey, Elle, have you gone nuts? Why are you talking to yourself alone?” I jolted in surprise the moment I heard Sarah’s voice from behind. My mind was so preoccupied that I failed to notice her arrival. I turned to look at her. Sarah stood by the door, her guitar case hanging on her left shoulder. She was a music student– my roommate and my best friend. She frowned when her eyes fell on the box of Marco’s birthday present. “Don’t tell me Marco hasn't talked to you yet? I swear I’m going to beat him once he shows up here!” Sarah said in irritation. She even cracked her knuckles, folding her fingers into fists. Two days ago, she saw me coming back to our dorm, still holding my gift for Marco. My eyes were swollen from crying. She quickly asked me what was wrong. I told her everything, including the conversation of Marco’s friends. “Give me your phone. I’ll call that jerk!” Sarah made her way toward me, extending her right hand. She advised me to confront Marco and break up with him. However, I didn’t have the courage to do it. Instead of direct confrontation, I preferred to just run away and forget. “Sarah, Calm down.” I reached out to hold her hand. “There is no need for you to confront Marco. I can handle this. Don’t worry about me. Besides, I’ve made up my mind. Come. I’ll show you something.” I gently pulled her, making her sit on the edge of my bed while facing me. Sarah sat down obediently while pouting her lips. “I hate to see you cry because of that jerk. He doesn’t deserve you!” She continued ranting. I just gave her a reassuring smile before showing her my notice of transfer. Sarah shut her mouth, and her eyes widened in shock upon reading the content. “Oh my gosh, Elle?! Is this true? You are going to transfer and study abroad!” She exclaimed, grabbing my shoulders while shaking my body. I nodded frantically to confirm it. “I joined the International Student Exchange Program. I’ll be leaving York City in two weeks.” Sarah had mixed feelings when she heard my words. I knew she felt so proud of me for being part of this program. However, she was also sad because I was going to leave York City. We wouldn’t see each other for so long. “I am supposed to feel happy… but… I can’t imagine staying here in our dorm without you. I’m used to seeing you every day, chatting, studying, eating together, and doing the laundry… I’m going to miss you, Elle. Damn… I’m tearing up!” She fanned her eyes, trying to hold back her tears. I could only sigh as I pulled her into a hug. “I feel the same way, Sarah. I’m grateful to you. I managed to adapt to city life because of you. I learned a lot from you. You are my best friend here. Don’t worry. I will always keep in touch.” Sarah nodded, wiping her tears away. When we pulled apart, she was already smiling. “Maybe, this is for the best. You can easily forget that jerk and move on. Date as many guys as you want abroad!” I giggled at her last remarks. Even though Sarah and I had different personalities, we easily clicked and got along well. I was an introvert, and she was an extrovert. She always taught me how to socialize and dress up. If I were Cinderella in this story, then Sarah was my fairy godmother. “Thank you, Vee, for always being here for me,” I softly uttered, resting my head on her shoulder. “Vee” was our friendship endearment. “Hmm. By the way, does he know that you are leaving?” she asked me curiously. I shook my head. “No. I don’t have any plans of telling him.” Sarah bobbed her head frantically as she gently patted my head. “Yes. That’s my girl. Don’t let him know. It’s best for you to ghost him. Leave him without looking back! Just keep moving forward, Vee! Show him that you can be happy without him. Hmm. I hope he will regret this.” I just smiled faintly, yet my heart still ached just thinking about him. I guessed it wasn’t easy to move on… especially since he was my first love. I couldn’t lie to myself. My feelings for Marco couldn’t be erased in just one night or two. It might take a longer time to finally forget him. Leaving for a faraway place where I couldn’t see him might help me a lot in the healing process of my broken heart. My conversation with Sarah was interrupted by the ringing sound of my phone. Both Sarah and I turned to look at my screen, only to find Marco’s caller ID. “Speaking of the devil!” Sarah uttered in annoyance. “Let me answer it. He might come to get his birthday present.” I explained right away to placate her, even though Sarah didn’t stop me from answering the phone. She nodded and waved her hand. “Go ahead. But don’t come back here crying again, or else I won’t hesitate to beat him up. I will definitely ruin that jerk’s face!” I smiled sheepishly before excusing myself to answer Marco’s call. Knowing my best friend’s temperament, I was aware that those words were not an empty threat. She would definitely do it. I pressed the answer call button the moment I stepped out of our room. “Hello, Marco? Are you still coming tonight?” I asked him. “Elle! Sweety, I’m sorry. I couldn’t drop by your dorm tonight. Something came up. I just called to inform you so that you won’t wait for me. Promise, I’ll pick it up tomorrow, after class.” I pursed my lips. Tomorrow? I couldn’t see him. Kenneth and I would process our VISAs. “I am not available tomorrow,” I replied. “Huh? But why?” “I’m busy with our school clubs. At night, I have my part-time job.” “Can’t you just be absent from your part-time job tomorrow night? Let’s set a tutorial session tomorrow so that you have a reason to meet me. Don’t worry, I will pay you.” Hearing his words, I instinctively gripped my phone tightly. Marco had always been like this, thinking he could always buy my time with his money. I hope he realized that I was different from him. I didn’t have the luxury to meet him whenever he wanted. I had to work to earn a living. In the past, I was always the one adjusting my schedule just to be with him, going out on a date with him secretly. I compromised my part-time jobs just to spend time with him, because I loved him. I always wanted to satisfy him. Besides, I also enjoyed his company. However, he seemed to misunderstand my intention. He developed a bad habit of asking me not to do my part-time jobs. In return, he would pay me as compensation for my absences, making our tutorial session an excuse. At first, I refused to accept it. But he insisted on giving me the money. He won’t take no for an answer. No wonder his friends also believed that I gained a lot from this relationship. They were aware that Marco had been paying me for our tutorial sessions. After my long silence, I finally responded with a firm “No.” “My Boss already made a request that I shouldn’t be absent tomorrow. We are anticipating a lot of customers because it’s their anniversary.” Before Marco could respond, I heard another voice from the background. I immediately recognized that feminine voice. It’s Erica. “Marco! Are you still on the phone? We need to go now. The club is opening. Franklin, Jonathan, and Carlos have been waiting for us–” I couldn’t hear the rest of her words. It seemed that Marco had put his speaker on silent. Maybe he didn’t want me to overhear his conversation with Erica. A cold glint flashed through my eyes as the realization dawned on me. Marco had lied to me once again. He said he couldn’t come because something had come up. It turned out he was just hanging out with his friends and Erica. He should have told me directly. Why still hide it? Without waiting for Marco, I quickly ended the call. I didn’t care anymore. My heart started to feel numb, getting used to this kind of pain. “I’ll be fine. I will no longer compete with them for Marco’s attention. Two weeks from now, I will disappear and will never bother him again. They can have him all they want. It doesn’t matter to me anymore.” The Secret Couple's Biggest Fight Ever Kenneth and I were excused from attending our classes to process our VISAs. As I talked with him longer, I discovered that he wasn’t as aloof as the rumor suggested. Just like me, Kenneth was very studious. The only difference was that he was a good-looking guy, and his family was also well-off. He even picked me up from my dorm, driving his Audi. “You didn't sleep well last night?” Kenneth uttered, his gaze fixed on my haggard face. I didn’t know if I had just imagined it, but I saw a trace of genuine concern in his eyes. “How did you know?” I asked, lowering my head. “Do I look that bad?” Kenneth suddenly raised his hand, his forefinger touching the spot under my eye. That sudden contact surprised me. “Dark circles,” he replied with a straight face. I instinctively chewed on my lower lip, feeling a little bit embarrassed. He was very observant, even noticing those tiny little things. “You don’t look bad. You are cute like a panda,” he added, making me speechless. I didn’t know whether I should take that as a compliment or not. I just smiled awkwardly in response. “Come. There is a mall near here. Let’s eat first. The Immigration Staff are also having their lunch break.” Kenneth said, gently grabbing my hand. I blinked in amusement as I stared at our entangled hands. Did no one tell him that it was inappropriate to hold a woman’s hand without consent? Or perhaps, he was just like me. Lack of social skills. We’d just reached the mall’s entrance when, unexpectedly, we ran into someone. Erica and I crossed paths again. The more I didn’t want to see her, the more I met her accidentally. Was fate making fun of me? “Hey, Elle and Kenneth.” Erica greeted us first, darting her gaze back and forth between Kenneth and me. Then her eyes stopped at our intertwined hands, a teasing smile flashing her pretty face. “Are you together?!” It sounded more like a statement than a question. I immediately pulled my hand away from Kenneth’s grasp, hiding it behind my back. I didn’t want her to misunderstand our relationship. I was about to respond, but Kenneth beat me to it. “It’s none of your business.” His tone was cold and indifferent. My jaw dropped as this scene unfolded before me. I didn’t expect Kenneth to respond rudely to Erica. Her smile faded instantly. Erica might be used to any man treating her like a goddess. However, her charm seemingly didn’t work on Kenneth. “Let’s go, Elle,” Kenneth said softly, placing his hand on my back, gently forcing me to walk. He completely ignored Erica, not wanting to interact with her any further. I just obediently followed him and didn’t dare look back. I wondered how Erica reacted when we walked past her. Subconsciously, a faint smile tugged upward in the corners of my lips. “Do you know her?” I asked Kenneth curiously. “A spoiled, conceited princess,” he replied matter-of-factly. This time, I couldn’t help but let out a soft giggle. Kenneth’s lips also formed a faint curve as he watched me laugh. “You were so harsh on her. I thought she was your friend since she knew you.” Kenneth shrugged his shoulders. “I simply don’t like her and her circle of friends. My father and her father are business partners.” I just nodded when I heard that. Kenneth fell silent for a moment. It looked like he had something to tell me, yet he hesitated. After a while, Kenneth halted on his steps and spoke up. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something, but I don’t want to sound nosy…” I blinked in puzzlement as I gazed at him. “It’s fine. Just ask me anyway,” I said with a reassuring smile. He looked me straight in the eyes and asked, “What is your relationship with Marco Salvatore?” I froze instantly, unable to utter a word. What was I supposed to say? Even I myself didn’t know what my relationship with Marco was. Sensing that I felt conflicted in answering him, Kenneth didn’t press further. “Never mind. Just forget I asked.” He casually said, finally shifting his gaze away from me. “I just didn’t like the way he dragged you the other day. It was so rude. I hoped you didn’t get hurt,” he explained. Hearing the concern in his voice, I forced myself to give him an answer. “I’m just his tutor.” Those words I uttered seemed directed at myself. They were a reminder, convincing myself that this was the only purpose of my existence in Marco’s life for the past two years. “Tell me if he ever mistreated you. I will report him to the school admin.” “Thank you for your concern. But don’t worry. Marco is a good employer. He is paying me well.” My stomach churned at my own lies. I had no one else to blame. I brought this upon myself. I was also the one who asked Marco to hide our relationship from the public. I allowed him to exploit my weakness. I made myself believe in a love that never existed. Kenneth didn’t mention Marco again. He sensed that my mood turned downcast when we talked about Marco. After spending time with him, I discovered that Kenneth was indeed a considerate man. We could become friends. After processing our VISAs, Kenneth sent me to the restaurant where I was working a part-time job. It was already 11:00 pm when I reached our dormitory gate. However, to my surprise, Marco was waiting there. He was sitting on the hood of his Porsche. ‘What is he doing here?’ I asked myself, frowning. I was about to approach him, but my feet stopped midway upon meeting his sharp gaze. He looked furious again. He hopped off the hood of his car and walked toward me. “Where have you been this morning?” he asked. His voice was calm, yet there was a hidden rage in it. “You were absent from your classes.” I swallowed hard, instinctively stepping back. I didn’t know why, but Marco’s overbearing aura seemed frightening to me right now. “I told you… I had C-Club activities,” I replied in a low voice. “Club activities,” he repeated, his lips curling up into a dangerous smirk. “Do club activities include strolling around the mall?” My face turned pale as my eyes widened in shock. ‘Did he see me? No. It might be Erica. She might have told him she saw Kenneth and me in the mall.’ Before I knew it, Marco had already grabbed me by the waist, shoving me to the side of his car. I yelped when my back hit the cold metal. “Kenneth and I were running some errands for our school club,” I said as an alibi. I didn’t want him to know that we were there to process our VISAs. His expression turned darker than before at the mention of Kenneth’s name. “You lied to me, Elle,” he said through gritted teeth, tightening his grip on my body. My heart thumped so hard against my chest. This was the first time I saw Marco getting so furious like a madman. My thoughts raced in my mind. ‘Why is he getting mad at me for lying? Between him and me, he is the one who is full of lies!’ “Are you cheating on me?” Those words were the last straw that broke my patience. My pent-up emotions resurfaced as I couldn’t endure this anymore. I burst out laughing, making Marco pause in confusion. “Cheating? Lying? Weren’t you the one who lied to me first? Last night, you didn’t show up because you were hanging out with your friends and Erica!” I snapped at him. Raising my voice against him for the first time shocked him for a moment, causing him to loosen his hold on me. He opened his mouth to say a word, only to close it again. Indeed, he had lied to me, and he didn’t bother to explain. Gathering all my strength, I pushed him away. Still in his trance, I grabbed this chance to run away from him, heading to my dorm. Once I entered the gate, he could no longer follow me. Boys were not allowed inside our dorm. Before, I never complained… never confronted him. I never made a fuss. But tonight was different. In our two years together, tonight was the biggest fight we've had as a couple. The Tiny Blossoming Hope Shattered Completely One week had passed since my last argument with Marco, and I didn’t see him around. No communication at all. It seemed that we were in our cool-off period, or should I say our breaking-up period? To divert my attention, I kept myself busy by doing multiple part-time jobs. I tried my best to earn enough money so that I could return all the money he had paid me for the past two years. I sat on a bench, checking my bank passbook. I put on a satisfied smile as I counted the number of digits of my savings. “I still need thirty thousand dollars to fully return all his money,” I mumbled, folding my passbook in my hand. “Are you having financial problems?” I reflexively jolted when I heard Kenneth’s baritone voice behind me. “Gosh, how long have you been standing there? You scared me!" I complained, my chest rising and falling from that sudden shock. Kenneth uninvitedly sat down beside me. “I’ve called you; however, you were too immersed in computing your savings in your bank account.” I turned to look at him, only to be surprised to see his handsome face covered with bruises. “What happened to your face? Who beat you up?” I exclaimed worriedly, instinctively reaching out to cup his face. Kenneth was taken aback for a moment, staring at me with an indescribable expression. After a while, a faint smile brightened his face. ‘Why is he still smiling? He is so strange.’ I frowned, my eyes still scanning his face. “Your employer did this to me. He even warned me to stay away from his woman,” he replied. “Why would he do that?” My eyes widened in shock. For a couple of seconds, I thought Marco beat Kenneth because of me… because he was jealous of him. I suddenly questioned myself. Was I wrong all along? Did I really matter to him? In our two years of being together, perhaps he truly developed feelings for me. Was it possible he fell in love with me for real? A tiny hope was blossoming in my heart, thinking of the possibility that Marco had genuine feelings for me. But that little hope was shattered almost instantly when I heard the rest of Kenneth’s words. “He might have heard my father’s announcement. I’ve told you that my father and Erica’s father are business partners. They are planning to arrange a marriage between Erica and me. I’m against it. This is one of the reasons why I joined this Student Exchange Program… to escape from my father and delay this arrangement.” I didn’t know what kind of face I made the moment those words entered my ears. Did my expression give away my feelings? Kenneth suddenly asked me what was wrong, but I was no longer paying attention to his words. I lowered my gaze. A lump rose in my throat as I fought the urge to cry. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry for Marco anymore, yet my heart clenched tightly, suffocating me. I slammed my eyes shut, taking a few slow breaths to gather my emotions. I finally connected the dots. Marco transferring to Sterling University wasn’t a coincidence. He didn’t transfer here because he knew I was studying here. It’s all because of Erica all along. He was here to compete with Kenneth to prove himself worthy of Erica’s love. He focused on studying hard and being a top student at Sterling University to defeat Kenneth. He could easily get mad whenever Kenneth was involved. He was not jealous of him because of me. He was jealous of Kenneth because of Erica. “Elle, are you okay? Prof. Wayne told me that our VISAs are ready to pick up in his office. He texted me now, asking us to drop by his office. He needs our details to book our plane tickets.” Kenneth’s voice snapped me out of my deep thoughts. I gazed up, forcing myself to smile. I commended myself for not shedding any more tears at that moment. I grabbed my bag and stood up, putting on my brave front. “Kenneth, it’s time to go. Let’s run away together.” Kenneth smiled broadly as he nodded. “Yes. For our future!” It was already dark when we left Prof. Wayne’s office. I absentmindedly glanced at the plane ticket in my hand. I hadn’t expected that I would be leaving so soon. Our flight is scheduled for tomorrow. It was earlier than the original schedule for next week. “Elle!!!” A loud feminine voice called back my attention. Kenneth and I turned in that direction. Sarah stood by the gate, waving her hand at me. It seemed that she had been waiting for me. Kenneth and I immediately approached her. “Sarah, this is Kenneth Tan, my fellow student who is participating in the Student Exchange Program. Kenneth, this is Sarah Sullivan, my roommate and my best friend.” Sarah arched her eyebrow, her eyes raking over Kenneth from head to toe. Sensing her scrutinizing gaze, Kenneth kept his calm expression before extending his right hand. “It’s my pleasure to meet you, Miss Sarah Sullivan. Your guitar skills are so famous all throughout our university.” Kenneth didn’t miss praising her. In just one sentence, Kenneth managed to win Sarah over. With that, she put on a friendly smile, giving Kenneth an approving look before shaking his hand. “Oh! Kenneth Tan, the Handsome Genius. I’ve also heard a lot about you.” Then Sarah moved closer to me, nudging my shoulder while giving me a teasing look. “Your studies abroad will be more exciting with a handsome genius next to you,” she whispered, grinning mischievously. My cheeks blushed in embarrassment. I quickly shot my best friend a warning look. I hoped Kenneth didn’t hear that. After experiencing my first heartbreak, I didn’t intend to be in a relationship again. The thought of falling in love with the wrong man scared me. I felt like I developed a phobia… especially with handsome, rich men. Kenneth Tan was no exception. “Ahem. So why are you still here?” I tried to change the topic, keeping my composure. I pretended not to hear her last words. “I am waiting for my best friend,” she responded matter-of-factly, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. Then she caught a glimpse of the plane ticket in my hand. She took it from me. A combination of shock and sadness flashed on her face. “What?! You are both leaving tomorrow night?!" She exclaimed. I looked at her with my sorrowful eyes and nodded to confirm it. Sarah fell silent for a moment, trying to process it. “Sigh. Then you have to come with me. Let’s have a farewell party!” She suddenly blurted out, hugging me so close. “Alright. Let’s do that.” I agreed. After hearing that, Kenneth cleared his throat, reminding us of his presence. “Ahem. Can I tag along? No one will throw a farewell party for me… so… perhaps, can I join you?” He shyly scratched his face as he invited his own self to join us. Sarah’s eyes lit up. Before I could even say a word, she quickly wrapped her other arm around Kenneth’s shoulder. “This is great. The more the merrier! Don’t worry. I'll let you nerd people experience what a real party looks like!” Sarah dragged the two of us, hailing the cab. We headed to Sparkle Club, a popular bar among socialites. She often performed there with her band. We intended to enjoy our last night together. Kenneth reserved a private KTV booth for us on the second floor. The first floor was for party-goers who wanted to enjoy the dance floor. We sang and drank to our hearts’ content. “Vee, stop ordering more drinks. Kenneth and I shouldn’t get drunk. We still need to pack our things for our flight tomorrow.” I reminded her. Kenneth gave me a grateful look. He was glad that I finally intervened. Sarah kept filling his glass, forcing him to drink. On the other hand, Sarah pouted in protest. But she didn’t have a choice. “Fine. No more alcoholic drinks,” she conceded. Then her eyes sparkled when a bright idea popped into her mind. “My dear Elle, I remember that this is your first time in a club. To complete your experience, we must join the crowd and dance! Come… let’s go!” Sarah quickly grabbed my hand, dragging me out of our booth. Kenneth could only follow us behind. The first floor was livelier than the second floor. The loud music filled our ears. The DJ chose a set of party music, giving more color and thrill on the dance floor. Sarah held my hand, squeezing ourselves in the dancing crowd. We heard lively cheers, seeing couples and groups of friends dancing with each other. Some of them were already tipsy, yet they continued swaying and moving on the music beat as if there were no tomorrow. Seeing the happy atmosphere, I finally set myself loose, removing all my self-restraints. Sarah and I jumped together, bobbing our heads and swaying our bodies. We joined the crowd, enjoying the dance floor! Yes. I felt alive for a moment, forgetting about my troubles, including my heartache. But in that fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of a very familiar figure. It seemed that I was subconsciously still yearning for him. I took a pause, and my heart almost jumped out of my chest the moment I got a clearer view. ‘It’s indeed Marco! But he is not alone!’ The next scene I saw shattered my already broken heart. Marco and Erica stood together in the dimly lit corner. While everyone was dancing and cheering, the two got lost in their own world, just kissing each other passionately.

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