Alex POV
“I’m sorry. I don’t know how, I don’t know why as far as I know, I just love him unknowingly.” She wiped the tears from her eyes and my heart ached. “Maybe because I can no longer feel your love? Maybe because you don’t have time? Or maybe it’s because we’re both unhappy.” She looked at me while smiling.
“No-”
I didn’t finish what I was going to say. What is the truth? I’m not sure what the reasons were, given the number of roadblocks in this relationship. I don’t have any of Winter’s assets. I’ve lost my yearning for her since her family doesn’t like me, but I know I love her. Was it so outrageous that she already knew our love was over since I left her on the air? When did everything start to change? I just knew that when she introduced me to her parents, they didn’t like me because I wasn’t deserving of Winter, in their opinion.
I devoted all of my time to studying. Winter had no friends when I met her. At the time, Ava is also not her friend. We thought everything will be fine as long as we love each other. However, I had no idea that love had to be purchased. Because I love Winter, I took advantage of several possibilities. I worked hard to be a top student so that her parents wouldn’t look down on me, but when we didn’t talk every day, her feelings changed. She is now giving to the other person-a person who was like my brother.
“We don’t have any more room for each other, and we need to-.” She straightened her stance before taking a big breath. “It’s time for us to part ways.”
Her words shattered me. Is it possible for me to be selfish for the first time? Everything I do is in dedication to her. There’s a part of me that wants to agree, but there’s also a part of me that doesn’t because, who knows, I may be throwing away a chance.
“No.” I sat down in front of the computer, looked away from her, and re-entered the code. As I typed, I wondered why she wasn’t speaking. I glanced around and found her on her knees, tears in her eyes. Fuck.
“You love Randall Adams so much to the point you can kneel for him. Even your tears now are hard to guess if they are for me or him.” It’s like my heart is burning. Why destiny is voracious? We still had happiness then.
But I didn’t say what was running through my head. I don’t want her to think that she has stepped on anything just because of the love she has for Randall. Maybe that’s just the way it is. No matter how much we want them to stay, when they’re the ones begging for freedom, you have no choice but to give it up.
“Stand there,” I told to her. Even though the essence of what she was asking was vague, I chuckled. “Do I have any other option except to give you what you desire?” I turned back and returned my gaze to the monitor. She got to her feet and heard her say thank you. I talked even though I turned my back when she opened the door.
“Be happy.”
I attempted to focus as I heard the door close, but my brain was not working. This is how love passes away. You’ll be in excruciating pain and remember how your once-happy relationship died in an instant.
I never spoke to Winter again, but my relationship with Randall has not changed. He’s still my friend and that won’t change because of Winter. I knew Winter was avoiding me too, so I didn’t force myself to be friends with her anymore because we would both get hurt. -I guess it’s just me now.
“Good morning class! Today I want to tell you to give your congratulations to Alex for him passing the ‘Advanced Computer Course. We will station him in America to have training on data and encoding. So starting next month, you won’t be able to be with him.” My classmates applauded loudly when our teacher said that while I was stunned. They did not inform me about it.
I glanced at Winter’s seat and saw her smiling as she looked at her phone. I smiled bitterly. What was I expecting? Will she stop me from leaving? Maybe this is also God’s way for me to forget her. To find others. I’m still grateful to Winter because she’s the one who molded me. She is the reason I strive harder than anyone else. She looks happy. I’m happy too.
Days, weeks passed quickly. I became especially busy and didn’t notice how much Randall and Winter were. I am still young, so I know there are still many opportunities waiting for me. I was unaware that the day I had been waiting for had arrived.
All my classmates left the room while Winter was still sitting. I closed the door immediately before she could get out. She looked at me curiously as I sneered at him. “Won’t you tell me anything before I leave?” I faked my laugh while she was irritated. She glanced at the phone and outside so I blocked her eyes.
“Well. Good luck on your journey.” She averted her gaze, then continued. “I know you can do it because I was the first person to believe you.” Now she is smiling genuinely at me. No resentment, bitterness, or whatever. Because of that, I have decided.
When I peeked out the window, I saw Randall coming, so I quickly leaned against the back of the door and kissed her. She pushed me away and glowered at me.
“What are you doing ?!”
“Goodbye kiss?” I made my expression blank to show that I didn’t care about her reaction. When she touched the doorknob I spoke again. “If he hurts you, I’ll take the plane back immediately to get you back.”
That was the last thing I told her, but it was vague that it would happen because she was already wearing the wedding dress that she promised she would only wear if I was her groom.