Stella’s P. O. V.
Two Weeks Later
After the last lecture of the day, I leave for the mall. Tomorrow is my birthday, but all I can think about is surprising Alex. For the past two weeks, I’ve been holding back from telling him how I really feel, resisting the urge to confess my love. I want this moment to be perfect, something unforgettable-for both of us.
I’ve waited for his arm to heal properly, and now that he’s almost back to full strength, it feels like the perfect time to show him how much he means to me.
Thankfully, he has gone to another college for a basketball match today, giving me the entire day to arrange everything for my surprise.
I’m going to buy a dress for myself, but it’ll be a sexy one-just for Alex. He makes me feel confident about my body, and I know that now when I wear it, I’ll truly love how I look. That asshole used to make me feel horrible about myself every chance he got, but Alex is completely different. There’s no comparison between them. My Alex is perfect-perfect for me-and he loves me so much that I can’t stop myself from giving my heart to him, especially after everything I’ve been through.
After parking my car, I enter the mall.
I’ll buy the dress in his favourite colour. I want everything to be perfect for him. He deserves every bit of it. I can’t stop smiling as I head to the store where I’ve planned to buy it. Everything is already set up at his beach house. I arranged it all in secret.
I’ve never been so excited about my birthday before. I can’t wait to see the smile on his face when I say to him those three magical words. He doesn’t say, but I know he has been waiting for the day when I’ll completely give my heart to him.
I reach the store and try on so many outfits. After an hour, I finally chose the red dress I wanted.
God, I’m so excited to see his reaction when he sees me in this dress. He’s definitely going to go crazy.
Anyway, he is already crazy for me. I laugh at my own thoughts as I walk out of the store.
I stop in shock when I see Alex across from me. What is he doing here? He told me he had a match at another college.
Is he lying to me?
No, no! He must have just finished his match and come here, but I need to reassure my poor heart that he’s not lying to me. So, with my trembling hands, I take my phone out of my handbag, dial his number, and watch as he pulls his phone from his pocket.
“Hello, Flower.” He answers, walking in another direction away from me.
“Are you still busy with the match? I miss you.” My eyes stay on him and my heart races.
Please, just say you’re at the mall. Don’t lie to me. I pray, waiting for his response.
“Yeah! I’ll be late because of the match. You reached home?”
My chest becomes heavy with pain as he lies to me.
I feel the same pain and betrayal all over again. Tears fall down my cheeks. He’s lying to me.
But my poor heart still doesn’t want to believe it.
“Hey! Are you there?” He asks from the other side of the line. I want to respond, but a lump in my throat and powerful emotions silence me.
“Stella, say something.”
“I just miss you,” I say, not understanding how to confront the fact that he’s lying to me. My heart is shattering.
“You sound low, Stella. I’m coming back to you. Where are you now?” He asks, and I can feel the concern in his voice.
Just from the sound of my voice, he knows something is wrong. I can feel that he loves me, but then…why is he lying? Am I fooling myself again, thinking someone is in love with me when they’re just deceiving me?
Is he just like Jade-lying to me, maybe even cheating? No, I can’t believe that. Alex can’t be like this. He truly loves me. There has to be some reason.
You can’t become a fool again, Stella.
But Alex… he is different.
Oh God! My mind is spinning.
“Stella, you’re scaring me. Tell me what’s wrong.”
A sob escapes my mouth. “Why did you lie to me, Alex? I’m at the mall right now.”
“Fuck!” He mutters on the other end.
Tears stream down my cheeks, and I don’t even bother to wipe them away.
“Flower…” he starts to say something, but I can’t bear to hear another lie. I cut him off.
“I don’t want to talk to you, Alex.” I end the call, overwhelmed by anger, pain, and frustration.
Right now, I’m not in the right state of mind. The trauma and heartbreak from Jade’s betrayal come flooding back, mixing with the hurt from Alex’s lie. It’s all too much for me.
My phone keeps ringing as I rush to the washroom, shedding silent tears.
How could Alex lie to me? He knew what I’d been through with Jade, yet here I am, reliving the same nightmare.
I halt as I recall how he jumped into the fire to save me without thinking about himself, how in the past month, he was always there for me, and how he helped me to find myself back.
How can I distrust him just because of one lie? I can’t misunderstand him because of my past. He is trying so hard to win my trust. I have to stop comparing him with Zade.
Alex is completely opposite to him, and he makes me feel worthy.
I won’t let my past come between us. Never.
I’m certain there must be a reason for his lie. Alex isn’t someone who would hurt me intentionally. I can’t let my fears and past traumas sabotage what we have.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath before answering his call and pressing the phone to my ear.
“Oh! Thank God! You answered my call.” He sounds so relieved. “Stella, I can explain you everything. I know I shouldn’t have lied to you, but…”
“You don’t have to explain, Alex. I trust you. It’s just that when I saw you in the mall, I lost my mind. I’m sorry.” I apologise, wiping my tears, feeling so terrible for even doubting the man who can do anything for my happiness.
“I completely understand. You know… I’m so glad you trust me. Let’s just meet. Where are you?”
“Let’s meet in the parking area.”