Chapter 7

• Full of hatred and anguish, I turned around and walked away with heavy steps. Heck, I can't believe it. He's just fooling me all the time. I thought I was finally living the dream of loving him, loving someone I adore the most but all of it has vanished into thin air.
• There were never been an "us", rather I was just stupid enough to imagine that we'll last long. I'm so angry at myself! How could I not see this coming?! He is in an entertainment surrounded by beautiful women! Not to mention, the various female leads he has been partnered with! Especially that Scarlett, they're bound to marry each other soon enough...
• Not a pinch of tears has fallen from my eyes. I promised myself I would never cry again for a guy. Even if he were my favorite actor... even if he was the first one I loved wholeheartedly, I don't give a freaking care in the world anymore.
• "Mari!"
• Never did I took another glance, another peek at whom I loved before. It's all over, I have decided to break up with Leo. I'm ending this fairytale of mine. From the start, I should've never attended his meet-up event and just stayed at home to continue adoring him alone. I'm more in peace if that was the case. This would have never happened!
• "Just invite me to your wedding, you're welcome!" I exclaimed when I felt his hand on my wrist. He pulled me closer to him and I could feel his eyes begging for my presence to stay.
• "Calm, baby," he whispered as he locked me into his arms. Fortunately, there was not a single person passing by at the back of the school. If there were, this would be huge chaos. "I told you, no one's going to marry somebody, okay?"
• I sighed and looked down. "But Scarlett..."
• Leo told me his father proposed an arrange marriage to Scarlett's parents for the both of them. Plus the fact that he liked her before. And this series they're both into is probably a dream come true for him. I shouldn't have ignored his red flags, but I'm madly and deeply in love with him back then! It's nonsense to blame myself further.
• "I won't allow it, you're the only person I love," he said. Pushing him away, I looked at him with nothing but bitterness. His gazes were as shock as it could be, and the pain in his eyes can't be unseen. But only the bits of resentment are left in my rumbling heart.
• "You denied me in front of everyone, you chuckled liked you didn't know me, you never fight for me, I was the only one who kept fighting for this relationshit!"
• "I'm just asking for your little understanding," he said as his voice cracked. It made my heart melt but before he even take a step closer to me, there was a body frame that blocked our sight of each other.
• "Leave my girlfriend, or I will expose you," Gin warned.
• Leo's eyes didn't leave mine. He was full of questions, strike in confusion, and got hit on his ego, but he only remained silent and suit on his eyeglasses together with his bonnet hat before leaving us.
• That's when my tears started to fell one by one. Once again, he didn't fight for his love in the way he always says. He said he loves me yet he won't show it to others, meaning he's not entirely proud of me having his girlfriend if ever he did love me somehow.
• But there were no reasons to be sad, Gin was behind me all the time. Ready to rescue a broken heart, to find my lost soul, and redeem my strength. He hugged like his own and I tightened my grip on him for comfort. This is what I want, freedom from pain. And there was nothing more refreshing to feel a kind of love that is open, not hidden.
• As we looked back, my sister along with Samantha and Emma stared at us in awe. Gin kept his wide smile upright looking at me like a trophy that he won fair and square.
• "I knew it!"
• "For how long?!"
• "Nothing to hide now."
• They were all smiling at us expressing their enjoyment of something they don't see every day, but why am I not satisfied? Why do I feel empty deep inside? Even so, I ignored my thoughts.
• Our closure may be vague, but hey, if Leo can't let go of Scarlett, mind as well accept a person who can love me the way he says he does. Besides, I want to give Gin the chance he's been wishing for, a chance to prove his love that Leo can't. I want to be loved, cared for, that's it. Why is everything so complicated? Geez, I hope I can find someone who can love me purely.
• "Why don't we celebrate?" Emma suggested and Samantha stared at me with hopeful eyes. They were so happy for us especially my sister.
• "You're not mad at me anymore?" I asked. As far as I know, they were only ignoring me but today I guess they're in the good mood.
• "You weren't telling is a thing, Mari, we were just a bit disappointed," Samantha said.
• "Me too! As a sister, you never tell me a thing! How cruel," Maya added.
• I put up a fake smile. If only they knew, they would've to slice me with a knife right now. Luckily, they don't. And they will never know about us. I fully accept the fact that Leo is too high for me to reach. It's just a matter of fact to cut ties. Return on being strangers again, or maybe just another fan adoring her favorite actor together with the stars.
• Keep shining, Leo. Even without me... even with somebody else, never lose your spark, my sweet fantasy. The roses he gave, have finally faded.