In her eyes, Simon and I were meant to be childhood friends who turned into a perfect couple.
I could not help but shake my head with a grin. “No, Aunt Tracy. He’s not the one I’m marrying.”
Tracy’s eyes popped wide open as she asked, “What’s going on?”
“I’m just tired. Looking for a fresh start,” I replied, keeping my tone casual.
Tracy did not push for more. She headed into my room to pack up my clothes and suggested, “Why don’t you crash at my place tonight? I’ll whip up your favorite spaghetti.”
I smiled and nodded.
We were just stepping out of the elevator, bags in hand.
Who would we run into but Simon and Sophia on their way back?
Sophia, with a playful squint, looped her arms around Simon’s neck and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. “Simon, my head’s pounding. Will you keep me company tonight?”
Simon looked at her with such a soft gaze. “Of course, of course. Don’t worry, I’ll make you chicken soup myself and stay right by your side all night. We’re not going anywhere.”
He was just as gentle as he used to be with me.
Back when Simon was getting his company off the ground, he could not handle liquor because of his gut issues. I was the one who drank for him during those business deals.
Whenever I got too tipsy, he would comfort me just like that, his eyes brimming with concern, staying up all night to make sure I was okay.
However, it was Sophia who was on the receiving end of his tender care.
They were so wrapped up in each other, they did not even notice us at first. However, then Simon saw me.
I was ready to just walk on by, but he stopped me. “Actually, it’s good timing. You should find another place for the night. Sophia’s had a bit too much fun with her friends, and I don’t want her getting upset seeing you.”
I was about to agree and move on when Tracy, who had followed me out, cut in sharply, “No need for you to send her away. Yoana’s spending the night at my place!”
Simon, caught off guard by Tracy ‘s presence, quickly shifted from cuddling to steadying Sophia.
He greeted us, a bit flustered, and tried to explain away his guilt.
“A friend overdid it with the drinks. I couldn’t just leave her out there, and I didn’t want to disturb Yoana’s sleep—”
Tracy’s face darkened on the spot, shoving them aside as she grabbed my hand and led me out.
It was not until we got to her place that she wrapped me in a tight hug, her heart aching for me.
Then, without a word, she whipped up a warm plate of spaghetti for me.
I felt the warmth spread through me as I ate, and for the first time in ages, I slept soundly.
However, in the dead of night, Sophia sent me a photo.
There she was, in my tank top pajamas, with Simon snuggled up and sleeping like a baby in her arms.
A few texts followed.
[Yoana, Simon was just looking after me and dozed off. You’re cool with that, right?]
[If it bugs you, I can wake him up now.]
I did not want to respond, but the constant buzzing of my phone got to me, so I texted her back.
[Let him be, he can keep on sleeping.]
I hit send and immediately silenced my phone.
The next morning, I marched into the office and handed in my resignation.
I was about to grab some water from the break room after a hectic morning tying up all my loose ends at work when I heard a slither of the latest office chatter.
“Did you all check out the latest post? Mr. Drake’s got it bad for Ms. Green!”
“Looks like Mr. Drake’s taken now. Bet someone’s heart’s in pieces.”
“She’s just an orphan under his wing. He was just being kind by taking her in. She’s got nothing on his first love, Ms. Green.”
I jerked my hand back as hot water splashed over it, quickly shutting off the tap.
Ten years by Simon’s side, five of them as his girl, and still, to the world, I was just the orphan girl with an unrequited crush on Simon.
All because he wanted to ‘keep things quiet’.
However, with Sophia’s return, he was suddenly all about the grand gestures, ready to shout it from the rooftops.
It was crystal clear what love was and what it was not.
I clicked on a post and there it was, Sophia’s birthday post, flaunting her new ring.
[I heard this ring’s a real gem, a symbol of eternal love. Lucky me, having you this year!]
The picture showed Simon down on one knee, slipping a ring onto her finger.
That ring was my half-year labor of love, a wedding band I had designed just for her.
Simon’s post was swamped with well-wishes. I hit ‘like’ without thinking.
Then, Simon’s call hit me like a lightning bolt.
