Chapter 9
They say human nature is inherently flawed. Well, I learned that well from Antonio.
I never expected to see him outside my dorm.
After all, Sheakpool and Paxburg aren’t exactly very close to each other.
I didn’t know what he was up to.
My roommate saw Antonio and gave me a knowing glance.
“Wow, looks like you’ve got a handsome guy here, sharing the spotlight with your Zack.”
“He is Antonio,” I said.
My roommate immediately looked disgusted and muttered, “What a jerk.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
After she went upstairs, I was about to clear things up with Antonio, when suddenly someone appeared and walked toward us.
Then, with a gentle yet firm grip, Zack took my hand.
Antonio’s eyes were red as he stared at our hands clasped together.
His voice was hoarse. “Grace, want to grab dinner?”
Chapter 9
Zack chuckled, “Sorry, we’re going on a date tonight.”
Antonio ignored his words and only looked at me.
I couldn’t care less to respond.
“Antonio, do you have to make it so difficult? Isn’t it enough to hear it once?”
At first, I thought Antonio just came to Paxburg on a whim.
But he kept showing up like he couldn’t get enough of it.
He started flying frequently between Sheakpool and Paxburg.
He’d pop up outside my dorm or near my classroom.
He’d confess his feelings to me.
He’d send gifts freely.
Well, I didn’t refuse to accept the gifts, but none of them ended up in my hands.
My roommates, on the other hand, were more than happy to have them.
And Zack went from being jealous and angry to resigned sighs.
One time, Antonio showed up again after class with two movie tickets. Before I could say a word, Zack casually swiped the tickets from his hand.
Zack, who usually played the nice guy, started cracking jokes.
“Grace, are you sure this childhood sweetheart of yours… isn’t
actually in love with me?”
One sentence was enough to make Antonio, the king of jerks, tremble.
I facepalmed.
Time to put an end to this nonsense.
I shifted from ignoring him to making things clear.
I promised Zack that it would be the last time Antonio appeared.
Zack watched as I walked away to talk with Antonio.
Antonio was relieved that we could finally have a proper
conversation.
He suddenly lost control of his emotions.
“Grace! Why?! Why are you doing this to me?!
“Do you really hate me that much?
“How long have you known him? And we… we’ve been together for years!”
I looked at him indifferently.
“Hate?
“More than that. I’m disgusted by you.
“I’m disgusted by your arrogance and your disregard for other people’s feelings and dignity.
“Even now, you still don’t see the problem, Antonio. I just
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regret ever loving you.”
Antonio’s tears fell suddenly.
He trembled, grabbing my hand. “I’m sorry, Grace. I never thought I’d hurt you this much.
“I was wrong. I was incredibly wrong.
“After realizing it, I regretted it so much, it felt like I was killing myself inside every day. Can’t you forgive me?
“I really love you.
“I’ve come to realize that without you I’m never happy…”
My mind was buzzing. I pulled my hand away, cutting him off.
“But I am very happy.”
Antonio immediately went silent.
“Once I let go of my love for you, I learned how a healthy relationship should be.
“It’s about mutual care and respect, not belittling each other.
“But you…”
I looked at Antonio straight in the eye. “You’ve never done any of that.”
Antonio looked lost as if my words were too hard for him to accept.
After a long silence, he bitterly asked, “What about the forever we promised?
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“What about always being together? Have you forgotten?
“Your dreams, your passions, and your pursuits… Does he understand you? Only I do!”
I sighed and looked at him with pity.
“Enough, Antonio. Stop playing the fool. Your ‘true feelings‘ are just stubbornness.
“You only love yourself.
“I won’t play along with your ridiculous show anymore.
“Go back to your school. If you skip any more classes, I’II report you and get you expelled.”
Antonio finally shut up.
I turned and walked away.
Not far off, Zack opened his arms with a smile.
I rushed into his embrace. “It’s over?” he asked.
I nodded firmly. “It’s over.”
The terrible man was finally left behind.
From now on, we go our separate ways. I’ll be fine on my own.
The end.
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
