12 Days of Teo

A Breath of Fresh Air

[Day 11: The Encounters of Old Love]

Wow, just wow. I knew Teo was a good actor, but I didn't think he would make me cry. He's just so beautiful on stage. The second he steps into the scene, all eyes are on him. His presence overpowers everyone else, and his voice, that powerful voice.

I imagine the scenes of the play over and over again, waiting for Teo to meet me outside the theater like we planned. God, the part where he gets bitten, I burnt it into my memory so we can do the same when we get home. Just imagine my lips on his-

"What's a pretty doll like you doing all alone on the side of the street?"

?.. out of all the times someone has to interrupt me. A masked man in sunglasses and a hat stood before me. Interesting getup for nighttime, but there he was waiting for my response. However, his off appearance wasn't the thing that stood out to me. It was his voice, that familiar voice.

"Zen?"

"Hey, Jagi~. Did you come all the way out here to see me judge?"

"No, I came to watch the performances."

"Oh yeah? Which one was your favorite?"

"My boyfriend's."

He has to know. It's good that he knows.. knows that I'm not his anymore.

"Haha, I'm sorry, I think I heard you wrong. Your what?"

"My boyfriend."

Zen and I broke up a while ago. I couldn't handle his fame as well I thought. The attention eventually got to me, and I had to break it off. Even though he begged me not to leave, he eventually let me go.

"So you got a new one already, huh?"

"Zen, it's been years. Don't you think it's about time we moved on?"

In addition to his fame, Zen was also very jealous. At times he became extremely possessive over me. Now don't get me wrong, him scowling at other guys or suddenly pulling me into an alley way was hot... until I couldn't breathe.

"I always hoped that you would find your way back to me, and now I hear this."

"Don't take it personally, we ended on good terms right?"

The relationship was suffocating for many reasons. I had to leave. If I kept on loving him, it would only hurt me more.

"But I thought you loved me... You promised me that you would be mine forever! That it would be me and you against the world!"

"Zen, quiet down. There are paparazzi here, I don't want to cause a scene."

I didn't break up with him because I stopped loving him. I just knew that this love would eventually lead to heart break, and it's better that it happened sooner rather than later.

"Are you seriously telling me that you found someone you love more than me?! Someone bett-"

"Hyun!..I told you that I couldn't handle the relationship anymore."

"Then we could've fixed it. You and I, we could've made it work."

"No we couldn't... Do you know what really tipped me over and made me leave?..

..The hundreds of threats from your fans telling me to leave you alone! Hundreds, Hyun, and it wasn't just that. The stalking, and the blackmailing! It was too much..

..and your behavior! You said you would stop. You said you would let me go out alone and wear what I wanted. You said you would quit smoking for me..but you never did..you never changed.. you were always focused on what you wanted.. how you felt..

..I thought I could handle it...take it all in. That our love was worth the struggle, but it wasn't..

..I loved you, Hyun..but I wasn't fit for your life. I never was. I could barely breathe when I was with you. I thought you made me breathless, while I was actually suffocating..

..it's better that we aren't together. It's the best option for the both of us."

"MC.. I-"

"You should probably get going now, Zen. You wouldn't wanna be caught fighting with an ex on the street."

"But-"

"Just go, Zen."

As I watched the man I used to love walk away, I saw to the side the man I loved now. In a dark alley way, on the side of the theater, there stood Teo. As soon as we locked eyes, he ran up to me embracing me in a hug so tight that I could barely breathe.

..but this time, the feeling wasn't suffocating, but one that was filled with love.

"Honey, I'm sorry. I should've came sooner."

His warm, gentle hands wiping away my tears, as he quietly tells me..

"I'm here now.. it's gonna be okay."

"Teo.. I-"

"Shhh, just relax. No more tears, okay?"

Teo was a breath of fresh air, and with him, I could finally breathe.

Day 12: "You're such a good boy for me."