As the clock struck five in the afternoon, I hurriedly packed my scattered belongings on my office desk. Andrei, my best friend, was already waiting for me in the parking area. I wondered why he insisted on picking me up from the office, claiming he had something to tell me.
Riding the elevator down to the basement, Andrei kept calling my cellphone. I ignored his call as the elevator door opened. I already saw his car in the parking area.
"Andrei, what's the urgency of our meeting that you have to pick me up without notice?" I questioned as I hopped into his brand-new car.
"Well, because..." Andrei started, but my attention shifted to him when he didn't continue. Instead, he gave me a sweet smile that almost melted my knees.
Suddenly, it felt like the world stopped spinning.
Oh, until when will I be a slave to this guy's smiles?
It's been quite a while—five years since Andrei and I became best friends. I've also been taking care of him in my heart for that long. Over the years, I've witnessed him change girlfriends multiple times. Despite the heartaches, I knew he wasn't serious about those relationships. They never lasted.
Now, he has a steady girlfriend, Katherine, who was also our college classmate. I confidently believed they wouldn't last, just like his previous relationships. I never lost hope that one day he'd notice me, that one day he'd find a place for me in his heart.
Lost in my deep thoughts, I snapped back to reality when I heard Andrei's loud snap in the air.
"Huh?"
He chuckled softly. "You're frozen again."
"No, I'm not! I was just thinking."
"Sure, pretending again. So, am I handsome?" He adjusted his sky-blue polo and black blazer.
Yes, you are! My panties just dropped!
I bit my tongue to prevent those words from slipping out.
Now I noticed his different style today. Usually rugged, he wasn't wearing a cap, and his hair, a messy bowl cut, strangely resembled my crush, Taehyung.
I subtly shook my head to regain composure. I shouldn't betray myself.
"Maybe a bit handsome, not too much." I teased, masking my admiration. "Wait, what's going on? And what were you saying earlier?"
I caught his deep breath before he spoke.
"I said, I'm getting married."
I felt like I went deaf. His words exploded in my ears like a bomb.
Wide-eyed, I looked at his face, searching for any hint of a joke. But I couldn't find any. Still, I forced a laugh, even as my world starte crumbling.
"You're joking, right?"
He smiled, shaking his head. "Of course not, bestie. You know I don't throw words around lightly, especially when it comes to a lifetime commitment. I'm serious about Katherine."
In an instant, the tiny hope residing in my heart vanished.
Why didn't I consider that Andrei might take love seriously?
Why was I foolish enough to hope for more than friendship from him?
I felt the corners of my eyes warming, so I looked away. I couldn't speak because opening my mouth would betray my true feelings. Silently, I pinched myself to redirect the pain from my bleeding heart.
Andrei continued to share details about his relationship with Katherine. Whenever I glanced at him, I saw the excitement in his eyes and the joy in his words. It felt like daggers piercing my chest while he described their plans.
