(This chapter was written by someone precious to me. we found it interesting to have another point of view on this story. She gave me her consent to publish this chapter.)
Monday January 14, 2025, London
I sat at a cold counter bar in an airport lounge, waiting to catch my flight to the city of lights, Paris. I stared at the wooden edge of the mahogany table. Actually, I don't know what it's made of. It's just that my mind is empty and I just want to focus on something. The chair next to me is empty when there should be someone sitting next to me. I shouldn't have to be so lost in thought alone. But he was supposed to be laughing at that person's joke, but... Tears streamed down my cheeks.
2 hours earlier
I am taking a plane from America to Europe. It was supposed to be a romantic trip for me after both of us had worked so hard but all the time since the airport. My boyfriend is obsessed with his phone. And he didn't look happy at all. Even though I tried to inquire with care, he kept pushing me away.
I try not to make a big deal out of it. Try to think positively and encourage myself. I don't want to start off my sweet trip in a bad mood.
Throughout the journey on the plane He seemed rather quiet and kept sleeping. I saw him trying to send a long message. I don't mean to peek. But I can't help it. That message almost took my breath away. It was a message that was no different from what he usually sent me. Names that should only be used to refer to me But why did it appear on his phone even though the destination of the message was not me?
I didn't ask. I didn't want to make an attention in the limited space on the plane. I thought about asking him when I landed at the airport.
January's airport nights seem bleaker than it should, maybe because of my mind. My cold hand reached out and grabbed his arm to make him stop walking. I wanted to stop and asked something.
We stopped to talk in a corner of the airport. I asked about the message. And I assure you that I am not blind or delusional. He kept getting hysterical. Even though I said that if there's nothing else, just take out your phone and show it to me. He remains evasive. I reached over and took it out of his pocket and scanned his face to open it. I clicked on the message and what I saw, I couldn't even think about it again. The message, the picture, everything was so clear that he didn't need to make an excuse anymore.
I had tears running down my cheeks. I could only asked, "when? When did it start?" He tried to avoid the answer. I didn't want to take it anymore. His answer was, « I like you, but sometimes you're too strong and I have no place. You're not sweet at all. » and various words that he never told me. I said « If I'm not good enough, why don't you just telling me? I will improve or will we move on but not this type of cheating? » He was silent before saying the word « sorry, » but his heart wasn't with me anymore, I knew that and I am not ready to return to the embrace of a liar.
I told him I wanted to travel alone and let him leave. « Don't you need me anymore, baby » He tried to beg. I know I still love him a lot. But I also knew he was begging to keep himself from seeming too much of a villain.
And that's why I'm sitting here all alone. We'd been dating for almost a year and it all slipped away like steam in the air. That was the moment of thought that made tears down my cheeks.
« Miss » a deep voice echoed from the seat beside me. I glanced up. He looked like a warm man with a beard framing his face. Blue eyes and short blonde hair « Are you okay? » He handed me a handkerchief. I'm quite surprised. Nowadays, who still carries a handkerchief? He offered to order drinks. I'm still a bit torn between wanting some quiet time alone or having someone to talk to pass the time that is killing me. I chose the latter because I didn't want to end my life in a cold foreign airport like this.
