90210 (BINI Series #3)

Chapter 39: Call It Quits

Maloi's POV

We are in Mikki's car as he was driving me home after our dinner / his proposal. The short drive home was filled in silence, as the events of the past hours replayed in my head.

I stared at my left hand, which bore the evidence of the choice I made today. The ring is heavy in my hand, I could feel it weighing me down, as if a constant reminder that i am now tied to him. I made the right choice, right? He was there when my world crumbled because Stacey left. He was there to catch every single pieces of me when I don't want to live my life anymore. He's always been there. But then, I started to feel claustrophobic, the cold ring cut through my skin, like a noose on my neck.

I tried to steady my breathing as I felt a panic attack coming. Mikki noticed this and immediately parked the car.

"Hey, are you okay?" He worriedly asked.

I nodded my head to tell him yes, but my tears betrayed me, as it gushed on their own.

"Maloi, what's wrong?" He took off his seatbelt as he tried to hug me, but I recoiled and leaned on the window to distance myself.

I knew I was acting like a total idiot, acting too scared to be touched by my fiancé. I closed my eyes as I felt the world turn around me— we're engaged. I watched as Stacey ran away and I let her. By accepting his proposal, I have finally closed the final chapter in my life with her.

He straightened his seating position, and looked straight out unto the road. Hands clenched tight on the steering wheel, he tried to compose himself.

"This is about Dr. Sevilleja, right?" He then a glance at me, and my eyes widened in shock at his question.

He closed his eyes as he leaned back on his chair, head raised up to try to stop his tears. I felt guilt at the obvious pain I am causing. Stacey's right. Whatever my decision is, at the end of the day, I will hurt someone's feelings.

"Maloi, I know you're still in love with her."

"I'm not."

"Please don't lie to me, Maloi. At least give me that." He took deep breaths but I could see that he was already crying. "I saw you that day, you know. I saw how you kissed her back with so much passion, unlike the way your kisses felt empty with me."

"I'm sorry." I covered my face as the shame of my indiscretion came out in the open.

"I thought I could make you fall in love with me. I honestly thought that if I tried hard enough, then I can replace her in your heart, but I guess I was wrong."

"No, Mikki, I do love you."

"I know, but not in the way you love her. I've seen how you look at her as if she's the only one that exists, and how your laughter is filled with so much light when you're with her." He wiped his tears.

"I'm sorry if you felt pressured to say "yes","

"I wasn't! I will marry you, Mikki, even tomorrow!"