Eternal Echoes

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Confrontations and Reflections

Michaella's POV

I looked up, heart pounding, and saw Alex standing in front of me. It was becoming strange how often I ran into him lately. He smiled, looking both surprised and delighted.

"Michaella! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there," he said, genuine concern in his eyes. "Let me make it up to you with a coffee?"

I hesitated, but his insistence made it hard to say no. "Alright, but I don't have much time," I replied, trying to sound casual.

We walked into the café and found a table. I ordered Americano, Gabrielle's favourite coffee, and as I sipped my coffee, Alex asked about my day and the recording session since he couldn't be there. It was clear he missed seeing me and was happy about our unexpected encounter.

"I really missed being there for the recording," he said, his voice soft. "I'm glad we bumped into each other."

I smiled politely, trying to keep the conversation light. But then he dropped the bombshell.

"Why don't you try to give me a chance?" he asked, his eyes earnest.

"Alex, please stop," I replied, my voice firm.

"But why?" he persisted. "I don't have to justify anything to you, Alex. I asked you to be friends. We work together, and I don't want any awkwardness at work."

"But Ella—"

"Michaella, please," I interrupted, irritation creeping into my voice.

"Okay, sorry, Michaella. I know and understand that you had a relationship and you're not over it, but I can help you forget. Give me a chance. He was stupid enough to lose you."

"Alex," I interrupted him again, my tone sharper, "don't you ever insult him."

"Sorry again, I didn't mean that. But what I mean is that he lost you. If you give me a chance, I won't do that to you. I will never treat you badly."

"Alex, Gabrielle never treated me badly. He never disrespected me. He was loving, respectful, loyal. He never looked at another woman, he was committed, incredibly generous, and he made me feel like a princess. I was the reason we broke up, not that it's any of your business. That's it. I don't want to talk about this again. I told you we work together, we can be friends, but never think more. I didn't give you any signals, and it's my choice. Even if Gabrielle and I are not together, I will never stop loving him. Thank you for the coffee, but I have to go. See you later."

"Michaella, please, at least let me give you a ride," he pleaded.

"No, thank you. I want to be alone for now."

"Okay," he replied, clearly upset. I could see how much he liked me, but I couldn't give him what he wanted.

I walked home, feeling emotionally drained. I ordered a Caesar salad, took a shower, and started my night routine. When the food arrived, I poured myself a glass of Chardonnay and sat down to write.

I began pouring my heart onto the page:

'Even if you forget me for a lifetime,
I'll remember you until my last breath.
If you moved to the farthest corners of the earth,
I'd journey beyond just to find you.

Though the years may blur our shared moments,
Your eyes would remain vivid in my mind.
Amidst a crowd of new faces,
My heart would always belong to you.

You could chase new loves and dreams,
Yet my love for you would stand unwavering.
Our whispered words might fade,
But they'd still echo in my soul.

If you walked away, leaving me behind,
I'd carry you with me, always.
Even if you chose to forget us,
I'd cherish every memory.

You might live a life without me,
But I could never let go of your memory.
When I promised you forever,
I meant it with all my heart.'

Tears streamed down my face as I wrote. Gabrielle's absence felt like a void I couldn't fill. Despite everything, my love for him remained steadfast. I needed to find a way to move forward, but for now, I let myself feel the pain and longing.

As the night wore on, I reflected on my day and the encounters I had. It was a day filled with emotions, revelations, and an unwavering love that seemed impossible to let go of. One thing echoing in my mind, why did this happened, I love him still and more than before it it's possible, I need him, and I miss him. I wish I can call him and tell him, but he told me he doesn't want to talk to me, he told me that he left me because he doesn't want to talk to me anymore, I went to sleep whispering "Goodnight Gabrielle, I love you".

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Do you think Michaella did the right thing?