MIDNIGHT FLOWER

CHAPTER 5: HIDING AND RUNNING AWAY FROM THE PAST

“Baby?” Shau’s voice was soft, almost uncertain, as if he wasn’t sure whether to believe what he was seeing.

Jenny’s heart raced, her mind scrambling for something—anything—to say. But the shock of seeing him so unexpectedly, here of all places, left her speechless.

For what felt like an eternity, they stood there, neither moving nor speaking, as the weight of everything that had happened between them hung in the air.

Finally, Jenny found her voice, though it was barely above a whisper. “Sh...Shau."

Shau blinked, seeming to come back to reality. “Shau?" He laugh because he is used her calling him daddy. "Well, I didn’t know you worked around here.”

Jenny nodded slowly, the reality of the situation crashing down on her. The man she had been so desperate to avoid was standing right in front of her, and there was no escaping him now.

“I… I should go,” she stammered, her instinct to flee kicking in.

But as she turned to leave, Shau reached out, gently grabbing her arm. “Not so quick.”

Jenny stopped, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it. She didn’t know what to do, what to say. All she knew was that this was the moment she had been dreading—and now it was here, staring her in the face.

Jenny paused but didn’t turn around immediately. Her mind was racing, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions she felt. The hurt, confusion, and the unresolved feelings from being ghosted all bubbled to the surface. She had been so careful to avoid him, and now, here he was, standing right in front of her.

Shau took a step closer, his voice softening. “We can talk... in private,” he said that gave her shiver.

Reluctantly, Jenny turned to face him, her expression carefully guarded. “What’s there to talk about?” she replied, her tone cold and distant. The warmth and openness she once showed him were gone, replaced by a protective shield she had built around herself.

Shau’s brow furrowed at her coldness, but he didn’t back down. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said, trying to bridge the gap between them. “I thought you were—”

“You thought I was what?” Jenny cut him off with a cold smirk. “A girl that only shows up at night?”

Shau winced with confusion at her words. “No, it’s not like that,” he started, but Jenny shook her head, her patience wearing thin.

“Sorry but I don’t have time for… this.” She waved her hand vaguely, indicating the tension between them.

Shau hesitated, clearly wanting to say more, but unsure how to reach her. “What's wrong?"

She found herself laughing. He is asking what's wrong? And after all, he still don't even know what he has done. How many girls did he ever dump and still doesn't even know what he has done?

Jenny knew how badly she wanted to see those almond-shaped eyes again but still she manage the cold exterior she forced herself to adopt. She won't let herself be pulled back into his orbit again. The hurt was still too raw, too fresh.

“I need to go,” she said, pulling her arm free from his gentle hold.

Shau was about to halt her from going when his phone buzz. "Don't go. Stay here." He commanded before answering the call.

As Shau was talking over the phone, without another word, Jenny turned and walked away without him noticing.

When he ended the call, Jenny was gone. He tried to check around the area but she was not in sight anymore.