Love at first sight

Love at First sight (Chapter 7)

# Chapter 7: The Three Slaps

---

Leigh had started to find a semblance of peace in his life. He poured his energy into his studies, his volunteering at the community center, and spending time with Sarah and his other friends. He felt himself healing, albeit slowly. However, the scars of his relationship with Alexander still haunted him. His heart ached with a mixture of longing and betrayal that he couldn’t entirely shake off.

One afternoon, Leigh received a message that shook him to his core.

*We need to meet. Please, it’s urgent.* - Alexander

Leigh’s initial reaction was one of anger. He had been trying so hard to move on, to rebuild his life. Why was Alexander reaching out now? Reluctantly, he agreed to meet, wanting to face this lingering ghost from his past once and for all.

---

They met at a secluded café on the outskirts of the city. Leigh arrived first, his emotions a chaotic whirl. When Alexander walked in, Leigh felt a familiar pang in his heart. Alexander looked as imposing and handsome as ever, but there was a noticeable weariness in his eyes.

“Leigh,” Alexander said softly, taking a seat across from him.

“Alexander,” Leigh replied curtly, his voice icy. “What’s so urgent?”

Alexander took a deep breath, clearly struggling to find the right words. “I’ve been thinking about us… about everything. I realize I made mistakes, and I wanted to apologize.”

Leigh’s anger flared. “Apologize? You think an apology can fix everything? You think it can give me back the normal life you ruined?”

Alexander’s expression hardened. “I know I hurt you, Leigh. But I did what I thought was best for you.”

Leigh’s temper snapped. “Best for me? You never considered what was best for me! You only thought about yourself and your damned world!”

Without thinking, Leigh’s hand lashed out, slapping Alexander across the face. The sound echoed in the café, and everyone turned to look.

Alexander’s eyes widened in shock, but he didn’t retaliate. He simply stared at Leigh, pain and guilt etched into his features.

Leigh’s breath came in ragged gasps. “You dragged me into your dangerous world. You made me fear for my life every single day. How dare you think you can just apologize and make it all go away?”

Alexander swallowed hard. “I never meant to hurt you. I loved you, Leigh. I still do.”

Leigh’s second slap came harder, fueled by months of pent-up rage and sorrow. Tears streamed down his face as he struggled to speak. “You don’t get to say that! You don’t get to claim love when all you did was destroy my peace, my normalcy!”

Alexander’s cheek reddened from the impact, but he stayed silent, accepting the punishment Leigh dealt.

Leigh’s voice trembled with emotion. “I was a normal student, Alexander. I had a normal life. Friends, studies, dreams. And then you came along and shattered everything.”

The third slap was the hardest, and Leigh’s hand stung from the force. His voice broke as he continued. “I lost so much because of you. My safety, my peace of mind, my trust in love. How do you expect me to forgive that?”

Alexander’s eyes were filled with tears now, but he didn’t reach out to comfort Leigh. He knew he didn’t have the right. “I’m sorry, Leigh. Truly. I never wanted to hurt you.”

Leigh stood up, his body shaking with anger and pain. “It’s too late for apologies, Alexander. You need to stay out of my life. For good.”

Without waiting for a response, Leigh turned and walked out of the café, leaving Alexander sitting alone, tears streaming down his face.