Rena sat at her desk, the afternoon sunlight filtering through the blinds, casting long shadows across her room. Her thoughts were distant, drifting to her upcoming move. She had already accepted the offer from Nova Creative Agency, and the clock was ticking down to her departure. Each passing day felt like a countdown to a fresh start, away from the emotional wreckage that had come with staying in the city—away from Lem, DJ Blue, and Leandro.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her reverie. She glanced at the screen and felt a familiar unease creep up her spine. It was a message from Leandro.
Leandro: I heard about the job offer. Can we meet tonight? I have something important to tell you. It's urgent.
Rena sighed. She had been trying to avoid another conversation with him, knowing how these interactions always went. Leandro had a way of pulling her back in, his charm and persistence making it hard for her to say no. But after everything that had happened—the emotional rollercoaster he had put her through—she knew that any chance they had of rekindling their relationship was gone. Still, she felt she owed him a final conversation. She typed out a quick response.
Rena: Fine. Where?
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed again.
Leandro: Dinner at La Vie, 7 p.m. I promise, you won't regret it.
Rena rolled her eyes. La Vie, their old spot—the place they'd gone for anniversaries and special occasions. He was clearly pulling out all the stops, but she wasn't going to fall for it this time.
That evening, Rena arrived at La Vie, her heart heavy with the knowledge that this was the last time she'd have to deal with Leandro's empty gestures. As she walked into the restaurant, she couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu. The soft lighting, the flickering candles, the romantic ambiance—it all felt like a repeat of their past, a past that she no longer wanted to be part of.
Leandro was already seated at a table near the back, dressed in a crisp suit, his dark hair perfectly styled. A bouquet of roses sat on the table in front of him, and he looked up with a warm smile as she approached.
"Rena," he said, standing to pull out her chair. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks," Rena replied, her voice flat as she sat down. She didn't want to drag this out, but she could tell from the look in his eyes that Leandro was hoping for something she couldn't give.
"I'm glad you came," Leandro said, his voice soft as he sat back down across from her. "I know things have been... complicated between us, but I wanted to talk about us—about what we used to have."
Rena folded her hands in her lap, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "Leandro, what are we doing here? We've had this conversation before."
Leandro leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Rena, please. Just hear me out. I know I messed up in the past. I wasn't the boyfriend you deserved, and I took you for granted. But I've changed. Losing you made me realize how much I still love you. I want another chance."
Rena's heart tightened as she listened to him, but she knew the truth—she wasn't the same person who had fallen for Leandro all those years ago. His words, once capable of pulling her back in, now felt hollow.
"Leandro, you always say this," Rena said quietly, shaking her head. "You always come back with these grand declarations, these romantic gestures. But nothing ever changes. I've heard this all before, and I'm tired of it."
Leandro's expression faltered, but he quickly recovered, flashing her the smile that used to melt her heart. "No, Rena, this time it's different. I've been thinking about everything, and I'm ready to commit. I want to start over with you. We can make it work."
