Sunny Morning
"Yes, Mom, I'm leaving now. Don't worry, I'll take care of myself," Alexa said as she kissed her mother on the cheek and bid her goodbye. Her heart felt heavy as she prepared to leave her family for work.
"You take care too. Love you!" her mother replied with a smile as Alexa walked toward the car where her brother was waiting to drive her to the airport.
"Sis, don't worry. I'll take good care of Mom. Thank you for doing this for us. I'll do well in my studies," Ryan said, trying to comfort his older sister.
"You brat! I'll kick you out if you get failing grades."
"Don't be so mean. Failure is part of success," Ryan joked before his expression turned serious. "Sis… does he know?"
"Yes."
Alexa turned her gaze toward the window as tears blurred her vision. She rolled the window down and inhaled the cool morning air, hoping it would calm the ache in her chest.
As they drove onto the highway, she asked Ryan to stop by a coffee shop.
"Sis, I'll get your coffee. Tons of milk and one teaspoon of sugar, right?" Ryan said as he stepped out of the car. He was worried about his sister. He knew her relationship with her boyfriend was falling apart.
Once Ryan disappeared from sight, Alexa took out her phone and dialed Alan's number.
After a few seconds, the call connected.
"Where are you?" Alan asked sleepily from the other side of the line.
"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you. You came home so late last night… I'm already on my way to—"
"Call me later. I'm still sleepy," he interrupted. "Oh, and drop by the grocery store. I need beer, nuts, and chips. My friends are coming over tonight."
Before Alexa could finish speaking, the call ended.
Alan tossed his phone onto the side table and went back to sleep, completely forgetting that Alexa was leaving today.
That's great. F***** bastard,* Alexa cursed silently as she watched Ryan walk back toward the car carrying two cups of coffee.
"Here you go, Sis," Ryan said gently, handing her a cup.
"Thanks."
"Sis…"
"Hm?"
"I'm all ears," he said softly as he climbed back into the driver's seat.
Ryan sipped his coffee and waited patiently. He knew his sister was hurting, even if she refused to admit it.
"Ry, I know what you're trying to do, but I don't want to talk about it," Alexa said quietly. "Besides, I believe that if Alan and I are truly meant for each other, then we'll find our way back."
Even as she said those words, the pain remained.
Alexa still loved Alan. She still hoped everything would be alright.
She was the type of person who would forgive endlessly for the sake of peace and love, but even she had limits. One thing she firmly believed about love was this: if someone no longer loves you and no longer needs you, even after you've done your best, then let them go. Don't waste your life holding on.
Lost in thought, she stared at the clear blue sky.
Five Years Earlier
Alexa and Alan lived in the same neighborhood. Alan rented an apartment nearby and worked as a salesman. They knew each other through a mutual friend who had introduced them months ago.
One rainy afternoon, Alexa walked home from school as usual. She always chose to walk to save money from her allowance.
As she struggled against the strong wind, her umbrella suddenly flipped inside out and flew into the air.
At that exact moment, a car stopped beside her.
"Alexa, are you heading home?" Alan asked as he rolled down the window.
"Yes."
"I'm going the same way. Get in—you're completely soaked."
"Thanks, but I'm dripping wet. I might ruin your car."
Alan chuckled. "Don't worry. I have plastic seat covers. I'm a Boy Scout—always prepared."
Alexa laughed softly before climbing into the passenger seat.
"Thank you."
"Hmm… then treat me to a meal next time," Alan teased as he started driving.
"Give me your phone."
Without hesitation, Alan handed it over.
Alexa entered her number and returned the phone with a smile.
"Here's my number. You can choose the date and place."
Alan tried to hide the smile threatening to form on his lips.
He reached toward the backseat, grabbed a towel and a thick blanket, then handed them to her.
"Dry your hair first and wrap yourself with the blanket. I don't want you catching a cold."
Alexa nodded and secretly glanced at him.
Damn… he's total boyfriend material. The complete package. Too bad he already has a girlfriend, she thought. Stop it, Alexa. He's probably just being nice.
Meanwhile, Alan kept stealing glances at her while driving. He had liked her from the moment they first met.
When they finally arrived at Alexa's house, she smiled warmly.
"Thank you."
But before she could open the car door, Alan suddenly leaned closer and kissed her softly on the cheek.
Alexa froze.
A deep blush spread across her face as realization sank in. Panicking, she quickly opened the door and ran toward the house without looking back.
Inside the car, Alan groaned loudly and hit the steering wheel.
"What the hell was that? Great. Now she'll never talk to me again."
Meanwhile, Alexa rushed to her room, locked the door, and threw herself onto the bed with a smile she couldn't hide.
A few moments later, her phone buzzed.
[Hi, Lex. Can we meet tomorrow after your class? Is that okay? — Alan]
Alexa bit her lip before replying.
[Okay. I'll wait at the school gate.]
Both of them fell asleep smiling that night.
The next afternoon, Alexa waited outside the school gate after class. At exactly 3:30 PM, Alan's car pulled up beside her.
"Get in," he said with a grin.
Alexa shyly climbed inside.
For a while, silence filled the car until Alexa finally spoke.
"So… where are we eating? Remember, it's my treat."
"You'll see," Alan replied. "Take a nap first. I'll wake you when we arrive."
Alan drove toward the outskirts of the city. The trip took almost an hour.
Alexa eventually fell asleep because she had barely rested the night before out of excitement.
"Lex… wake up. We're here."
She slowly opened her eyes and gasped softly.
Before them stretched a breathtaking mountain-top view. The golden sunset painted the horizon with warm shades of orange and pink.
"It's beautiful…" she whispered.
Alan smiled as he gently held her hand.
A cool breeze swept across the mountain as they stood there together, watching the sunset in silence.
After a while, Alan moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist while holding both her hands.
No words were spoken, yet everything between them felt understood.
After sunset, they headed to the restaurant where Alan had made a reservation.
The restaurant was elegant and quiet, with soft romantic music playing in the background. Only a few couples were dining there because the mountain resort was highly exclusive.
Alan had received the reservation package as an incentive from his boss.
After dinner, they danced together slowly beneath the warm lights, completely lost in each other's company.
Neither of them noticed the heavy rain pouring outside.
By the time they decided to leave, it was already close to ten o'clock.
Before they could head home, the resort manager approached them.
"Sir, Ma'am, I'm sorry, but there was a landslide along the road down the mountain. The road won't be cleared until tomorrow morning."
The manager then informed them that their package already included an overnight stay.
Alan looked worried as he turned to Alexa.
"It's okay," she said softly.
The manager guided them to their room.
It was a honeymoon suite.
Inside the room, Alan opened the complimentary bottle of wine and poured them each a glass.
One glass became two.
Then slowly, one thing led to another.
Though intoxicated, both of them understood what they were doing and willingly gave themselves to the moment.
Alan was gentle with her, and Alexa gave herself completely to him without regret.
That night, they fell asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning, Alexa woke to the warmth of Alan's embrace and the soft kisses he placed along her shoulder.
They spent the rest of the morning tangled together, exhausted yet undeniably happy.
"Thank you, Lex," Alan whispered afterward. "I'll take responsibility for this. I'll ask your family for your hand in marriage."
Alexa laughed softly and poked his forehead.
"Marriage? Are you crazy? I'm still too young for that. I don't want to be tied down yet. Let's just live together until I'm ready."
And so Alexa moved into Alan's apartment.
For the first year, their relationship was filled with happiness and peace.
Alan worked while Alexa finished her final year in college. Her parents still insisted on supporting her education.
Alexa was content with her simple life.
She preferred comfort over expensive brands. She prioritized necessities over luxury. She enjoyed staying at home, cooking meals, doing household chores, and taking care of their small backyard garden.
She gave Alan everything she could.
But eventually, her love began to be taken for granted.
Alan was selfish in many ways. He often prioritized his own happiness before anyone else's. To him, physical intimacy was one of the most important parts of a relationship.
Truthfully, he didn't know how to be romantic.
He never bought Alexa flowers, chocolates, or surprise gifts. He made promises he rarely kept.
Worse, he slowly became addicted to gambling.
Still, despite his flaws, there were moments when he tried. Whenever he had free time, he helped Alexa with household chores and stayed by her side in his own imperfect way.