ELLE'S POV
"Elle! Look who just walked in," Flora whispered, eyes wide.
I turned—and my heart nearly stopped. Shit! What is he doing here…
He walked toward me with steady steps, as if time itself had never separated us.
"Hi, Elle. How are you?" he said, then slid into the empty seat beside me.
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. "Hi, Rick. I'm… fine."
Eric's lips curved into a faint smile. "You've grown even more beautiful after these three years."
I didn't get the chance to reply; the professor entered the classroom. Eric stood. "Bye, Elle. I have to get back to my class."
And just like that, he was gone. I sat frozen, emotions crashing over me. You're back, Rick. After all this time, you appear again. Dragging with you the memories I've buried deep inside.
He was my first love, Eric Fritzhart—the eldest son of King Fritzhart. We had been together since my very first year of junior high. Three years filled with beautiful memories… until one day, without warning, he disappeared. No goodbye. No explanation.
I was shattered. It took so long to recover. I locked away every memory of him in the deepest part of my heart so it wouldn't hurt anymore. And now, he just shows up—asking how I've been, reopening old wounds, carving deeper cracks into an already broken heart. Didn't he know how much it hurt to be left behind like that?
When class finally ended, I walked out sluggishly, still drowning in my thoughts.
"Elle, are you okay?" Flora's eyes were full of concern. "You weren't focused at all back there."
I forced a smile. "I'm okay, Flo. Let's go. Chris must be waiting outside."
Flora caught my arm. "Elle, stop hiding your feelings. If there's something unfinished between you and Eric, face it. You deserve answers to the questions he left behind."
I fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "Thanks, Flo. You're like a sister to me. When I'm ready, I'll ask Eric directly. Come on, let's go home."
But the moment we stepped outside the classroom, a voice called out.
"Hey, Elle! Flo!" Eric jogged up to us.
"Hey, Rick. What's up?" Flora greeted.
"Good. How about you?" Eric replied warmly.
"As always, Rick. Anyway, I'll leave you two now. Bye Elle, bye Rick." Flora waved before slipping away—leaving me alone with him.
Oh God, Flo! How could you abandon me like this?!
Eric's gaze turned serious. "Elle, are you busy tonight? I need to talk to you."
I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Rick. I can't go with you. I'm not ready to hear whatever it is you want to say."
"Please, Elle. I'm begging you…" Eric clasped my hand tightly.
Startled, I yanked my hand away. "Don't force me, Rick!"
He paused, then exhaled. "All right. When you're ready, call me." He pressed a slip of paper with his number into my hand.
I walked away, fighting the tears that pressed against my eyes. Each step felt heavier than the last. I hated myself for still longing for his touch. But my heart was too wounded to allow it.
A tear slipped free, but I quickly wiped it away. I had to stay strong. There was something else I had to do today—the final fitting for my father's wedding.
CHRISTIAN'S POV
I watched Miss Elle as she left class. Her eyes were damp, her face pale.
Who was that man? What was his connection to her?
"Miss, are you all right?" I asked carefully.
"I'm fine, Chris," she murmured, her voice soft, nothing like its usual lively tone.
All the way to the boutique, she stayed quiet. Her eyes were distant, the spark that usually lit them gone. I held back from asking more.
"Miss, we've arrived at the boutique," I said gently.
She blinked, as if waking from a trance. "Oh… right. Okay."
I sighed. It was obvious—the man was someone important to her. Perhaps… her old love.
ELLE'S POV
The boutique gleamed with crystal chandeliers and rows of elegant gowns. A clerk greeted me with a warm smile.
"Good evening, Miss Elle. What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to do the final fitting for the dress I ordered," I replied.
"Right this way, Miss."
I tried to shove all thoughts of Eric aside as I entered the fitting room. The white gown draped gracefully over my frame. I should've felt happy, seeing myself so beautiful… but my heart remained unbearably heavy.
When the fitting was done, I returned home. In my room, I stared for a long time at the slip of paper with Eric's number on it.
Flora had been right. I deserved answers. Maybe this was the time.
With trembling hands, I typed a message on my phone.
Chat
Elle: Hi, Rick. It's me, Elle.Eric: Good. You're texting me. So, what do you say? Will you accept my invitation tonight?Elle: Yes. After thinking it through… I'll accept.Eric: Okay, I'll pick you up at 7 p.m.Elle: You don't need to. My bodyguard will take me. Just tell me the place.Eric: Alright. Meet me at Ana Maria Bana Restaurant, private room.
I stared at my screen for a long time. My heart raced violently.
Tonight, I would finally hear the truth. The truth I had waited three years for.