I wrapped my arms around myself as the cold air brushed against my skin. I was outside, walking aimlessly because I couldn't sleep. It was already 8:30 in the evening, yet here I was—still wide awake. Maybe my mind was just too full, thoughts running endlessly. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake off what Ken had said to me earlier that morning.
---
[ FLASHBACK ]
I hadn't even realized that my fists were clenched as I stared at Rachelle and Francis, laughing together in the garden of the house we were staying in. She had arrived earlier that morning, saying she was just visiting. But for some reason, my blood was boiling. I stood by the window, silently watching the two of them.
I was pulled back to reality when someone held my clenched hand. When I turned around, Ken was standing there—smiling, but with unmistakable sadness in his eyes.
"I think… you should tell him," he said.
I quickly pulled my hand away and looked in another direction.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, about to leave, when his next words stopped me.
"You know I really like you, right?"
I froze but didn't face him, waiting for what he would say next.
"I've liked you from the very beginning. You know that—I've liked you since high school. I like you so much, and I want to prove that to you."
I felt him step closer.
"I want you to be mine."
I turned to him sharply, irritation clear in my eyes.
"Stop it. I don't have time for this, Ken. I'm leaving—"
"But I can't have you," he said, stopping me again. "I like you, but you can't be mine. Am I right?"
I couldn't answer.
"But you know what? I'm starting to accept it. That you'll never feel the same way about me."
"Ken…"
"But please—don't force yourself to feel what I'm feeling right now. It hurts, Gianna. I knew it the moment I came back. I knew there was something between you and Francis."
"I don't know what you're talking about—"
"Don't lie. At least not to yourself. I know you love him. So tell him."
He walked past me.
"Before it's too late."
Those were the last words he said before leaving the room.
---
[ END OF FLASHBACK ]
I let out a shaky breath, feeling like I was about to explode from everything weighing on me. I wanted to rest, even just for a moment. I wanted to stop feeling all of this—just briefly. But fate, it seemed, refused to give me even that small mercy.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when a loud crash echoed nearby. I looked toward the sound and froze when I saw a vehicle overturned in the distance. I ran toward it without thinking, only stopping when I recognized whose car it was. My body moved on its own, desperately searching for Francis.
Smoke was billowing from the vehicle, and the area was dimly lit, making my panic worse. I looked inside the overturned car, but it was empty. My eyes darted around wildly until I saw a man lying on the grass.
I rushed toward him, dread slicing through my chest the moment I recognized who it was.
"Sir? Francis? W-wake up… hey!" My hands trembled as I tried to lift him, but I couldn't.
"H-help! Someone help!" I couldn't stop myself from crying, especially when I saw the state he was in.
"Please, wake up…" I broke down completely. "Help us! Please help!" I screamed over and over, clutching him in my arms.
"H-hey!" I tapped his bloodied face, but he still didn't respond. My hands curled into fists as I sobbed uncontrollably. I didn't know what to do anymore. I was terrified of what might happen.
"Gianna? What—oh my God! Sir Francis!"
My chest tightened, my vision blurring. I couldn't remember what happened next—only that people had gathered around us before everything went dark and I collapsed to the ground.