~ANABEL'S POV~
I returned to my room and double-checked the luggage I was bringing abroad. There wasn't much left, most of the larger items had already been shipped home ahead of time.
With my departure drawing near, I wanted to spend a few quiet days with my grandparents, savoring the meals they lovingly prepared.
After arriving home, I blocked Damien on every possible contact channel and changed to a new phone number. I gave the new number only to my grandparents and my close friend, Bella. Then, I waited in peace for the day of my departure.
Over the past few days, Bella had been messaging me constantly. She said she planned to see me off at the airport. Today, she told me that Damien had lost his damn mind—he actually cornered her after work, demanding to know if she could contact me and asking why I suddenly stopped coming to work.
"What a fucking hypocrite! Where was all this 'concern' before?" Bella fumed on my behalf.
I told her, "If he tries to block you again, report it to the superiors and higher ups."
Just then, Director Harvey contacted me. One of the senior colleagues in our exchange group had just finished a show and was rushing back from out of town. The Director asked if I could help welcome him, let him stay in the company's house for a few days, and then travel together so we could look out for each other along the way.
I agreed happily.
At the airport arrivals hall, I spotted the sign with his name and soon saw him approaching. His name was Adrian.
Wrapped in a charcoal-gray trench coat, his tall, lean frame carried an effortless poise. Strong, defined features softened by a warm smile made him immediately likable.
I froze for a moment, surprised that this senior wasn't just am excellent but also incredibly handsome.
He stopped in front of me and, noticing my dazed expression, gave me a gentle, polite smile. "You must be Anabel? I'm Adrain. Director Harvey asked you to pick me up, right? Thank you for coming." He extended a well-defined, powerful hand toward me.
Snapped out of my trance by his kindness, I flushed slightly and quickly reached out to shake it. "Hi, Adrain. I'm Anabel. You must be tired from the trip. I'll take you to the company's reserved room first."
Adrain's eyes sparkled as he smiled. "I just got off the plane, and I'm starving. If you're free, I'd love to treat you to a meal to thank you for coming all this way."
I wanted to politely decline, but I couldn't stand the thought of him going back to the company hungry. I agreed to join him for lunch.
It turned out to be a delightful meal.
Adrian had a way of making conversation easy. He was warm, intelligent, and always knew when to advance or retreat—his presence naturally put people at ease.
A few times, curiosity got the better of me and I snuck glances at him, only to be caught. Each time, he responded with a gentle smile, making my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
After we finished eating, we got ready to leave. I instinctively reached for one of his bags, but he stopped me firmly, his expression earnest.
"Anabel, you don't need to take care of anyone like that. Let me handle my own things. Just keep me company."
We talked the entire way back, about acting, gigs, and the upcoming exchange program. The conversation flowed effortlessly.
Sensing that I was still a little nervous, Adrian reassured me. "Don't worry. The company's s already arranged for our room overseas. There'll be plenty of other actors there—you'll feel right at home."
He went on to share amusing stories and quirky local customs from the country we'd soon be visiting. I laughed out loud, finally relaxing. Seeing my smile, he grinned even more.
Chatting the whole way, we arrived at the company After dropping Adrain off at his Assigned room, I turned to head home, feeling light-hearted.
"Who is he?"
The sharp words startled me. I spun around, and just as I feared, there was Damien.
I looked at him, utterly fed up.
"What the hell does it matter to you?"
Damien's chest rose and fell rapidly, his voice tense with anger. "How can it not matter?! I already told Sophia—we're announcing an amicable breakup after this week's shareholders' meeting. You're still my wife!"
I had no patience left to listen to his so-called arrangements, lifting my foot to leave.
In a fit of rage, Damien grabbed me. He suppressed his voice as he spoke by my side, "You broke up with me for him? Anabel, did you betray me?"
Utterly absurd. He himself was fickle, having his cake and eating it too, he had been with me for three years but always dreamt of someday being with Sophia.
I had given my all, but my heart was still bleeding from the wounds he had left. How could I have the energy for another relationship now? Did he think everyone's emotions were as cheap as his?
"Why aren't you saying anything? Is this your new boyfriend?"