“Is this the end of the world?”
I asked myself as soon as I opened a purple box in front of our house. It was filled with heart-shaped chocolates, daisies, and a small letter. A part of me assumes that it might be from my boyfriend, but why would he do this? I picked the piece of paper, and I have never let out a loud chuckle in my whole life.
“For the person that makes my world brighter than ever..”
“Maybe someone mistook our house for someone else?” I asked myself as I inserted the paper inside the box. I doubt that it would be from my live-in partner. It’s been a while since he made an effort to make me happy.
“What do you mean mistook, this is for you.” I was taken aback when someone talked. I glanced at the guy who was currently leaning on the white wall. It was none other than Dan, the one I had been living with for years.
“You told me you like flowers, right?”
I rolled my eyes and glanced at the daisies inside the box. After all these years, he didn’t really know me at all. How can he look so proud of doing something wrong?
“Go on, post it on your blog. Make sure the brand is visible so we can see an increase in sales in my uncle’s flower shop,” he added.
“I am allergic to daisies, Dan. I already told you a million times!” I whispered and touched my forehead.
“But you are the one who told me that you like flowers, right?” he screamed in my ear and entered our house. I immediately closed my ears using my hands and gulped. “And now you are telling me that you are allergic to it?! Are you dumb?”
“I always tell you how much I like flowers every time we go out, but I always follow it with “I can’t purchase one because I am allergic to it,” I answered and closed the door. He looked back at me, full of disgust and irritation. “Maybe, you are not really listening to me.”
“Enough with that crap, Sasha. Are you still mad because I told you not to pursue law school?” he replied and opened the door to pick up the box. “You won’t be able to handle law school. You are weak and you are not that smart.”
“But I had the highest GPA on our campus, and was encouraged by my professors to enter the law school..” I know this would cause even more chaos in our relationship, but this time, I want to stand up for myself. “I can study while cooking, cleaning, do the laundry, and—”
The next thing I know, I am already on the floor. His slap was so sharp, and quick, but full of force and weight, leaving a lasting pain on my cheek.
“Take a picture, post the photo, or else I will make sure that I will make your other cheek hurt too.”
“No! I don’t want to!” I screamed. “You already made me post a lot of lies to fool every one of how fairytale-like our story is! I am tired of it!”
Dan cupped my face with his enormous left hand.
“Are you hearing yourself?” he asked. “If this is stressing you out, think of what I might feel. Do you think I am happy after everything?”
—
[Thank you for giving me a cute surprise, love.]
I wiped my tears as I hit the post button. I followed Dan’s orders, even though it was painful for me. In a minute, the photo I posted was filled with so many warm comments and hundreds of likes. Everyone is gushing about how sweet he is to make this kind of gesture, while I am inside of my room, putting ice packs on my bruised face. I can’t help but laugh. I’ve always been the cream of the crop in the academic world, but it is infuriating how I am willing to be tormented by a guy who used to love me back.
—
To divert my attention, I decided to go out to buy some eggs and vegetables. As I walked into the hallway of our condo building, I was startled when I heard a familiar voice and scent.
“I gave the box to Sasha.”
“Dan, why can’t you just leave her?”
“I can’t, and I won’t.”
I stopped for a moment and held my bag tightly. I am 100% sure Dan is talking to Stella, the girl of her dreams.
“Do you even love me? If you really love me, let her go then…”
“Look, I’ve always wanted to let go of her.”
I immediately took a step forward, but I was taken aback when I heard what he said.
“But she is my mate.”
“Leaving her would not only tarnish my reputation in our pack but might make my situation even worse.”
