Burn Them All
As I lay on my bed, I kept going through the memories of my relationship. When I first dated Sophie, she was… clingy. She even said the air tasted sweet whenever I was around.
Whenever I called her, she would drop everything she was doing just to come to me. And she was a jealous woman. If she noticed any girl lingering around me, she'd throw a tantrum. Her jealousy went so far, she insisted on personally vetting my guy friends.
She took care of everything in my life. It was a smothering love for most people, but I loved it.
Still, she was no longer the old her. She'd changed. I was no longer the same man who only cared for her.
And then my phone buzzed. I checked who it was—Fabian Focker, Sophie's assistant.
"Best birthday ever, Sophie. Thank goodness you're around. You made me a happy man. Oh, and I have a surprise for you on my Instagram. Check it out."
I was in a daze, but before I could say anything, the message was deleted. "Sorry, Mr. Terraton. I didn't mean to send that to you."
I snickered and shook my head, then I tossed the phone aside. Didn't mean to send it to me? As if.
I first met Fabian when he was just a fresh graduate. He knew nothing about his job, and everyone ostracized him. He eventually made a big blunder that risked his job.
His boss wanted to fire him, so he came to me, crying his heart out. Then he told me about his life. It was a sob story. I decided to give him a chance and teach him how to do his job.
Thanks to that, he got Sophie's attention. When she asked for him to be her assistant, I was happy for the guy.
I did not think someone who looked like an honest man could be so conniving. The one I taught myself ended up as the one who cut through my relationship the most.
…
The next day, I bought a ticket for a trip back home, then I went to the company and handed in my resignation letter.
Sophie was surprised to see that letter. "Are you for real?"
"Obviously." I smiled.
She fell silent. A long while later, she replied, "Stay. The company needs you."
"You don't get to call all the shots here." I turned around.
Before I could leave, Sophie came after me and held my arm. "Two days!"
I looked at her.
For once, a hint of panic flickered on her face as she continued, "Two days. After I'm done with my work, we'll get that marriage license. Just trust me one more time, alright?"
I looked at her, calm and quiet.
"Just give me another chance." Sophie seemed worried. It almost felt like she was waiting for my answer.
I was seized by an urge to tell her that I was going to get married to a woman who was not her. That woman was her sister, the very one she grew up fighting against. I wondered how she would feel.
In the end, I said nothing and left the place. I got back home and scanned the study. The whole house, really. There were photos everywhere, and they reminded me of the past.
Was I moved? No. Frustrated and restless? Absolutely. I tore off all the photos and threw them into an open brazier.
Halfway through the burning, Sophie came back. She was supposed to be at work.
