Three

Numb, I just laughed weirdly. Yes, I had a boring boyfriend, but that didn't mean he couldn't joke around. Maybe he was only trying to crack me up, or pull my legs. 

I shifted close to him, took his hands, smiled weirdly. "What's up with you? You're playing around, huh? Fine, fine, I get that. But before you continue to joke around, let's eat first. I missed lunch today, so I'm so famished right now."

"I'm not joking." He shook his head. The terror, anguish, and every other emotion in his voice was killing my heart. 

I huffed. "Come on, stop it. Things like this aren't to be used for jokes, okay?"

"It's really hard to have a girlfriend who hardly has time for me." He ignored my words, only resumed stating what he wanted to. 

My eyes watered. This had to be a lie. I couldn't bear losing him. No. Not now. I loved him so much. 

"Ralph?" I called out in a whisper. 

His throat moved as if he swallowed, and he shook his head again. "I feel really bad about this decision I've made though. Aside from the fact that you don't have enough time for me, I'll be away for two months. I-I don't want a long distance relationship. It's crazy."

"No, the breakup is what's crazy. How can you just ask for a breakup all of a sudden? Can't you think about me? About my love for you?" I spoke as if I was speaking with the last breath in me. I was so shook and upset. 

He sighed. "You work a lot, same as me. These days, we haven't even been spending time with each other. A relationship without communication isn't worth it."

"Rather than end it, we can work on our flaws," I suggested. A tear left my eye, and I felt so pessimistic about this discussion. "Please, don't do this to us. We've been dating for two years. I-I'm twenty six. How in the world do I begin a new relationship at this stage?"

"In that case, let's separate from each other. That'll help. We should take a break," he insisted.

The way he seemed to not want this relationship anymore, made me so perplexed. How could he take this huge decision in only a week? The last time I had seen him, we had both been so happy with each other. This felt too sudden and stupid. 

I squinted my eyes at me. "Tell me, are you seeing someone? Is there a better person than me?"

"No, no." He shook his head swiftly. "Th-That's crazy. Why would you think in such a manner? You're supposed to—"

"Then what else can I think about?" I cut him off, sniffled, pulled my hands from his. "I haven't done anything wrong, have I? Or wait, are you doing this because I didn't agree to sleep with you? Is tasting my body the priority of dating you?"

He looked away. "Let's end this conversation. I'm not in for this unnecessary discussion."

I was silent for a while. Had he just said "unnecessary"? Wait, he wasn't taking this sudden breakup as a big deal? How ridiculous and shameful. He really wasn't worth my time and tears. 

I stood up immediately, swallowed the morsel which was in my throat. "You're right. I should leave. There's really no point in speaking with you."

He nodded, still not looking at me. "Yeah. Thanks for understanding."

I took my bag from the couch, turned around, and left immediately. Being upset was an understatement to what I felt. But, instead of asking him for the reasons he wanted a break up, I would respect his decision, and move on with my life. 

But, where was I going to start from? He had literally wasted two years of my lifetime. 

This was devastating. 

***

Natasha raised her eyebrows at me. Noticing she was about to ask me something, I focused on the documents in front of me. As a nosy person she was, there was no doubt that she would ask for the reason I looked exhausted. 

"Tell me, what's up with you?" I guessed right. She asked the same question for an uncountable time. 

I rolled my eyes, leaned back, looked at her. "Tasha, what's your probs? I already told you that I'm fine. I'm only tired. That's it."

"Only tired?" She propped her elbow on my table, kept her chin in her palm. "Being tired is obviously far from what I see in your eyes. Tell me, did you get hurt by someone?"

"You know what?" I slammed the documents against the table, being so flustered. "I should just leave. I'm done working. And oh, it's a few minutes to seven. The CEO needs to see me, remember?"

She dropped her jaw, her eyes widened at me. "Oh, wait, wait. Don't tell me there's a thing between that dude and you. That'll be crazy, you know?"

"Whatever it is, it's not your business." I took a bunch of files, put them in my handbag, preparing to leave. "Also, don't forget to do what the manager asked you to do. Don't make these unimportant blabs ruin your work."

She raised a brow at me. "Pardon?"

I feigned a smile, stood up. "Nothing. Just go to your office. Goodnight."

She stood up, sulked at herself, then made her way out of the office. As soon as she left, I also walked out, heading to Mr. Shawn's office. After yesterday's incident at Ryan's office, I didn't think it was important to tell him I was leaving. I couldn't bear seeing that irritating freak, Sherri. 

I stepped into the elevator, took a deep breath. Of all the female workers in this company, I wouldn't have expected Mr. Shawn to show some interest in me. Fine, yesterday, when he had asked who Ryan's Secretary was, he had only intended to scold me or something. But now, I had a great feeling that he was going to flirt with me. He had better know that I wasn't a gold digger like Natasha or the other female workers. 

Soon, I got to his office. I shut my eyes, bit my lower lip, really hoping that nothing would go wrong. About to knock the door of his office, a force pulled me from behind, spun me around, which made me gasp. 

I looked up at what was in front of me, only for me to see my annoying boss, Ryan, glaring down at me. 

"Mr. Arthur?" I blinked like a confused dog which was in a wilderness. "Wh-Why would you pull me that way? Are you fine?"

He twitched his neck sideways, exhaled. "What do you think you're doing? I heard a bunch of people gossipping about you and Raymond planning for a meetup, so I had to come here. Tell me, you're really gonna let him flirt with you?"

"Mr. Arthur." I glared as well. This was definitely no good way to treat one's secretary. I wasn't expecting him to respect me, but why did he care? "Do you mind minding your own business? What's with the meetup and all? He's only asked me to come here, probably to discuss my work here."

He grunted. "See, you won't see him. I know Raymond better than anyone. Leave here now."

"Hey, stop." I felt even more annoyed. This man needed to know how furious I was. On one hand, I was heartbroken. On another hand, I didn't like the way he seemed protective of me. He was nothing but my boss for Jeez' sake!

He gripped my wrist, stepped backwards. "You're coming with me, and that's final."

"Mr. Arthur!" I yelled, but he only ignored me, and began pulling me. With so much force, feeling extremely angry, I jerked my wrist from his hold. "Stop this! What're you trying to do?" I inquired. 

Suddenly, the door of Mr. Shawn's office barged open. I snapped my neck around to look at him, feeling quite uneasy. He halted in his tracks, raised his brows at Ryan and me. And, the moment he was about to say something, Ryan jerked my wrist, towed me to him, glaring even harder. 

I widened my eyes in fear. "M-Mr. Arthur?"

"Don't argue with me," he warned.

Before I could take time to understand what was going on, his hand crawled to my waist, and he locked the space between us. It took time for me to notice something tugging my lips. 

Alarmed, I widened my eyes, feeling numb like a frozen bird.

No, no, this had to be a dream. My boss was kissing me? But, why? 

It seemed like I would have no choice but to muder him. How could he have the guts to taste my lips? So frustrating!

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