LUCAS BLAKE
As I got home, I went straight into the bathroom and took a quick shower. After changing into my pajamas, I slid onto my bed. I unlocked my phone and went to my photo gallery. As I scrolled down, I came across pictures of my ex-girlfriend, Clara. I had once planned to settle down with her and spend the rest of my life together. I intended to propose to her after I was appointed as the new CEO of my father's tech company.
Three Years Ago
"What secret are you keeping from me, Lucas? Can't you talk?" Clara asked, visibly upset.
"I've told you countless times. I'm not dating Daisy; there's no secret romance. She is just a childhood friend. I don't see her in the way you're implying. She's not even in my class; she can't be my wife. It's you I want—all of you," I replied, unaware that Daisy was standing at my front door, listening to the conversation. She had come to celebrate my new appointment as CEO, which had been announced recently.
"Clara, believe me, I have never loved Daisy. I never will," I insisted.
Just then, Daisy was about to open the door when she froze upon hearing those words. After processing what she had just heard, she turned and left.
I moved closer to Clara, hugging her tightly and kissing her lips. "If you want me to never speak to her again, I'll do it," I promised. When I glanced out and saw Daisy walking away through the gate of my mansion, I didn't stop her; my focus was on solidifying my relationship with Clara.
From that day forward, Clara went to Daisy's workplace to confront her, leading to Daisy losing her job. Clara justified her actions by saying she did it for me. Whenever they crossed paths, Clara somehow made Daisy feel like an unwanted third wheel in our relationship. As time passed, the bond between Daisy and me grew more distant.
One day, Clara's ex-boyfriend, a renowned actor, returned to Australia. The news spread quickly, and Clara began acting strangely. She picked fights over minor issues and sometimes stayed out late.
One night, however, Clara returned home early, and I was surprised. She rushed to me, welcoming me home with kisses.
"Babe, I'm sorry for the recent arguments and for coming home late. Please forgive me; it won't happen again," she said, and I readily accepted her apology. She then offered me a tea that I had never seen before. But since it was from Clara, I didn't mind and drank it, even though it had no taste.
She continued to offer me the tea daily, and I eventually asked, "What kind of tea is this?"
"Huh… um… it helps improve your immune system and serves as a refreshment," she replied.
"Okay, if you say so. By the way, we're going on a dinner date tonight," I said, embracing her, and I planned to propose to her that evening.
Later that evening, we went to a fancy, upscale restaurant designed for the wealthy.
Upon entering, I noticed that the decorations I had arranged were perfectly in place. Our table was set in a special location beside the window, offering a beautiful view that would make the date unforgettable. Clara and I took our seats, and soon four waiters appeared in a line, presenting the dishes I had ordered before our arrival.
"Wow!" Clara exclaimed with excitement. "Babe, thanks! This is the best date ever, and of course, it's the last."
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, confused.
"Oh… it's nothing, I'm just happy. Let's dive in before the food gets cold," she replied.
We enjoyed our meal, engaged in conversation, and shared some laughs. Then, I stood up and knelt halfway, retrieving a small box from my chest pocket. "Clara, you have been the light of my world; without you, I'm nothing. You are the oxygen I breathe.
I love you. Please marry me." The patrons around us began to cheer, chanting, "Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!"
"I'm sorry, Lucas. I can't marry you. I have the person I love, which you know, and to be honest, you are impotent. I can't marry an impotent man," she said loudly, without any sign of remorse.
Everyone in the restaurant fell silent, shocked, and whispers rippled through the crowd. Just then, Mike entered the restaurant and walked up to Clara.
"Darling," he said, kissing her on the lips, eliciting gasps from the patrons; several pulled out their phones to record the moment.
"Mike, this is Lucas, my friend. Lucas, meet my fiancé, Mike."
That's when the reality hit me like a drumstick. "Clara, are you joking? Mike is your ex-boyfriend? Or have you been playing me all this time? Have you been toying with my feelings for all these years? I have loved you all my life. Is this how it's going to end? Please tell me I deserve an answer," I said.
"Don't be foolish, love. You knew that even after Mike and I broke up, I still loved him. Dating you was just to make Mike jealous. I tried to fall in love with you, but it never worked; I can't help it."
"You deceived me for three whole years, thinking you loved me!"
"I didn't mean to, and I know you have no hidden relationship with Daisy," Clara replied.
"You made me sabotage my friendship with my childhood friend; you will regret this," I said, storming out of the restaurant.
I hurried to my car and drove off.
I was almost home when suddenly my brakes failed.
Crash. My car collided with a truck coming toward me.
DAISY LORNE
I have this long face because I had a terrible night. I keep dreaming about the same weird dream: I'm having a wedding with a faceless man, kissing him, and even spending the night with him.
For goodness' sake, Daisy! What was wrong with you last night? What is that strange dream about? Could it be a sign that I'm getting married soon? But why would I marry a faceless man, for crying out loud? Are there no eligible men left on earth that I would choose to marry someone without a face? Even if he is wealthy, I still wouldn't marry him. I only know about my own clumsiness; I don't have bad luck. What kind of dream is that? I talk to myself while staring at my reflection on my phone camera.
But somehow, that feeling... it feels so real like it's really going to happen. Nah! Like my friend Mira always says, she believes in spirituality; dreams like that might come true, but in a different way. That's why it felt so real to me, but to me, it is still just a dream. A dream will always be a dream. I don't even have a boyfriend, let alone be thinking about getting married. I still want to continue my studies where I left off.
Alright then, wake up, Daisy. It's time to get ready, I remind myself. I climbed off my bed and walked into the bathroom. I splashed some water on my face and ended up taking a bath.