Edge of Surrender

Chapter 7

Mason Graves

Sere left the room before I could stop her, her hurried exit leaving me feeling a pang of frustration. I wanted to explain to her why it wasn’t the right time to discuss things, to spare her any additional stress. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust her with personal and private matters – she was quite adept at keeping them separate – but rather, I didn’t want her burdened with more than she could handle.

As soon as she disappeared through the door, Professor Jameson entered the room, his presence catching me off guard. It seemed that Sere hadn’t informed him of our conversation, a fact that didn’t surprise me in the least. She had always been discreet, understanding the importance of maintaining boundaries.

“Is everything okay, Mr. Graves?” Professor Jameson asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. I took a moment to compose myself before responding, ensuring that my tone remained steady and composed.

“Oh yes, everything is fine,” I replied, not indicating the turmoil that had just transpired moments ago. It was best to keep certain matters to myself for now.

Curiosity sparkled in Professor Jameson’s eyes as he continued, “How was the discussion with Serena? I suppose she had an urgent phone call to attend to. Is there anything else you need?” It was clear that he was in the dark about the true nature of our conversation. Just as I had suspected, Sere had skillfully masked the true reason for her sudden departure.

“It’s all well and good, professor. I’ve been contemplating organizing an inter-college fashion design competition. The event would be fully sponsored by my company, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and talent. What are your thoughts on the idea?” I inquired, eager to gauge his interest and support.

Professor Jameson’s curiosity was piqued as he responded, his eyes filled with intrigue. “Intriguing,” he exclaimed, his tone mirroring his genuine enthusiasm. “An inter-college fashion design competition, sponsored by your company? That sounds like a remarkable opportunity for our students. It’s not every day that they get a chance to showcase their creativity on such a prestigious platform. I wholeheartedly believe that it could be a transformative experience for them, Mr. Graves.”

Taking his reaction as a positive sign, I continued, “Very well, then. I’ll gather all the necessary details and provide them to you within the next few days. Together, we can bring this vision to life and create an unforgettable experience for the students.”

Before Professor Jameson could respond, a soft knock at the door interrupted our conversation, diverting our attention towards the reception area. It was the receptionist, no doubt with an important message or visitor. Our discussion would have to be put on hold momentarily, as we attended to the pressing matter at hand.

“Sorry sir, for the disturbance,” she apologized politely, mindful of the fact that it was the time when students were being dismissed from school. “If it is possible, may we proceed with the dispersion of the students?” she inquired, hoping for his consent.

“Yes, sure. The students may now go,” he responded, granting permission for the dispersal.

As she gently closed the door, my attention was caught by the sight of Alex standing there, holding the medicine I had asked him to bring. It was a bit disappointing that he hadn’t brought it earlier as it would have been more convenient.

“Professor, may I have a blank page and a pen?” I requested, seeking the necessary materials to write a few things for Sere.

“Yes, Mr. Graves. Absolutely,” he replied, obliging my request and providing me with the mentioned items. Seizing the opportunity, I swiftly jotted down the important message for Sere.

After spending a few minutes writing, I rolled up the paper and tied it with a delicate ribbon. Anticipating the Professor’s curiosity, I decided to explain myself before he had the chance to inquire.

“I have a message for my friend’s eyes only, just for her,” I clarified, rising from my seat and extending my hand for a farewell handshake. With that, I bid him goodbye and exited the room.

The Professor seemed inclined to accompany me to the door, but I insisted that he need not trouble himself.

Stepping out of the room, I handed the letter to Alex, ensuring he understood the urgency.

“What took you so long to bring this? Nevertheless, take this letter and the tablet and deliver them to Serena. Make sure you don’t leave until she has taken one,” I instructed him sternly, emphasizing the importance of his task. With that, I proceeded towards my car, eager for a swift departure.

Genuine concern weighed on my mind as I hoped that she would read the letter and take the necessary medicine. Witnessing her in pain was something I couldn’t bear.

Inwardly, I vowed to never forgive Liza for her actions. How dare she say such hurtful things to her, especially in my name?

FLASHBACK

After receiving Sere’s last text about ending our relationship, a heavy cloud of uncertainty and heartache loomed over me. Unable to focus on my business tour, I pushed myself to wrap things up as quickly as possible, fueled by impatience and a desperate need for closure. The weight of the situation burdened my every step, and I found it difficult to complete even the simplest tasks without my mind wandering back to that fateful message.

As soon as the final meeting concluded, I found myself rushing to pack my bags and catch the earliest flight back home. The journey seemed endless as my mind raced with thoughts of what might have gone wrong and how I could salvage the relationship. Sitting in the airplane seat felt suffocating as anxiety tightened its grip on my chest.

Upon arriving at my destination, I wasted no time and dialed Sere’s number with a mix of hope and anxiety. The phone rang incessantly, but there was no response. I tried again, only to be met with the cold realization that I had been blocked. The rejection stung like a thousand needles, the pain radiating through every fiber of my being.

Frustration and confusion gripped me as I contemplated the sudden turn of events. What could have triggered such a drastic decision? My mind raced with endless possibilities, each one more chaotic than the last. Unable to sit still, I decided to drive to Sere’s place, hoping that a face-to-face conversation might provide the answers I desperately sought. The engine roared to life, but the noise couldn’t drown out the cacophony of thoughts swirling through my mind.

As I approached her home, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. The lights were off, and there was an eerie silence, signaling that something significant had indeed transpired. The mere sight of her darkened house spoke volumes, a silent reflection of the emptiness I felt inside. My footsteps felt heavy as I approached her front door, unsure of what I would find on the other side.

The neighbor, a kind-faced individual who had observed my anxious wait outside Sere’s home, approached me with a sympathetic demeanor. As I met their gaze, a mix of concern and curiosity reflected in our eyes. They had witnessed the pain etched onto my face, and their words carried a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

“I’m sorry to say, but it seems like no one’s home right now,” the neighbor shared, their voice carrying a tone of genuine empathy. “I saw them leave a while ago. I’m not sure where they went, but it seems like they needed to be away for a bit.”

My heart sank at the news. The already perplexing situation took another unexpected turn. Sere’s sudden disappearance only deepened the mystery surrounding our breakup. Questions swirled in my mind, filling the void left by her absence. Where had she gone? And why had she chosen to vanish without a trace?

I thanked the neighbor for the information, attempting to hide the disappointment and confusion that washed over me. The unknown future ahead felt overwhelming, like a blank canvas waiting to be painted with the colors of understanding.

Meanwhile, before landing, I asked Alex to find out about Bell, and anything that happened when I was not around. After disembarking from the plane, I anxiously awaited the report from Alex, hoping it would shed some light on the situation.

“Sir, on the day when you were supposed to return, Liza came to meet Serena in front of her college, and after that, there’s no news of her. For now, she has gone to Sydney to see her father, and must be returning in a few weeks,” he replied.

Upon learning about Liza’s involvement and her unexpected meeting with Sere in front of the college, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of curiosity and concern. It seemed like a piece of the puzzle had been uncovered, and I wondered how Liza might have influenced the events leading to the end of my relationship. A mix of frustration and intrigue swirled within me as I pondered their conversation and the role it played in the unraveling of our love.

Feeling the need to confront Liza and seek answers, I hurriedly went to her company to meet her. With each step closer to her office, my heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of nerves and anticipation. The sight of her familiar face filled me with conflicting emotions. I was shocked by her sudden action, as she hugged me without a word of explanation.

“How come you are here? You were supposed to come later, right?” she asked, confusion evident in her voice.

“As if you don’t know, Liza?” I couldn’t help but feel anger rising within me, fueled by the betrayal I sensed. We had been friends for so long, and the revelation of her meeting with Sere only intensified the sense of betrayal.

“What do you mean? How would I know about your sudden visit and early return?” she turned around and nonchalantly settled into her chair.

“What did you say to Sere when I wasn’t there?” I asked directly, my impatience bared in my voice, refusing to waste any more time beating around the bush.

“Oh, now I got it, so you came for her. Whatever we had a conversation about, you shouldn’t know. It’s personal unless she wants to tell you,” she said carelessly, not realizing the weight of her words.

“I want to know from your mouth,” I insisted, the intensity in my voice mirroring the storm of emotions raging within me.

Silence filled the air as Liza remained motionless, devoid of expression on her face. The tension in the room grew palpable, thickening the air between us.

“Why do you need to be involved in my private life? You know very well I don’t like your interference,” I said, the anger simmering beneath my words.

“I am not involved in anything. I just told her what’s true,” Liza responded defiantly, her words laced with confidence.

“What?” I asked, my confusion evident. I struggled to comprehend her intentions and the revelation she had made to Sere.

“That soon, we are going to get engaged. And I don’t like my man fooling around with other girls,” she replied, her tone dripping with possessiveness.

“And who told you that we are going to?!” I asked incredulously, struggling to contain my simmering anger.

“Very soon. Don’t you know our parents want us to?” Liza spoke with a mix of arrogance and conviction as if the matter had already been decided.

“Don’t see dreams, Liza. You and I are never going to happen. So stop dreaming and stop disturbing my life. This is my last warning,” I said firmly, my voice shaking with suppressed rage. I turned abruptly, making my way towards the door.

“Mason, my darling, your so-called s*x slave, is never going to come back to you. Mind my words. She hates you so much now,” Liza’s parting words rang in my ears, intended to hurt, to cut me deeply.

“Don’t you dare speak anything wrong about her? I’m telling you for the last time. And most importantly, our friendship is over. So just mind your own business and never try to do this again,” I said, venom lacing my voice as I slammed the door behind me, shutting out Liza and the toxic influence she held over my life.

FLASHBACK END

After a few days of observing her, I noticed that she was genuinely happy in the company of her friends. Realizing this, I made a conscious decision not to disrupt her life and instead focused on my personal growth and happiness.

Days turned into weeks, then months, until finally a whole year passed since I had last seen her. As I caught sight of her, memories of that incident flooded back into my mind. Feelings of regret and confusion washed over me, compelling me to want to address the situation and clarify any misunderstandings she may have.

It was clear that the weight of this unresolved issue was lingering in the air between us. With a heavy heart, I approached my car and patiently waited for Alex to arrive, knowing that this conversation was long overdue.