2. The Perfect Stranger
1807 Words
CHLOE
I shut my eyes and rested my head against the chair, waiting patiently. It had been a week since I stormed out of Williams’ apartment—since the breakup of my engagement.
Honestly, the last few days were rough. Moving on felt impossible. You know that weird feeling when someone you once loved with everything in you, someone who was your whole world, suddenly becomes a stranger? Yeah, that kind of pain cuts deeper than hell.
I wouldn't deny it. I had glanced at my phone a few times after I left his apartment, hoping he'd call. Hoping he’d say something like, “Babe, did you take my joke too seriously? Where the hell are you? I’m on my way to get you. It’s you or no one.”
Foolishly, I waited for that call. And you know what? It never came. It only made me feel more pathetic. So I switched off my phone just to prove to myself that I could move on without him.
Besides, I didn't want any disturbance from friends or family. I wasn't ready to listen to a jumble of questions I didn't have answers to.
I had no idea why Williams broke up with me. No matter how much I replayed everything in my head, I couldn’t find a single valid reason.
The sharp blare of the megaphone jolted me from my thoughts. A voice followed shortly after. “The plane will be taking off in half an hour. Please find your seats and settle in before then.”
Leaving for Paris had been a last-minute decision. If I wanted to heal, I couldn’t stay here…breathing the same air, walking the same streets, and risking the chance of running into the person who had hurt me.
I headed to the boarding gate. Once on the plane, I settled into my seat, adjusting my headphones before shutting my eyes. It was preferable to be in my own space and world.
The past few days, every time I turned in a certain direction, my eyes would land on some lovey-dovey couple holding hands as they strolled down the street, kissing shamelessly in public, whispering and giggling, clinging to each other. All of that made my stomach churn. It made me sick.
Love, affection, friendship, relationships—whatever name people gave it, I was done. Completely done.
Within the stipulated time, the plane took off.
Finally, we landed in Paris. I pulled my suitcase along as I stepped out of the airport, inhaling deeply. The crisp, cool air filled my lungs, refreshing me instantly.
A place to heal.
I switched on my phone for the first time in a week. Almost instantly, it buzzed and dinged non-stop. Messages from Mom, Tamara, and Lucas, along with several missed calls.
A scoff left my lips when I didn’t see a single text or call from Williams. Was I expecting too much?
I ran a hand over my face, exhaling sharply. “You’re here to heal. Forget about Williams and start fresh,” I muttered to myself. It was time to stop thinking about him.
A call from Lucas came almost immediately. I sighed, swiping green.
"Chloe, this isn’t funny anymore. I don’t care what happened between you and Williams, but you can’t just shut us out and disappear. Everyone’s worried about you. Where are you?" His frustration was noticeable over the phone.
Classic Lucas—always the overprotective and caring big brother.
"I'm in Paris," I admitted, biting my bottom lip.
Silence. I could almost picture his stunned expression.
"Paris? Chloe, that’s thousands of miles from home! How the hell did you even get there?" he burst out.
“I'll be fine, Lucas. You worry too much,” I retorted with an eye roll. Lowering my voice, I muttered under my breath, “I wouldn't have answered your call if I knew you were going to nag.”
Silence stretched between us before Lucas spoke again, his voice calm. “Are you really okay, Chloe?”
I forced a smile, shaking my head as if he could see me. The truth? Saying I was fine would be a lie because I wasn’t.
“That asshole!” Lucas cursed through gritted teeth.
“I'll get over him,” I said, curling my fingers into a fist. “I must. That's why I am taking this trip.”
“If that’s really what you want, I won’t stop you,” Lucas said. “Mom already handled everything after the wedding was called off, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.”
I pressed my lips together, unsure of what to say.
“Chloe.” Lucas’s voice turned serious, drawing my attention. “Have you thought about a rebound? Maybe someone who could love you? I just don’t want you shutting yourself off from the world while you’re in Paris.”
“No rebound guy, Lucas. I'm not interested. I just want to…” I let my words trail off before adding in a softer tone, “Heal.”
“Alright, little sis. Heal perfectly well,” he replied, his tone carrying an edge.
I frowned, amusement flickering across my face. I had a feeling I knew exactly what he meant.
“On my own, Lucas. I’m healing on my own,” I clarified. “I have to go. I’ll reach out when I can.” Without waiting for his response, I ended the call.
I dragged my suitcase along as I strode toward the hotel, eager to settle in. I had booked a suite for a month, looking forward to a comfortable stay. After handling the check-in process with the receptionist, I received my key card and a hotel map to help me navigate through the place.
In anticipation, I made my way to the elevator. The panel indicated that it was just one floor away, so I waited.
When the doors slid open, I was tempted to roll my eyes. Inside, a couple was locked in a passionate kiss, oblivious to their surroundings. A wave of discomfort crawled over my skin. My grip tightening on my suitcase.
“Babe, the elevator door opened already. Let’s grab the drinks you were craving, and we’ll continue in the room,” a familiar voice said, making me raise an eyebrow. Or was I just imagining things?
The moment the woman pulled away, my entire body froze. My breath hitched, and my mind went completely blank.
I couldn't process anything. My legs? They refused to move.
My gaze remained locked on the man standing in the elevator. The one who had just been making out with the lady.
Williams.
He stared back at me, just as shocked. Neither of us had expected to see each other here.
Was this some kind of twisted drama? Of all the places in the world, why did I have to run into him here?
It wasn’t funny—not in the slightest. But if I weren’t living it, I might have laughed at the irony.
The very man I ran away from was standing right in front of me.
And worse? He wasn’t alone. If I wasn't mistaken, I clearly heard him call her 'babe'. He had moved on. Just like that. That fast.
How long has it been since we broke up? Just a week, and he had found someone else while I was drowning in tears, shutting myself away.
“Willy, what’s wrong?” the woman asked, tugging at his arm as she led him out of the elevator. She didn’t seem to notice me or the intense gaze between Williams and me.
"Nothing, babe. Let's go," Williams said, averting his gaze away from me.
Wait, was I invincible?
As they walked past me, her arm brushed against mine. She flinched and turned immediately. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, stepping back. “I didn’t see you there."
“Are you here for a getaway too?” she asked sweetly, slipping her arm around Williams'. Her smile widened as she added, “My husband and I are here for our honeymoon.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Husband? Williams was married?
My gaze dropped to their hands, and there it was—the glint of matching rings. Just perfect.
“We just arrived, and I can already tell it’s going to be an amazing experience,” she went on, giggling. “The bed certainly agrees. My husband couldn't keep his hands off me.” She playfully slapped Williams’ arm.
Now what? Was I to stand here and watch the display of love between my ex-fiancé and his wife?
"That's because I couldn't resist you, babe. You've got a magnetic force that pulls me closer," Williams said and pecked her lips right in front of me.
Did he just act like we were strangers?
“Hell yeah, he did,” my subconscious sneered.
He flashed a familiar cute puppy face at his ‘supposed’ wife, and I nearly gagged.
Déjà vu hit me like a wave. That face, that familiar line, that word—babe—that same damn smile…
Damn it all.
I cleared my throat, instantly drawing their attention. “I'll take my leave now. I just arrived, and I need a good rest.”
"Are you here with your husband or boyfriend?" the lady asked.
Before I could respond, William jumped in. “No, she doesn’t have a boy—”
“Oh! He’s here!” I cut in, forcing the brightest smile I could muster. No way was I going to look like a loser in front of my ex-fiancé. My eyes darted frantically around the lobby until they landed on him.
Tall. Broad shoulders. A confident posture. His suit fit perfectly like it was made just for him. A strong, athletic frame. Even from the side, his chiseled jawline was sharp, and his nose was straight. His dark hair was neatly styled but just tousled enough to suggest he ran a hand through it now and then.
He was perfect. Or at least, he would have to be.
Taking a deep breath, I walked towards the stranger and wrapped my arms around him from behind. “Hey, boo!” I blurted out.
Yep. I was crazy. Completely insane.
What the hell was I doing?
The man stiffened before slowly turning to face me. The moment our eyes met, I felt my stomach drop.
I knew this face. Too well.
Alexander Dart.
My breath caught in my throat as I struggled to find the words to explain myself. But nothing came out.
“Hey, princess. Miss me that much?” Alexander's usual smirk played at the corner of his lips.
Before I could react, he pulled me in, his arms firm around me, and then his lips crashed onto mine.
- Writer
