Made You Regret, Didn't I?

It was the 10th of June, and it was the sixth anniversary since Raymond and Autumn had started dating. Autumn had already booked a table at the restaurant. Everyone had arrived, including Jayda and Marissa, Autumn's friends, as well as Chris and Raymond. But upon arriving, Autumn witnessed a sight that made her blood run cold. Marissa. Her own friend since the seventh grade. Seated beside her boyfriend, Raymond. And she was wearing the dress Autumn had helped her pick because she had claimed she was going to a “formal dinner” with a business partner. Yet there she was, acting as if she and Raymond were the couple. Jayda was the first to notice Autumn standing there. But the first thing she noticed was Autumn's expression. "Oh, Autumn, you're here!" Jayda said with a smile. "Yeah, I am." Autumn's eyes shifted toward Marissa. "I thought you had a business dinner." "Uh..." Marissa hesitated. "He cancelled, said he had something to do." "Oh, yeah..." Marissa quickly said. "You could sit here." Before Autumn could move, Raymond spoke. "No, Marissa. You're sitting here." He turned to Autumn. "I'm sure Autumn wouldn't mind, would you?" Autumn forced a smile. "Of course I wouldn't." She took another seat, trying her best to ignore the uncomfortable feeling growing inside her. "Autumn, you can have some bread," Marissa offered. "I'm allergic to wheat." "Stop making a fuss." Raymond's voice wasn't loud, but it was firm. An uncomfortable silence fell over the table. Marissa quickly tried to ease the tension. "Well, Raymond, I guess the French art exhibition will be exhibited today?" "Of course. At 7 p.m., I will be there." Autumn looked at Raymond. "Raymond, I already told you some days ago that my dance performance is also today, at 9 p.m." Raymond sighed. "Autumn, do you have to be childish? I already made a promise to—" "It's okay," Autumn interrupted quietly. "I'll cancel it." The conversation fell silent for a brief moment. Jayda then looked towards Autumn. "What do you want, Autumn?" Autumn glanced at the menu. "Um... I guess steak." Raymond looked at her. "Autumn, don't eat too much, else you'll be looking fat in no time." Then he turned towards Marissa. "What would you like?" Marissa smiled. "Steak, pasta and some meatballs." Raymond smiled and touched the tip of Marissa's nose. "You little glutton." Autumn stared at them. Her heart sank. She couldn't take it anymore. Disgusted by the act between Marissa and Raymond, Autumn excused herself from the table and walked away. Jayda immediately followed her. The moment they were out of sight, Autumn broke down in tears. Jayda immediately wrapped her arms around her. Jayda was the best, most amazing and gentle friend Autumn could ever ask for. She tried to comfort her, but she knew that this kind of thing was a blow. Autumn wiped her tears. "I'm so tired..." she whispered. Jayda held her tighter. "Oh, Autumn..." she said softly. "I saw them. I know that it stung." Autumn pulled away slightly and looked at her friend. "How could they do that to me? Me, of all people?" "I know," Jayda replied softly. "It's the worst thing to do. I know." Autumn lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry." Jayda frowned. "Autumn..." Autumn slowly reached for the necklace around her neck. It was the necklace Raymond had given Autumn on their first anniversary. She unclasped it and placed it in Jayda's hand. Jayda looked at the necklace reluctantly. "Autumn..." "I'm done." Autumn took a shaky breath. "I think I need to go." "Need to go?" "Yeah." Jayda looked confused. "Where?" Autumn looked up. "China. I might as well visit Hennessy." Jayda sighed before giving her friend a small smile. "Girl, I support you, okay? I'll wait for you." Autumn smiled faintly. "Thanks, girl." Jayda suddenly remembered something. "But what if they ask?" Autumn looked back towards the restaurant. "Let them flee the earth." Jayda smiled faintly. "When will you be back?" Autumn looked away. "I don't know when, but we'll keep in touch." That night, Autumn went back. She grabbed her things. And she left. She left without saying goodbye. She left behind Raymond. She left behind Marissa. And she left behind six years of memories. Raymond didn't know it yet. But Autumn wasn't simply leaving for a trip. She was leaving him behind. And as the distance between them grew, so did the beginning of something Raymond would one day understand too late. Regret. REGRET STARTS HERE...