The Goodbye that broke me

Breaking the Ice

Anabelles POV

A gift??

The box contained a golden wristwatch, a golden bracelet, and a pink Christian Dior bag.

I thought it was a package for someone not u

Then I saw the note:

“Thank you Annabelle for the other day.

I know you’re probably wondering, Who is this?

It’s Drake, the guy at the dinner.

If you wish to contact me, here’s my contact address. 28 crest road florida"

I was not jumping for joy.

“Why will a stranger pull something like this?,

It feels manipulative… calculated.

This is wicked, this isn’t a gesture of kindness. And even if it was , I didn't need it.

It was an intrusion” I mumbled.

“He knew what he did. He disvirgined me, He’s not deserving of me, not in the slightest.

Tears rolled down my eyes.

I am calling Chloe, to tell her about the strange gift box.

“Hi Chloe, how are you doing?”.

“Hi Annabelle, I'm fine”

“Did you know I just received an anonymous gift today and inside it I saw a letter saying it was the guy that met me at the dinner.”

“ really?? That's so thoughtful of him”

“Is this the only thing you have to say?”

“I want to return his gift, I don't know him”

“Do you really have to?”

“So you're of the idea that I keep the gift.”

somehow, our conversation begins drift off-topic.

“Okay, don't know if you have any idea or answer to my questions, but I’m just tempted to ask”

“ Just go ahead Annabelle”

“ Do you know one Mr Eric, he is tall and good looking with very distinctive physical features.”

“Yeah he's one of the influential billionaires in Florida, he is the CEO of Veritons firm. He stays in Star Island.”

“Wait I’m still in doubt, it seem you do not know who I'm referring to”

I sent her a picture to confirm, it was a shot I took the other day at the mall.

“I know him, He's the guy I’m referring to,

“How were you able to know Eric, Anabelle?”

“I saw him at the mall, then we met him again at the bookshop.

“I don’t know his name”.

I checked his name on the ledger when I was signing out. That’s how I traced it… he must have come in right after me.

“I like him, he is my type of man, but he's not giving me any attention. “

There was a pause at the other end then she Chuckled loudly.

“what's that chloe,?”

“He's not in your class Annabelle, he may not even look at you”

“Just leave that for me, I have my ways. Okay, bye… “

****

“Gifts by Belle” was one of the business that helped me back then in college after the death of mum years back. I did alot of things back then after the demolition of my Dad's art studio

I delivered gift items to people.

It was my golden ticket to get access into top companies and get to meet people too. I loved writing poems. Sometimes I'll write a poem and put it in your package.

A package came in for delivery, but oddly, the recipient's name wasn't written on the package, only the address, the description on the package was vivid enough to know the place when I get there.

I got to ghe location were I was to deliver this package.

The description on the package is exactly at Veriton's Firm. My heart is pounded with excitement. To make it even better, as I entered,the receptionist informed me that the CEO is apparently expecting this package.

The receptionist, without hesitation, directed me straight to the CEO's office. My steps were quickened with excitement. From what Chloe described , Eric was the CEO. You know what that means.

As I approached the office, the doors swung open automatically.

The first thing I notice as I stepped into the office was the large portrait of a pretty young woman.

I wasn't bothered, that was not what brought me here.

Then there was Eric sitting behind the glass table, dressed impeccably in a tuxedo suit. A flicker of excitement flashed across my face, but to my surprise, Eric wasn’t smiling at all.

“Good day sir, this is a package for you”

I handed him the package and my business card. I was surprised when he took the gift and the card from me.

He gave me a piece of paper. An eleven digit number was written on It. I guessed it was his mobile number.

I was not amazed, everything worked out as planned. I turned to leave his office, my heart sinking. But in my haste, my foot accidentally hitted a glass frame by the door. It toppled over and crashed to the floor with a loud shatter. I freezed. Eric's face hardened.

"That was very expensive," Eric's face hardened.

"I’m s…so sorry," my voice trembling. "Please, it was an accident. I’ll do anything to fix this."

He stared at me for a long moment; I pleaded, my words tumbled over each other in desperation.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he sighed.

"Fine. Just go," he says, waving me off.

This is the first time Eric has spoken to me for more than a few words, and this was not how I imagined our first conversation would go.

I adjusted my sleeves and stepped out of his office.

_____

I was frustrated after waiting for over an hour with no cab in sight. The streets were oddly empty, and frustration gnawed at me.

Eric's Lambourgini pulled up and offered me a ride

My mind wrestled with conflicting emotions. My pride urged me to decline Eric's offer, but exhaustion and practicality tempted me to accept, though my first instinct was to say no.

I debated trusting Eric and swallowing my pride for convenience.

My heart races with doubt. What if he wants to kidnap me because of what had happened earlier or something?

I just had this feeling that Maybe this would finally be the moment we'd actually talk. But I was afraid.

I told his chauffeur my location.

"I’m really sorry again about what happened earlier," I said, my voice soft, I shivered like a child who had just broken a glass mug. "It was truly an accident."

He didn’t answer right away. The car hums quietly as it pulls into traffic. My heart pounding seriously.

"It’s not the first time something’s breaking in that office," speaking up slowly, almost like he was trying to make me feel better.

I turned and looked at him, surprised.

Is that… a hint of a smile? From there, the conversation started.

At first, it was slow and cautious - a few words here and there. I was just been a little bit reserved, but gradually, it grew.

I laughed and for the first time, I saw a softer and more human side of Eric. The car ride that started in awkward silence turned into a full, lively conversation. I forgot about the earlier disaster at his office. I forgot about how intimidating he usually seemed.

For once, I felt shy. I didn't let the fear stop me. I turned to him.

"Thank you very much for the ride”. For a second, he just looked at me, as if he was weighing something in his mind. I held my breath, waiting. After a brief pause, Eric replied.

“You're welcome”

A small, almost unnoticeable smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. The car rolled to a gentle stop in front of my apartment. The chauffeur hurried to open the door, and I stepped out, I turned back one last time. I smile and waved goodbye.

_______

I closed my eyes, allowing My hand to move slowly on my long hair. I remembered how I had Started a conversation with Eric.

Gosh! I felt very embarrassed at first, even remembering that I had smashed his furniture.

My phone buzzed on the table.

I grabbed my phone to check who the caller was.

It was a strange number. His contact was not not saved on my phone.

I answered the call, but said nothing at first.

"Hi," the voice came. It sounded familiar.

"It's me, Liam." He said.

I stiffened.

"What do you want from me again after ending everything that night, just because I asked you why you were being so... naughty? Imagine my man, bending over for another man, moaning so loud..."

He didn’t say a word.

I ended the call angrily,and stared at the screen after I hung up.

I tossed the phone onto the couch and paced the room.

He had no right.

No right to call me.

The phone buzzed again. Same number.

I hesitated this time, anger boiling hotter than fear.

I answered.

"What do you want, Liam?" I said, my voice cold.

"I made a.. mistake."

His voice cracks, not the smooth, confident tone I remembered.

"I never meant for you to see that... I wasn't ready to explain. I didn't know how."

"You didn't know how?" I laughed bitterly. "You didn't know how to tell me that you preferred bending over for your same gender while I thought I was your whole world?" I screened.

He remained silent. He knew I was very angry.

I could hear him breathe Shallow. Uneven.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for everything." He apologised.

I don't think I'm interested in that apologies, are you done talking now. I have work waiting for me to do please, I was busy before your call came in.

I hung up the call and please don't call me again. I turned the phone off completely.