Chapter 3
563 Words
Scott and I quickly entered a "honeymoon phase." This was a first.
We had already been together five years by then. When we first got together, he was poor. Since I had a decent job, I naturally took on the responsibility of supporting him.
I paid his rent, paid for every dinner, paid off his credit cards and student loans. Even every time we spent the night together, I had to buy the condoms and go to him.
All he ever contributed was some sweet talk, without ever taking any real action.
But everything changed after I was reborn.
During that time, Scott showed up with a different little gift for me every single day. Sometimes it was a bouquet of flowers, sometimes a box of pastries, and other times it was some dainty little handmade trinket.
They popped up in every corner of my life, each tucked alongside a sweet handwritten note from Scott:
Honey, I miss you every minute.
Five whole hours apart—let a little teddy bear keep you company for me, okay?
In the past, I would have been moved to death by these gifts and then given him everything I had.
But now... "I don't want any of this."
The smile on Scott's face froze the second the words left my mouth. I pretended not to notice and just kept talking.
"I've been saving up lately. All my colleagues want the new Chanel release. I have to be the first one to get it..."
By then, Scott's expression had gone tight and awkward. I could see him trying to find a way to dodge the topic.
So I took his hand and gazed up at him with big, innocent, doe-like eyes. "You'll buy it for me, won't you?"
Right there, under our intertwined hands, sat the "further investment" contract Scott wanted me to sign. So now, he wouldn't refuse my request.
"Of course."
He forced a smile to keep up appearances, but his knuckles gripping the table had turned white.
Three days later, I received that new backpack. I sold it straight to a colleague and made a small profit.
Once the extra cash hit my bank account, I knew it was finally time to put my plan into motion.
Once I had prepared everything, I carried a final bit of pity and dialed Scott's number.
As the dial tone buzzed in my ear, the past five years flashed before my eyes. To be honest, I was still holding onto one last spark of hope. Not for Scott. For the feelings and effort I had poured into those five years.
The call connected. I cleared my throat. "Hey baby, I want to go check out all the merchandise we invested in."
"Oh... the warehouse stuff lately... you know how it is, contracts, paperwork, such a hassle..." On the line, Scott was brushing me off, irritation seeping into his voice.
Just as I expected. That last spark of hope flickered out completely and I smiled.
"Got it. I won't bother you anymore."
I lifted my gaze to the majestic warehouse standing before me and ended the call. Tacked to the bulletin board next to the warehouse door, in the space marked "Lessee", Scott's full name stood out clear as day.
I pulled the duplicate key I'd had made long ago from inside my jacket and opened the door.
- Writer
