RUNAWAY LOVER

THE PAST

Devin's Perspective:

Observing Derick in this state is tough; he's usually the resilient one. The pain from his past haunts him, and it's disheartening to witness a friend in such agony, especially someone as tough as Derick. We've been lifelong companions, and seeing him in such emotional turmoil hurts me as well.

"I'll assist you," I assured him, releasing my grip on his arm and offering a comforting tap on his back. Tear-filled eyes met mine, revealing a vulnerable side of Derick I had rarely seen before.

FLASHBACKS:

In the outskirts of town, Derick patiently waited outside Emily's house in his trusty Jeep Wrangler. Decked in a pair of well-worn dirty-white trousers, a navy-blue polo, and crisp white shoes, Derick had chosen a casual ensemble for the special occasion they were celebrating – their fifth month of marriage.

With a sense of anticipation, Derick pulled out his phone and composed a sweet message to Emily:

Derick: Good morning luvv, I’m waiting outside. See you in a bit, I love you!

Emily promptly replied, creating a smile on Derick's face:

Emily: Good morning, I’m almost done luv. See you in a bit too, I love you!

Reveling in Emily's response, Derick's hand reached for the bouquet of flowers resting behind him. As he brought it closer, he couldn't resist taking in the delightful fragrance, imagining Emily's joy upon receiving it. His attention then shifted to the letter tucked within the bouquet. Despite his ability to convey his feelings verbally, Derick chose to express his love through both written and spoken words. Making Emily feel cherished in every possible way brought him immense joy, as her happiness was his happiness too.

The gate creaked open, revealing Emily dressed in a stunning white sleeveless knee-length backless gown. Derick eagerly stepped out of the Jeep, embracing her in a warm hug.

"Wow, luv," Derick silently mused, marveling at her perpetual beauty.

“What?” Emily questioned, her charming smile revealing dimples that Derick adored.

Rather than responding, Derick continued smiling, captivated by her enchanting features.

“What luvv?” Emily chuckled, showcasing her dimples once more.

"You're so lovely, my luv," Derick finally uttered, planting a gentle kiss on Emily's cheek. She responded by closing her eyes, a blissful smile playing on her lips.

"Thank you," she expressed, reciprocating with a kiss on Derick's cheeks.

"Happy monthsary, luv. I love you, will always will," Derick proclaimed affectionately.

"Happy monthsary, my lovely lady. I love you more, always and forever," Emily reciprocated, sealing their shared affection on this special day.

Derick and Emily embodied the epitome of an adorable couple, their love story having blossomed organically and effortlessly. Life was a tapestry of joy until the fateful New Year's Eve of the previous year, an event that cast a shadow over their happiness.

Upon awakening, Derick's immediate instinct was to reach for his phone and send his girlfriend a cheerful good morning text. He patiently awaited her response, assuming Emily was caught up in a busy morning routine. As the minutes ticked away without a reply, he grew increasingly concerned, prompting him to begin his preparations for the day.

An hour passed, yet Emily's presence remained absent from his phone screen. Fueled by a growing unease, Derick decided it was time to take action and hurriedly made his way to their shared abode.

Repeated doorbell rings later, Emily's mother cautiously opened their gate, her demeanor hinting at something amiss. Derick, worried and perplexed, inquired about Emily's whereabouts, sensing an unspoken tension.

"Good day, ma'am. Is Emily present? I'm worried because she hasn't responded to any of my texts," Derick voiced his concern. Emily's mother, her gaze lingering on their house, responded in a somewhat peculiar manner.

"Is everything all right, ma'am?" Derick questioned, teetering on the edge of storming into their home, yet exercising restraint to avoid unnecessary alarm.

"Yes, yes, yes! Emily is still sleeping—she had a long night last night, so she's catching up on her rest," Emily's mother hastily reassured, alleviating some of Derick's immediate worries.

Derick, relieved but still yearning to see Emily, acknowledged, "Okay. Could you please tell her to check her messages when she wakes up?"

"Certainly, I can do that for you," she replied with a hint of hesitation, leaving Derick puzzled by the lingering uncertainty.

"Thank you, ma'am; I'll be leaving now," Derick expressed his gratitude as he walked away, though a nagging sense of disquiet lingered in his heart.

Devin and Derick find themselves in Devin's living room, a palpable tension hanging in the air. Derick, visibly distressed, paces back and forth, expressing his concern about Emily's unusual behavior.

"I know there's something wrong, Devin. She's not answering my texts first thing in the morning," Derick confides, his worry evident. He recounts the conversation with Emily's hesitant mother, further deepening the mystery surrounding Emily's whereabouts.

Before Derick can continue his anxious musings, the doorbell rings, interrupting the solemn atmosphere. Eagerly, Derick opens the door, finding Emily on the other side.

"Em! You're here. I was worried. I missed you, luv. Did something happen?" Derick's questions pour out, his concern evident in his words. He embraces her tightly, examining her face for any signs of distress. "Are you okay, luv?" he continues to inquire, genuine worry etched across his features.

The trio settles onto a couch, Emily hugging Derick. Across the room, Devin observes their interaction, sharing in the concern for Emily. Sensing a need for privacy, Emily breaks the hug and approaches Devin, whispering something in his ear.

"I left a letter in your mailbox; read it and don't let anyone see it, including Derick," Emily instructs Devin, who nods in understanding. Confused by the hushed exchange, Derick queries, "What's happening?"

Emily, though holding back tears, quickly shifts her expression from sadness to cheerfulness. "Nothing, luv, it'll ruin the surprise," she reassures Derick with a smile. As a concerned Derick presses further, Emily dismisses her previous emotions, claiming fatigue.

Amidst the ensuing silence, Devin breaks it with a timely reminder. "Oh no, the countdown has begun." Realizing the approaching New Year's festivities, the trio decides to join the celebration outside, watching the fireworks.

Their New Year's Eve unfolds uniquely, with only their closest friends—Devin, Derick, and Emily. As the countdown commences, the three voices harmonize in unison, welcoming the new year with shared smiles and well-wishes. In the midst of the fireworks illuminating the night sky, Derick seals the moment with a gentle kiss on Emily's cheek, encapsulating their shared joy in that fleeting moment.

"Let's capture this moment, everyone! Smile at the camera!" Devin directed their attention to his phone mounted on a tripod in front of them. The trio grinned, posing for the picture. However, right after the snapshot, Emily excused herself, expressing her intention to head to the kitchen.

"I'm just going to grab some food inside," she announced, masking her true intentions. "Okay, make sure to come back; I love you!" Devin called after her.

"I love you, luv, always," Emily responded, though her reluctance to leave was palpable. Nevertheless, she proceeded to the kitchen, leaving the others momentarily.

As time passed and Emily failed to return, Devin grew concerned. "What's taking her so long?" he inquired. Derick, sensing something amiss, declared, "Be right back, D. I'm going to check on her inside," and headed towards the kitchen.

Upon entering, Derick found the house devoid of Emily. He meticulously searched each room – the bathroom, bedrooms, living room, and kitchen – but she was nowhere to be found. Attempting to call her, he discovered that her phone was switched off. On the kitchen countertop, he noticed a note that shattered his world.

"I'm leaving the country. I apologize for going without explaining.

I love you, Derick. I always love you. I'm sorry. - EM"

Tears cascaded down Derick's cheeks, caught between anger and profound sadness. The conflicting emotions overwhelmed him as he grappled with the sudden revelation.

When Devin entered the scene, he discovered Derick sitting on the floor, clutching the note. His face was soaked with tears, and he seemed consumed by an overwhelming sorrow. It was an unprecedented sight for Devin, witnessing his friend's vulnerability and heartbreak for the first time. The room echoed with the weight of Derick's emotions, leaving Devin at a loss for words.