After I Met Him

Chapter 6-Will I ever find somebody?

Harmony’s POV.

Finally, I moved all the boxes from my trunk into the apartment.

Now, all I had left to do was unpack them.

I stared at the pile of boxes in front of me before palming my face tiredly.

The apartment was simple—just a small living room, a kitchen, and a narrow passage leading to the bedroom and bathroom.

And honestly…

I liked it.

It wasn’t luxurious or fancy, but it felt peaceful.

I spent the next few hours unpacking everything, leaving nothing inside the boxes. It was exhausting work, but I had to finish because tomorrow would be my first day at work.

Eventually, I collapsed onto the couch and leaned back against it tiredly.

I picked up my phone to check the time.

10:00 PM.

Remembering my promise, I unlocked my phone and called my mother.

The moment she answered, I explained everything to her—how I got a job at Mercer Global Logistics Company as the new secretary because I needed a fresh start… and because I wanted to get away from everything that had happened to me.

To my surprise, she understood.

And she supported my decision.

After the call, I took a warm shower and finally drifted off to sleep, preparing myself for the next day.

Ryan's POV.

I was going through some files on my laptop in the study room when my mother walked in.

“Good morning,” I said casually, my attention still fixed on the screen.

“Yes, my dear,” she replied warmly.

“How was your vacation?”

“It was okay.”

“Are you sure?” she asked carefully.

I already knew what she meant.

Vanessa had obviously told her about Harmony.

Sometimes, I honestly felt like my relationship with Vanessa was forced, even though I loved her.

The only reason my mother liked her so much was because her father, Philip Hudgens, was the founder of Hudgens Global Trade Group.

My mother believed that as long as Vanessa and I stayed together, the alliance between Hudgens and Mercer would remain strong and both companies would stay stable.

Ironically, both companies had already been business partners long before Vanessa and I started dating.

I met Vanessa at a coffee shop two years ago, and at first, everything felt easy between us. We clicked naturally, and before I realized it, I had fallen for her. It was only later I began noticing her arrogant and prideful nature.

Even then, I still loved her.

But loving Vanessa and keeping up with her were two completely different things. Sometimes, being with her could be exhausting.

“Mom, what are you talking about?” I asked firmly, finally looking up from my laptop.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she responded sternly.

“If you came here to upset me this morning, then please leave,” I said flatly.

Her expression softened immediately.

“I’m sorry,” she sighed. “I know Vanessa can be a handful sometimes, but you need to endure.”

I frowned deeply.

“If you know she’s a handful, then why are you still forcing me to date her?” I asked.

“I just want the business to succeed. Your father worked hard for all of this.”

I immediately stood up and slammed my hand against the table.

“Oh, just stop it, Mom! Stop!” I snapped. “The difference between you and Dad is that he actually cared about my happiness, but you’re only concerned about a business you know nothing about!”

Without waiting for a response, I shut my laptop and stormed out of the study room.

I headed straight to my bedroom to prepare for work.

The moment I entered, I sat down heavily on the edge of the bed and let out a deep sigh.

My eyes drifted toward my father’s picture hanging quietly on the wall.

Sometimes, I wondered if he had any idea how heavy that promise would become.

Before he died, he made me promise to protect the company… to keep the Mercer legacy alive no matter what happened.

And because I loved him, I said yes.

Now that promise felt more like chains around my neck.

Memories from the hospital suddenly flooded my mind.

The smell of medicine. The weak sound of the heart monitor. His tired smile even while lying on that hospital bed.

I shut my eyes tightly and inhaled deeply.

When I opened them again, my gaze returned to the picture.

If only he were still here.

He was the only person who truly loved me, understood me… cared about me beyond business and expectations.

Yes, he was a busy man.

But somehow, he was never too busy for me.

My mother, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.

Business meetings. Charity events. Dinner parties. Company trips.

There was always something more important than being my mother.

I just wanted somebody who would love and care for me the way my father once did.

And that person wasn’t Vanessa.

We had been dating for two years, yet the relationship felt exhausting.

It was always the same cycle—

Break up.

Make up.

Argue.

Apologize.

Repeat.

At some point, I honestly wanted to give up on us completely, but my mother always found a new way to push us back together.

Business dinners.

Family meetings.

Forced vacations.

It never ended.

Sometimes, it felt less like a relationship and more like an arrangement.

I leaned back against the bed and rubbed my face tiredly.

Sometimes I wonder…

Will I ever find somebody who truly loves me genuinely?