Non-Negotiable

Everything happened in an instant. But I knew it wasn't. It didn't happen immediately. It was a series of slow and advancing tragedies. We let it happen. We let go. We let loose. There was no one else to blame but us. "It's not your fault," they said. "Everything happens for a reason," they said. "You'll get over it," they said. A mixture of guilt and shame had been circling inside me. For quite a while, I couldn't bear to look at Trion. Not after everything. He was alone. He wanted to live his life without the burden of being an heir — of having the responsibility. He wanted to be free, but because of our carelessness, he couldn't do that anymore. "Why didn't you?" Trion kept asking. "What made you think that everything was going to be fine?" he pestered. "He could've still..." even though he didn't finish his sentence, I knew what he was going to say. "Wake up, ma'am." I fluttered my eyes open. A gentle voice had woken me up from my nightmare. I could feel my entire back being damp as I move to sit up. "Sorry, how long was I out?" I stood up, wobbling as I felt a bit light-headed. Sheela caught me before I fell. I gripped her arm, holding her for dear life. "Not too long, ma'am. But if you had woken up later, you would've been late." relieved, I sighed. "Alright. I'll get ready. Can you please prepare the car?" "I'll bring your food to the car as well. Please do eat them on the way." a hint of smile appeared on my face and I nodded my head in agreement. It has been 5 years since my husband died. 5 years of loneliness, and I can't even bring myself to love another. "I finally get to see Trion again... Hope he doesn't hate me anymore." I got dressed for the occasion. Even though my husband died 5 years ago, I was not allowed to be left alone. Jaden arranged everything so that when he's gone, I still had a job and am still taken care of. He left quite the money. I didn't have to work anymore, but what was I supposed to do? "Car's ready, ma'am." "Alright, coming." Stepping into the car, I realized something. What was I supposed to say to Trion? How have you been? Trion, do you remember me? Do you still hate me? I couldn't even imagine how formal he was going to be. How professional he'd look. "Are you nervous, ma'am?" Sheela asked out loud. She must have noticed that my eyes were fixed outside. "I guess. I don't really know how to handle this meeting. For all I know, he must be hating on me with every fiber in his body." Sheela prepared my breakfast and my coffee before putting it on the mini-table at the center of the seats. I grabbed the fork and played with my food. I didn't really have much of an appetite. Guilt was still in my brain. "No point in overthinking it now, ma'am. As much as he lost a brother, you also lost your husband." My eyes darted at Sheela, but she wasn't looking at me. She was looking ahead, as if she was the one that was driving. Unending stare with the path in front of her. "I'll keep that in mind, Sheela. Thanks." "No worries, ma'am." It was a silent 30-minute ride. 30 minutes of anxiety. When the car stopped and Sheela was about to open the door for me, someone towered over her, shadowing my very spot. "I'll get it." a hoarse voice rang in my ear. "Yes, sir." The door opened, revealing a handsome young man, wearing all black clothing and having multiple piercings. I was shocked. Standing before me was Trion, but with a different vibe. "Scoot over," he ordered. "What?" he scrunched up his eyebrows and bent down so he could peek his head inside the car. "I said, scoot over." I swallowed my pride and moved. "Wow, so you do listen," he remarked before sitting where I sat. He adjusted the blinds of the car by reaching to the driver's seat and turning the handle for the adjustment. Once he was done, he sat back down and folded his arms. He was built. He trained well in the gym. He wasn't the same teenager I had met 5 years ago. He was different. He oozed a different kind of aura, and I wasn't sure if I should be scared for my life or be happy for him. "What do you want?" I asked, not wanting to prolong this suffocating moment. "Where have you been?" I raised an eyebrow, unsure of what he was implying. "What?" I adjusted my dress so that it wouldn't wrinkle. His mom wouldn't want to see an imperfect lady. "Are you deaf or what? I asked where you've been all this time." "I'm not sure I follow. I was just here. What do you mean?" He turned his head so fast that I was afraid it was going to cackle. His dark hair was a little long, but not too long. It was enough that it covered the nape of his neck. His eyes were fierce, and he had a slit on his left eyebrow. "You disappeared for 5 years, did you not?" Where was I in the 5 years of no contact? Was he okay in the head? He was the one who left abroad to study. Was I not making any sense? "No? I've been with the same company, your company, for 5 years. Worked for 5 years. I didn't even leave the city once after the funeral." He let out a low exhale before leaving the car, leaving me behind with questions. That wasn't what I had in mind for our first conversation. But I guess it was better than being hated. "I haven't even stepped foot out the car and my head is already hurting."