Chapter 4: I Miss You, I'm Sorry
1109 Words
EVE
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the tall roof.
This place is not my room.
I sat up immediately but it made my head spin.
Am I dead? Is this heaven?
The last thing I remember yesterday was someone saying my name and holding my hand.
I pinched my hand and it hurt! That means I'm still alive.
I'm really confused about where I am. Even my clothes have been changed! Who did it I don't know.
Suddenly the door to the room opened and a middle-aged woman wearing a neat suit walked in.
She smiled at me and I smiled back even though I was still confused.
“I'm Alice, the person in charge of this penthouse. You can call me by name only.”
Penthouse?
“Who brought me here? Whose penthouse is this?”
“Mr. Darren brought you here. And this penthouse is owned by Mr. Darren. But he is currently at work and will be home shortly.”
There was only one Darren I had ever known in my life.
“Darren Lauder?”
“That's right Ms. Eve.”
My eyes blinked a few times as the name finally slipped out of my mouth again.
Darren, my past lover, when we were in high school. Someone who became a light when my life was pitch black.
Darren colored my teenage life but I hated him.
“Mr. Darren would like you to consider this place as your home. Feel free to call me if you need anything.”
Alice pointed to a small thumb-sized remote on the bedside table.
“You can press it and I'll come.”
No, no, I still didn't understand.
Why did Darren save me? And why did he take me to his house?
Darren and I had been separated for seven years and we hadn't seen each other since. I don't know how he's doing and he probably doesn't know how I'm doing either.
But I still remember that yesterday I did see him before I closed my eyes.
I thought it was a dream, but it was Darren who saved me from my desperate desire to leave this world.
“Is there anything else you want to ask?”
“No.”
Alice left me alone in the room.
I got off the bed and looked in the mirror.
I patted my cheeks to gain full consciousness.
Darren's panicked face was still on my mind.
I never thought we would meet again under such circumstances.
Darren didn't come when I needed him in the past. But now he suddenly appeared again.
I really don't understand what he's thinking. I guess he forgets that the reason we broke up was because of him.
I don't want to see him. So I need to leave this place as soon as possible.
I opened the door slowly so as not to make any noise and walked on tiptoe.
But the spaciousness and grandeur of the penthouse stopped my steps.
This is the first time I've seen the inside of a penthouse in person. Everything is luxurious and branded. Darren is so rich already.
Back when he was in school, Darren even worked part-time at three places at once. He lived in a modest family, even more modest than mine. But now, look at what he has managed to do.
7 years seems like a very short time to get all this.
My hand accidentally nudged a small photo frame and it almost fell to the floor. Luckily my reflexes worked well so I was able to catch it.
But what I saw in the picture made me pensive.
There was Darren standing holding a woman's shoulder and a middle-aged man who was sat down. They looked very happy in the photo.
But that wasn't the problem.
They are not Darren's parents!
No matter how many times I checked, those two people were neither Darren's mom nor dad.
“What the hell is going on here?”
“Are you asking me something?”
I jumped in surprise as Alice was suddenly behind me.
I tried to control my expression.
“Who are those two people in the photo with Darren?”
“They are the President and his wife. They're Mr. Darren's parents.”
Alice's answer made me even more certain that something was wrong here. Because it's impossible for Darren's parents' faces to change.
But I didn't want to ask Alice any more questions. I'd better get out of this penthouse quickly because I don't want to bother other people's families.
“Why is the door locked?”
I tried to open the door but couldn't.
“Please open the door.”
Alice stayed where she was. She looked at the clock on the wall.
“Just wait a little while until Mr. Darren gets home.”
“I don't want to. Just thank him for the ride. I'll be going now.”
Alice didn't answer me but went into a room.
I chased after her and banged on the door. But it seemed like she wasn't going to let me out of this place.
I really don't want to see Darren. I don't want to explain anything and I don't want to hear his explanation.
Luckily the door to the balcony was unlocked, so I went out there.
The vibrant city I saw from up here made me realize that only my life was getting worse while everyone else's was getting better.
There was nothing I could save, everything was gone.
But if I jumped off this balcony, maybe things would be different. Maybe I'll get the happiness I've been looking for.
If I'm not allowed to leave this strange place, then I can jump from here.
That way I wouldn't have to see Ethan or Darren again. I can also escape the reality that is hurting me.
I climbed the stairs to the glass balcony.
The wind from here is getting stronger. If I let go of my handhold, I'll instantly fall down.
I close my eyes. This time nothing will get in my way again. I will be free.
I put one foot forward, it feels so cold. Maybe this is what it would feel like if I really dead, feeling cold all the time.
Dad, Ethan, Darren, you don't need to enter my life anymore. I won't bother you either.
Make sure you all get your reward.
I leaned forward and slowly released my grip.
But suddenly someone grabbed my waist from behind and pulled my body so we fell to the floor. I fell on top of him.
- Writer
