PART 11 - LUCAS TRAPPED IN THE PAST
887 Words
1. LUCAS ALEXANDER – TRAPPED IN THE PAST
Rain poured down heavily on the city streets, drenching the sidewalks and forming small puddles along the asphalt. The streetlights flickered dimly, as if they too could feel the cold emptiness of the man sitting silently inside a small café at the corner of the city.
Lucas Alexander took a sip of his now-cold coffee, though he barely noticed the taste. His mind was still trapped in a name he couldn’t let go of. Nadine Elizabeth.
It had been months since she left. Months since she chose to disappear from his life to chase the freedom she had always dreamed of.
But to Lucas, Nadine had never truly left.
Her presence still haunted him. The way she smiled shyly, the way she spoke softly, even the way she looked when she was deeply engrossed in a book—everything was still vividly etched in his mind.
Lucas pressed his fingers against his temple, trying to push away those memories. He wanted to stop thinking about her, but the more he tried, the stronger the memories became.
But losing Nadine wasn’t the most painful part.
The most painful part was knowing that she left because he wasn’t strong enough to protect her.
He should have kept her safe.
He should have saved her before it was too late.
But in the end, all Lucas could do was watch her leave, leaving him with an emptiness he couldn’t fill with anything else.
Lucas let out a long sigh, staring blankly out the window.
Was Nadine happy now?
Had she truly forgotten about him?
The questions circled endlessly in his mind, but he knew he would never find the answer.
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2. QUEEN DIOR – BETWEEN SACRIFICE AND FADING HOPE
Across the table, Queen Dior watched Lucas in silence.
She saw the emptiness in his expression, saw how he was still trapped in his past with Nadine.
And it hurt.
Not because she was jealous.
Not because she wanted Lucas for herself.
But because she knew how painful it was to love someone who still loved someone else.
Queen bit her lip, trying to suppress the emotions swirling inside her. She knew she had to say something, but the words felt too heavy to speak.
Finally, she took a deep breath and spoke, her voice quiet yet firm.
"Lucas, how long are you going to keep living like this?"
Lucas lifted his head, furrowing his brows. "Like what?"
Queen placed her spoon on the table with a small clatter. "Stuck in the past, constantly regretting something that can’t be changed."
Lucas stared at her but didn’t reply.
"She’s gone, Lucas," Queen continued, her voice softer this time. "And you can’t keep torturing yourself with her shadow."
Lucas held her gaze for a long time before finally sighing deeply.
"I can’t just forget her, Queen."
Queen gave him a sad smile. "I know."
Of course, she knew. She knew better than anyone because she had felt the same way.
She had once hoped that Lucas would see her as more than just Nadine’s friend.
She had once wished that Lucas would realize there was someone right beside him who cared for him.
But the longer she stayed by his side, the clearer it became—Lucas had never really seen her.
And the more she tried to get closer, the more it hurt.
Queen exhaled slowly, then looked at Lucas with raw honesty.
"I’m going to stop hoping, Lucas," she said quietly.
Lucas looked at her, surprised. "What do you mean?"
Queen smiled, but there was sadness in her eyes. "I don’t want to be someone you only see because Nadine is no longer here."
Lucas fell silent, unsure of what to say.
Queen shook her head slightly. "I want us to remain friends, Lucas. But I can’t keep hoping for something that will never come true."
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3. THE DECISION TO LET GO
Lucas stared at Queen, feeling a mix of emotions.
He had never considered that Queen had feelings for him. He had always seen her as Nadine’s friend, someone who was just there for him with no reason behind it.
But now, seeing the way she spoke, seeing the resolve in her eyes…
Lucas realized that all this time, Queen had been holding onto something he had never noticed.
And it made him feel guilty.
Lucas ran a hand down his face, frustrated.
"I never wanted to hurt you, Queen," he murmured.
Queen gave a small smile. "You didn’t hurt me, Lucas. I just finally realized that I can’t keep hoping for someone who still loves someone else."
Lucas didn’t know what to say.
But for the first time, he felt something inside him begin to shift.
He looked at Queen deeply, and for the first time… he saw her not just as Nadine’s friend but as Queen Dior—a woman strong enough and brave enough to let go of something she could never have.
Queen stood up from her seat, offering him a gentle smile.
"Lucas, you deserve someone who can love you completely, without having to share her heart with someone else."
Lucas watched her, speechless.
And at that moment, he realized something.
Maybe, without either of them realizing it, this was the beginning of something new.
- Writer
