Love For The First Time

TWO

Even though we had broken up, I still took Eric to the airport because he asked me to. Besides, we had promised to always maintain a good relationship as friends.

"Study well here and never engage with the guys who try to get close to you."

I pouted. "It's the other way around! I should be the one saying that to you."

Eric chuckled. "Of course. I'll study harder, so I can graduate quickly and come back to see you. As for the girls who try to get close, no one will be able to win me over except you, An."

"Corny."

"Really! You're a complete package. It's hard to find a girl like you. I'll make sure that only your name is here for now, later, and forever."

Eric took my hand and placed it on his chest.

"Ahem..." A woman's clearing of her throat broke the silence between Eric and me as we gazed at each other from a very close distance.

"Always dating. Come on, let's go inside! It's time."

Eric glanced at the watch on his wrist. "Five more minutes, okay, Lil! I still want to spend some time with Anita," Eric said to his friend named Lisa.

Eric and Lisa had been friends since childhood because their houses were next to each other. They always went to the same schools, even in college. Lisa studied at the same university as Eric abroad. They were both accepted into the same faculty, only in different majors. Coming from wealthy families, much wealthier than mine, they could certainly afford to study abroad with the high tuition and living expenses. Their choice was one of the best universities on the American continent.

"Alright. Five minutes, hurry up!" Lisa said, pretending to sulk.

After talking to Eric, she bid farewell to me to go inside. Before that, she bid farewell to her parents, her younger sibling, and our friends who came to see us off.

Eric returned to me and hugged me tightly after saying goodbye to everyone. "I'm gonna miss you, my baby girl!"

"Me too," I whispered, trying not to cry while biting my lower lip. I didn't know if I could hold back my tears after he left. There were too many memories between us.

If only Eric wasn't studying abroad, we might not have chosen to part ways. However, I also couldn't stand in the way of his dream of continuing his studies at the campus he wanted just because of love. A long-distance relationship is impossible; I don't want our relationship to be ruined due to misunderstandings or lack of communication because of the distance. Breaking up now and maintaining a friendship is better than suddenly fighting and becoming two people who no longer know each other.

"Don't worry, An. If Eric acts up, I'll smack him," Lisa said. Then, she shook hands with me before going inside.

I chuckled. Lisa always defended me when I had small arguments with Eric.

"Alright, get going!" I urged Lisa to follow Eric, who was waiting for her at the entrance.

I sighed as I watched Eric and Lisa's backs disappear behind the door. Suddenly, I felt a strange sensation when Eric put his arm around Lisa, a girl he considered a sister. Though Eric often did that to Lisa while we were still dating.

***

"Where do you want to have lunch, An?" Ariel asked.

"Diana and I are going to eat at the food court downstairs today. Do you want to join?"

My other colleagues in the division are out of the office. It's just me, Ariel, Diana, and our division head in this room. There are a total of 8 people in this Marketing and Development Division.

"I'll pass for now! I'm feeling too lazy to go anywhere. I think I'll just order delivery."

Ariel looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"That's unusual! You usually ask me to get you food when you're too lazy to go down."

"Hehe, I just feel like ordering something myself."

I showed my phone displaying one of the online food ordering apps.

"Oh, okay then."

Half an hour later, when lunchtime arrived, I joined Ariel and Diana to go down the lobby to pick up the lunch I had ordered earlier. Coincidentally, the courier informed me he was already in the lobby as lunchtime arrived. After tipping the courier, I headed back upstairs, smiling, seeing the two food boxes in my hands.

Once I arrived on the 15th floor, I took several deep breaths to calm my nerves. Slowly, I walked towards my destination—a room not far from my desk. I knocked on the door of that room.

After hearing a call to enter from inside, I grabbed the door handle and opened it. As the door opened, I felt my heart pounding. I entered slowly. The man behind the desk hadn't looked up yet; he seemed focused on reading the papers in his hand.

"Eric..." I called when I was already in front of the man's desk.

The man looked up when he heard me call his name. Our eyes met. I gave him a sweet smile, but he remained expressionless.

"Want to have lunch together? I bought your favorite food." I pointed to the two food boxes in the plastic bag I was holding.

"I'm not hungry," Eric replied coldly, causing my previously blooming smile to slowly fade.

Wait, I? I felt like a stranger when Eric used that word with me. I shook my head. Maybe Eric was speaking formally to me because we were still in the office. Maybe...

"You can eat it later if you're not hungry yet." I took out one box from the plastic bag and placed it on the table. It's okay, I can't have lunch with Eric today. There's always another day.

"Why are you putting it there? I'm not going to eat the food you brought."

I blinked. Why is Eric being so cold towards me? After not seeing each other for a long time, I wanted to approach him slowly to ask about the reason he had distanced himself all this time, but my gut told me that my plan wouldn't go smoothly.

"Ric, what did I do wrong?" I asked, impatiently. I indeed seemed eager to quickly find out the reason behind his distancing from me over the years. I've waited years for this. And seeing him this morning, I couldn't hold back my curiosity and longing for him, which had become one.

"Sir, or call me Mr. Eric," Eric replied coldly. "Did you forget that I'm your boss here?"

It seems I was too excited today and forgot our status. He's a boss, and I'm an employee.

I gave a bitter smile.

"Sorry, Sir," I squeaked softly. My enthusiasm from earlier, which was high, now plummeted. Knowing Eric and having had a special relationship with him once made me confident to talk to him, and even offer him his favorite lunch.

"Don't come to my office again for anything other than work-related matters. And definitely don't bring me lunch. I don't need it."

I nodded while biting my lower lip, trying to hold back tears at Eric's words.

You need to be mindful of your position, An!

"Here, our relationship is strictly boss and employee. Don't mix personal issues with work. I will take strict action if that happens. Do you understand?"

Eric's words were true, but they were painful to hear.

Am I really just an employee?

Come on, An, what are you expecting?

"Yes, Mr. Eric, I understand." I forced a thin smile, though inside, I was smiling bitterly.

"Good, then. Now you can leave."

Before I left, Mr. Teddy, the clerk, entered Eric's office.

"What did you need, Sir?" he asked Eric.

"I noticed a restaurant across the street. Could you get me something to eat?"

"Sure, Sir."

"Okay. Here's the money. Oh, have you eaten yet?"

"I haven't had a chance to eat, Sir."

"Alright, just take this for yourself. Someone got me food, but I'm really not in the mood for it."

My steps towards the exit suddenly felt heavy as I overheard the conversation between Eric and Teddy. I gave a bitter smile, realizing that Eric didn't want to eat the food I brought, even though I knew it was his favorite. I had hoped he'd eat it after I left, but he gave it to someone else before I was even out the door.