Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Zoey POV

My entire being was paralyzed, everything and everyone fade away. Was time paused? Or is it just me.

I don't if I should react or not, I don't know if he even want to acknowledge me. Should pretend that we are strangers? But how can I, after all those years we spent together. How can I pretend like we didn't happened.

How can I forget how he dumped me. Our beautiful and memorable time didn't happen. Only God knows how I survived the heartbreak he caused me.

My ex-boyfriend. The man of my dream, the guy I thought I would spend my forever. The guy tore my dreams and killed my spirit, he broken my heart in the most brutal way. Marco Alfonso, yes the same Marco Alfonso that runs the biggest Italian mafia.

He is the one standing before me.

"Zoey." Luckily Sophia snapped me out of the daze. I looked away first, I'm not going to let him see me weak.

"Are you okay, you've suddenly gone paled." May asked concern dripping from her tone.

"I'm fine, I just feel suffocated from the crowd. But I'm fine." I smile at them reassuringly. My eyes quickly find him, he was already walking to the stage. His face remains stoic, his demeanor and aural around is completely dangerous and frightening.

His walking style has changed as well, he sure has matured in a master piece. He is completely different from the Marco I knew.

I came to a realization that I no longer had an effect on him, I'm no longer his sunflower. I swallow the lump in my throat and blink back the tears in my eyes.

I'm not going to cry for him, not anymore. I've shed enough tears for him.

He got to the stage and face the crowd, a little micro phone was attached to his suit by one of his men. He cleared his throat to get the attention he already before he began to address the crowd.

"Good morning everyone." He began, his voice has expected gone deep, his once light and smooth voice is now hoarse with bass.

"I want to thank everyone of you for relentless effort towards the company without my presence." He paused, his eyes roamed the crowd until they found mine but didn't last longer as he look away almost immediately.

"I won't explain my absence in the company. But I can assure you all that from now onwards, every department must report directly to my office." He waited for everyone to digest the information.

"I have an important announcement to make." This statement got everyone's attention including mine.

"Told you so." Lucy whispered, Sophia immediately hushed her.

"Although I bought this company, but I gave it to my wife. I will be in charge of the company until she is prepared to take control of it, and then she will be introduced."

Just like that my world fell apart, any bit of hope left in me was instantly quenched. I didn't know where my feet was taking me until my hands pulled the door open, I ran out.

I ran, until my legs couldn't proceed anymore. And the I collapsed on a bench in a deserted area. I let it all out, all the years I told myself not to cry busted today. I couldn't hold back anymore, I am tired.

How come he could move on so easily while I couldn't live without the thought of him.

Am I just stupid, stupid for hoping he will come back to me. I waited, waited on him. But that bastard got married. How can I be so foolish and naive? I was waiting for the same that left me when I needed him most, and for what? To hear he is married?

#flashback.

Seventeen years old me found my way to the cottage beside the local lake, not too from my house.

Marco building this cabin for us, as our safe heaven.

Usually, he'd be the one to come pick me from home with his motorbike. It's unlike him to just ask me to come myself, but naive me didn't thought something was off.

I door to the cabin was open, I push it wider to allow access. The first thing I saw after entering the small living area, was Marco. He was standing behind the window that over look the lake, he stare was also fit on the lake.

I doubt he even notice as I entered.

I move closer and wrap my arms around his waist, hugging him from behind.

"Hi." I whispered soft, and took in his spicy and minty perfume in and breath out, relaxing against him more.

He has been here for me, and even for my mom since dad died. My dad death was unexpected and totally not welcome, it was a huge blow to our family.

Especially my mom. I think she lost her mind. But thankfully Marco was here for us, he has been our rock. And I am so grateful to him.

Marco took a deep breath before turning around to face me, but what I didn't expect was for him to pull away from me. Usually, he would wrap me in his arms.

"There is something I want to tell you." He groans, brushing his palm over his face, then buried them in his pocket.

"Okay, what is it." I ask moving forward, I wanted to be in his embrace but he took an step back. This time I frown, real hard.

"What's wrong? You kept moving away from me." I don't understand this cat and mice chase, I just want to be close to him.

"I will be going away to school today." He finally spoke up after a long moment of silence.

"Okay? I know, because you've told me before." I am confused. Where is this conversation heading to.

"You told me you will be back once in every four months, and we must keep in touch. That we will talk on the phone." I continue when I couldn't bear the since anymore.

"Sure, I will miss you as much as you will miss me but like you told....."

"I won't miss you." He cut me off mid sentence.

"What?" I was ranting early maybe that's why I heard wrong.

"I'm sorry Zoey, but we should break up." After he said that the only thing I could hear was the sound of my chest beating loud, I thought it will burst.

"You kidding, right?" I tried to break smile, hoping I was right. But the blank and dead look on his face told me otherwise. But I still refuse to believe any thing at this moment.

"I'm not." He deadpan.

"I'm going home, when you are done with this stupid prank of yours. Call me." I turn around to walk away.

"This isn't a prank, I'm breaking with you. We have a long life ahead of us, and I need to focus on earning a degree. I don't want anyone to distract me, and you should also focus on your own life." His words halts me.

Distract? What was that suppose to mean.

"I am a distraction to you?"

#endofflashback

I don't know how much time have passed since I have been sitting, but my legs are numb from been in one position for too long.

I tried standing up but to no avail, so I just sat back and wait for the numbness to go away. I brought out my phone from my bag, the time thing I check was the time.

It's already four in the evening, with only two hours left for closing. I might as well call in sick.

The second thing that shock was the amount of missed calls from my friends. with the way I left early, they will be worried sick. I wrote a short message, saying that I am fine to them before writing another one to Mrs. Rose.

I should go home and spend the rest of the day with mom.