Newfound happiness

“She’s my happiness.” He continued, “The moment you turned me down years ago, I was sad and I didn't tell you, I just stayed by your side but then I met her in one of the business meetings where she sang life, I happened to talk to her, met her for a few times, and before I knew it, she lit up my world.”

He said breathlessly, “I realized I was just infatuated with you, Aurora. The feeling I had for you last eight years ago was not loving and just infatuation. But right now, what I feel for her is real.. and now you’re here, telling me you don't like it? It’s the first time since I became happy and you don’t like it? Don’t you want me to be happy?”

Aurora blinked, feeling a lump in her throat as she fought the tears escaping from her eyes, “I-I want you to be happy, but not with her. To the right girl, Felix.”

Felix’s eyes looked at her with a different emotion now. Hurt, and expressionless..“Is that really it? Because it seems to me that you are jealous that I finally found the one and bitter that Reagan lied and used you in the past, and seeing Vivienne right now brought back the pain he gave you.”

Aurora was stunned at that, not able to form any words to retort and lost in their argument.

“You can’t think of anything to defend yourself because you know I’m right, right?” He nodded, answering himself. “Forget it. It’s best to stop now because we might end our friendship if we go on.” He said, now claiming down, “Please don’t ruin this day for me, please be nice to her.”

Aurora gritted her teeth, “What if I don't want to?”

“Then you should, or else I will cut you off from my life. I am serious, Aurora. That princess attitude you have will get you nowhere and I had enough. I have always supported you through ups and downs, so can you please just give this one to me? Please?” He asked sincerely, his tone soothing but for Aurora, it felt like daggers piercing through her heart.

She closed her eyes, still feeling hurt at what her own best friend just said, and nodded slowly, “I'll try…”

Felix smiled at that, wiping her eyes and patting her head, “I’m sorry for the words I said, but I hope I made it clear to you.”

She nodded, wiping her cheeks, and pretended to smile, “Yeah, it's clear. Let’s go back, she’s waiting for you.”

As they went back, Felix walked first and instantly sat beside his girlfriend. Vivienne noticed his expression and asked, “Is there something wrong, babe?”

Felix shook his head, “No, nothing’s a wrong babe. Right?”

Aurora nodded, smiling at Vivienne to assure her, “Yes, so that drinks are already here?”

Vivienne smiled, brightening up the room, “Yes, it arrived just a few minutes ago.”

She nodded and drank her coffee latte order, calming her heart and watching silently as Felix laughed with Vivienne who said some jokes.

He really looks happy…with all those things he said earlier, it feels like a wake-up call at Felix’s feelings all these years. He must have really had enough and bottled it all those years to say all those things to her…

Aurora sighed, looking down and finishing her drink silently before saying goodbye to them. She grabbed her bag and said, “I better leave now, I have somewhere to go to.”

Vivienne pouted, “Oh, did we somehow make you uncomfortable?”

She shook her head, keeping it cool in front of them although dying inside, “Oh, Nah, I’m fine, I’m just really busy now so I have to leave. Goodbye! It was nice to meet you.”

“It was nice too! I’m really happy I got to know you! Thank you for taking care of Felix!” Vivienne exclaimed.

Vivienne has been kind to her, but she couldn’t bear to see her now. She’s just the best friend, while Vivienne is Felix’s girlfriend, his world, and his source of happiness. Who is she to get in his way just because of her past?

She stood up and went to the door, not looking back and walking straight. She decided to just walk to her hotel where she could exercise and think about things. She’s feeling so down and doesn't want to talk to anyone right now. She wants to enjoy her alone time, looking at the leaves falling down and the busy sidewalk of Russia. The breeze hit her, causing her dress to go up a little.

She realized people will get tired of her somehow and leave her. Of course, she has always been a brat and spoiled kid, especially when she was a teenager. Her parents are just tolerating her because she’s their child…

Just then, a green Chevrolet rolled up beside the sidewalk and the windows rolled down, revealing a man. Aurora looked at it and saw Reagan.

She would have been surprised and wanted to drive him away as usual, but she just stared at him blankly.

Reagan seemed to notice it as he hesitantly asked, “Are you…alright?” As if she’s a delicate flower who needs to be

Aurora shrugged, “Who knows?” She simply replied. She couldn’t help but think about how Reagan sees her too. She didn’t forgive her, pushed him away last night, and made him have to work hard to earn her trust but not wanting to see him. Thinking about it now, she’s being a bit unreasonable.

“Can I.. give you a ride then?” Reagan asked, “I mean, I just offered since I happened to pass by here.”

She snorted, knowing he was following her all day, waiting for the right time to talk to her but couldn’t… but Aurora decided to drop it. She silently got to his car on the passenger seat beside him without saying another word, which made Reagan dumbfounded, not expecting her to get in.

“Are- you, really Aurora? I thought you said-”

He stammered and she put her finger on his lips to shush him, not in the mood to talk right now.

“Just for tonight, Reagan.” She calmly said before fastening the seat belt and looking at the window beside her.

Reagan seemed to get it and understood her not wanting to talk so he instantly stepped on the gas pedal, now driving away and unto her hotel building.