Chapter 203: Virtuous
Love's a trip, man. Breaking up? Piece of cake. Forgetting? That's the real kicker.
Mia's all cool on the outside, but it's just a front. She's fooling herself.
Deep down, she's still got a thing for Benjamin. Maybe forever, even if they never talk again, he'll always have a spot in her heart.
I mean, back in the day, Benjamin was her world. Those five years? Best time of her life. That's when she first fell hard for someone.
"Sorry, Mia. I got carried away. Didn't mean it. Don't be mad," I said, feeling all kinds of guilty as I let her go.
Mia sat up, fixed her messy hair, glanced at the sky, and forced a weak smile. "It's cool. It's been almost five years. Even if a pet goes missing, you'd miss it, let alone someone you really loved. Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the past and figured some stuff out.
If you told me Benjamin didn't love me, I wouldn't buy it. He did love me, but he also loved his family, power, status, and money. Compared to those, love didn't stand a chance. He didn't like Sydney, but he had to marry her. He liked me, but he couldn't give me a future and couldn't let me go. So, his plan was to marry Sydney and keep me on the side.
But my life's important too. I can't let him mess it up. I spent five years trying to make him choose me and failed. That's on me, not him. We broke up, and now I gotta forget him. My future's got nothing to do with him."
By now, even an idiot would get it. If Mia stayed with Benjamin, she'd get his love and a fancy life, but only as his secret lover, a homewrecker.
Mia's not stuck-up, but she's got her pride.
And Benjamin? Not much good to say about him. Making the person you love a homewrecker, living with that shame? That's low.
Mia loved him like crazy, but even the strongest love can't take that kind of beating. Now, her love's almost gone, and breaking up was bound to happen.
I suddenly wanted to see Benjamin's face when he realized Mia didn't love him anymore. What would he look like then?
"Mia, if you're feeling bad, just cry. Bottling it up will make you sick."
Mia laughed softly, pinched my cheek, and said, "Don't worry about me. I've decided to move on. You look like the one who got dumped."
"I just feel bad for you."
"I feel bad for myself too. Five years, such good times. But it's worth it to see through someone in five years. I'm only twenty-three. I've got a lot of good stuff ahead. I can't live in his shadow forever. Don't worry, Jane. I'll bounce back. No matter how long it takes, how tough it is, I can do it."
"I believe in you, Mia. But you know, you can't tackle this solo, right? Yancy's a good guy—kind and gentle. They say that the best way to get over an old flame is to start a new one."
Mia shook her head. "Yeah, he's great and all, and he's helped me a ton. But that's exactly why I can't do it. It wouldn't be fair to him. Until I completely get Benjamin out of my system, I'm not diving into another relationship."
"Fair? Come on, it's about mutual consent. I think you're just not ready yet. At least don't shut it down. Talk to him. If he's cool with it, be friends. You need friends anyway."
After my relentless nagging, Mia finally agreed to give the whole 'friends' thing with Yancy a shot.
Yancy, buddy, that's all I can do for you. The rest is on you. Good luck, man!
End of July in Regalia was a scorcher, sun blazing like it wanted to roast everyone alive.
But no matter the heat, Yancy was there every morning and evening, rain or shine, picking Mia up.
One day, I got home late from school. When I opened the door, there was Yancy, rocking a tiny apron, cooking in the kitchen!
"Yancy, already making yourself at home? Not bad, moving fast. Good job, man, you didn't let me down." I gave him a thumbs up, and Yancy grinned. "I owe it to you."
Yancy had a way with words.
Mia was on the couch, looking all pale and out of it. Seeing me tease her, she chucked a pillow at me. "Jane, zip it. I'm just not feeling well. Yancy brought me back."
"Not feeling well? What's up? Need to hit the hospital? Self-medicating can make it worse."
I fussed about taking her to a doctor, but she pulled me down on the couch, her face all red, and whispered, "Stop yelling. It's just a stomachache. No need for a doctor."
I tried to figure out what was causing her stomachache.
Alright then.
"Let me whip up some ginger tea, see if it helps." I said, heading to the kitchen. Yancy came out with a cup, handling it like it was made of gold.
"Jane, no need. I already made some. Mia, give it a try, see if it's sweet enough. First time making it, so it might not be perfect."
"Yancy, I gotta go paint. Mia's in your hands. She always gets like this, feeling crappy for days, sensitive to cold and wind. Take care of her, or it's on you."
Yancy, being the smart guy he is, nodded. "Don't worry, Jane. I swear I'll take good care of her. If not, I'll... well, you get it."
I quickly dashed into my room, ignoring Mia's attempts to keep me out.
With Yancy's pace, winning Mia over was just a matter of time.
After shutting them in the living room, I pressed my ear to the door to eavesdrop, but the room was too soundproof. Hearing nothing, I gave up and got back to painting.
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