Is it closure?

**Chrissy**

It had been seven days, since everything backfired. Suddenly, Dayle and I dug a deep hole into which we fell. It is sickening and maddening. My nuts are loose, my heart is aching and my love life is practically falling apart. 

Why?

Dayle and I are back to being strangers again. He says nothing to me and I do the same. He moved into another room when I couldn't bear sharing a bed with him. 

He goes to work earlier than his usual time and returns later than his usual time. I barely know when he's home or when he's leaving. Yeah, it was that bad. 

While I'm running and documenting the event’s turnouts. It has been tremendous given that lots of elites participated and donated toward the runner-up. Doctor Hansen and his team would begin the innovations also partnering with some private health sectors and Simon Brody. 

When I was offered a cut from the money we got, I simply turned it down. I mean, it was meant for charity. I get that they are trying to compensate for my efforts but it wasn't necessary at all. 

After drafting my email to Hansen, I hit send. It was time to call it quits and finally leave for Harvard even though it wasn't time yet. 

I mean, what's the point? Having a man that you can't talk to for seven straight days. 

I loved the idea of the proposal but why did he give up that easily like a fucking dickhead? 
Why's Dayle doing this? Why couldn't he trust that I would never get back with Egan? I wholeheartedly believed his crap about Amber because I trusted him and he couldn't do the same to me. 

The more I thought about it, the more my heart bled nonstop. 

On the other hand, I was feeling terrible for Dayle. Amber shared the tape among our family and it left an imprint on him that couldn't be forgotten. Sure as hell didn't deserve that evilness. 

I managed to shower and dress up im simple biker shorts, a crop hoodie, and a pair of Nikes. My hair was tied into a ponytail and I dabbed some powder on my face, gloss on my lips. 

“You look fucking pretty that I really want us to have lots of girls inheriting your beauty,” I could hear Dayle’s voice in my head. He always tells me that while holding me from behind. All of a sudden, this is history?

I asked myself all over again for the umpteenth time. 

…
While driving the car, Ken’s call came in. I was on my way to see Mom and Dad. They asked me to come over by the way. 

“Hey Ken,” I could hear myself and how low I sounded. 

He sighed, “You’re still in your zone? Gosh, Chriss, Dayle will come back—”

“Enough of me being at the receiving end, okay? I don't care anymore. I don't need him to come back, I’ not helpless. It's good riddance from mt end…” I said, realizing that I might have said too much. 

My tongue clicked, “Honestly, why did you call?” I asked. 

“Well, that's a lot to say coming from someone who hasn't moved on. You can't move on while Dayle is still breathing. Shit happens, okay? But it doesn't mean you don't have a happy ending…” Ken said, lunging at me with his words. 

I scoffed lightly, biting my free finger. He was fucking right that I couldn't bring myself to admit it. 

“Why did you call—”

“Stop trying to divert the conversation and pull the ticking car over let's talk properly,” Ken demanded, almost yelling as I pulled over at a safe spot, turning off the engine. 

“Are you being serious right now? Why are you being so invested anyway?” I let out, my feelings reeling and all I could see was Dayle’s face on my windscreen, placard, billboard, t-shirts, and literally everything. 

Ken scoffed lightly, I could picture him taking his hair at that point. 

“You have been avoiding this conversation since it happened. And you know, Sophy flew over for you but you… shoved everyone under the rug like we ain't nothing.” he said as he calmed. “Dayle wanted this proposal to work, he paid for Sophy’s flight, accommodation, and gave her extra cash for her and Granny’s upkeep. He spoke to us and we had everything planned out including a nice dinner. That night... things blew up,” he stopped as I rubbed my face, my tears forming bit by bit. 

I rested my head on my steering wheel, confused and disheveled. 

“Even after all that effort he just had to toss the ring into the trash, just wow!” I snapped forcefully. 

“You know the man you're dating better than anyone. He's a jealous fuck especially around Egan but it doesn't stop him from loving you, okay?” Ken assured me as if I needed to hear it. He paused for a second and continued. “What happened was a big ass misunderstanding but… at least y'all needed the time to rethink, right? This isn't over, it's only a separation—it happens,” he added. 

What if Dayle never comes back to me? What if he finds someone? I asked myself. 

I lifted my head, looking ahead, and sighed. “Thank you, Ken, for always being there—I owe you…” I said with a beam. 

“Oh, you fucking do, bissh. We are going to have dinner tonight, with Sophy,” he said while I chuckled under my breath. 

“That works! I love you, guys! I love you, buddy!” I admitted as I sighed, a streak of relief washing over me. 

“Sending you hugs and kisses,” he dramatically blew kisses at me and hung up. 
What would I do without Ken?
Some people can never be replaced and that's Ken. 

And Dayle.

…
When I got to the house, I managed to drag myself out of the car, also taking with me the cookies I got on the way for Jessie and Glen. 

I walked in, welcomed by Nina who doesn't want to retire because of her unwavering affection and dedication to my parents. 

I placed the cookies on the table and dropped onto the couch as Mom and Dad approached with soft smiles on their faces. 

Fuck! This had better not be a sympathy therapy. I don't need it. 

“Hey, Mom! Hey Dad!” I hugged them both in turns before we settled on the couch. 

I peeked at my phone and saw a text from an unknown number. 

*I’ll be waiting for you. E!*

That's got to be Egan. Isn't this guy a real-time demon? I asked myself to type a short message. 

*You can die for all I care!*

I hit send without regrets and tossed my phone to the side, my anger almost heightening. 

“How are you coping, hon? It's been days since we saw you,” Mom began with concern etched across her young face. 

“I've been… awesome. Fabulous!” I snapped, overtly exaggerating without being reminded. 

Dad sighed a little, leaning a bit toward where he sat. 
“Dayle messed up and things got rocky. Everything was my fault and im deeply sorry for pushing him to the wall,” he said, this time truly catching my attention. 

“You did nothing. Right?”

“I accepted the deal with Amber and I just thought that she was a better pick for him—”

I scoffed and rose, a frown settling in. “Better pick?” I reiterated. “You don't love me for him vevayae I don't run a company or because I’m not up for it or—”

“None, sweetheart. I preferred you being my daughter than a… than a daughter in-law,” he stated almost firmly, my thoughts crushed. 
Falling right into the abyss of more intense confusion. 

I didn't and couldn't understand a thing. Meanwhile, Mom remained silent as if she knew. 

“You knew about it too?” I asked her and she just barely nodded a yes. 

“Fuck!” I said under my breath, looking away and pacing around. 

“Are you guys happy that you've ruined it all now? Maybe you might as well coaxed Egan into—”

“No, Chrissy! That was on him, not us. But we are sorry, baby! We just loved the idea of being our children and not the other way round,” Mom said, her voice shaking already. 

“Biy we will always be your children,” I paused, trying to understand everything but my heart was failing to withstand it. “You both are unbelievable. I didn't think you thought that I was nothing you wanted for Dayle…” I let out, pain sweeping out while I spoke. 

Their faces, painted in remorse and guilt while they tried to apologize to me but hell no, it was too late. Shit has happened. 

“I mean, what's the point? Amber succeeded. Whoever hated us together succeeded and y'all are part of the plot,” I stated angrily, fighting tears. 
How is this even helpful at the moment? While I thought about things, Dayle walked in looking like a grandfather—rough and cold. 

“No fucking way this is happening. Is this a setup or something?” I flared up as my Mom rushed over to me, begging that I calm down. 

“No, Mom, this is bullshit…” I snapped angrily while Dayle turned to leave as Dad stopped, unable to rush like Mom did. 

“Kids, please! Let's talk. We can't keep leaving like this...” Mom said as I pulled away from her. 

“Oh, thanks to you all. It was your ploy all along. Did you love the outcome? Did you enjoy hurting us? Enjoy what you reaped,” Dayle said, his voice cold and distant. 

“Please, how about we sit and talk? We can work this out, plan the biggest wedding ever, and live a happy life?!” Dad said and at this point, I was a second away from slamming my parents for talking real ass bullshit. 

“It's that easy, huh? Maybe I could have ruined it for you on your wedding, several years ago as well! You think making up and just getting married is enough?” Dayle stated firmly, authority dripping in his home, anger and resentment in his eyes. “After everything that has happened? Breaking the trust she had in me? Leading us right into a den? Ruining that one thing that made us us?” Dayle scoffed, chuckling dryly. “If you wanna fix this shit so far, leave me the fuck alone. All of you,” Dayle added, his gaze splitting between us all. 

He left without looking back as I grabbed my phone too. 

“He’s right, I’m leaving for Harvard and don't fucking ask when...” I added and left as well. 

When I got out of the car, I saw Dayle, leaning on his car, rubbing his face out of frustration. When he noticed that I was staring, he entered his car and slammed the door. 

I entered mine too, barely knowing what else to say or do at that moment. 

Unknowingly, we both stared at each other and no one was ready to break the steady gaze.

One thing was certain, we had love for each other, and not hate.