[2]

Mr. Jody Varens:

You're really leaving me, sweetie? I'm so miserable not being able to see you.

The message was read only casually. Celine prefers to enjoy the cola straight from the can instead of using a straw or putting it in a glass. The air was quite cold tonight, which Celine didn't care about at all. For her, the night was the perfect time to rest her body due to the fatigue. And organize her steps to get closer to the target she wanted.

"One more step," she whispered as she closed her eyes. He had not forgotten what had happened in his past, which was full of bitterness and massive betrayal. That time... eight years ago. Eight years that Celine will never forget until this moment.

"You... still have our engagement ring?" asked the interlocutor while fiddling with her fingertips. His gaze was somewhat nervous as well as uneasy. Though the one who should feel that way was Celine. How could she not, her life had turned upside down without giving her a break. She couldn't even breathe a sigh of relief.

The accusation of her family committing a corruption crime alone made her whole body tremble. Plus his mother who suddenly collapsed in shock at the news that came to his family. Not to mention the police and courts who immediately confiscated many of the family's assets.

Not only that, not even three days after the shocking news, the father; Jeffry Langham died of a heart attack. while the condition of his wife, aka Celine's mother, is still unconscious in the hospital.

And now, it is exacerbated by the figure of the man who originally accompanied her. Carving a love story together for three years. Jacob Desmond is his name. The man Celine loves with all her heart, all her soul, and will soon end up down the aisle. If this news and ordeal hadn't come her way, Celine thinks their wedding would have been held with great fanfare and joy.

"What are you asking the ring for, darling." Celine blinked in disbelief at her lover's question. While turning the ring she wore on her ring finger. "I always wear it. A sign of our love." She smiled even though it was bland. Her mind was in turmoil because of her parents' case that had not yet been resolved.

All access to payments was frozen, and she could not give her mother maximum care except for assistance from her extended family. This is directly proportional to the scorn and ridicule he received for his father's case. Especially from the father's side of the Langham line.

They think that the father is a troublemaker and a defamer.

"I asked for her back," Jacob said straightforwardly. His eyes looked at Celine without hesitation. Which made the girl frown. Confused.

"What does that mean?"

"I want you to return the engagement ring. You know, right, it's my family's ring. The one that will be worn on my proper wife."

The wrinkles on Celine's forehead grew. "I don't understand what you're saying."

Jacob sighed softly. "I know this sounds cruel but..." The man paused his words for a moment. Trying to strengthen his heart and mind even though most of it rebelled against his family's decision. "My mother doesn't approve of us anymore, Celine."

Celine's eyes blinked slowly. her heart was beating wildly. "Aunt Cristine doesn't approve of us? After all these three years? And... the engagement party a few months ago? It's meaningless?" Celine's voice began to sound shaky. Her hands were clenched tightly as she held back her emotions.

"Well... you know," Jacob rubbed his face in frustration. "My mom doesn't want us to get involved with people who have bad records."

Celine gasped in disbelief. Her hands were damp with sweat. Her eyes were also getting teary looking at her interlocutor. "Bad record?" Without realizing it, tears fell down her cheeks.

"I don't really want to say this, Celine. But you know... my mother can do anything to my life. I can't go against her. She has so much influence."

"But our engagement?" Celine still couldn't believe all the words that slipped from Jacob's lips.

"My mother had arranged for our engagement to be canceled. And as her proud son, I couldn't argue with her. I'm helpless, Celine."

"Don't you love me?" asked Celine with a hopeful look. At least, out of the many trials that came her way, she needed one special validation. Her love was indeed reciprocated from the start. She was not the only one who had this feeling for Jacob.

"I love you, but I can't do anything in this situation. I can't defend you at all. Even this is hard for me, Celine. But please... understand."

Celine's smile was very thin. "I'm being asked to understand?" She laughed. "Oh my, I've really been hit by a lot of powerful bombs."

Celine's eyes closed tightly. She quickly wiped away the remaining tears. After trying to compose herself, she laughed. The kind of laughter that escaped her lips was not joyful. It was full of sadness and pain. Her other hand immediately removed the diamond-studded ring that had been wrapped around her finger. It was immediately placed on the table.

"I'm really sorry for being-"

Celine's hand raised as a sign that she didn't want to listen to Jacob's next words. She was already disgusted with the man. it was unexpected that the person she always defended and loved, could do such a ridiculous and low thing. what did he say? can't oppose the mother? After their relationship had always been smooth without any problems? Celine was welcomed with open arms, who knows how many times they were involved in events together. Cristine Desmond often enjoyed a cup of coffee with Celine in between her shopping activities at one of the biggest malls in South Blue.

And now?

"Even though my family is not necessarily guilty," Celine said softly. "I thought you were different, Jacob." Her eyes lifted again to look at the man who was still sitting in front of her. what was once filled with love, this time it was filled with anger. Disappointment. And so much heartbreak. "I think, at least in this world I can still lean on the person I love. No. I'm not undermining you to take care of my family affairs. If that's what you're afraid of. Or dragging you into our problems." He chuckled wistfully.

"But apparently, I set my expectations too high for you." She stood up. "Thank you for the three years that were so wasted on me."

Without caring, her tears fell again. She also ignored Jacob's half-shouted call behind her. Just outside the restaurant where they met, her cell phone was already ringing loudly. A message from the hospital along with the bills she had to settle to support her mother's life.

"What should I do?" she asked in a trembling voice. As if the universe couldn't stop Celine from falling, the rain poured down in torrents. Until the girl had no chance to take shelter.

But she didn't care. Under the water that never subsided, she continued to walk. While thinking, what choice should she make. her mother needed money. He had nowhere to go back to until the search was over. Going back to his grandfather's house?

It was the same as giving her life to her grandfather.

The ringing of Celine's cell phone broke the silence, making memories of her past fade away. Glancing at it, Jody's name appeared on the screen. Remembering Jacob and his behavior, she suddenly felt disgusted and wanted to make many men submit under her feet. Just because she was in trouble, it wasn't abandonment that she got. Plus, Jacob married a woman of his mother's choice. Not long after Celine returned the ring.

Celine's heart went numb.

A thin grin appeared on her lips. She immediately swiped the green icon on the screen. "I'm sorry, Mr. Jody."

"Why are you calling me that?" asked the voice on the other end. "You have no idea how frustrated I was to find out you were gone. I wanted to see you, darling."

Celine smiled meaningfully. "Wouldn't Maya get rid of your anxiety, sir?"

Jody chuckled in annoyance. "Come on, honey. I'll fulfill whatever you want. My order went well, but all I remember is you. Don't ever mention Maya in front of me. You know that, right?"

Celine laughed. "She's your wife in case you forgot, sir."

"You want the latest Harmes bag? Limited edition? Or the latest cell phone? Ah... I think your neck would be pretty with a necklace with blue diamonds? I'll bring it when we meet. How's that?"

"No matter what you bring for me, I never turn it down, right?" Celine sat back down on the available chair. Her eyes looked up at the starless sky tonight. "I heard that your tender is related to Desmond?"

"Yes. Desmond plays an important role now."

Celine's smile grew on her lips. "I'll make time to meet you but I'd like you to invite me to a meeting with Desmond? Maybe in a month?"

"Whatever you want, darling."