While I was feeling anxious and disoriented, I noticed that Axel's gang of friends had quickly commented under Axel's post on his social media.
"Who's that girl?"
"Good job, bro. Got some good news, huh? Send us a picture of your girlfriend."
"Not bad, not bad. Congratulations on getting a girlfriend. Finally, there's a woman who can capture my bro's heart."
Right then, Derek also commented: "Pretty thoughtful, huh? When are you going to introduce her to everyone?"
Me: "…"
Go see your sister.
Yes, after breaking up, I didn't rush to block everything related to Derek. After all, given Derek's personality, breaking up with me was just a trivial matter. There was no need for me to take myself too seriously.
Axel didn't respond to the others' comments but replied to Derek first: "Not necessary."
It must be said that Axel's reply pleased me.
But that strange feeling left me anxious and disoriented. I locked my phone screen and tossed it aside.
When will this end?
……
The next day, as soon as I arrived at the company, I received a call from Derek.
Seeing the familiar yet distant number, I felt nothing but confusion. I hung up the call decisively. Soon, Derek's call came through again.
He kept calling, and I still didn't pick up.
After a standoff, I decided to end this endless entanglement and answered the call.
"Riya, how long are you going to play games?"
As soon as I answered, Derek started his questioning.
Playing?
I had heard enough of that word. I said, "For a lifetime."
Derek was silent for a moment before speaking softly for the first time, explaining, "Beatrice is just my younger sister, whom I grew up with. You always knew that, Riya. You used to be very understanding."
Understanding?
How poor must my judgment have been to follow Derek so "understandingly" for ten years?
I laughed bitterly. "Derek, turns out you're quite good at flattering yourself!"
Ha, too little, too late.
"We've broken up. Don't make me block you. Ex should be like the dead."
After saying that, I hung up before he could say anything else.
Given Derek's personality, after such a setback, he would likely be furious.
But it wasn't my concern. His childhood sweetheart would comfort him.
……
Back at my workstation, just as I was about to sort out my computer documents, Vivian called me again.
Vivian would only call me if it was something urgent.
As soon as I answered the phone, Vivian gossiped, "Did you see? My crush, Axel, seems to have a girlfriend. Yesterday, in the rain, he sent his girlfriend home. I'm so envious. Ah, how considerate."
Me: "…"
Is Axel Vivian's crush?
Seems like there was something to that.
After finding out about Derek and me, Vivian had always disliked Derek's gang of friends, except for Axel, whom she praised highly. I heard that Axel had been a prominent figure at school.
Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that his good looks played a part.
After Vivian lavished praise on Axel, I timidly said, "Vivian, the person Axel is pursuing is me."
"What?"
Vivian's scream over the phone was ear-piercing, and I felt a tingling sensation in my scalp.
"Riya, can we still be friends?"
After Vivian ranted at me, I finally managed to hang up the phone by claiming I was busy with work, cutting off Vivian's desire to gossip. Feeling helpless but relieved, I was about to get to work when, turning around, I saw Axel looking at me with a coffee cup in hand and a smile on his face.
"…"
Oh no, I wonder how much Axel overheard.
Axel curled his lips into a slightly mischievous smile.
"I didn't expect the your friends to be so supportive of me."
What?
Pausing, Axel continued, "I'll keep working hard."
"…"
