Chapter 6
It was from Austin Colson.
Austin: Add me. I ne ed to talk to you.
Austin: Catherine, you still have things at my place. Why did you block me?
Austin: Accept the request. I forgot the password to my game account. Do you remember it?
Austin: Catherine, I’ve already apologized. Do you really have to be this petty? Aren’t we friends?
I finished loading the last piece of luggage into the car with my mom before replying:
Me: Friends don’t sleep together. You and Emily are a perfect match–crazy and crazier. Lock it in!
His reply came quickly.
Austin: Admit it, Catherine. You’re upset because you still care about me. That chicken place on the corner just opened. Want me to buy some for you and bring it over?
His arrogant and self–assured tone made me laugh out of frustration.
Me: Sure, bring it to my house tomorrow.
The next day, on the plane.
Friend requests from Austin flooded in like snowflakes.
Austin: Catherine, is your house empty? Did you move? Why is someone else claiming the house
his?
Austin: Where are you going? Why didn’t you tell me? I already said I was just trying to appease Emily. We’re still friends!
Austin: If you keep this up, I’m really going to be mad.
Me: You’re right. I haven’t been with enough men. It’s time to try something new.
Jurned off my phone and blocked him.
A Love Left Behind: Embracing a Better Future
The plane suddenly lifted off, and the view outside the window receded rapidly, taking with it all my memories and attachments.
It carried us upward, toward a higher sky.
The city where my uncle lived was blessed with a year–round spring–like climate, tropical plants rarely seen in the north, and air that was both salty and humid.
My parents fell in love with it almost the moment they landed.
My uncle came to pick us up at the airport, and the moment he saw me, he rushed over to hug me.
“My little Catherine has grown so beautifull I heard from your mom that you don’t have a boyfriend
t? That’s perfect–my company is full of men. Even the janitor is an old man!”
“Leave Catherine’s love life to me, her uncle!”
That evening, after dinner, my uncle arranged for us to stay in one of his villas.
Before leaving, my uncle, slightly tipsy, pulled out his phone and sent me a photo of their company team–building event.
“Catherine, take your time picking. These are all bright young men–top talents I’ve poached from prestigious schools and companies. If you fancy any of them, just let me know, and I’ll set you up!”
I couldn’t help but smile, a little helpless. I could guess my mom must have told him everything.
Later that night, after my parents had gone to bed, I turned on my phone.
As expected, a flood of missed calls, texts, and friend requests poured in.
Austin: Catherine, what did you mean by that? What do you mean by ‘trying something new? Wha are you planning to do?
Austin: Why aren’t you answering my calls? Catherine, we need to talk. Even if you’re upset, you can’t act recklessly. As your friend, I have the right to keep you in check!
Below this message was a flood of pointless nonsense. I ignored all of it and deleted everything
without reading further.
The next moment, an unfamiliar number called. Without thinking. I picked up.
Austin’s voice, filled with anger, burst through the receiver.
A Love Left Behind Embracing a Better Future
“Catherine, what are you trying to do? What men? Are you looking for a man? Do you think they’ll treat you as well as I did? Come back right now! I’m waiting for you at home!”
I was stunned by his audacity and confidence.
“I’m not going back, and I never will.”
He froze, silent for a long moment.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
12
“Why should I? It’s my own business.”
the retorted quickly, “You always discussed everything with me. Didn’t you even ask for my opinion before deciding to stay in the city for work back then?”
I shook my head, numb. So, he did know how much I had sacrificed for him.
Not just my job–everything.
I prioritized him in every aspect of my life. I bought his favorite fruits, chose couple outfits based on his preferences, decorated the house according to his opinions, and even let him decide on the style
of the curtains.
He had taken up so much space and time in my life that my decision to leave now felt, to him, like at mistake on my part.
I laughed coldly. “Is that so? Then you’d better start getting used to it, because even childhood
sweethearts need to have their own lives.”
Just as I was about to hang up, my mom walked over, holding her phone on speaker.
“Catherine, your uncle wants to talk to you.”
A Love Left Beh
