Chasing the Bad Boy

A Life Without Him

It felt like months had passed since Liam and I broke up but in reality, only days had passed. The truth is, I was suffering more than I ever did. I tried to get Liam off my mind but I couldn’t. I was trying to put on a brave front when I was breaking inside.  I kept replaying the conversation in my head. I could still remember how he reacted. He was clearly hurt when I told him to leave me. And I wish I could take the pain away. But I couldn’t. I had to choose between him and Dad. If I continued seeing Liam, we’d only end up hurting each other more. In the end, I had to break things off with him because I need to marry Xavier. I know how hard my Dad worked for the company. I couldn’t just watch while the company crumbles when I could do something to save it. I love Liam with every fiber of my being but just for once, I need to stop from being selfish. I had to think what would be better for Dad. I stared at Dad across me. He was still unconscious and I tried to stop my tears from falling. I needed to be strong for everyone around me—for Grandma, for Sue and the workers of the company; they can’t lose their jobs. I advised Sue not to go to the hospital anymore. I knew that her pregnancy’s in a critical condition. Stress would do her no good. Sue refused but reluctantly agreed later on. She knew that she couldn’t afford to be upset for her and the baby’s sake.

The sound of knocking disturbed my train of thought.

“Come in.” I spoke.

The door opened, revealing Mia.

“Sorry, did I disturb you?”

“No, it’s ok. I wasn’t really doing anything.”

“May I talk to you?” she asked and I nodded.

When she sat beside me, I already knew what we were going to talk about.

“So, how’s your Dad?” she asked.

“Still unconscious…it hurts me to see him this way. Dad has always been strong for the both of us and now…he’s…he looks so weak, Mia. I hate it. But I have to be strong for the both of us this time.” I exhaled deeply.

I didn’t tell anyone about the company problem because dad’s secretary’s betrayal.

“It’s ok not to be ok, Liz…sometimes that’s better than trying to be ok when you’re not. You don’t have to force yourself to be ok. We’ll understand if you’re not and you have a perfectly good reason not to be ok.” She patted my back sympathetically.

“I feel like I took a lot of things for granted…the money and everything. Now, I’m getting my karma.” I sulked.

“Don’t say that, Liz. You’re a good person.” I arched an eyebrow.

She chuckled. “Ok, you may be a brat sometimes and a real pain in the ass to others but you’ve got a big heart, Liz. I know that and everyone close to you knows that. You may act real bitchy but you got a soft side.”

I sniffed. “Thanks. I appreciate that a lot.” I smiled, wiping the tear threatening to fall from my left eye.

“So…want to talk about you and my brother?” she asked, not looking me in the eyes.

I coughed awkwardly. What was I supposed to tell her? I broke her brother’s heart?

“Uh, we broke up.” I said.

“Mutual decision?”

“I…I broke up with him.”

She stared at me knowingly and just nodded. There’s no judgment in her eyes, just pure understanding.

“I won’t ask if you don’t want to talk about it. But I hope you know that I won’t judge you for your decisions. You’re like a sister to me even before Alex came up in your life. Nothing would change even if you stopped dating Alex. And I guarantee that Mom and Sean would still love you even if you don’t end up with my brother. We’re your family, Liz, no matter what happens between you and Alex; we’ll stand by your side at all times. ” she smiled kindly at me.