Unfading Connection (complete)

Broken

I open my drawer and picked a box. It's my gift for him. I showed it to him and I saw happiness in his eyes.

"Wow, Eli thank you. I thought you forgot."

"So now you know where I spent my weekend. I have hard time getting you the perfect gift." I teased him. "So what time will be our dinner?"

"Well, if it's okay with you.........and not too much to ask.....for my birthday," he is giving me again his boyish smile, "after work, we can have a walk at your favorite park then we can have a dinner in the Italian restaurant nearby. I heard they have good food there."

"Oh, sure. So please buy me ice cream and corn dog then."

He laughed heartily at my appetite. "No problem. My treat."

"And by the way," my brows knot as he handed me some magazines, "check some of the new potential business prospects of the big boss. I heard from Bob that she is eyeing for those big time businessmen. Better we step ahead again and plan for our designs. You know her when she wants to grab all of them."

I laughed at his predicted actions of the owner of our company. Well, that's how it works with business.

"I think she invited almost all of them on our annual company event two weeks from now. Well, congratulations. I know she will brag the mansion you designed for her. You are big time now you know."

"Stop it, John," I playfully slap his arm before I start flipping the business magazine he handed me. "It's our work as a team. Always remember that. It is not a one man show."

My heart suddenly stops when I saw a familiar picture on one of the cover of the magazine. It's just a small picture inset at the right side of the cover but I am sure that it is Anton with a beautiful girl beside him.

Wedding bells soon?
The words are clearly written with the picture.

I felt that the blood on my face drained.

"Hey, are you ok?" John asked as he noticed that I suddenly became silent and my face is pale. I immediately cover the magazine with another one.

"Yeah, I am," I quickly recovered to hide my shock.

"I am just overwhelmed with our next potential clients. I heard that most of them are tough, not easy to please." I try to lie.

"Yeah I heard that also." His brows knot, puzzled with my reaction. Good thing he bought my reason.

"See you later then, Eli."

"See you."

After John left, I slowly open the page of the magazine where I saw Anton. For long years I intentionally did not bother to know anything about him. For long years staying in this city, I am very happy that I did not meet him. It helped me a lot to move on after that unforgettable night.

I read the article. He is now engaged to Ms. Daphne Bradford. This magazine is dated six months ago. Maybe they already got married or planned their wedding in the next few months. She is the daughter of a well-known political family with good educational background and has a successful career in advertising. By the look of it, she and Anton really match.

I felt my heart constricted with pain as if I am stabbed by a sharp knife many times. I clasp my hand on the pendant of the necklace he gave me. This is the only reminder that I kept for so long. Maybe I did not yet move on for I can't let go of this necklace. Maybe I just let my heart hibernate for three years. Maybe my feelings for him is the reason why up to now I can't open up to anybody.

I sigh and look again at the picture in front of me. He is still the same. He is still handsome. I look in his eyes, the eyes that captivated me before. Well, he looks so happy now with this lady. Maybe he already changed and decided to settle down. Maybe in those two years he matured already.