Three

"So, he just broke up with you without giving you a reason?" Leigh asks.

"Mhm." I nod, pursing my lips.

"I'm going to maim the shit outta him."

"Please don't."

"Uh uh! I ain't letting that man-child get away with breaking your heart for no reason, E."

"It won't change what happened. I'm already over it. Well, not one hundred per cent, but I'm getting there."

She slowly calms down and sighs. "How were you coping?" she asks, sipping her cocktail.

"It wasn't easy, to say the least," I start. "At first I was just looking for reasons and faults within myself that could have pushed him to end it with me and I ended up believing that I wasn't good enough.

"But I what opened my eyes was the love and support I got from my parent during that time. Having the assurance that I have people who aren't intimate partners who love me was enough to ease the pain and make moving on easy. I'm still hurt over it, there's no denying that. Unrequited love hurts like a bitch and the greatest pain that comes with it is loving someone who only gives you a small portion of their love or just loves you sometimes." I finish, feeling tears building in my eyes.

Neither of us say a word after that. Leigh reaches for my hand and gently squeezes it. I look up and meet her gaze.

"I won't lie to you; I don't like what he did to you, Elaine. Not even a little." She tells me with a hard look in her eyes.

"True...but I don't blame him for not reciprocating the love I gave him. I don't blame him for doing what he thought was right even though it hurt me in the process. I don't hate him, and I won't," I say, wiping away my tears. "I'm just sad that he couldn't find what he was looking for in me. But I don't regret the two years we had together because I know deep that I at least made him happy even though he probably wanted more than what I could give. I just hope for the best for him and I will do my best to move on. I can't stay in the same place forever, am I right."

"True that. We need that kind of energy. Moping around is for weak-willed female protagonists." She says as we share a laugh.

"Besides, I can't make a man love me when he doesn't, and I should respect that. But I'm sure there's a guy out there who will feel the same way I feel for him." I say with a smile.

"And you will find that guy, E. I guarantee it." She says, giving me an encouraging smile which I reciprocated. "I will stay true to my word about maiming Jaehyun the next time I see him."

"Leigh!"

"Sweetheart, as your best friend, it is my sole duty to drag any Karen, Chad and, Becky Brad who dares mess with you. It's in our contract."

"I never signed a contract."

"You did when you became friends with me." She winks.

I laugh as I roll my eyes.

"To happiness in the near future?" Leigh raises her glass.

"To happiness in the near future." I raised my glass.

We cling our glasses together.