Second Chances

Chapter 3

Anntonia was pacing back and forth in her bedroom. She had just finished looking through the email Priya had sent her—the contract with Miss Universe, one that Michelle has already agreed to, apparently.

She's conflicted. She felt like she's being played by fate like a puppet on a string.

On one hand, she could use this opportunity to further expand her fashion empire... but on the other hand, there's her.

Am I ready to face her again?

She had built such a big wall around her heart all these years, and within a month, she could already hear it creaking and crumbling. With just one mention of her name, she's weak.

Anntonia dialed her best friend Chatnalin's number.

"Well, well... you finally had the guts to call me, huh?" Lin answered after a second ring.

"I was busy."

"Busy or just scared that I'll be your voice of reason and start speaking words you don't want to hear?"

"Ugh, I shouldn't have called you." Anntonia rolled her eyes.

Lin laughed. "You know I'm telling the truth, phi."

Anntonia sighed and stared out the window, "What do I do, nong?"

"Well, what does your heart say?"

"My brain says no."

"But...?"

Anntonia closed her eyes, picturing that smug face who still often starred in her dreams.

"My heart still chooses her," she admitted, "I must be really stupid to even be considering this. I mean, she ghosted me! She didn't even leave me an explanation... it's like I was nonexistent."

Her voice turned into low whispers, "She meant everything to me, but to her, I meant nothing."

She wiped a traitorous tear that slid down her cheeks.

"Oh, phi... you're not stupid. Look, I can't tell you what to decide. But maybe this is a chance to finally ask her those questions you have unanswered in the last 3 years. Maybe this is the closure you need."

Anntonia sniffed, wiping more tears away. "I don't know if I'm ready."

"Woman up, phi! You're Anntonia Porsild! You're successful and you're more gorgeous than ever. So show her what she's missed these last 3 years."

Anntonia wetly chuckled at Lin being the absolute hype-woman. "I'm not sure if it's that easy, nong."

Lin chuckled as well. "Nonsense. She might be MMD, model/actress play girl extraordinaire, but word on the street is she's still hung up on you. You should probably watch a reel she just posted on IG."

"What 'street' are you getting your word from, huh? And what reel?"

"I have my sources. And I'd rather not spoil the video, but hold on to your heart or you'll fall again. Thousands of fans did!"

Anntonia rolled her eyes again. Honestly, if her eyes and eyelashes could speak, they'd complain of being tired.

"Okay, I'll look."

"Awesome! Maybe it'll help you decide."

"Or make me back out completely."

"Just watch it!"

"Okay, okay!"

They said their goodbyes, and Anntonia sat down on her bed—she had a feeling she needed to sit for this.