Crystal Heart

Crystal Heart part 3

A month passed after we celebrated mom's birthday. Everything went back to normal. I didn't see Regi-what's-her-name's face after that night. Naturally, I felt happy.

"Hey, Saph. Tell mom I'll be out for a bit. I'll be back before dinner." Leo says quickly before dashing out the door. I couldn't even mutter a reply.

What's gotten into him? Why was he in a hurry? He's been like this for a few weeks now.

"Saph?" Mom asks drowsily as she descended the stairs.

"Yes, mom?"

"Did Leo leave already?" She yawns loudly.

"Yeah. Do you know where he went?" I ask curiously. Leo doesn't usually wake up early. In fact, he never wakes up before 10 in the morning.

"Mhmm... Regina... He said he was going on a date?" Mom says while yawning again.

My heart squeezed painfully at what I heard. He went to her?

-

Day after day, that was his routine. He would go out early in the morning and when he returned, he wears this goofy smile that shows his happiness.

And as days pass, my heart began to hurt more and more. I didn't like that someone else made him that happy. I didn't want to acknowledge that there was someone out there who was not me that could make him smile like that.

Slowly, I began to shut myself in my room. I didn't want to leave the comfort of my room because I couldn't bear seeing him happy because of someone else and because they would know I've been crying due to my swollen eyes.

He's been doing this forover two months since I first found out that he's been secretly going on dates with her.

I don't know what to do anymore. My heart began to beat painfully again and I tried to stop the tears from coming out.

Knock. Knock. "Saph?"

I quickly turned my body to face the door, startled at the sudden noise. I was still laying on the bed. A large soft pink comforter wrapped around me until only my head was sticking out.

"Y-yes?" I say softly. I glanced at the clock, hang in above the door frame. 14:31.

I was shocked that he was at home, considering that he would always be out of the house to meet up with that woman.

I looked at the sandwich that was placed on top of the bedside drawer and my stomach churned. I lost my appetite.

"Umm, you see... Gina and I are dating..." He says slowly from outside my room. The door was still closed so I could not see what he looked like when he said that. But I didn't have to see to know that he had a very bright smile, that his face were sparkling with happiness, that his cheeks were blushing as he officially confirmed their relationship.

My mind blanked. "W-what?" I was on the verge of tears again.

He quietly opened the door. Look, wasn't I right? His smile, his eyes, his cheeks. Every part of him was glowing with happiness. "I asked her out yesterday and I, uhh, want to formally introduce her to mom and you soooo she'll be coming over for dinner later." He says.

My heart broke once more. My tears ran down my cheeks. I couldn't stop them.

Leo's eyes widened. "Saph? Are you okay? Why are you crying?" He was panicking. He looked around, not knowing what to do. He took a clean handkerchief from his pocket and passed it to me.

I accepted it while forcing myself to laugh. It was bitter. "No.. Hahaha. I ummm... I'm just happy for you." I spat the words out, trying to keep my bitterness at bay. My stomach churned with bile and I felt like puking the bites of sandwich that I had eaten earlier.

He suddenly lit up at my lie. "Really?"

"Yeah." Again, I forced myself. I smiled even though my heart was slowly breaking into tinier pieces. If I could make you happy with a lie, then even if it's a million lies, I wouldn't hesitate to tell them to you.

"Okay," He said excitedly. "So I need to go. Gina wants me to go with her to buy a dress for tonight. She said she wanted to be presentable. She's so adorable, isn't she?"

"... Yeah..."

He pats me on the head before running off to where his happiness is.

So, I guess it's time for me to give up.

Even though I know that I have to give up.

Why can't I?

It hurts so much and yet I can't.

I love him so so much.

From the moment, he extended his hands to me.

I knew, in this life, there will be no one else for me.

I buried my head back to my pillow while sobbing my heart out. I still have to see them later.

I don't want to see them.

I can't bear it.

I moved my body and sat at the edge of the bed. I hung my head low, contemplating. With my mind made, I called Nan, telling her that she would be cooking tonight and that I won't be home. I told her to tell mom and Leo that I won't be home for a while as I had something to do.

I stood up and got changed. I didn't give a shit about make-up. I'll ruin it anyway. I just grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. I wore my old sneakers and tied my hear in ponytail. I grabbed my duffel bag, the one I used when I was running away from the bad men 10 years ago. I stuffed a couple of shirts and jeans.

I opened the secret compartment on the bottom of my closet and grabbed all the money that I've saved and shoved it into the bag.

I took a paper from my desk and wrote a letter.

Mom

Leo

I'll be gone for a while.

-S

I breathe deeply before going out of the house.

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Leo's POV

"Saph..." I yell from the living room. Moments pass yet there was no answer.

"Sapphire?" I call again. Still no answer.

"Is she not here, Leo?" Gina asks curiously.

I frown. "I don't know."

Nan suddenly appeared which startled me a little. "Leo, sapphire said she won't be home. She told me this afternoon to tell you. It must've slipped my mind."

I glance at my watch. 18:28.

I did tell her that Gina was having dinner with us. Why did she suddenly say that?

I shrugged off my worry. She's probably with her friends or something.

Tonight, I'll properly introduce Gina to mom.

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"You've lost her?" A shout rang out.

"Yes."

"What the hell were you doing? I told you to secure the target." The person snarled viciously and the person's face contorted in rage.

"I-I'm sorry. W-we...."

"Shut up!"