"Gisselle, I have something to do today. Please don't be mad. In a few days, I'll take you to that new restaurant in the east town to try some food. I heard they need to make reservations in advance, and I've already made one. Also…"
No matter how hard he tried to hide it, I could still hear it.
I could sense his labored breathing and the soft sobbing of a girl.
The excuses and games that adults played were mutually understood but unspoken. I'd seen it too many times. Sometimes overthinking it became a burden. Instead of dwelling on it, I thought it was easier to pretend not to know.
So, I responded as usual, "Alright, I need to talk to you about something when you come back tomorrow."
Before Jayvon could reply, I hung up immediately.
Chandler overheard and pieced it together. He silently tidied up the first-aid kit, putting it back in the drawer as if it were second nature, cleaning up the trash, and sitting down next to me quietly.
I held onto the couch to stand up and slowly walked to the bedroom. Then I found a large woven bag and threw all of Jayvon's belongings into it.
Chandler understood what I meant. As I tossed out the last of Jayvon's items, his voice held a hint of surprise. "Are you breaking up with him?"
"What else? Should I keep him around like spoiled leftovers?"
It seemed like he got the answer he was hoping for. Even though I snapped at him, Chandler didn't seem to mind. He took the large bag from me and tossed it outside.
Perhaps the breakup gave Chandler a strange sense of encouragement, or maybe he still believed that he was somehow special to me.
After I finished organizing everything, he took advantage of a moment when I wasn't paying attention and suddenly hugged me from behind.
His warmth spread through my body in an instant. I was frozen for a second. Then I snapped out of it and asked coldly, "Chandler, what do you think you're doing?"
"Let's get back together, please?"
He buried his soft hair into the nape of my neck like a puppy.
"I never go back on my decisions. When we broke up, I thought I made myself clear."
"I just need one chance. Please give me a chance to pursue you, okay?"
When his soft approach failed, Chandler changed tactics, his arms tightening around me.
As long as I didn't agree, he wouldn't let go.
Just then, someone called him.
Coincidentally, his phone was right in front of me.
Just like earlier when he saw Jayvon's call, I saw his.