He Confessed to Me in Front of My ExChapter 1
For five long years, I had been by Zevian Maxwell's side, too willing to be with him through thick and thin.
One evening, one of his friends mocked, "Where’s your clingy girlfriend of yours? Why isn’t she here today?"
Upon hearing that, Zevian's brows raised, his face twisted with disgust. He uttered, "Come on, bring her up. She's annoying. I hate clingy people."
Laughter filled the bar as his friends egged him on, their teasing turning more vulgar with each passing comment.
Unbeknownst to them, I was here. None noticed me sitting at the table beside them, hearing every cruel word.
They also didn’t notice the cute guy sitting beside me, his arm draped casually over my shoulders. He smiled as he leaned in and asked, "Vespera, aren't you joyous I am with you?”
***
Zevian Maxwell, the heartthrob of Adamson University and I had grown up together. He once told me he liked me and promised to marry me after graduation. Believing his words, I stayed by his side, solving all his problems, caring for him and becoming his obedient little follower.
I had believed we were indeed in love, but one of his close friends laughed and said, "Vespera, do you really think Zevian cares about you? He just sees you as nothing more than a nanny."
He gave me a smug, provocative look and added, "We're having a get-together tonight. Do you dare to come and see for yourself?”
That night, I sat in a booth across from Zevian, hoping to prove he truly loved me. But the truth hit hard.
I couldn’t see his face clearly in the dim light, but I saw a girl in skimpy clothes sitting close to him, holding his hand. Zevian didn’t pull away; instead, he clinked his glass with hers like it was nothing.
Fragments of their conversation reached me now and then. One of Zevian's friends teased, “Zevian, where’s your little shadow tonight?”
Zevian’s low and rough voice answered, “She’s a total drag.”
Those words hit me hard and my heart sank.
I suddenly recalled asking him earlier if I could tag along. He chuckled and said, “I’m just meeting up with some friends for drinks. You’re too beautiful; if you come, they’ll start teasing and I don’t like the way they’d stare at you.”
At the time, his words made me feel special as if he was being protective. But now I saw it clearly; he only thought I’d get in the way and ruin his fun.