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The end of the year had come, and work was exceptionally busy. I worked late into the night. and, on a whim, decided to head across town to grab some fried chicken from a tiny shop in the
east district.
The place was tucked away in a narrow alley, a small gem beloved by the nearby office
crowd for its unbeatable flavor. It stayed open late, catering to the night owls and overtime
warriors.
“Look who’s here! It’s been almost a year since I last saw you. Work keeping you busy?”
The shop owner greeted me warmly as I stepped Inside. Her words jolted my memory. Leonard and I used to come here all the time. But since leaving Denol Tech, I hadn’t returned.
Now, a whole year had passed.
I smiled faintly. “Yeah, the usual. One order of spicy fried chicken, please.”
Sitting there again, memories of the past crept back unbidden.
Back then, Leonard and I would often work late into the night, stopping here for a bite before
heading back to finish proposals.
“Cissy, why would you throw away such a promising future to struggle with me over this
broken company? What’s in it for you?”
It was our first time eating here, and Leonard had asked me the question, curiosity sparkling
in his eyes.
We were so young then. He was fighting to revive his father’s legacy, and I, smitten and determined, was willing to follow him into the fire..
Smiling at him, I replied, “I’m betting on the company’s future, of course. And I’m betting on being Employee Number One. Think about it. When the company goes public, I’ll be a founding
member.”
The dim lights of the shop had softened his features that night, and his bright, earnest eyes
had held me captivated.
“Besides….”
I was about to confess something more when the shop owner interrupted, placing the
chicken before us. Leonard had chewed thoughtfully, watching me. “Well? What else?” he
pressed, his gaze expectant.
I’d only laughed and said, “Eat up. We’ve got work to do after this.”
Sitting there again now, the weight of nostalgia pressed against my chest. Though I’d long
since let go of my feelings for Leonard, the memories still stirred something bittersweet.
Just then, someone sat down across from me.
At almost the same moment, the shop owner appeared with my order, smiling brightly.
“You two used to always come in together,” she said, addressing us both. “Then suddenly, neither of you showed up for over a year. I thought you’d broken up and felt bad about it!
But now I see you’re back together, and my faith in love is restored. You two better stay together for good, or I’ll never belleve in love again!” She laughed heartily.
12:00 Man 16 Dec
was about to confess something more when the shop owner interrupted, placing chicken before us Leonard had chewed thoughtfully, watching me Well? What else? he pressed, his gaze expectant
I’d only laughed and said. “Tot up We’ve got work to do after this.
sitting there again now, the weight of nostalgia pressed against my chest. Though I’d long since let go of my feelings for Leonard, the memories still stirred something bittersweet.
Just then, someone sat down across from me.
At almost the same moment, the shop owner appeared with my order, smiling brightly. “You two used to always come in together,” she said, addressing us both “Then suddenly, sither of you showed up for over a year, I thought you’d broken up and felt bad about itt
But now I see you’re back together, and my faith in love is restored. You two better stay together for good, or I’ll never believe in love again!” She laughed heartily
Leonard opened his mouth to respond but stayed silent, simply ordering his own fried
chicken.
I glanced at him but said nothing. To me, he was now just a familiar stranger, not someone
worth engaging with
After a long silence, Leonard finally spoke, his voice low and filled with regret. “Cissy, ami useless? It took you ten years to build Denol Tech, and I destroyed it in less than one.”
By now, I had moved past the anger and bitterness. All the resentment had faded alongside my love for him, leaving me calm.
I shook my head and replied softly, “it’s not about you being useless. I protected you too much and tried to do everything for you. That left you with no room to grow on your
own.
Before I could continue, tears spilled from his eyes. He choked out, I’m sorry. I betrayed your
love and hurt you so deeply.”
I set down my chicken and looked at the man across from me, his eyes red and glistening. “Do you know? When you and Rachel forced me out of the company, I was furious. I hated
you both.
I couldn’t stop thinking about all I’d done for you, for Denol Tech, only to be discarded like trash i hated your coldness, and I hated myself for being blind and foolish.
But then i realized something All the sacrifices I made were because I loved you. They were my choice, my decision.
And your actions were your choice, too. In the end, it all came down to one simple truth, you didn’t love me. So, Leonard, you don’t owe me an apology
For a moment, he said nothing only staring at the table. Then, softly, he asked, “Do you think I made Rachel Vice President because she was my first love? That it was because we rekindled something?”
12:09 Mon, 16 Dec M.
something?
