No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Following Haley, I found myself standing at the entrance of my own apartment building. She breezed through the lobby, hit the elevator button, and vanished behind its sliding doors.

I couldn't help but stare as the elevator's progress halted directly above my floor. Talk about a soap opera twist.

She was living right above me. Was it a bizarre coincidence, or was there something more to it? I couldn't tell for sure, but it definitely felt like a low blow.

Fortunately, the guy living across from me is practically a ghost, barely seen throughout the year. So, here's to hoping I never have to run into Haley. From the way she was walking, it was clear she was heavily pregnant. Considering she was struggling financially not long ago, her sudden move to this neighborhood didn't need Sherlock Holmes to figure out who was footing the bill.

Conrad, playing both the saint and the sinner. Leaving him and his web of lies was probably the smartest move I ever made.

Ernest never asked why I chose this place. His silence spoke volumes; he knew all there was to know.

Jefferson called the day after his big game, suggesting a celebration. Missing his game was one thing, but skipping the party wasn't an option. Except, attending meant facing Conrad and his entourage. "Jefferson, let's celebrate another day, just you and me."

"I've only got a day before I head overseas for more training," Jefferson's tone was light, but I could hear the underlying message: it's now or never. Caught in my thoughts, his next words caught me off guard, "Afraid it'll be awkward with everyone?"

"Yeah," I admitted, more freely than I expected.

"You haven't fully let go of Rad, have you?" Jefferson teased.

I wanted to argue, but he continued, "If you had, he'd just be another friend to you."

Jefferson's perception made me pause; if he felt this way, Conrad and his buddies probably did too. Maybe it was time to make it crystal clear to everyone, especially Conrad, that it was over between us. No more deep, emotional cosplays from him in my presence.

Plus, I needed to talk to Jefferson about something important, face-to-face. So, I had no real choice. "Alright, I'm in."

As expected, Jefferson's victory bash was in full swing with all his brothers present. Their warm greetings made me smile. "Felicia, long time no see!"

"Looking more beautiful than ever, Conrad's darling," the youngest, Thomas, still stuck to the old nickname.

Sitting next to him, I clinked my drink against his glass. "Thomas, just Felicia will do."

Thomas glanced at Conrad, hesitant. "Doesn't feel right... Plus, it's hard to break old habits."

Despite his good intentions, sometimes it's better to let sleeping dogs lie.

།

"Conrad's new girlfriend might not appreciate it. Let's just drop it, okay?

If you think we need a ceremon

to

mark the change, I'll throw a party," I said, hoping to close the topic.

Jefferson chimed in, "Thomas, come on, man. Stop joking."

That comment got a laugh out of everyone, effectively turning the page on the subject.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

The party went on, everyone

enjoying themselves except for

l

Conrad, who remained his usual reserved and brooding self. It

reminded me of the days when his silence was mistaken for depth, now it just seemed more pronounced.