Prologue

I Can't Remember When It Was Good.

"I'm sorry Monica. I just think "us" won't work." This was the last thing Chandler said to Monica before she left for Boston. Actually, in his heart and mind, he knows it'll work. Monica is his future, his family, his life. But all of those dreams went to the drain when Monica told Chandler that there was a job offering in Boston, as head chef in a 5-star hotel.

It took Chandler a year or so to heal himself from the pain he has gone through. Though not completely healed, he wants to believe that he is. How can he forget the best thing that he ever had? He was willing to give up everything he had just to spend the rest of his life with his lady.

Winter of 2000.

"Hello, Ms. Geller, I just want to tell that your application for the position of head chef in Hilton Hotel has been approved, but there is a slight dilemma. The only open position is in our branch in Boston. It is the only position we can offer you. If you are interested though, please give us a call-back." Then the answering machine beeped indicating the end of the message.

While the message was playing, Chandler heard everything. What? What's up with Hilton Hotel? Why are they calling up Monica and telling her that her application was approved? Monica never mentioned anything about that? It would be way too important for her not to tell me this. Chandler was reflecting what the woman on the other line was saying when suddenly Monica arrived from work.

"Hey honey." Monica looked and observed what Chandler was doing. She knew Chandler so well. She knows when something is bothering him, and right now, something is bothering him. "Hon, what's wrong?"

Chandler jolted; he didn't realize that Monica was already in front of him. "No…nothing… its just… Mon, you're happy with your job, right?" Chandler asked.

"What? Of course I am. Why would you think I wouldn't be happy in Alessandro's?" Monica was confused with Chandler's question. It was so out of the blue and they seldom talk about their jobs.

"Really? What if… what if a five star hotel would hire you? Would you accept that job?" Chandler knew his question could make or break his day.

"Of course I would! I mean I know I'll never get in that kind of place. I'm a good chef but those who works there are way too good. Way out of my league. But if ever I get in to one of those sophisticated, five-star hotels, I would do anything, and I mean everything to stay in that job and live my life bragging to people I'm a chef in a five-star restaurant."

Chandler was silent. He did not know how to tell her girlfriend that her dream job had just left a message asking her to leave New York and start anew in Boston.

"Mon, I... I think you have a message. Why don't you answer it?"

Monica pressed the play button and the girl's voice was again on the background. It could be seen through Monica's face the excitement and pride she felt when she heard it. It was the best day of her life, but then her eyes widened when she realized the one person who wouldn't be that happy upon hearing the message.

"Oh my god." These were the only words that escaped Monica's lips.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm sorry honey, but I never thought that I would get the job." Monica tried to explain.

Chandler was silent for a while, but then got the courage to ask his girlfriend. "So, are you gonna take it? Okay, let me rephrase that. When are you leaving?" Chandler asked Monica sarcastically, hoping it could mask his what he truly feels. Deep inside, he was hopelessly wishing that Monica would decide not to go.

Monica noticed the sarcastic remark Chandler made and knows that no matter how hard she tries to sugarcoat her answer, he would end up getting upset."Honey, Y... You can go with me to Boston with me?" That was the best she could do.

"I can't. I have my job here, my friends, our friends, if you could still remember them. I can't just leave everything behind. Why don't you wait a little longer, maybe in a month or two? Maybe there'd be an opening here in New York."

"Chandler, I can't let this opportunity pass. What if there won't be an opening? What if this is the kind of opportunity that comes once in a lifetime? I can't risk that. Its just too hard, and dumb." Monica tried to explain.

"Then there is nothing to talk about. It looks like you've already made up your mind. Well then, I guess its good-bye then. Happy trip too…" Chandler left the apartment slamming the door and left Monica all by herself inside.

Monica collapsed on the floor, sobbing hard because she knew this was the end. If only she could explain to Chandler the real reason why she needed to accept the job in Boston. If only she could…

End of Flashback.

"Why didn't I just go with her to Boston? We could have had that 'happy ever after' thing. If only I realized that the so called thing-I-can't-leave-behind is nothing compared to her. And now, the only thing I can do is to sit here and think of her." Chandler was again beating himself for the wrong decision he made. He had never regretted anything more in his life than his decision to stay in New York.

Even if Monica would once in a while come to visit her friends in New York, it was just too painful to see his ex-love-of-his-life to have moved on too quickly. It was as if they shared nothing special; as if they were just goofing around. It was hard for him to believe that he meant nothing to her while he made her the center of his universe.

He knew something was not right. She easily moved on but whenever they locked eyes, the love which they once shared could be easily felt. But Chandler knew she loved him no more, for every time this happens, Monica quickly looks to another direction, trying to avoid his eye contact.

It was really hard to believe that everything they've worked hard for their relationship meant nothing because now, they were just awkward with each other. The once 'perfect love' that everyone thought they had instantly vanished and none of them even knew why.

Chandler's thoughts were suddenly disrupted when Joey entered their apartment and told him the good news. Well, it was not actually that good for him.

"Hey man, have you heard? Monica is coming back! She quit her job there in Boston."

TBC.