Before I left Washington, I had deleted all of Damon's emails from my mail inbox. It was time to let go, wasn't it? I did not even tell him that I was coming home. I wanted him out of my life. No more emails. No more phone calls. No more get-together. No more fantasy. No more dream. This was the reality.

When I received his text messages in my handphone suddenly, I was startled. It was really difficult to press the erase button but I did it eventually, without reading the messages. It was amazing that I could be so cold and heartless.

Then he tried calling my handphone but I had chosen to ignore his call. It was always a struggle but I knew I could handle this well. I had be in control this time.

It was Boxing Day when Damon called me at but I was out with Caroline so I was not aware that he had called until I returned home. My mum was curious as I had never mentioned about him in the past.

"Who is Damon?" my mum asked.

"He is a nuisance. Just say I'm not around if he called the next time," I answered calmly.

She looked stunned at my statement. I was pretty surprised that I could be so calm as well. Maybe I had learnt my lesson well. Fortunately she did not ask further questions.

There was a lovely park near my neighbourhood where I used to play when I was a child. I still spent time there before I left for Washington. The serenity of the park always made me feel peaceful. But not on Boxing Day.

Something happened in the park that really diminished my spirit completely...

I was sitting on the bench quietly, enjoying the peace and listening to the wind. Somewhere I heard a familiar voice that jolted my sense and my body stiffened. When I turned frantically around, I could not believe who was standing in front of me!

I could no believe my eyes.

It was Damon!

We were sitting next to each other on a bench in a park, just like we did when we were in Japan. The memories were rushing back into my mind and I could feel my heart aching. I clenched my fist slightly before releasing it.

Damon looked concern. "Are you alright? You look tensed."

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Hey, why didn't you tell me you are coming back for Christmas?" he asked.

"It's none of your business!" I snapped.

He was taken aback and looked hurt. I felt like slapping myself. I had no right to demand him to love me just to make me happy. I looked away.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

"It's alright."

There was a moment of silence. Sitting next to him made me uncomfortable. He always gave me a sense of familiarity yet he was far from reach. I hated this false sense of reality.

"Remember the email that I had sent you?" he spoke suddenly.

"What?" I was not paying attention.

"I asked you a question. A question whether there is somebody in your life."

I was quiet for a while before I spoke.

"There is nobody in my life."

"Why? Don't you believe in soulmate?" he continued to ask.

"Yes, I do," I answered impatiently. I just wished he could stop talking and go away.

There was a pause before I opened my mouth. "Don't you?"

"Of course I do!"

"I bet she is very lucky!" I sounded sarcastically. It was jealousy, I guessed.

His lips curled into a smile. "I bet she is!"

I could feel something gripping my heart. It was aching too much that I felt that I was going to pass out in front of him. I clenched my fist very hard trying to calm myself.

"Are you okay, Elena?" Damon asked.

I turned to look at him. He was staring back at me. The glimmering eyes and the indisputable charm that had always drawn me into trouble! I looked away before I opened my mouth.

"I'm glad to see you here and I wish you and this special woman of yours happiness always."

Then I stood up and walked away. I didn't look back. It was time to let go of the past. To leave everything behind.

I quickened my pace before stumbled into a run. I was not running away. I was just trying to hide the tears that had started to roll down my cheeks!