Chapter One

We always believe that happily-ever-afters end in weddings. The exchange of vows and rings. When an officiant would say, I now pronounce you husband and wife. A kiss in front of your loved ones, who will witness two people's promise of a lifelong commitment. But not for me, my happily-ever-after started on some other beginning's end.

We always dream of love, being inlove. I always do. It's just that it never came my way. The love I give, never comes back.

I grew up in a small town in southwest France where everybody knows everyone. In that small town, I met the one I dreamt of marrying someday. We basically grew up together. Went to school together. Graduated in the same year. Lived in the same apartment. We were inseparable most of our life! We were like twin sisters! Well, that's how he wants us to be!

I have been there in all of his relationships, his heartbreaks, mostly. Giving him pieces of advice even if he never followed. I was his shoulder to lean on, he was a part of me, but I was never a part of him. Until his wedding day, as his groomsmaid, dying inside but tried to look happy. Some pretenses. I was a good actress afterall!

His wedding to Aesop. That was our last meeting. I never saw him after that. I call and message him sometimes, but his marriage really kept us apart. Or at least I distanced myself, because I'm still inlove with him!

After practice, I went straight to the apartment. Had a long bath when I hear some movement from outside my room! Oh gosh! Did I leave the door unlocked? Or did someone bust my apartment? Am I gonna be robbed? Or worse? No, I don't want to die yet! What should I do? Calm down! Relax! Think! Fight or flight?

I look around me. I need something to defend myself! I swiftly wore my robe then grab the bathroom spray. Then the door knob twists! I aimed the spray on the intruder's face. "Help!"

"Ouch-"

That voice! Joseph?

"What did you do to my beautiful face?! And you hurt my eye!"

I'm still in shock. Is this real? I'm dreaming right? How can he be in front of me? Why would he be here? I'm just imagining him. You know like I always do!

"What are you still doing? Help me! I can't see!"

Oh! I quickly walked to him, guiding him to the sink. "Let me-" I turn the faucet on, washed his face with running water. "What are you doing here anyway? And how did you get in?" I asked, handing him a face towel.

He stands up straight, looked at his face in the mirror then at me. "He's divorcing me."

Divorce? Really? "Wh-what-why? What happened? Do you want to talk about it now?" I placed my hands on top of his shoulders then turn him to me. "It's okay if you can't talk about it now-"

I notice him struggle to talk. "He said he's inlove with someone else." Tears swell up his amazing blue eyes. He actually aged a little, but still handsome. "Please, let me stay here for now? I still have this." He shows the key from his pocket.

"Do I have a choice?" I pretended to be annoyed. "Well, your room before-um I kinda turned in into my costume room, but I can rearrange it tomorrow." I push him to the shower, "refresh yourself a bit. You look wasted. I think you left some clothes. I'll go and find them."

To be honest, the clothes that I'm talking about? He didn't leave those, I kinda hid them when he was packing before his wedding. I handed him his clothes when he finished bathing. I also changed into my pajamas. He emerged from the bathroom, "thank you, Mary. For letting me stay."

What are friends for right? That's all I'll ever be. I placed some pillows and a blanket on top of the sofa. "You'll stay here for now, but tomorrow, promise I'll arrange your room before my practice."

"I'm sorry I wasn't at your play-"

I smiled at him, shaking my head "come on, that's okay. You can't always watch my plays. I know you've got aome important things to do." It was my biggest break. It was my first ever play wherein I took the lead part, but he wasn't able to see it. For some reason. "Goodnight."

"Mary-" he pauses. I lifted my brows. "I'm really, really, devastated right now." He reached for my hand. "Please stay with me, just like old times?"

How can I not stay with him? When he's looking like this to me? He still kept his hair long. How I wish I could grab his shiny long hair. I mean. What am I thinking?!

"Or at least until I fall asleep?"