A Promise We Couldn't Keep

In the elevator, I watched the numbers on the digital display climb higher and higher, my heartbeat rising with them.

Unfortunately, when the doors slid open, I ran into one of Simon’s buddies.

The moment he saw me, his face lit up with surprise and excitement.

"Chloe?! You’re here to see Simon, aren’t you?"

Reeking of alcohol, he could not walk straight, but his grip was ridiculously strong.

No matter what I said or how I resisted, he forcefully dragged me into the private lounge ahead.

Inside, the room was drenched in neon lights and the thick scent of alcohol.

The moment I stepped in, I heard Simon’s voice.

"Yeah, Chloe’s pretty, but she’s nothing special. If she weren’t so obedient and easy to handle, I would’ve dumped her a long time ago."

Laughter erupted around him.

A girl was straddling Simon’s lap, her arms wrapped around his neck as she fed him cherries from her fingers. They almost kissed.

Then, she saw me.

The room went dead silent.

Even she froze in place.

The suffocating tension lingered until Simon’s buddy finally broke it.

"I knew it! Chloe was bound to come crawling back to beg for forgiveness!"

"And look at her—all dressed up just for Simon. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is!"

The man who had dragged me in seized the moment, giving me a shove forward.

"Chloe, don’t get me wrong. Women are practically lining up for a guy like Simon. If you don’t hold onto him now, someone else will, and you’ll regret it.

"I’m just looking out for you. With what you’ve got going for you right now, you’ll never find a man better than Simon. You should be grateful."

Around the room, knowing glances were exchanged. Everyone was sneering.

They were all waiting for me to break down in tears and beg Simon to take me back.

Simon kept his hand on the girl’s body, idly stroking her, but his gaze was fixed on me, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Chloe, stop playing these boring little games. I don’t have the patience to humor you every time. This time, I’ll let it slide. But don’t pull this stunt again. Understood?"

He casually nudged the girl off his lap, dismissing her like a pet.

Then, with the same arrogance, he crooked a finger at me. "Come here."

His eyes flicked toward his lap, making it clear what he expected. His voice was as condescending as ever.

"Pour me a drink, Chloe. Consider it an apology, and we’ll call it even."

The room erupted in cheers.

"Come on, Chloe, Simon’s giving you an easy way out. Just take it."

"Yeah! And don’t forget—three shots as a penalty!"

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, I stepped forward, picked up a glass of beer from the table and threw it straight into Simon’s face.

The liquid soaked his hair, strands clinging to his forehead.

His eyes squeezed shut from the sudden impact, but after a brief pause, they snapped open.

Silence crashed over the room.

The dim lights flickered weakly above, struggling like a breath on its last legs.

Simon clenched his teeth, his jaw tight as he glared at me.

I met his stare without a trace of emotion.

"Are you sober now, Simon? It appears you didn’t hear me clearly that night, so let me say it again, in front of everyone.

"Simon, we’re done."

I didn’t wait for a reaction.

I turned and walked out the door.

One of Simon’s friends couldn’t hold back and asked, “Simon, you’re really not going after her? She seemed serious this time.”

Simon kicked over the coffee table, sending fruit platters and glasses shattering to the floor.

“You think I’d go after her? Ha! As if she’s worth it. I’d love to see what Chloe amounts to without me.”

…

That night, around a dozen of our old high school classmates gathered for the reunion.

It had been years since we last saw each other, and the drinks flowed freely as laughter and conversation filled the air.