Some Endings Start with Old Flames

I was finally able to spend some time with my best friends and catch up with them.

"I thought you ditched us for your boyfriend. Don't you dare refuse to hang out with us again. We're way more important than some guy, you know," one of my friends complained before we parted ways.

I nodded in agreement. "Don't worry. From now on, I'll make sure to be at every get-together as long as I have time to spare."

After I got into a relationship with Zeke, I directed all my focus and attention toward him. By prioritizing him in all aspects of my life, I lost my friends and my social life.

In hindsight, I realized it was an extremely foolish decision.

I checked my phone and realized that Zeke had transferred the money back to me.

By the time I reached home, it was 3:00 am.

After turning on the lights, I was surprised to find Zeke sitting on the couch. I was so stunned that I had to do a double take.

Despite noticing that I was drunk, he didn't bother lending me a helping hand to keep me from tripping over my own feet. Instead, he merely scowled at me with a disappointed look on his face.

"Can you get a grip on yourself? If you're jealous, just admit it.

"As a woman in a long-term relationship, do you think it's appropriate for you to come home wasted at 3:00 am in the morning?" he spat with disdain.

I felt incredibly dizzy. I placed a hand on the wall to balance myself as I slowly stumbled toward the couch and sat down.

When Zeke smelled the alcohol on my body, he furrowed his brow ever so slightly. "Didn't I tell you I didn't like those friends of yours? Were you out partying with them again?

"Unlike what you think, Scarlett and I are just friends. You didn't need to drink so much alcohol because of her."

Propping my head up with my hand, I snapped irritably, "You're reading too much into things. I just had a couple more drinks than usual because I had a great time with my friends."

My actions angered him.

"That's enough. I've tried to make things less awkward for you. What more could you possibly want?

"I'm warning you—stop testing my patience. I'm not a saint, Joanna. I can't always be the one compromising so you can get your way."

My head was throbbing, and hearing his voice was making my headache worse. I rubbed my temples and said, "Are you done? I'd like to head to bed now."

Upon noticing this, Zeke took a deep breath. Then, he calmed himself down and got up to try and walk me to the bedroom.

With whatever was left of my rationality, I moved away from him. Subsequently, I staggered into the guest room and locked the door behind me, ignoring Zeke, who was knocking on the bedroom door.

That night, I fell into a deep sleep. I felt like I slept more soundly than I usually did.

…

When I woke up the next morning, Zeke was sitting on the couch. His expression was dark, and he wasn't speaking to me at all. It was clear he was angry at me.

I didn't try to cheer him up. Instead, I brushed my teeth, washed up, and left the house.

I headed toward the dance company and handed in my resignation.

Previously, I'd decided to join this particular company because it was located near my home. Hence, it made it easier for me to tend to Zeke's needs.

Now, I no longer had a reason to stay.

My colleagues asked me to reconsider my resignation multiple times, but I was adamant about my decision.

I submitted my résumé to a dance company overseas, and I finally received a reply last week. They'd decided to hire me.

Joining that dance company had been my dream since I was younger, but I'd turned down the opportunity prior to this because of Zeke. Fortunately, it was not too late for me to pursue my dream now.

After I resigned, I called my best friend when I was in the middle of the handover process and told her the good news.

Once she heard about my new job, she felt incredibly happy for me. Then, she fell silent for a brief moment before asking, "What about Zeke, then? Did he agree to the fact that you're leaving the country?"

I let out a small laugh. "No—and he doesn't need to know. I'm traveling alone this time."

After I finished handing over the remainder of my work, I went to prepare the things I needed in order to travel abroad.

My parents were divorced. Aside from my best friends, who I grew up with, Zeke was the only person I was close to in the entire country.

I used to think that home was wherever Zeke was. However, I didn't feel that way anymore. I felt like I no longer had a place to call home.

By the time I returned to my house, Zeke was getting ready to head out.