You Once Meant the World

I didn't expect to run into Zac again, especially not at a restaurant.

What was supposed to be a quiet dinner with just Megan and me turned into a full-blown group gathering from our old circle.

I sat calmly on the couch, no longer clinging to Zac like I used to.

There was a girl sitting next to him. The moment the two of them arrived, they tucked themselves away in a corner of the private room the group had booked. They were deep in conversation and laughing like no one else existed.

Everyone else kept steering the conversation toward Zac and me. After all, everyone knew I'd chased after Zac for over twenty years.

Truth be told, the whole reason for this gathering was so our friends could convince Zac to give me another chance.

No one had expected him to show up with another woman.

I coughed a couple of times without thinking. There was a faint smell of smoke in the air.

Everyone knew I had asthma. Usually, when I was around, they'd avoid smoking altogether. Everyone except Zac. He was puffing away and making out with the woman in his arms.

Megan finally snapped and shot him a glare. "Zac, you know Nancy has trouble breathing. Could you at least have some decency in a closed room like this?"

He exhaled a thick cloud of smoke straight into the girl's face and looked directly at me.

"If the smoke bothers her, maybe she should stay away. Wouldn't want her gasping for air and blaming me for it."

Megan looked like she was about to go off on him again, but I stopped her. I quietly asked a friend to switch seats with me and moved to the farthest corner from Zac.

Under the dim lights of the room, I noticed Zac's expression change for a moment.

"Sorry, Nancy," someone murmured beside me. "We really didn't think Zac would–"

"It's fine." I cut in with a smile. "It's been a while since I saw everyone. Who knows when the next time will be?"

We all started chatting about childhood memories, laughing and teasing like the old days.

At some point, Zac wandered over. He stubbed out his cigarette and leaned against the wall like he had all the time in the world.

"What's this about who knows when the next time will be? Are you moving abroad or something? Or just pretending we don't exist anymore?"

The room fell silent.

I paused before finally telling everyone I was preparing for an arranged date and likely marriage too.

I didn't want Zac to keep thinking I'd be chasing him around. I didn't want him believing, even for a second, that I still loved him.

Everyone exchanged stunned looks.

"Nancy, you're still so young. Why are you suddenly thinking about an arranged marriage?"

I held my cup with both hands and took a quiet sip. "I'm not that young. I'm turning thirty soon."

Zac, who had been standing beside me the whole time, suddenly looked furious. I could feel his gaze burning into me, even without looking up.

"Cheap trick," he muttered coldly. "Nancy, you really think I'm buying this? If you've got the guts, then go get married. Don't think some half-baked move like this is going to get my attention. You know me. I never fall for this kind of stunt. And honestly? It doesn't suit you."

I had no idea what was going through Zac's mind.

Ever since I confessed to him, he'd always kept me at arm's length. But tonight, he was oddly talkative. He was almost too talkative.

I stood up and met his gaze head-on.

"Zac, don't worry. I won't chase after you anymore, and I'm done trying to get your attention. If anything I've done before ever bothered you, then I apologize."

This time, Zac said nothing. His lips were pursed, and his brows furrowed. His expression was hard to read.

I picked up my purse and turned to the group with a smile.

"Sorry for ruining the vibe tonight. When I get married, you'd all better be there."

Then I walked out of the room.

Zac stayed frozen where he was.

Just as I stepped into the hallway, I heard his voice behind me.

"Tsk. What an act. She just wants me to chase after her now. Does she really think she's special? I don't fall for crap like that."

I shook my head and returned to my apartment. I grabbed my suitcase and went home.

When I shut the door behind me, I shut the door on every last bit of feeling I ever had for Zac.