26 The End Of His Beautiful And Youthful Dream

||Lucas||

[Hello again, Mr. Liu. I'm sorry for calling you a few times before. I'm so grateful for your help. If you ever found yourself in a predicament, please contact me. I'm glad to offer mine as well.]

Lucas kept reading the same message over and over again. The look in his eyes was dull as the screen light was reflected into them.

Lucas was standing with his back leaning on the store building of MoodSpresso. His hair and shoulders were dampened by melted snow. A shovel was propped against the store.

This was not the first time the woman sent him a text. She also tried calling him before but, Lucas didn't answer it. He felt bad for leaving her hanging yet, he wasn't in the right mind to do so.

"Help, huh?"

Lucas put the phone inside the pocket of his winter jacket. He didn't have the intention to reply to Liliana's message.

The clock was showing a quarter to six. The sky had darkened completely. The entire area was already brightened up with bright lights.

Lucas put the shovel inside the store. He made sure to lock the door properly before he made his way into the cafe.

From the tall glass walls, Lucas could see many patrons enjoying their food and drinks, either alone or with companions. They were clearly enjoying their time there. The calming ambiance of the cafe further added to their peace.

"I'll head home now," Lucas handed the store keys to George who was manning the cash register, "Tomorrow's my day off but, just call me if we're short-staffed."

"You don't wanna rest?" George took the keys from Lucas, "It's Saturday! Why don't you bring your girlfriend out tomorrow? It's rare for you to have a day off on the weekend."

Lucas held back the bitterness from showing on his expression. He gave George a faint smile, "It's fine. I can earn more money too."

"Tsk, such a workaholic."

Lucas stopped replying to George. He went inside the staff room to retrieve his crossbody bag. Soon, he was already out of MoodSpresso. He didn't even say goodbye to Michael as always.

Last week, no talk happened between Lucas and Daphne. She was so adamant, scolding him to think what was his fault by himself.

When Lucas begged her to speak more, Daphne just scoffed and kept telling him to stop being so pathetic. More insulting words came out of her mouth.

Their relationship had reached the breaking point but, Lucas was still dearly holding on to the last straw.

'Has she come home already?'

Lucas dragged his body to the apartment where they lived. He was so reluctant to go back but, he didn't have any other places to go. His close friends didn't know how he was living right now.

"...!"

Once Lucas reached the floor, he found that two bags and a box were put outside the door. The two black and gray backpacks were his. Seeing them gave a sense of foreboding to him. His heartbeat accelerated in an instant.

'Why are they outside? Don't tell me...'

Lucas kneeled on the floor. He began checking the backpacks and the box. His clothes and his other belongings were crammed inside them. A bead of cold sweat ran down his temple.

Unwilling to face the truth, Lucas rummaged inside his chest bag. He quickly inserted the key into the keyhole but, the door wasn't budging. He couldn't open the door no matter how many times he tried!

"This... this is new."

Lucas was stunned once he realized the entire door lock wasn't the one he was accustomed to. Even though it appeared identical, there were no scratches, wear and tear grazing the surface.

"Daphne! Daphne, are you inside? Open the door!"

Lucas knocked on the door repeatedly but, nothing happened. He stopped when his phone rang suddenly. Daphne's name was displayed on the screen.

"...Daphne! What did you do?!"

Lucas' hoarse voice echoed heavily in the open corridor. He took in a deep breath, trying to restrain his emotions from spiraling out. The whites in his eyes started to redden.

"This is our end. I'm so sick of you now. Take your things and go away. Don't make me call the police."

Without any warning, Daphne hurt Lucas' feelings with her piercing words. Each one of them cleaved into his heart, causing blood to gush out.

Lucas stood frozen. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Numbness flared out all over his body.

"...what did you say? You... you're breaking up... with me?"

Was this an awful joke?

Daphne was exasperated. She sighed out loud, "Are you that stupid? You can't understand me? I'm breaking up with you! There's no place for you anymore here."

Lucas shook his head, regaining his senses.

"Daphne, open the door, please..." Lucas softened his voice, almost pleading to the woman who had just coldly shattered his feelings, "We can still talk it out, right? Please... open the door for me."

Never did Lucas lower himself like this in front of anyone.

Despite knowing Daphne treated him like a beggar, Lucas still couldn't bring himself to walk away. His gaze on the backpacks and the box was blurred by unshed tears.

Was this... really the end?

"Don't be stubborn," Daphne was clearly running out of her patience. Her voice rose to another octave, "I don't see any future with you. Just go back to your part-time jobs. See how they can sustain you for life."

"Daphne! Open..."

"I'm calling the police now! Scram!"

Tutt!

Lucas' breath hitched. His entire face was flushed red. Not only because of the cold wind but, also the sorrow that overwhelmed his heart.

"...Daphne?"

Lucas took one step closer. He feebly knocked on the door. The sound echoed weakly in the open corridor, drowned in the howling of the wind.

"...please, let's talk. I can't accept this."

Was he this easily discarded by the one he wholeheartedly loved?

"Daphne..."

Was this the end of the beautiful and youthful dream they shared?