1 Excuses/Reunion

Eight years ago...

Under the dark gloomy night sky , a young boy walked down the sidewalk as the sentence 'Our relationship isn't Important' played over and over in his mind. It was never a phrase that didn't make him sad or angry. It actually made him more depressed. and it was unusual for him to feel that way.

He has been nothing but positive and optimistic since they met. But lately, everything has felt off. He couldn't get the words out of his head; they wouldn't go away.

He sighed deeply and thought to himself, "There has to be a reason she said that."

He said it again, hoping that it would make things better.

"There is," the response came back within a few seconds. He had a thought and asked aloud, "Is she mad at me for something?" He questioned himself, but something didn't seem quite right. She had feelings for him. He was well aware of it.

As he remembered their conversation, he came to a halt, his face darkened with sadness.

"She wants to break up with me," he murmured to himself, a wave of worry washing over him. Was there something he'd done wrong? Was she upset about what had happened recently between them?

His mind went blank, and the tears he had been holding back began to flow. He suddenly found it difficult to breathe. This could only mean one thing: he was being abandoned once more.

This cannot be happening.

She doesn't despise me! She would never do such a thing to me. It was just a silly misunderstanding... Right? He calmed himself. But that also didn't make sense. What kind of misunderstanding ? What were they arguing about? His mind raced, unable to stop.

At that moment, as if understanding the pain he was feeling, the sky responded with a deep rumbling sound and a torrential downpour began pouring into the streets of New Mexico. With a start, the young boy dashed for cover beneath one of the few small trees on the sidewalk.

He sat for a while beneath the tree, trying to control his breathing. The rain continued for a while. He finally stood up, and the rain began to fall on his head and face. Whatever else he was muttering under his breath was drowned out by the pitter patter of water against the ground. It didn't matter because it was all white noise. He was unconcerned. He was numb. He was cold.

He furrowed his brows and clenched his fist, raindrops bouncing off his skin, and he sighed, unsure what to think. He needed answers but didn't know where to begin.

"I'm not giving up on our love, and one day I'll have my answers, but until then, wait for me, I'll come back for you," he said quietly to himself, his voice strained as if someone had just shoved a piece of glass through his vocal cords.

***

The Present ...

In a penthouse high above New York City's bustling streets. Inside the living room, a lady in her early twenties sat on a sharp tuxedo sofa, wearing only a white blouse and light pink shorts, her long lustrous straight black hair packed into a rough ponytail. Her hypnotic pale gray orbs and almond-shaped eyes were fixed on the apple laptop resting on her thighs. Lola was so preoccupied with her work that she didn't notice her phone ring. She paused her work after glancing at the Caller ID, which showed the name Santiago.

She picked up the phone and answered it.

" Hello Santiago," she said.

 Santiago cut her off with a cold tone, " Yes Lola, I'm sorry I won't be able to make it, something came up over here. "

'As usual, He is making excuses... '

"What happened? Is there anything I can do for you?" Lola inquired.

"No, you're going to your reunion party, relax and enjoy yourself with your old classmates, I'll handle it," he replied sharply.

"But you said you'd be here," Lola said slowly, waiting for his response, but he hung up.

Lola removed her phone from her ear and placed it beside her, unsurprised. She walked over to the large glass wall, placing her laptop on the table. She looked out the window at the bright blue sky and buildings with icy eyes.

'This isn't the first time... I'm used to it,' she thought as she walked back to the sofa and resumed her work.

'After this, I'll prepare for the reunion.'

After an hour...

A pricey Black Bentley parked in front of Luxury Whale Hotel. Lola, who was sitting in the back passenger seat of the car, had her legs crossed elegantly as she lazily leaned her head on the headrest and stared out the window.

She was dressed in a simple but elegant long sleeve wine velvet bodycon midi dress with her hair neat and loosely straight as it had always been. Her appearance was neither gaudy nor extravagant; it was simple yet capable of withstanding scrutiny. Her makeup was lightly applied, and she clutched an expensive black handbag in her hands, which she paired with a pair of tall square toe black block heel sandals. She was undeniably stunning.

Her beauty could awe the masses, and her facial features were delicate and easy to remember. Despite her stunning beauty, she exuded the icy aura of an empress, making those around her fear and respect her.

"Madam, I will wait here until you are finished," the chauffeur said, opening the door for her and bowing.

" Sir Diego, I would stay longer than expected, go home and relax a bit, I will call another chauffeur when I'm done," Lola said tiredly as she exited the vehicle.

The chauffeur wasn't taken aback by her order; she was always like this, caring more about others than herself. He couldn't understand how someone with such a bleak aura could be so caring and thoughtful.

He bowed again and said, "Thank you, madam." Lola didn't even look at him as she walked into the hotel, simply nodding.

At the front door...

Two guys, who were her old classmates were standing at the front door. They were in charge of the guests who were arriving. They smiled and welcomed Lola warmly when they saw her "Oh! Lola, it's good to see you again. Hurry up to the lobby bar on the third floor, that's where everyone is waiting."

"Ernesto, Angel, it's been a while, nice to see you both and thanks for the directions," Lola said distantly, refusing to return the smile.

Lola nodded and walked past Ernesto and Angel, their smiles as bright as ever " Ah! Lola hasn't changed a bit; she's still as cold as she was before. But at least she replied to us this time, at school she usually just ignores us," they laughed.

" Is it just me or does she look extremely stunning and hot?" Ernesto mumbled as they both watched her walk up to the third floor.

"Keep your eyes closed, big guy; Lola is way out of your league."Angel said, covering Ernesto's eyes with his hands. Ernesto removed his hands and eyed him, he noticed Angel was not looking away from Lola's disappearing silhouette with, and said, "eyes off too man, she's also way out of your league,"

Lola waited in the elevator, not knowing why, but she felt uneasy, as if something bad was about to happen; she wasn't sure why this feeling arose.

'This is why I never came to previous reunion parties,' she sighed,

'nothing bad will happen because I won't waste my time here,' she reassured herself, trying to suppress her uneasiness. The elevator came to a halt on the third floor and then opened. She exited the elevator and proceeded to the lobby bar.

There were a total of twenty people seated when she finally pushed the door open. When they heard the door open, they all turned to see Lola staring at them with her usual poker face.

Lola sighed reluctantly and spoke calmly, "Hello everyone, it's been a while."

"If it isn't the lovely Miss Lola Pérez, it's been a long time. It's a pleasant surprise that you came. We assumed you wouldn't come because you hadn't attended any of the previous reunion parties we hosted. But you arrived, how blissful "one of her female classmates said mockingly, As she clasped her hands. The only female classmate who had say such a thing to Lola and wasn't afraid to say it to her, the only one who never hid her hatred for Lola , was Jade Garcia .