"Grandma why are you doing this to me. I'm not a child anymore".
"You will marry Nicole. No more questions, Erica. And you're going to move abroad with her," Grandma's voice trembled, but the firmness in her tone sent chills through Erica's spine.
Erica's fists clenched at her sides. "Grandma,you can't make decisions like this for me. This is my life! I don't love Nicole anymore—"
"And that Angel girl?" Grandma interrupted, her voice rising. "You'll stay away from her. She's a distraction. I want what's best for you."
"Grandma back when I was in highschool you said that I should go out with Angel when I was in heartbreak made by Nicole. Why does it change grandma?".
"Erica when will you stop talking back?, didn't you promise me that you will always do what I said. Are you being like this because of Angel?'.
"Grandma this has nothing to do with Angel".
"You have to marry Nicole".
Erica took a step back, her voice breaking. "But Grandma, I—"
Before she could finish, her grandmother stumbled, clutching her chest, and collapsed.
"Grandma!!"
The sun had barely risen when Erica found herself once again in the sterile, white corridors of the hospital. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind like a haunting melody. Her grandmother's sudden collapse during their heated argument had left her shaken. Now, she sat in the waiting area, her hands trembling as she clutched a cup of lukewarm coffee.
Nicole sat beside her, attempting to offer comfort, but Erica couldn't bring herself to acknowledge her presence. The weight of the impending decision loomed over her like a storm cloud.
Finally, the doctor emerged from the emergency room, his expression neutral.
"Erica," Nicole whispered, reaching out. "She'll be okay."
Erica jerked her hand away, her eyes swollen from crying. "Don't. Don't act like you care now."
Nicole flinched but stayed quiet.
The doctor finally emerged. Erica stood instantly, voice cracking, "Doctor! How is she?"
"Are you Ms. Caldwell?" he addressed Erica.
She stood up abruptly, nearly spilling her coffee.
"Yes, that's me," she replied, her voice quivering.
"Your grandmother is stable now. We've moved her to a private room. You can visit her shortly."
Relief washed over Erica, and she nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Doctor."
---
In her grandmother's hospital room, Erica sat by the bedside, watching the frail woman rest. When her grandmother's eyes fluttered open, Erica leaned forward.
"Grandma, how are you feeling?" she asked softly.
Her grandmother managed a weak smile. "I'm fine, Erica. Just a little tired."
Erica took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say.
"Grandma, I've made a decision. Once you're discharged, I'll marry Nicole and move abroad with her, as you wished. But please, promise me you'll take care of your health I'll do as you say."
Her grandmother's eyes welled up with tears. "Thank you, Erica. That means a lot to me."
"Also," Erica continued, "I'd like your permission to say goodbye to Angel and my friends before I leave."
Her grandmother nodded. "Of course, dear. You deserve that closure."
Erica leaned in and hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her face.
When Erica was about to leave the room she saw Nicole at the door, she came closer to her. "Nicole are you happy now? I'm going to marry you because of my grandma's will, but that doesn't mean I will love you again like I used to". Erica whispers at Nicole before she walk outside the room furious at Nicole.
Nicole sat beside Erica's grandma.
"Grandma how are you?".
"Oh, I'm totally fine Nicole". Erica's grandma brush Nicole's hair slowly with her hands. "I'm more than okay dear. Erica will mary you".
"Is that true grandma?".
"Yess dear. I want you to pay attention to her and don't let her see Angel again".
Nicole made a wicked smile on her face like she was saying that she won this time.
---
The next morning, Erica arranged to meet Angel and their friends at their favorite coffee shop. The group arrived early, their faces a mix of anticipation and concern. When Erica walked in, Angel rushed to her, embracing her tightly.
"Erica," Angel whispered, "I've missed you."
Erica held her close, tears falling freely. "I've missed you too, Angel."
They sat down, coffees in hand, and Erica didn't waste time.
"I wanted to see you all because I have something important to share," she began. "I'm marrying Nicole and moving abroad with her."
Gasps and murmurs filled the air.
"My grandmother's health is deteriorating, and this is her wish. I can't go against her now."
Angel's eyes filled with tears. "But what about us?"
Erica reached out, holding Angel's hand. "I'll always love you, Angel. But sometimes, love isn't enough. And I hope one day we will meet each other again and that we can be together again. Just please always remember that I loved you and I will always do". She gives Angel her last long good bye kiss.
She hugged each friend, expressing her gratitude and love, before walking away, leaving a trail of tears behind.
---
At the airport, Erica scanned the crowd, hoping to see Angel one last time. But as the final boarding call echoed, she realized Angel wasn't coming.
On the plane, Nicole clung to Erica, but Erica stared out the window, her heart heavy with sorrow.
Upon arriving in Macao, they checked into a hotel owned by Nicole's family. The room had only one bed.
Nicole showered while Erica sat at her laptop, writing her novel. When Nicole emerged, wrapped in a towel, she approached Erica.
"Erica," she whispered, letting the towel fall.
Erica stood up, picked up the towel, and handed it back. "Please, Nicole, cover yourself."
Nicole began to cry, hitting Erica's chest. "Why can't you love me again?"
Erica gently held her hands. "Because my heart belongs to Angel. It always has."
Nicole sobbed as Erica returned to her writing. "You can take the bed. I'll sleep on the sofa."
---
3years passed. Erica and Nicole remained married, but the spark never reignited. Erica's thoughts often drifted to Angel, and her novels reflected that longing.
Nicole held onto hope, believing that one day, Erica would love her again.
She tried everything to get win Erica's heart again but she always failed, because no matter what she do inside Erica's heart there will always be one person and that was Angel.
---
Back at Angel
Angel remained heartbroken. Her friends tried to help her move on, but every night, she cried herself to sleep, questioning why Erica didn't fight for their love.
One evening, her friends visited, bringing alcohol to lift her spirits. But as Angel drank, memories of Erica flooded back, deepening her sorrow.
"Why did Erica leave me?". Tears were slowly dropping in her face while she drinks the whole bottle of alcohol.
Audrey comfort her. "Angel, we know that Erica loves you a lot and you know it to." She let Angel lay on her shoulder while everyone was hugging Angel.
"Angel it's okay to cry and to be heartbroken. But please, don't hurt yourself". Risha took the bottle in Angel's hand.
"Angel think about yourself too". Kim added. "It's not you anymore. The Angel that we know are strong,brave and talented". She looked at Angel. "Angel ever since Erica left you you were always like this. Take a good care of yourself and your company it's slowly dropping".
When the whole room was field with darkness and quietness, where the only source of light only comes from the bright city that can see through the glass wall Infront of her bed.
Angel was staring in ceiling while talking to herself. "Do you still love me?. Erica one day will you still be mine again?. Can our love me put back again". She grabs her phone and looked at their photos in her phone,tears dropping then she fall asleep.
---
Back to Erica and Nicole
One day, while Erica was out, Nicole opened her laptop, discovering photos of Erica and Angel, their happiness evident. She read Erica's novels, realizing they all centered around Angel. Tears dropping from her eyes. Her faith that Erica will still fall for her again slowly fading.
Later, Erica appeared on a talk show, discussing her writing. When asked about her inspiration, she spoke of Angel.
Host: "Miss Erica, ever since you had published your novels you've been so popular. Besides your an Asian writer here in Europe. So can you tell us who/what is your inspiration for your novels?".
Erica: "I had this one friend and she was so special to me. When we were in highschool we've made a promise that I will be a writer and she will be my artist. And that's why do my novels only talked about one person and that is her. I dedicate my novels for her. Now I became successful but I'm still not happy because she's not here.
Host: If you had a chance to see and talk to her again what will you say to her?".
Erica stayed quiet for a second before she again. "Angel I'ved made my promise. I became successful as a writer now. Do you still remember me?. I'm sorry I left you behind I never meant it. Hope you forgive me for what I've done to you. I still love you and I hope that you still love me too. If you're watching this I hope that one day we will meet again to make everything right. I love you and I always do".
Back in her condo, Angel sat frozen in front of the screen.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I never forgot you, Erica," she whispered. "And I never stopped loving you. I still love you, Erica. I always will."