Paris.

The city brought back memories that Emma Li had tried to erase from her mind; bittersweet images from her past. Nonetheless, there she was, standing in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing her Chanel coat, a pair of black Prada boots and dangling in her right hand, a DKNY handbag with a warm cup of Starbucks Frappuccino in the other. Carefully, she took a sip of the beverage whilst her eyes continued to scan the vicinity. People were bustling around her; some were tourists admiring the majestic view of the brightly lit national landmark while others who were accustomed to the sight were no longer fazed. In all honesty, Emma Li belonged to the latter group. To her, the tower was nothing more than a painful reminder of her past. The tower triggered the inner demons that she suppressed within herself. The sky was darkening and more street lights were lit but still, the person that she was waiting for did not appear. She glanced at her Rolex watch and heaved a sigh. She turned on her heels and decided that she should go back to her hotel but just as she was about to walk away, a hand roughly grabbed unto hers and she was turned around. Emma was surprised but regained her composure not long after when she saw the person in front of her. She took a moment to take in his appearance. His blonde hair was meticulously styled, further accentuating his already-handsome face with his sharp nose, piercing gaze and high cheekbones. His lips were slightly purple, probably due to the cold. As usual, he was dressed fashionably. He was wearing a Camel Active shirt, a pair of Levis jeans and Nike sneakers. Dangling around his wrist was a silver pendant the shape of a dragon. He raised an eyebrow playfully, Where do you think youre going? I thought we are going to have dinner together. Carefully, Emma pulled her wrist away from his grasp and rolled her eyes. Youre late, she stated tonelessly. Her lips were pressed into a firm thin line. Come on, I was just, he looked at his wristwatch, two hours late! You cant possibly be mad! Two hours?! Just two hours?! Emma scoffed. She was starting to get really pissed off by then. It was freezing cold in downtown Paris and she waited in that unbearable weather for just two hours. Emma slapped his face before she strutted off to wherever her legs would take her. At that moment, anywhere was fine except near him. She could use some time alone right then. ~ The sound of her phone ringing echoed in the spacious hotel room. Emma opened her eyes and grabbed the phone which was lying on the bedside table. She was an early bird but it didnt mean that she liked being awoken at about 4 in the morning. She was rather pissed and after seeing his name flashing on her phone screen, she was aggravated even more. She switched off her phone and tossed it carelessly on the floor.

Just as she was about to lie down on her bed, she could hear the doorbell ringing, halting her intentions of going back to sleep. She knew who it was. He was simply relentless, not that she could do anything about it. She slipped into the pair of bedroom slippers and opened the door without even bothering to take a peek first for she already figured out who it was. What are you doing here? Emma asked as she eyed the man standing in front of her. Without waiting for an invitation, the man slipped into her hotel room and sat casually on her bed. Emma followed him into the bedroom and crossed her arms across her chest. I would appreciate if you show some manners and get your ass off of my bed. And if I dont? Kris, I dont have time to play games with you. Could you please just go away? she pleaded as she massaged her forehead, already feeling a headache coming up. Kris stared at her suspiciously. Why are you like this? he asked, upset. He noticed that for the past few days, Emma was being rather grumpy and crabby. He didnt know what happened to her but to him, she seemed different. She used to be so understanding, never questioning him or be upset with him. Fine then, he said in finality. If you want me to go, then Ill go. Forever. Consider were over. He stood up and made his way to the door. Kris. He turned around, expecting her to apologize for her behavior but her next words caught him by surprise. Live well. Without another word, Kris walked out of the hotel room and slammed the front door shut as he made his exit. After ensuring that he was no longer there, Emma started to break into sobs. Its over, its finally over. Her whispers echoed in the empty room. For the first time, she let her tears fall. She was already past her limit. She was breaking inside. ~ I like you. Emmas ears perked up and she immediately turned to face Kris. They were at the Eiffel Tower, admiring the view of Paris from the top of the famed tower. He had asked her out because he wanted to hang out and since Kris was a very close and dear friend, Emma accepted but she didnt expect Kris to confess. All this while, Kris was often playing around, making use of his sweet talk and handsomeness to charm girls and sleeping around. So, hearing him confess to her was a major surprise that she would have never seen coming.

She was not pretty; she was just an average Chinese girl with slanted eyes and short black hair which framed her freckled oval face. Her chest was flat, she was not curvaceous, her legs were marred with flaws; definitely not the type of girl Kris would want as a girlfriend. Youre playing with me, arent you? Emma asked hesitantly, as if expecting him to break into a boyish grin and said, Duh, do you really expect me to fall for someone like you? Kris looked into her eyes, lips pressed firmly into a thin line. There was no hint of any mischievousness or playfulness in his eyes. He looked serious and this denoted that he meant everything he said. He really did like her. Emma didnt know if she should feel flattered or scared. Flattered that someone as handsome as him actually liked an average Jane such as herself but scared that maybe he was getting her hopes up only to crush them later. B-but This is just too sudden! I cant-mmm Before Emma managed to finish her sentence, Kris silenced her speech by pressing his lips on hers. He closed his eyes, savoring that moment. Emma was taken aback by his action but she kept quiet. He was tempting. Before she realized it, she closed her eyes and kissed him back. After a few moments, they pulled away from each other, breathless. So, are we official now? Kris asked with a small shy smile. With a blushing face, Emma nodded her head shyly. Good, Kris stated and kissed her again. ~ Emma woke up to the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves. She was away from Paris; far from the reality of a nonexistent happily-ever-after. She truly loved Kris, she really did but sometimes; people need to learn to let go and letting Kris go, though it was hard, was the best decision. Eiffel Tower was supposed to symbolize love but it only reminded her of the beginning of the rockiest chapter of her life. She never doubted Kriss love for her but she questioned if the love that he said was genuine or simply a temporary kind of attraction. She recalled the early days of them being a couple, it was sweet at first but then, all good things must come to an end. He reverted back to his playboy ways, flirting with girls and even sleeping with them. But she stayed, she refused to let him go and hurt herself further. All this while, she was torturing herself and tried to make believe of a fictitious happy romance. The two were no loving couple, they were two opposite magnetic poles who were pulled together due to a strong force of attraction but could easily be pulled apart. She opened the window of the small loft in countryside London. The air was fresh and soothing, instantly washing away all her problems as she admired the beautiful scenery laid in front of her.

Trees were surrounding the small loft and there patches of snow decorating the top of the trees. Taking a deep breath, she decided it was perhaps good for her to take a walk in the mirthful weather.