I woke up with a sharp pain in my lower abdomen.
I groaned softly, curling slightly on the bed as I held my stomach. The cramps were worse today… much worse than the past few days. It felt like my body was completely against me.
But even with all the pain, my mind went somewhere else.
"I saw you that night."
I opened my eyes slowly and stared at the ceiling.
What night?
I turned slightly, wincing again.
What was he talking about?
I tried to think back, but nothing made sense. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't remember anything that could explain what he meant.
I sighed, frustrated.
Why now, Justin?
After a while, I forced myself to sit up.
I was supposed to pick Ben up from my parents place but they suggested he stayed for two more days since he was on break so I decided to stop by at my parents place to see him before going to work.
The drive felt longer than usual. Every little bump on the road made the pain worse, but I managed to get there.
When I arrived, I stayed in the car for a moment, closing my eyes.
I wasn't feeling well at all. Then I went in and gave Ben what he needed then I went back home to rest a bit before going to work.
"I just need to rest a little," I muttered.
When I got home, I managed to take some drugs and lay down on the bed.
The moment my head touched the pillow, I let out a small sigh.
Finally.
But even then…
My mind wouldn't rest.
Justin's words kept replaying in my head.
That night…
What night?
I don't know how long I stayed like that, but eventually, I forced myself to get up.
I couldn't miss work completely.
By the time I got to the office, I still didn't feel great, but at least I looked a bit more put together.
I had barely sat down when Angela walked in.
"Ma'am, someone dropped this off for you," she said, holding some flowers and a box.
I frowned slightly.
"For me?"
"Yes, ma'am."
I took it from her.
"Did they say who sent it?"
"No, ma'am."
"Okay, thank you."
She nodded and left.
I looked down at the flowers and chocolates.
My brows furrowed as I picked up the small card attached.
I hesitated for a second before opening it.
Then I read—
"I know these are your favorite flowers, so I decided to get them for you… and chocolates, because I know how much you love them."
"This is me extending an olive branch. I don't think I can stay away from you."
– J
My heart skipped.
Justin.
I stared at the card for a few seconds… then shook my head.
"Unbelievable," I muttered.
But before I could stop myself…
I smiled.
Just a little.
I froze.
Why am I smiling?
I quickly wiped the expression off my face.
No.
I'm not supposed to feel anything.
Not after everything.
And then, like a flash, my mind went back to the other night.
The closet.
His voice.
"I saw you with him that night."
I frowned again.
What night? What guy?
A knock came in before I could think further.
"Come in," I said.
Stacy walked in immediately.
"Oooh! Chocolate!" she said excitedly, walking straight to my desk.
I quickly pulled it away.
"No. You're not touching that."
She gasped dramatically.
"Wow."
"Go and get your own," I said.
She narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Who are these from?"
I hesitated for a second.
"…Justin."
Her eyes widened.
"Justin? Why is he sending you flowers?"
I sighed.
"It's nothing."
"Julie," she said, sitting down, "tell me."
So I told her.
About the encounter.
About what happened that night.
About what he said.
"Wait," I added, frowning slightly, "Stacy… do you remember any night where I went to meet someone? Like… any guy or something?"
She blinked.
"What? No."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I would remember something like that."
I frowned.
"Then why would he say something like that?"
Stacy shrugged.
"Maybe he's just trying to push the blame on you for what he did back then."
I sighed.
"Maybe…"
But something about the way he said it…
It didn't feel like a lie.
"Anyway," Stacy said suddenly, reaching for the chocolate again, "can we eat this now?"
I slapped her hand lightly.
"No."
She frowned.
"Whyyyy?." She asked pouting
"Because I don't want you to eat them"
I replied, then paused.
"Wait… I think I have another one somewhere."
I opened a drawer and handed her a different chocolate.
Her face lit up immediately.
"Oh my God, thank you!"
Then she paused, looking at me suspiciously.
"Wait… so you refused to give me that one because it's from Justin?"
I scoffed.
"What? No."
She smirked.
"Do you still like him."
"Ew. No."
"Mhm. Just making sure" she said eyeing me.
I shook my head, trying to ignore her.
"So…" she continued, "what are you going to do about Colin?"
I paused.
"I don't know yet."
"But I'll make it up to him."
She nodded.
"Good."
A few minutes later, she stood up.
"You don't look like someone that has eaten," she said.
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. I'm ordering food."
"Stacy—"
"Shh."
Not long after, the food arrived.
We ate, laughed, and talked about random things.
Old memories.
School days.
All the crazy things we used to do.
For a moment… everything felt normal.
Then—
A knock.
"Come in," I said.
Angela stepped in.
"Ma'am, Mr Jonathan is here and he is waiting in the meeting room."
Right.
The meeting. I was supposed to meet with Mr Jonathan our Financial officer so I can review the finances needed for our launch and I forgot about it.
I took a deep breath and stood up.
"I'll be there in a minute."
She nodded and left.
I looked at Stacy.
She gave me a small smile.
"You've got this."
I nodded.
I walked out of my office and made my way to the meeting room.
Immediately I got to the meeting room I froze.
My breath caught instantly.
No…
What is he doing here?
"You?" I whispered.
He looked up at me…
And smiled.
"Long time, Juliana."